[CITASA] Better connected -- Really?
Hello all,
I was interested to see Bella DePaulo's research findings. Although I would very much like to embrace the fact that growing isolation is a myth, the critical aspects of my thinking leave me somewhat skeptical.
I do appreciate and respect excellent research conducted by experts in their disciplines. However, my observations (which I do not consider to be valid research) and those of peers in my limited circle of experience seem to indicate the myth is not yet quite proven to be so.
Therefore, I am not yet convinced that the our current offering of information technologies and sources of connecting have in fact strengthened our relationships. Good research gives rise to more research and I think more research is in order before reaching the conclusion that we are better connected now than in the past.
Tony Spina
Tony,
While ICTs may not have strengthened all of our relationships, they certainly have enabled us to grow our networks and there is strength in weak ties (Granovetter). Additionally, I would argue that ICTs, such cell phones, have strengthened our closest ties. Lack of isolation is not necessarily equated with strong ties. I agree that we need to continue research in this area, but there is a wealth of solid research by Wellman, Gulia, Ling and many others that refutes the myth of isolation.
Best,
Bev Carlsen-Landy
-----Original Message-----
From: Anthony Spina drspina@optonline.net
To: citasa@list.citasa.org
Sent: Tue, Jul 27, 2010 11:14 am
Subject: [CITASA] Better connected -- Really?
Hello all,
I was interested to see Bella DePaulo's research findings. Although I would very much like to embrace the fact that growing isolation is a myth, the critical aspects of my thinking leave me somewhat skeptical.
I do appreciate and respect excellent research conducted by experts in their disciplines. However, my observations (which I do not consider to be valid research) and those of peers in my limited circle of experience seem to indicate the myth is not yet quite proven to be so.
Therefore, I am not yet convinced that the our current offering of information technologies and sources of connecting have in fact strengthened our relationships. Good research gives rise to more research and I think more research is in order before reaching the conclusion that we are better connected now than in the past.
Tony Spina
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Tony and Bev;
This is a discussion that deserves attention. Evaluation, assessment
and analysis across orders within demographic categories should offer
some insights. The growing isolation that I have become concerned over
is one of physical isolation in which technology-enabled communications
becomes substitute for face to face contact. The same technology offers
as does the Plain Old Telephone a means of disassociation while still
facilitating communications. For some, this can be very cathartic.
And, I absolutely agree with your point as to there being " strength in
weak ties" viewed en masse. Pawns can deliver a checkmate on occasion.
The same technology also gives rise to thinking on the growth of the
Borderless State, a real evolutionary concept. I am the amateur here,
so feel free to disagree.
Cheers, Dave
From: citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org
[mailto:citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org] On Behalf Of bevjimcl@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 2:20 PM
To: drspina@optonline.net; citasa@list.citasa.org
Subject: Re: [CITASA] Better connected -- Really?
Tony,
While ICTs may not have strengthened all of our relationships, they
certainly have enabled us to grow our networks and there is strength in
weak ties (Granovetter). Additionally, I would argue that ICTs, such
cell phones, have strengthened our closest ties. Lack of isolation is
not necessarily equated with strong ties. I agree that we need to
continue research in this area, but there is a wealth of solid research
by Wellman, Gulia, Ling and many others that refutes the myth of
isolation.
Best,
Bev Carlsen-Landy
-----Original Message-----
From: Anthony Spina drspina@optonline.net
To: citasa@list.citasa.org
Sent: Tue, Jul 27, 2010 11:14 am
Subject: [CITASA] Better connected -- Really?
Hello all,
I was interested to see Bella DePaulo's research findings. Although I
would very much like to embrace the fact that growing isolation is a
myth, the critical aspects of my thinking leave me somewhat skeptical.
I do appreciate and respect excellent research conducted by experts in
their disciplines. However, my observations (which I do not consider to
be valid research) and those of peers in my limited circle of experience
seem to indicate the myth is not yet quite proven to be so.
Therefore, I am not yet convinced that the our current offering of
information technologies and sources of connecting have in fact
strengthened our relationships. Good research gives rise to more
research and I think more research is in order before reaching the
conclusion that we are better connected now than in the past.
Tony Spina
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