In the first full chapter of The Wealth of Networks, Yochai Benkler makes oblique reference to a concept that is capturing my imagination: co-presence. As Benkler describes the shift from an industrial information age to a networked information age, he notes that "emerging models of information and cultural production, radically decentralized and based on emergent patterns of cooperation and sharing, but also of simple coordinate coexistence, are beginning to take on an ever-larger role in how we produce meaning—information, knowledge, and culture—in the networked information economy" (32, 33).
When speaking of the emerging networked information age, the people I've read such as Friedman and Tapscott readily reference "patterns of cooperation and sharing," but they too often overlook "simple coordinate coexistence." If I understand Benkler correctly, then simple coordinate coexistence means about the same as what I mean by the shorter term co-presence. The ability of people to constantly share the same communicative space, to be persistently present to each other, even when they don't know each other, or even when they are unaware of each other. The potential of so many people standing persistently present at the periphery of your communicative space brings a new dynamic to human interaction. I'm not aware that this new dynamic has been adequately explored.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Co-presence
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12 comments:
That is a very interesting observation. I think it's true that people have the ability to always be reached and always communicate with any person across the globe. Some of the common ways this is possible is text messaging, e-mail, AIM, etc...
To me, it's strange to think about how we are "persistently present to each other," even when we aren't aware of everyone else's presence. I wonder if one day we will see someone across the room and decide to test them hello rather than get up from our seat and walk over to that person to say hello. Actually, this does happen today already! Through our new devices of communication we can buy time in a way: responding to someone's text message takes longer than if one was in an actual conversation. When talking face to face there is a necessity to "keep the conversation rolling." But, with our new means of communication we can think a while about our response to someone and talk to them in our own time.
I completely agree that the new networked information age brings about numerous new human interaction dynamics. I do wonder though whether they are for the best. I tend to like old-fashioned things and true one on one, face to face human interaction. It makes me happier to see someone when I talk to them.
All of this information seems to be so true, especially today. It will be interesting to know whether or not the future will be anything remotely like today, seeing as how much change takes place day to day.
I without a doubt agree that others may be able to communicate without being face-to-face. More and more ways of rapid communication are emerging. Today Facebook, email, blogging, instant messaging, text messaging, and letters are all verbal communication without seeing the person whom you are talking to. All of these seem to often be the first choice to be in touch with one another rather than simply meeting up to talk in person. Just as Jessica stated, even people who are a few steps away choose to say hello through a text message rather than exchanging greetings in person! The question is whether or not this act is characterized by laziness or just merely convenience.
I understand that this new age is characterized by new ways to converse with one another, although sometimes not talking to someone in person may only lead to an argument because of miscommunication. Something as simple as a text message saying hello could be confusing unless said face to face because the tone of the word is unknown. In an email, instant message or text message who knows what will follow the hello; it might be the start of an unexpected argument, or something more cheerful like how your friend’s date went the night before! It would be difficult to tell unless face to face. So what is the most “convenient” way of communicating?
Through the use of communication tools over the internet or through technology, such as, Facebook, instant messaging, e-mail, webpages, etc., we all do share our "communicative space." It is true that we probably are connected with tons of people that we do not know or are not aware of. The idea of "co-presence" is actually very interesting and it really makes you think of all the ways we are connected without even knowing it. For instance, take what Courtney and Jessica stated, many people today communicate indirectly either because of laziness or convenience; some may also see it as a way to avoid awkward silences or it being an easier way to "be polite" than if talking to someone their not very fond of in person, it hides their emotions. This dynamic gives us another choice on which way we'd like to communicate.
Back before text messaging or the internet was even available, how did most people communicate? Through meeting and talking face-to-face. In some ways, maybe this new-age way of communication could, one day, change the future into a solely indirect communicating society. This definitely brings a new dynamic to human interactions and it should be explored more to see how much the future will be affected or if it will be something that will die out. Who knows?
My mom used to tell me to be careful what I posted on the internet because I would never know who all was looking at the pictures or comments I was leaving on the web. My mom was so right. People look at your information that is posted on the internet and you have no idea who the people are, and sometimes you have no idea they are actually looking at your information. In a way it is kind of scary.I do not really want people that I do not know looking at my information therefore I will not post personal information on the web.
It is amazing to me how easy it is to reach people these days. You can pretty much reach anyone on their cell phones during the day, and if they do not answer there you can call their house lines...if they still have them...or you can reach them on facebook or through email, and a fast response will follow. I have no problem with these fast ways of communication but just as was stated before, it is hard to detect emotion when you are not talking to someone one on one. I still enjoy talking to people one on one because a lot of the stuff that I like to talk about is too much to text, and a conversation is much more interesting when you are face to face with someone.
I just wonder what is next in the communication technology era. Will there be even faster ways of communication, and what will they be?
The ability that people can be reached and can communicate with any one at any time is amazing but also weird to me. The fact that people can be present to each other in the web seems sort of cool but ion the other hand its strange to think about what i have on the internet and how just anyone can look. they created privacy on facebook and myspace and for your bank statements for a reason. but even on these secure sites their our computer wizzes out there that can hack into any system to look at what ever they desire to look at.
