There has been a request for a video of the following session. I think an edited version would make a very nice YouTube video with a link from the CITASA website. Please let me know, if you are willing to make a video, even in low resolution. Good audio is more important. Thanks. Ron Anderson rea@umn.edu Thematic Session. Virtual Utopias and Dystopias (co-sponsored with Section on Communication and Information Technologies) Sponsor: Thematic Sessions Schedule Information: Scheduled Time: <http://convention2.allacademic.com/one/asa/asa12/index.php?click_key=1&cmd= Multi+Search+View+Program+Load+Scheduled+Times&schedule_day=2012-08-19+18%3A 10%3A00&highlight_box_id=121334&PHPSESSID=6dvi39ag7bv32ugr1075698534#box_tag > Sun, Aug 19 - 4:30pm - 6:10pm Title Displayed in Event Calendar: <http://convention2.allacademic.com/one/asa/asa12/index.php?click_key=1&cmd= Multi+Search+View+Program+Load+Box+To+View&program_box_id=121334&PHPSESSID=6 dvi39ag7bv32ugr1075698534> Thematic Session. Virtual Utopias and Dystopias (co-sponsored with Section on Communication and Information Technologies) Session Participants: Session Organizer: <http://convention2.allacademic.com/one/asa/asa12/index.php?click_key=1&cmd= Multi+Search+Load+Person&people_id=2943934&PHPSESSID=6dvi39ag7bv32ugr1075698 534> Aneesh Aneesh (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) Session Organizer: <http://convention2.allacademic.com/one/asa/asa12/index.php?click_key=1&cmd= Multi+Search+Load+Person&people_id=2944021&PHPSESSID=6dvi39ag7bv32ugr1075698 534> Ronald E. Anderson (University of Minnesota) Presider: <http://convention2.allacademic.com/one/asa/asa12/index.php?click_key=1&cmd= Multi+Search+Load+Person&people_id=2943934&PHPSESSID=6dvi39ag7bv32ugr1075698 534> Aneesh Aneesh (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) Panelist: <http://convention2.allacademic.com/one/asa/asa12/index.php?click_key=1&cmd= Multi+Search+Load+Person&people_id=2908217&PHPSESSID=6dvi39ag7bv32ugr1075698 534> Saskia Sassen (Columbia University) Panelist: <http://convention2.allacademic.com/one/asa/asa12/index.php?click_key=1&cmd= Multi+Search+Load+Person&people_id=2906365&PHPSESSID=6dvi39ag7bv32ugr1075698 534> Fred Turner (Stanford University) Panelist: <http://convention2.allacademic.com/one/asa/asa12/index.php?click_key=1&cmd= Multi+Search+Load+Person&people_id=2900034&PHPSESSID=6dvi39ag7bv32ugr1075698 534> Barry Wellman (University of Toronto) Panelist: <http://convention2.allacademic.com/one/asa/asa12/index.php?click_key=1&cmd= Multi+Search+Load+Person&people_id=2898583&PHPSESSID=6dvi39ag7bv32ugr1075698 534> Talmadge Wright (Loyola University-Chicago) Panelist: <http://convention2.allacademic.com/one/asa/asa12/index.php?click_key=1&cmd= Multi+Search+Load+Person&people_id=2944021&PHPSESSID=6dvi39ag7bv32ugr1075698 534> Ronald E. Anderson (University of Minnesota) Abstract: Modes of collective existence have multiplied over the years. In addition to physical togetherness, social life increasingly consists of virtual interactions. This session focuses on three specific modes of virtual interaction: community (e.g., Facebook), fantasy (e.g., Second Life), and exposé (e.g., Wikileaks), all mediated by distributed networks of information and communication technologies. These virtual networks have both utopian and dystopian elements. This panel session explores the theme of virtual utopias and dystopias in the transformation of existing institutions. The session will be organized in a question-response format beginning with brief statements by participants on the theme. Panelists will be asked to address such questions as: What has been learned from attempts to build virtual utopias? What virtual communities have sought utopian themes like equality, peace, social cohesion, ethics and compassion, and with what result? How do we assess virtual dystopias and their relationship with social change? How can we envision the future so that virtual utopias flourish with beneficial effects on non-virtual institutions? Ron Anderson Ronald E. Anderson , <rea@umn.edu> - 952-473-5910 Prof. Emeritus, Univ. of Minn. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Anderson http://www.soc.umn.edu/~rea/ http://www.compassionatesocieties.org/