IMPLICATIONS OF THESE

First of all what is implication? The easiest way to explain this word is deduction, or better way we can ask the question is ‘What can we conclude from looking at all of this?’  I can say that the answer is definitely that something new has been created. You could say a new methodology.

Our way of studying sociology has changed completely in the last few years. Sociology is not linear but is a complex, nonlinear subject. Our way of looking at things has changed with different tools and technology being added into our toolbox. Example of the technology like internet our communication has changed drastically. Our communication is not moving in one line and moving our information from one point through lot of different points until it reach the spot we need but the information can travel straight from one point to the end point. The pictures show you exactly what I mean.

Non-Linear

Technology connects us to one another. We are not in a simple chain anymore. We have created a more complex community/network. Like a molecule that has connections all over.

Globalization is another example of how complex our network has become. Everything has moved everywhere. Meaning everything has mixed together.  Some people would say creating every place the same. Easier way to say it is that every place is becoming one huge homogeneous culture. I will say that is not true, even with globalization place stays unique. Example would be McDonald’s being everywhere. Yes McDonald’s appears everywhere but it is not the same in every place. McDonalds has adapted into each culture. If it would be homogeneous it would be same yet you can get a burger called Chicken Maharaja Mac in India which is equivalent to the Big Mac here in Ireland, yet they look totally different, and I bet they taste different too. I have also noticed no beef on the Indian menu in McDonald’s. Globalization is complex.

This new complex network will be studied through social geography differently from now on. It has started using science, mathematics instead of consisting of quantitative and qualitative research. As Castell has said “  The sociology of the network society will develop through synergy among relevant theorizing, computational literacy, and sociological imagination.”

Castells, M., 2000. Toward a Sociology of the Network Society. Contemporary Sociology, 29(5), pp. 698.

112352666 Alexandra Koppová

Conclusion to Castell’s Reading ‘Toward a Sociology of a Network Society’.

To conclude our unique analysis on the reading of Castells, we endeavour to provide many critiques and examples of how technology has changed society. ‘We have entered a new economy” (Castells p.693).  The world has this unique ability to adapt to any given situation, it can be seen on any given day as technology continues to develop. In the last two decades communication has become effortless, immediate and extremely cost-effective for all parties concerned. Society has moved from an age whereby once communication involved sitting at a table and hand writing a script, which was then posted on half way around the world. This alone may take a number of days to a number of weeks. To then looking at  a society where immediacy is expected. In an instant, an important document can be e-mailed from Ireland and arrive in Japan with minimal expense encountered. This too is a revelation of Globalization.

The Internet acts as a medium for business to occur. The ‘global economy network is made up of financial transactions, production sites, markets, and labour pools which are powered by money, information and business organization’ (Castells p.695) Without money, information and business organization  what would be left? If one of these key elements were missing our  society would not be the same place it is today.

Networks are so multi-dimensional, they comprise of so many elements, but yet seem so simple to the naked eye. Yet ‘networks remain a powerful component of multidimensional social change’ (Castells p.695). This social change may seem non-existent to the generation of today, but it is a huge change in the very recent past. We are situated in an era of rapid change and development.

 

Bibliography

Castells, M., (2000) ‘Toward a Sociology of the Network Society’. Contemporary Sociology,. 29 (5): 693-699

 Ailish Murphy

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Social Networks Change Cities

Global city is a concept used by Castells as a theoretical concept of interconnected localities in many different cities around the world. This concept can be helpful in visualising how globalization is not affecting all localities equally as expressed by Massey. Castells, however, use this conceptual tool to specify how networks transcends locality. He argues that networks have become such a central component to contemporary society that there is a need for a concise theoretical framework concerning network society in order to effectively produce beneficial research. (Castells, 2000, pp. 94-97)

One potential issue that this framework could be useful for is related to resilience and reliance. As the connection between places is increasingly intensified so is the reliance on other localities. The increased optimization of production and separation of work tasks dispersed to various spaces in the world is detrimental to the self-sufficiency of areas. If one point in the network fails other points will suffer as well and as a worst-case scenario multiple points in the network will stop producing products essential to the network. The economic crash in 2008 is a recent example of how struggling nodes in a network can have immense effects on the complete network.