With me knowing this i often find myself watching what i put and say on the internet. Not only because i do not know who could be looking at my stuff but i try to watch what i say to not offend anyone. I would never know who could see something i put up and get pissed off and that makes them want to come find me. The internet is good and to be able to see the things it allows you to see is outstanding, but there people know days that are dangerous and take advantage or the information they can get. Frankly it scares me.
The way our society is today it is possible to get in touch with almost anyone that you want to get in touch with through a phone call, an e-mail, a facebook message, or a text message. So if we can get in touch with anyone that we want to then that would lead me to conclude that anyone could get in touch with me. So it is not a stretch to think that I am connected to hundreds even thousands of people that I have no idea who they are.
It is quite an odd thing to think about. That I am connected to so many people just by existing in this day and age. I don't think that this connection is a bad thing. I think that this connection allows our society to be more sensitive and informed about different kinds of people.
The biggest threat that this presents is not our loss of face time, it is the risk of nations losing their culture around the globe. With the internet being accessed by people all around the world, anyone is able to learn about any culture. People in Japan can listen to American music, Americans can find recipes from France, the French can find new fashion inspiration from Brazil, and so on and so on. My point being that the internet has increased the speed at which our world comes together. Before long, only deeply-rooted religious customs will remain unique while everything else is shared.
I think we definitely live in times where you can contact anyone, anywhere, anytime. However, with the benefits of doing so there are also dangers. We the internet was in its beginning stages I don't think anyone really knew the extent to which it would change our lives both negatively and positively. Yes we are constantly in contact with family and friends regardless of distance thanks to the internet, however the tragedy is we are also in constant contact with those who do not have the best intentions. So with this new constant shared space we have to be careful of people like child predators, and identity thieves who can hack into our personal corner of the internet and use it to enter our computers stealing precious information.
We not only have to be more careful of what sites we enter, who we talk to, and who we trust on the internet but we also have to be careful of the image we are presenting of ourself through this communication. Now it is more common than ever for employers to check the facebook and myspace accounts of potential employees to get a better idea of who the person really is as opposed to who they pretend to be in an interview. This of course can quickly ruin a career opportunity if a person, for example is drunk, in every picture on their facebook.
The first thing that this makes me think of is facebook stalking, everyone does this at one point or another. Not to be taken to the extreme I mean, I don't spend hours a day looking up my friends,friends on facebook. I have used it as a tool to find out infomation a time or two. I do not believe that this new dynamic has been adequatly explored either. For my friends and myself using the communicative space to view other peoples profiles seems like no big deal, however, when I think of preditors that could check out my infomation it scares me. I do not think that co-presence has been around long enough to be completly or adequatly explored.
Odd that the majority response to co-presence is fear or discomfort. I think first of the people I know and want to communicate with, and then of the possibility that someone who is interested in my work or words can find them. The predator aspect, or the possibility of being "crept" rarely enters my consciousness. The benefit of connecting to others is so great that to shrink from it out of nebulous fear is...
Well, it's not how I'd do it.
At first sight, it seems weird and a bit daunting that I am currently sharing the same communicative space as thousands of other individuals, and that we are in essence always present to each other. It almost seems that using the internet could result in a loss of personal space. However, I know that the internet and this “co-presence” are actually very beneficial to mankind. It allows for more social and intellectual growth. There is an unlimited amount of resources present on the internet, and you can find an answer to virtually any question you may have. In my Global Issues class we talked about how the internet and technology has made the world much smaller. Now China does not seem a world way, but rather it is a simple click away. You can connect with someone from far away countries in the matter of seconds through resources like email, instant messaging, and Skype. This enables people to learn about countries, culture, global issues, etc. in a whole new way. Instead of reading information written in a book, you can now get peoples’ personal views on such topics. I think this is important because it allows you to hear other peoples’ opinions on issues other than your own and those close to you. Though this “co-presence” is valuable, it should not be taken lightly. You should be cautious of what information you post on the internet because it can easily be seen/found by others. Identity theft has been a major issue associated with the internet because all of your important information like credit card numbers and social security number are right there and can been found by hackers. Also, people should be aware that child predators and stalkers are out there, so you should be cautious of what pictures and information you post and who you allow to see it. Other than these few negative factors, coexistence is very advantageous and should be embraced by all.
Because we are all so engulfed in co-presence, many never stop to think what an accomplishment it is. I have traveled abroad several times, but my parents refused to purchase international cell phone service for my trips. Although I could use a calling card and phone home, or get on the internet and e-mail; I found it extremely frustrating not to be able to just pick up my cell phone and call or text whomever I wanted. It was through these trips that I realized how dependant I was on my cell phone. I honestly can’t imagine how people functioned without cell phones, much less without phones at all. Imagine what it would be like to have to wait for a letter to hear from friends and family. Co-presence is the reason websites such as Facebook and Twitter are so successful. People want to constantly know what other people are doing. Co-presence is becoming a way of life for us, however most of us don’t take the time to stop and think about the change that is occurring.
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