Reflections on Ethnic Technology

Reading :http://www.kk.org/thetechnium/archives/2009/03/ethnic_technolo.php
Viewing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeTEcwmfuu4

After reading and viewing the above I find the concept of refusal to use particular technologies interesting. I always thought that refusal would boil down to a natural aversion to change (and I must say this is the attitude I pick up mostly from peoples aversion to the with the new 'ribbon' version of Word & Excel) cost of the new technology, or in this rapidly developing consumer market a 'just wait and see' cautionary hesitation.

In the article it stated that 'a perfectly understood technology is voluntarily ignored'. I must say that this was the case with me and mobile phones, especially when circumstances didn't really require me to have one in the early days. When the mobile phone market emerged the lack of competition and options and the fact they were used to symbolise status drove me from the item. As more competitive deals and more options became available along with the integration of value added items such as Internet connectivity and cameras etc. they moved into the category of a common household item and became less associated with status. Now I choose not to have the popular IPhone, avoiding that particular technology in favour of a more economical brand which introduced upgraded versions allot faster and agree this is probably a personal defining principle.

The article states that 'technologies have a social dimension beyond their mere mechanical performance. We adopt new technologies largely because of what they do for us, but also in part because of what they mean to us. Often we refuse to adopt technology for the same reason: because of how avoidance reinforces, or crafts our identity' I think this is true. When I talk to die hard apple users I find it boils down to image (plus the fact they don't want global domination by another operating system - but in so doing ironically endorse the global domination of apple). Apple definitely plays on the image button of the consumer - the cool apple guy vs. boring old Mr PC and of course buy an IPad, because the ad simply states 'Ipad is beautiful'.

'Groups or individuals will reject all kinds of technological advanced innovations simply because. Because everyone else accepts them. Or because they clash with their self conception' I propose that Linux users easily fall into this category, and others who choose a different technology simply because they don't want to be cornered by what can be seen as a very dominating product.

I found the article and video very insightful and thought provoking. Obviously there are many reasons why people do things and we can't be all painted with the same brush, for example some people might buy the Ipad out of mere curiosity or find it fits their particular needs as well as being beautiful. But I think there is a strong argument for emotional reasonings behind certain technologies.

A related news article I found which was interesting when reflecting on these resources:
www.news.com.au/technology/ipad/ipad-owners-over-acheiving-selfish-elites/story-fn5knrwy-1225897805225

What is social networking

In defining Social Networking, I have broken down the terms. Social is to interact with one or more persons, who you may or may not be familiar with, usually for the sake of being socially courteous, forming aquaintances or strengthening relationships. Networking is also about forming relationships but is a more formal construction of connections formed that intersect at a place of commonality, for example business, friendship, family etc.
Networks are useful in commercial activities as it enhances the "word of mouth" method of promotion by travelling outside your domain or social circle, reaching others through various and possibly unending network connections.
Social networking has become a blur of personal and business relationships and thus potentially unending connections when carried out on the internet. This process has been enhanced by Web 2.0 capabilities of sharing, collaborating, creating and participating, which increases finding capabilities to add connections with people or businesses through common grounds, for example finding functions on Facebook or Twitter, or advertising tailored to your profile.

Social Networking technologies and sites already used:
- Facebook (regularly)
- twitter (account hardly used)
- Delicious
- Flickr
- NING
- YouTube (regularly)
- News blogs
- various Listservs

What I expect to learn from completing INF506.
- Current trends in using social network sites in information environments.
- Further familiarisation with social networking sites.
- Exploration of previously unknown sites and formats useful in social networking.
- Future outlook for integration of Web 2.0 into society and application of emerging trends.
- How social networking can be inbedded in information seeking behaviour and user power
- How to cope with barriers to integrating Web 2.0.