Another issue intensified by network society is the fading sovereignty of nation-states and the increased freedom for companies due to improved mobility of economy. A recent example of the opaque veil networks create is the scandal from 2013 where there was found horse meat in what was supposed to be beef. When there is a segregation spatially between production and consumption it becomes increasingly difficult for nation-states to effectively supervise the production especially when production goes through multiples nodes in a network. Ulrich Beck also criticizes how companies can easily move production to nation-states that are lenient on taxes, workers’ rights and environmental rights essentially creating a race to the bottom for struggling nation-states. (Beck, 2009)

 

 

Bibliography

Beck, Ulrich. (2009). World at Risk. Cambridge: Polity Press

Castells, Manuel, 2000. Toward a Sociology of the Network Society. Contemporary Sociology, vol. 29, episode 5, pp. 693-699.

Introduction to Castells “Toward a Sociology of the Network Society”

The twenty-first century saw advancements in countless factors that are now imperative to the network society in which we live in today. Advanced improvements across many sectors increased the standards of living for many people across the globe. These improvements can be seen in information technology and also in scientific knowledge. Globalization is a major social change which has come about as of the last quarter of the twentieth century. According to Castells, “we are just at the beginning of a most extraordinary cultural transformation that is reversing the course of thought that has prevailed among the world’s dominant groups since the Enlightenment.”

                Without doubt, improvements in information technology have been a major factor in the current phenomenon that we now call globalization. Networks have been created which previously ceased to exist. Due to these advanced networks that have been created, communication between people in various parts of the world can be done effortlessly thus allowing a medium for business to occur. Business organisations are able to function much more efficiently due to the series of networks that are now existent. Castells reading portrays the advancements that have taken place over the recent years.  The term network society according to Darin Barney is that “It is based on informational capitalism, that is, where economic activity is centered on the production and distribution of knowledge to foster innovation, flexibility and increased technological control over production processes (such as computerization of assembly lines).” Cultural and social movements that occurred in the 1960’s were as a result of these changes. Although networks are not a new occurrence, in recent years they have had vast advancements. They are becoming increasingly adaptable and they are certainly not a fixed rigid structure. Networks were commonly explained as “the organist view of society as a body.” This society would cease to function if one of these parts failed to perform. Today, society is seen as an organism which is built on “the self-generating processes discovered by molecular biology.” The network society in the twenty first century is able to adapt and evolve these networks to allow a more productive society.

                Castells has outlined the major factors that have shown that the population of the world today is now living in a Network Society. The different factors which have led to this Network society will be defined in this blog.

 

Ella O’Brien         112718541

 

References

Barney, D., 2004. Network Society or Surveillance Society. [Online]
Available at: https://globalsociology.pbworks.com/w/page/14711234/Network%20Society%20or%20Surveillance%20Society
[Accessed 15 November 2013].

Castells, M., 2000. Toward a Sociology of the Network Society. Contemporary Sociology, 29(5), pp. 693-699.

 

Key Social Changes

There are several elements which make up key social changes in current society, that is the twenty first century. Interactions of social change establish new social structure. As outlined in the dictionary of sociology, social structure is ‘a term referring to any recurring pattern of social behaviour or more specifically, to the ordered interrelationships between the different elements of a social system or society’ (pp.43). The social progression of technology has a profound effect on society. Technology is constantly being updated and developed, therefore greater social interaction can take place. There has been a change in information technology, which has led to a key conversion in social change. These information technologies provide exposure to globalization.

This leads us to globalization as an element of social change. Technological networks can show the globalization of different cultures and management. Multi-media linked with technology in the hyper-context is also a key element of social change. Social networking sites are a good example of this. Facebook for example has the capacity to transfer messages, view video calls and virtually experience worldwide cultures. According to Evans-Cowley in a social networking survey in 2005 it was found that ’90 percent of undergraduates participated in an online social network, while those over 35 are the fastest growing group joining facebook’ (pp.407). This form of communication links individuals and a new networking society forms.

It can be agreed as Castell points out the state and family are dominated in a world by markets and networks.  He points out ‘there are collective affirmations of primary identity’ around the subjects of religion, ethnicity and locality and it can be agreed these will perhaps break up societies (pp.694) .Increasingly in society today for example, there are more homosexual couples which contribute to lead a cultural transformation within society. Overall these elements combine together to bring about key social changes in the twenty first century. The constant development with technology, the progression of the economy and a transition in culture have all worked together to develop a twenty first century networking society.

