Why Networks Matter

This article did a great job of really contextualizing the effects networks have on all of our lives, and by all I mean globally.  I always knew that networks were important in terms of connecting with friends, joining special interest groups, etc, but I never realized the magnitude of its significance.  Using the arguments and support posed in Castells’ article, I tend to agree with his assumption that networks are the “underlying structure of our lives.”

This makes sense, especially when considering the potentially uninhibited reach the internet has on the world and its people.  In other words, networks know no boundaries.  This lack of borders facilitates globalization.  The downfall to this is that although there are no explicit borders, there are limitations to its reach based upon access.  Castells acknowledges that not all territories are able to be actively connected to this social network.  I attribute this to financial limitations; however, there may be other reasons.  Nevertheless, these people may be at a disadvantage, unable to contribute to the globalized influences, “shaped and ultimately dominated by the logic, interests and conflicts of this network society.”  The disadvantaged territories, in other words, have lost their voice; the democratic control is tarnished.  Although I am not directly impacted by such shortcomings, I would be interested to know what globally normalized concepts and practices would be different had everyone had the opportunity and access to partake in social networks?

Moreover, Castells’ discussion of space was very interesting to me.  He referred to the media (all types) as the “public space of our time.”  Previously, I had always thought of public space as room available to be used up by something or someone—tangible space.  It is interesting to think of public space, especially cyberspace, to exist without being tangible.  It goes to show that not only are there no boundaries to social networks, but there are also no boundaries to the amount of information being processed daily through these networks.  Its space will never be filled.