New media's ability to transcend and transgress our understanding of how we relate to each other has brought with it cause for celebration and questioning of our private lives. Thompson (2011) discusses the shift from our private communications to 'mediated communication' whereby new media's ability to track and store our personal data allows it to be viewed in a public sphere. It is the development of modern society and technology that has brought with it theses transgressions to liminal space which blurs the traditional boundaries of private and public lives (Leong 2012).
This blurring of boundaries between public and private lives can be used to target individuals and disrupt their personal lives from a public access point, such was the case for Ruth Jeffreys who was a victim of a social media stalker and harassment as can be seen in the video below.
The new media transgressions blurring the lives between social and domestic are something to be celebrated due to the innovation bringing much joy to those invested in the new technologies. Breazeal (2011) comments on her studies into artificial intelligence that by using robotics she is able to make her mother feel much more in touch with the private lives of her grandchildren even when she is miles away. These breakthroughs with social robotics are to transgressing the boundaries of private and public lives within a safe and controlled environment. It is clear that some boundaries need reinforcement by regulation to offset the negative effects of these liminal spaces and protect and nurture the areas that provide positive outcomes.
References
Breazeal, C. 2011. "The Rise of Social Robotics." YouTube Video, posted February 2011. Accessed April 27, 2012. http://www.ted.com/talks/cynthia_breazeal_the_rise_of_personal_robots.html
Leong, Susan. 2012. "KCB206 New Media: Internet, Self and Beyond: Week 8 lecture notes." Accessed April 27, 2012. http://www.blackboard.qut.edu.au
Thompson, J. 2011."Shifting Boundaries of Public and Private Life." Theory Culture Society 28(4): 49-70. Accessed April 27, 2012. https://cmd.library.qut.edu.au/KCB206/KCB206_AR_338916.pdf
True Stories. 2012."My Social Network Stalker." YouTube Video, posted February 24. Accessed April 27, 2012. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXEcM_KtW9M
I think it is appalling that our communications are being mediated and that our information is being displayed in the public sphere.
ReplyDeleteKristina
After watching the video about Ruth Jeffery I was pretty alarmed by what can happen online. You think you have control over what is out there about you, but you really don't. Definitely a downside to the development of information and communication technologies!
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