Bibliography

G.Mrshall, J.Scott, A Dictionary of Sociology (3 rev. ed.) Oxford University Press: (2009),43

Castells.M,Toward a Sociology of the Network Society: (2000),694

Cowley-Evans.J, Planning in the age of Facebook: the role of social networking planning processes.,GeoJournal (2010), 407

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Sinead Mullins

 

 

The differences between twenty first century networks and older ones

Castells defines a network as being “a set of interconnected nodes” (p.695). Networks are a form of social organisation. For example, the internet is a network of computer networks. Castells talks about the differences between twenty first century networks and older ones. Networks have developed a lot in the twenty first century and as a result of this, there are some differences between twenty first century networks and older ones. Older networks had many advantages but there was one major disadvantage. Older networks were flexible and adaptable like today’s networks but they were not able to manage complications beyond a certain size and this was a major problem. Older networks were really for personal use more so than anything else. The networks were also often outperformed, for example during times of war.

However, during the twenty first century there has been many improvements made to networks, which means that there are now differences between twenty first century networks and older ones. Unlike older networks, twenty first century networks have an excellent performing ability, newer networks can now perform any duty that has been programmed into them and this was not the case with older networks. Nowadays, networks can also expand unlimitedly, unlike before when they could not expand beyond a certain point. This just illustrates that changes have occurred in relation to networks.

The points above show that Castells’ argument that there are differences between twenty first century networks and older ones is true as there has been many improvements made to the way networks function. Also, Castells’ point in his article is favourable because nearly everything changes with time and technology is constantly changing, so of course there would be differences between twenty first century networks and older networks. Therefore, it is not possible to say that there are not differences between twenty first century networks and older ones when technology is constantly evolving.

Bibliography:

Castells M. (2000) Toward a Sociology of the Network Society. Contemporary Sociology 29(5), 693-699.

Katie McKay, 112417258

Absolutely Not Static

Given the increase of flows between places, due to time and space compression, Massey proposes a reflection of this trend in our understanding of space. Massey argues for an understanding of space as relational space rather than mathematical space. Place, as a concept, should be considered a fluid, heterogeneous and outward-looking space. Relations to other places is the defining factor rather than the geographical definitions.

As our previous discussion on the text by Jackson showed, flows between places are mobile and transient. Therefore, places should no longer be understood and static and fixed entities but rather as dynamic spaces.

One criticism of A Global Sense of Place could be that Massey erases the geographical aspect of place too much. In this minimalistic sense of place, everything is reduced to meetings of flow in a location. A counter-argument could be that the relations of space in a certain place will be affected by its history and environment. As an example, port cities have the opportunity to have certain economic flows that mainland cities do not.  

An argument for Massey is that the reconfiguration of our understanding of place can be beneficial to marginalized groups. Nationalistic parties are often using the introspective and static idea of space that Massey criticizes as a cornerstone for oppression of minorities. Ideas of national identity closely tied to uniqueness of place is excluding immigrants. This also highlights the political nature of our understanding of words. From a post-structuralist point-of-view there is no objective understanding of space. By writing this article, Massey is contesting the current use of place and proposing another politically loaded understanding of the term. Massey’s understanding of place is influenced by values such as diversity, multi-ethnicity and extroversion.

Massey however does not state how this theoretical understanding of space should translate into more pragmatic academic research and one can only speculate whether this appeal to changing an academic notion of place can translate into a more general understanding of place as an extroverted space of flows.

 

Bibliography:

Massey, D., 1994. A Global Sense of Place. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

Conclusion to the Massey reading

As we have stated in this reading we have come across some interesting points and subjects. We went through four things which were ‘time-space compression’, how ‘places do not have single, unique identities’, also ‘places do not have boundaries’ and ‘absolute not static’.

I think you can find that if you look at the subject by itself, it contradicts with the rest of it. The thing is you have to look at it as a whole. Going through this we have looked at what Harvey (2000) has to say about time-space compression, the definition that Relph has for place, also a definition from the Oxford dictionary telling us what boundary means. Not to forget this is our reaction to the Massey’s reading and therefore we looked at few of her articles.

