The power and influence of the internet and technology

Sarah Elgohary 

Sociology 156

12/11\14   Second paper Final

Professor Gail Sailer

All the mediums we have discussed have one thing in common.  That is, the fact that they all made reference to boundaries and borders.  There are four different types of boundaries in the media. These boundaries are spatial, temporal, interpersonal and intrapersonal.   An example of spatial boundary is the physical space between the environment and the different interactions of people. The temporal boundary refers to time; past present and future. It can also refer to how the past, present and future interact with one another. The third boundary deals with the interpersonal reactions and interactions of people. The interpersonal boundary consists of all aspects concerning or involving relationships between people.  The intrapersonal boundary deals with interactions with people in society and in their everyday life. The intrapersonal boundary also focuses on the in mind aspect relating to the internal aspects of a person, especially their emotions. Each medium we have has been dissolved, blurred or defined in specific ways. The ways in which these boundaries of any mediums are used in the many diverse interactions of society today is different than what the boundaries were created or intended to do in the first place. The way we use boundaries today in each specific medium media is not the same as the way the boundaries and borders were meant to be used in society or what the boundary was intended to do for each specific medium.  The Internet is a perfect example of a medium that has been dissolved, blurred or defined in specific ways. The ways in which the boundaries of the Internet are used in the many diverse interactions of society today is different than what the boundaries were created or intended to do in the first place.€

 Question one 

Technology has really revolutionized the way people connect with each other, especially the influence of social media.   According to Siegel “The Internet was the first social environment that serves the needs of the isolated, elevated, asocial individual”.   (Siegel, 6) This means that The Internet has revolutionized our ability to communicate connect with each other and share data beyond national boundaries.  As a result, the internet is making it easy for people to cross and overcome the –border between social and commercial interactions. This Is Enabling cross-border data flows, between social and commercial interactions in society however;    this raises a number of important questions about the power and influence of the Internet. http://www.internetsociety.org  

Another boundary of the Internet Is the boundary  of the real and virtual world and the art of self expression  in which the Internet has blurred the meaning of art as one way   self expression of people in society. Art references the meanings of the self, our personal experiences without   actually addressing our unique experience. Art speaks to society as a whole even though people who see the art do not know who the artists really are as individuals.  There is also the art of packing ourselves online when we are using social media. For example Some people on Face book post Every little detail about their lives just to see other people’s reactions and to get as many  “likes on a post or video as possible this is so people gain as much popularity as possible in society.  

The Internet was not designed to recognize national boundaries. It's not being rude -- In a way I think the Internet is very   resilient because of the fact that resiliency is achieved through the diversity of communications and the Internet has multiple connections and different routes between key points of people and society.   One can describe the Internet as a metaphor for the traffic in society because the Internet has multiple connections and different routes between key points of people and society. .   

Another boundary of the Internet is the boundary of (public & private this boundary is very narrow and It is getting smaller each day.  Although I really think that there is no privacy anymore unless the secret is in your head because when you are online everything is exposed to the public  every little detail you post on face book or social media can be seen by the entire world whether you want it to be or not. This is why I really wonder if we are never true safe online even if we are in our own homes. This brings me to point of people having Authenticity of self we project online As technology becomes more integrated in our lives – there is a blur between humans & machines Can authentic identity be expressed online I do not think people can have authentic identity online because people are not their true selves as a result of seeking approval from others to validate our existence on the Internet so our Participation on social networks: Requires skill set of how to participate.

 2 There are many ways in which the Internet influences interpersonal behavior.  First of all if the Internet is used primarily for convenience of people , who cannot or do not want to leave the comfort of their  own home for whatever reason than people cannot expect to strengthen the bonds of the relationships they have with other people  just by communicating online words I believe that people have to meet each other at some point for face to face interaction with others in order to have a real relationship with people, but the Internet is eliminating the need for people to actually see each other anymore in society final reason people use the Internet  is socializing on face book or other social media to connect with friends, escape reality and people can have a different persona online and no one has to know the real you behind the scene. One of the main concerns of the Internet is the level of real social engagements or social interactions that people actually get online when they are communicating with their friends this is opposed to be the level of real social engagements or social interactions that people   actually get online when they are communicating with their friends face to face. I feel that there is more of a social engagement when you are speaking to people in person than if you are speaking to them online.  

These reasons are why the Internet has such a big impact on people in society.   As a result, I agree with turtle that Internet mediates our desire to connect (have companionship with people without the demands of friendship because connecting with others is a basic need of human nature.  Another belief Is that people have is less of a need for patience with regard to the pace of face to face interaction with others due to technology even though people crave intimacy and companionship with others according to Turtle which In my opinion, people cannot have good relationships intimacy and companionship   on a full level without of face to face interaction with others. That is why I believe that the technology we are using is destroying and eliminating of face to face interaction with others which dials down human contact which we is very necessary for companionship to happen. This is because people are afraid to be alone we crave human contact with each other.  As A Result, I believe human beings are social by nature The Internet may increase contact for people who do not see each other very offend or on a daily basis Therefore the Internet increases both interpersonal relationships and intrapersonal relationships for people of society at the same time the Internet is destroying the real human contact that people need to maintain their both interpersonal relationships and intrapersonal relationships.  In other words I believe that people have to meet each other at some point for face to face interaction with others in order to have a real relationship with people, but the Internet is eliminating the need for people to actually see each other anymore in society This is one very negative aspect of the Internet in the interactions of people in society, 

Question 3 

  The Internet  can be used to enhance the exchange of  communication because the Internet creates  the idea the differences between the Simulated life (virtual life) and real life vs. control use the Internet  is socializing on face book or other social media to connect with friends, escape reality and people can have  a different persona online and no one has to know the real you behind the scene. These reasons are why the Internet has such a big impact on people in society.   As a result, I agree with turtle that Internet mediates our desire to connect (have companionship with people without the demands of friendship because connecting with others is a basic need of human nature.   The interaction with people online has volume not depth of face to face interaction with others. Another belief Is that people have is less of a need for patience with regard to the pace of face to face interaction with others due to technology even though people crave intimacy and companionship with others according to Turtle which In my opinion, people cannot have good relationships intimacy and companionship   on a full level without of face to face interaction with others. That is why I believe that the technology we are using is destroying and eliminating of face to face interaction with others which dials down human contact which we is very necessary for companionship to happen. This is because people are afraid to be alone we crave human contact with each other. As a result, I believe human beings are social by nature 

Works Cited

Daigle, L. (2013, January 16). Provoking-National-boundaries-internet-chilling-thought. Retrieved December 15, 2014, from http://www.internetsociety.org/blog/2013/06/provoking-national-boundaries-internet-chilling-thought?page=3

Elgohary, S 2014 my Reaction paper For Turkle turlke 

Elgohary, S 2014 my Reaction paper For The Internet Brings Four New Ideas 

Siegel, L. (2008). Introduction. In Against the machine: Being human in the era of the electronic mob (p. 6). London: Library of Congress.

Turlke, S. (1986, March 1). On the Computer Personal Style and Being a human A conversation with Sherry Turkle. 1-6.