Network
society
According
to castells, a network is a decentralised matrix of nodes through which
communication can occur with a multidirectional freedom which is neither time-bond
or spatially restricted. In his trilogy, castells traced the effects of three
independent processes that have come together to produce a new society.
·
The
information technology revolution
·
Economic
crisis of capitalism and communism
·
New
social movement like environmentalism and feminism.
I
agree with the fact that mobile and wireless technology will spread the network
society to the most remote places and the deepest pores of the world.
In
the network society, power is no longer controlled by institutions,
organisations, or symbolic controllers. It is defused in global networks of
wealth, power, information, and images, which circulate around a variable
landscape. A new culture is formed by networks in which a space of flows transcends
a space of places. According to castells, space is inseparable from time. A space
of flows produces timeless time. Together, the space of flows and timeless time
produce a culture of real virtuality, through a system of codified meaning that
becomes reality, a concept that strongly resembles baudrillard’s theories on
simulation and silmulcra.
5 Characteristics of Network society
·
An
informational economy in which sources of productivity and competitiveness for
firm, regions, countries depend more than ever on knowledge, information and
the technology of their processing, including the technology of management and
the management of technology.
·
A
global economy that is not the same as a word economy, and is new reality.
·
National,
regional and local economics depend ultimately on the dynamics of the global
economy to which they are connected through networks and markets.
·
The
network enterprise is a new form of organisation characteristic of economic
activity, but gradually extending its logic to other domains and organisations.
·
The
transformation of work and employment; the flexi-workers. There is no major
surge in unemployment (except in Western Europe) but there is great anxiety and
discontent about work. Power relations have shifted in favour of capital with
much downsizing, subcontracting and networking of labour, inducing flexibility
and individualisation of contractual arrangement.
Mobile
technology is taking off in leaps and bounds. While this technology is
relatively new in the big scheme of things, it is certainly not new in anyone’s
mind; indeed, it truly feels like mobile devices have been around forever. It has
changed human history; it allows us to stay connected regardless of our
geographical location.
Mobile
technology has helped global communication to improve. It has facilitated
efficient business processes by enabling easy recording customer’s information,
updating information and placing quick orders with suppliers. Advancements in
the mobile technology have facilitated the production of smartphone that are
lighter, cheaper and faster. However, ethical end legal issues have also risen
as users interact with mobile technology.
The
potential benefits of mobile technology are many. It has enabled businesses to
improve the quality of services offered to consumers. Customers are able to pay
for their bills using smartphones; it saves customers travelling costs that
they would have incurred if they paid their bills in the premises of the
business.
Mobile
technology faces several legal issues. One of the major issues is on the liable
party in case a security breach occurs when a customer pay his/her services
through mobile technology. It is either the customer or the service provider
who faces the legal liability depending on the circumstances of the case.
Mobile
technologies have also caused many social problems. Drivers are exposed to the
risk of the road accidents when they communicate via mobile phones while
driving at the same time. Scientists also claim that mobile technology devices
expose users to many health risks. Such devices produce electromagnetic fields
that are harmful to the human brain. Excessive electromagnetic fields have been
to cause memory loss, and brain trumors. (EHHI 2012).
So the fact that mobile and wireless technology will spread the network society to the most remote places and the deepest pores of the world is very true accirding to the research that has been made.
So the fact that mobile and wireless technology will spread the network society to the most remote places and the deepest pores of the world is very true accirding to the research that has been made.
Bibliography
Castells,
M. (2001) The internet galaxy. Reflections on the internethe internet galaxy. Reflections
on the internet, business and society, oxford university press, chapter 4,
pp.116-39
Sonya.R
(2012) The social media tightrope
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