When we talk about time-space compression we can easily say that our technology is genuinely annihilated distance. To put it better way I will repeat previous words spoken. ‘Nowadays, a person who is thousands of miles away can be seen and heard in an instant.’  Next topic we talked about was ‘places do not have single, unique identities’. When we looked at this we took an example of how places are not unique. We talked about religion, cultures and nationalities being in one place making it without uniqueness. Without looking at other factors affecting place. As we looked at places not having boundaries we concluded that place is unique and that most places do not have boundaries. Places are made up of many different cultural differences and that is what makes a place unique as well as that you have to look at where all these cultures and differences are being put in as this shows what they are like in different situations, showing us different interactions.Place is a hard subject to look at. Place is the same yet it is different.

This all comes together as time-space compression allows for faster movement of things. With no boundaries everything can move anywhere. Allowing to mix everything together and start something new.

112352666 Alexandra Koppová

Time-Space Compression

Time-Space Compression

What is ‘time-space compression’ one might ask? As a geographer in this post-modern world, it vital we use linking terms to create meaning. To answer this fundamental question I will use the link of relationships. I would define ‘time-space compression’ as the relationship between space and time.  Or even take Massey’s  (1994) example of ‘… speeding up, and spreading out.’

I like to think of ‘time-space compression’, by using a simple example from my childhood. I believe it simplifies the complex dimensions of the term. Using the sun as a source of energy, its rays stretch out and hit the earth, each location sees, and maybe feels the sun, but no two locations receive the same heat.  This can be applied to the theories of globalization, and time-space compression. Barriers still exist to prevent places from ‘speeding up, and spreading out’ as quickly as others. And like the example of the sun, without the energy coming from one extremely powerful source (e.g. globalized world economy / the sun) the global south remains trapped by barriers, preventing the creation of one ‘global village’.

‘Time-space compression’ is a term that has been frequently used in our everyday language for a number of decades. However, I put forward the argument that it is becoming more and more relevant than ever before. Nowadays, a person who is thousands of miles away can be seen and heard in an instant. The physical distance is squashed by technological advancements in the past decade.

Although Massey (2012) argues that ‘time-space compression… is left curiously unexamined’, I disagree, I believe it is a term that has been unravelled on many occasions. Even though somewhat outdated, Harvey (2000) presented the theory that ‘… an intense phase of time-space compression that has had a disorienting and disruptive impact upon political-economic practices, the balance of class power; as well as upon cultural and social life.’

 

Bibliography

Massey, D.  (2012) Power-geometry and a progressive sense of place. Mapping the Futures: Local Cultures, Global Change London :Routledge

Massey, D. (1994) A Global Sence of Place – From Space, Place and Gender. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press

Harvey, D. (2000) Time Space Compression and the Postmodern Condition. The Global Transformation Reader

 

Ailish Murphy

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An Introduction to ‘A Global Sense of Place’ by Doreen Massey

A global sense of place can provide us with an understanding of the social trends and developments that have occurred in recent years. One may wonder however, how ‘a global sense of place’ is achieved. Today individuals in society spend more time than ever before travelling to and from extensive parts of the world. Through the medium of technology one can agree that distant places seem nearer.  Agreeing with Massey, this can be shown from the various products available globally today.

Elements which make up a global sense of place are discussed in depth as the reading continues. Among these concepts is the theory of how a place cannot be defined physically by boundaries. Place, Massey argues should be viewed as a conceptualization with borders themselves. The modern day phenomenon which Massey goes on to explore, known as ‘time-space compression’ enables the reader to comprehend the developments in the modern era where technology quickly out dates itself and the effect such technology has on our lives by enabling us to comprehend a global sense of place. It is also fair to say Massey offers an insight into how race and gender can restrict an individual’s mobility. The theory of the power of geometry in time-space compression, relating to the power and flow of movement equips the reader with the idea that social groups move differently. This is evident as not everyone is at the same social level and it is those who deal with technology on a regular basis benefit from time-space compression. As Massey goes on to demonstrate, it is not conflict which sets a place apart but also as she puts it, it is a ‘long internalised history’ that gives place a uniqueness (pp.8) .These  elements are examined further in the reading by Massey to compose the larger image of what a global sense of  place means for individuals.

The reading by Massey further investigates these combined key elements and tries to establish an understanding of how a global sense of place is achieved. These elements allow room for critical engagement from the reader as they formulate their own opinions on whether these elements help our understanding of what this era is about regarding place in relation to the individual.

Massey, D. (1994) A Global Sense of Place from Space, Place and Gender, Minneapolis: U of Minnesota Press, pp.8.

Sinead Mullins

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