Peer-to-Peer - Social Ramifications

“Beyond its economic consequences, the [file-sharing] phenomenon bears profound social implications. […] The technology has raised legal, educational and even moral questions while changing the very definition of commercial entertainment and how people use it.� (Hansen, 2000).

The use of peer to peer filesharing networks has affected society in many different ways, changing the consumption of music, adjusting the perception of community and altering online identities. “Music filesharing is a social phenomenon, as well as a technological revolution� (Kibby, 2003). The concept of online identities has had a large impact on society and has received extensive media coverage. The idea that an Internet user can go online and access music, audio and video files anonymously is a topic of interest, but illegal materials and pornography can also be accessed without users being required to enter their name or any distinguishable details. This means that decentralised peer to peer networks are self-regulated.

Also, music accessed through peer to peer networks has had its form altered to become decentralised. This makes it vastly different to other forms of music such as cassettes and compact discs. Online networks allow a wide range of people to participate in musical practices; peer to peer allows consumers to be both active and passive. This means that as well as the passive act of consuming music, they are also actively involved in the accession of the music.

Peer to peer networks have seen new social formations emerge as a result of a community bound by the common link of music filesharing. The whole notion of “peer to peer� is that it is many consumers in a community assisting each other and sharing materials, but there is now extensive dialogue about music, including online chatting, personal image sharing and blogging.

Ebare states:

“What might emerge here then is some form of ‘enclosed public’ of individuals sharing music and chat. It would not be ‘public’ in the conventional sense of the term, bringing with it social responsibility and consequences, but it may be ‘public’ in a sense that members of an online sharing group create the meaning and purpose of their community.�

Filesharing has changed the social norms of music consumption. It offers elements that are not possible via cassette or compact disc, and changes the way consumers access and contribute the music world.

---

References

Ebare, S. (2004) Digital Music and Subculture: sharing files, sharing styles, First Monday, Vol. 9, No. 2, retrieved October 10, 2004 from URL: http://www.firstmonday.dk/issues/issue9_2/ebare/#e2

Hansen, E. (2000) Music May Be Only the Beginning of Grassroots Piracy, CNET News.com, retrieved October 10, 2004 from URL: http://news.com.com/2009-1023-239700.html?legacy=cnet

Kibby, M. (2003) Shared Files: The New Record Collection, M/C Journal, retrieved October 8, 2004 from URL: http://www.media-culture.org.au/0304/05-sharedfiles.html

Annette Devonshire 15:46, 27 Oct 2004 (EST)