danah speaks of a concept of networked publics. Online spaces that communities gather to communicate and collaborate. These communities come together because they are passionate about their specific areas of interest. In these communities, the participants know the norms for behaviour.
In the early days, public spaces, such as moderated usenets and listserves, where you could be kicked out, became the safe places for people to work collaboratively. But danah says the shift today is about forming communities about the self. This might seem egocentric, but mirrors what we do in our everyday life.
Friendsters was an early meeting place for well defined groups. A cult developed around the concept of being my ‘friendster’. Some Indy Rock (US) events used myspace initially to promote rock concerts through networked mass communication. The demographic started at around 25 years of age, but as teens in the US, were not allowed to attend these Indy Rock events, the demographic shifted to 21 then to 18 then to 14.
Facebook has a different history, starting as a online site to help students at Ivy League universities in the US, to find people who might be attending the same classes.
Networked publics are different and our young kids are engaging in online publics. Teachers, educators, professors need to understand and help young people to cope with issues in these publics, just as much as helping young people to cope with public life. Its an opportunity we should not miss.
Download and listen to danah’s speech. danah was on the Today show yesterday.
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