Visibility on the social stage

Hola readers!

Sharing interpersonal connections and the ways in which a user knows other users is an effective way to build status and reputation in an online society. An example of this is the professional networking sit LinkedIn. On this site users can utilise buisness connections online through liks with those in their field, making collaboration and progress easier for all. This can also be seen on sites such as Facebook where people who boast the most friends are seen as the most popular. As the information age flourishes "access to information is a key element of status and power” (Donath and Boyd, 2004, p. 71) and those with the best ways to attain knowledge (e.g LinkedIn) are those with the power. Knowledge is no longer only for those with power but can be attained by anyone with a connection to web 2.0.

The many advancements in technology over the past few years have lead to a boom in constant connection to the ever expanding network. The theatre group Blast Theory focus their work around these enhanced concepts such as locative media and live video streaming. The ties between the corporeal and the virtual are getting harder and harder to discern as it is now possible to carry your connectivity around in your pocket.

Here is a link to the Blast Theory website, anyone who is in the know in emerging technologies sould know of the work being done by this group. http://www.blasttheory.co.uk/bt/index.php

I would also like to include a link to my previous blogging on emerging technologies for those who are interested. http://jackmartellocarroll.blogspot.com/

This is a link to an article about augmented reality for those interested it can also be found on my previous blog.

http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?ch=specialsections&sc=emerging&id=18291


Donath, J. and Boyd, D. (2004). Public displays of connection. BT Technology Journal , volume 22 (4): 71-82