"Power does not reside in institutions" a Michel Foucault quote in this weeks reading for DIGC202, which about sums up what we're doing in the subject.
Ma brutha Manuell Castells expands Foucault to say that "power does not reside in institutions, not even in the state or in large corporations. It is located in the networks that structure society"; Like this subject, for example, or this university, or this blog!
It is hard to fathom how many networks structure our daily grind. Networking isn't a new concept, but it has taken on new meaning with the obvious advances in technology, and the advances in human interaction with technology.
Never have we been so connected. A citizen with a computer or any device with internet capabilities has the same power that Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward had in Watergate now. Outbrake of violent and non violent protests around the world are no longer buried under the damage control arms of governments, large sketchy corporations and their subsidiaries.
"Information is an essential source of wealth and power"(p221). Information is more accessible now because "networks know no boundaries"(p222) thankfully!
Getting excited to kick on with DIC202 Global Networks, looks kinda fun!
Castells, M. (2004) 'Afterword: why networks matter'. In Network Logic: Who governs in an interconnected world? (pp. 219-224) [URL: http://www.kirkarts.com/wiki/images/5/51/Castells_Why_Networks_Matter.pdf
It's amazing how many networks structure our day to day life, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteNetworks are such an importance, and will most likely become an even bigger importance as technology continues to improve.