Reduction of Boundaries
Technologies, since the invention of the telephone, the Model T Ford, or the aeroplane, have been bringing people closer together and reducing boundaries. Whether they are global, local or personal, the limitations in communication that exist today are have been enormously reduced by the inventions of the telephone, the mobile phone with text and picture messages, the computer, the internet, email, fax, and much more.
But to what extent do technological objects redefine and become redefined by location and spatial displacement? (Caron: 2001: pp: 44) The spatial dimensions in which technologies are used, and over which they are communicated are highly important when considering just how much of an impact technologies have had on our world. While some people may worry about globalisation or Americanism eradicating any sense of cultural individuality, electronic media extend our sense of ‘elsewhere through an increased awareness of other places and non-local people’. (Meyrowitz: 1999: pp: 205) This has lead to more permeable boundaries between different nation states, and even around social categories within nations. There is a widened sense of global familiarity, as well as a greater sense of individual idiosyncrasy and strangeness of others. (Meyrowitz: 1999: pp 206)
Boundaries have also been broken interpersonally. If a teenager has a problem or concern be it health, political, economical, personal, or otherwise there are numerous avenues that are now provided for youth that via the Internet, email, or over the phone that can be trialed for a resolution to the issue.
The youth of our society have few boundaries to access any information today. The traditionally preconceived roles of youth seem to be fading. Previously they have not been allowed access to information (See Youth Access to Information page for more) but now they are an integral part of decision making, given a global voice and seen as the way of the future.
References:
Gordon, J. (2002) “The Mobile Phone: An Artefact of Popular Culture and a Tool of the Public Sphere� in Convergence, Volume 8, Issue 3, pp: 15 - 25.
Caron, A. and Caronia, L. (2001) Active Users and Active Objects: The Mutual Construction of Families and Communication Technologies, in Convergence, Volume 7, Issue 3, pp: 38 –59.
Meyrowitz, J. (1999) “Shifting World of Strangers: Medium Theory and Changes in ‘Them’ versus ‘Us’ in, K.B. Massey (ed.) Readings in Mass Communication: Media Literacy and Culture, Mayfield Publishing, California, U.S.A.
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Related Topics
Identity
Health
Social Protocol
English Lanugage
Financial Implications
Text Messaging
Chat Rooms
Email
MSN Messenger
Industry Convergence
Education
Oligopolies
Mobile Phones
Advertising
Homepage
Family Structure
Youth Access to Information
Self Expression
Peer Interaction
Frances Curro 21:31, 9 Sep 2004 (EST)
Frances Curro 19:35, 28 Oct 2004 (EST)
