Manual Castells is a sociologist especially associated with information society and communications research. This article from the International Journal of Communication looks at public, private and commercial communication channels and communication systems globally. It attempts to map the effects, both personally, politically, and economically and discusses the shifts and convergence happening within the communication networks.
Consequently, the battle to control, own or manipulate this space is very competitive as the “new space” has the ability to not only reach mass audiences but to also shape public opinion.
This new shift in power channels is interesting as it can have the effect of decentralising control.
“as the new media systems have a global governance but governments remain national” (Flynn p. 258)
Politicians’ manipulation of the media, for scandal politics, goes to the extent where they will disrupt information systems with fabrications if they are out of scandal to throw at an opposition. It seems the information systems are akin to a brand with its associated perceived values such as trust being a factor.
As and artist I don’t expect to locate 300,000 books in the arts library, but through the web, choice is the norm. Therefore, filtering is necessary for information to be useful. Allowing the user to observe things globally – albeit virtually.
The term “electronic autism” (Flynn p. 247) is valid still, even though the convergence of information is changing delivery and access. It still doesn’t replace actual experience yet.
Foucault’s describes power as “Expressed rather than possessed” (Flynn p. 281) and this reflects the subtleties involved in the micro-physics of power structures, and relations. All this accessibility is two way, it also measures trackability, where we go, what and where we spend and phone is all collected, to be used by interested parties to improve marketing, attempting to shift our mindsets and behaviours. Being aware of the opportunities available,as both an artist and consumer within this new space and media is empowering.
Bibliography
Castells, Manuel. "Communication, Power and Counter Power in the Network Society", International Journal of Communication 1 (2007). pp.238-266.
Flynn, Thomas R. "Foucault and the Eclipse of Vision." Modernity and the Hegemony of Vision. Ed. David M. Levin. Los Angeles, USA: University of California Press, 1993. 273-286.
Hi Diane,
ReplyDeleteIn reading your Blog, my attention was caught by your comment about the “new space” having the ability to not only reach mass audiences but to also shape public opinion. This reminded me of a video clip I have seen of an Indian comedian named Russell Peters. He speaks on the power of the media to use images to create or reinforce stereotypes. For example, he talks about how the television media in the United States often show us images of Arabs linked to stories about bombings, but never show us images of Arabs in normal situations with normal lifestyles. Subconsciously we link Arabs and terror together, and for all we know this could be a deliberate method of ‘brain-washing’ us. After all Hitler used posters portraying Jews as evil and unpleasant to manipulate public opinion.