September 2001 - Air-L - lists.aoir.org

RE: [Air-l] election information 9/24/01
by Bunz, Ulla K 24 Sep '01

24 Sep '01

Jeremy-small problem... I can remember neither my nickname, nor my password, nor my code... Help? ulla ******************************************** Ulla K. Bunz Ph.D. Candidate, Teaching Assistant University of Kansas 102 Bailey Lawrence, KS 66045 785-864-1160 ulla(a)ukans.edu ******************************************** Never Surrender ... ******************************************** -----Original Message----- From: jeremy hunsinger [mailto:jhuns@vt.edu] Sent: Monday, September 24, 2001 8:48 AM To: air-l(a)aoir.org Subject: [Air-l] election information 9/24/01 send corrections, additions, bios, etc. to nominate(a)aoir.org more information is at http://aoir.org/members/article.php?sid=8&mode=&order=0 the current list: President Steve Jones Vice President Nancy Baym Secretary Ulla Bunz Nils Zurawski Treasurer Ben Bates Open Seats Matt Allen Ulla Bunz Mia Consalvo Charles Ess Laura Gurak Nick Jankowski Klaus Bruhn Jensen Lisbeth Klastrup Geert Lovink Michel Menou Kate O'Riordan David Silver Gitte Stald Barry Wellman -- Jeremy hunsinger http://www.cddc.vt.edu/jeremy CDDC/political science http://www.cddc.vt.edu 526 major williams hall 0130 virginia tech blacksburg, va 24061 540-231-7614 _______________________________________________ Air-l mailing list Air-l(a)aoir.org http://www.aoir.org/mailman/listinfo/air-l

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nomination
by K.S.O-Riordan＠sussex.ac.uk 24 Sep '01

24 Sep '01

I accept nomination for an open seat. As a member of the committee I would like to continue to develop AoIR's commitment to becoming both an international and interdisciplinary organisation. The AoIR organisation has already become relevant to, and inclusive of a diverse community. There is however, much further to go in this direction. Like Jeremy I would also like to see areas of social analysis such as queer theory, feminism and postcolonial theory inform the work of the organisation more extensively. There are already these elements in place but again such directions need to be sustained and developed. I would also like to see the work of the ethics committee further sustained. I have served on the AoIR ethics committee and was also present at AoIR 1. I unfortunately will not be able to attend AoIR 2 but hope to see it in Europe next year. Academically I come from a literature and critical theory background but moved into media studies and IT at postgraduate level. I then developed a research project specific to Internet Research around my DPhil. I have also carried out additional research into cross-platform media such as Big Brother. I am interested in looking further at the convergence of media and communication forms and also in continuing to map a history of communications to better understand these periods of change. I am also invested in both developing and analysing the interdisciplinary and international elements of the field. At present I teach and research media studies, multimedia and IT in the Cultural studies framework of Continuing Education in the U.K. Kate O'Riordan Arts C304 CCE University of Sussex Falmer Brighton BN1 9RG Tel: 01273 877774 Email: k.s.o-riordan(a)sussex.ac.uk --

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nomination .....
by Nils Zurawski 24 Sep '01

24 Sep '01

I do accept the nomination made by Nancy Baym. Although I am not 100% sure about the tasks of a secretary, I would also be willing and happy to provide my time and services for aoir in this position. on myself...... I am a trained sociologist and anthropologist and did research in the field of ethnic identity and Internet. I am less than many people on this list an Internet researcher, but I do research on, about and with the Internet as part of my work and research interests. It is mainly the Internet in a global social context that I am interested in as well as its anthropological sides and features. Apart from that I work on issues such as violence, identity, surveillance, social interface. Thus my networks extend into areas that until now have not heard about aoir and are new to internet research. More under http://www.uni-muenster.de/PeaCon/zurawski my interest/goals in the aoir..... I am very much interested in bringing in more Europeans and other people not living in North America, to help widening the scope and outreach of aoir and to make it known among the research community. A European conference finds my strong support and even the future idea of regional chapters. I cannot attend the IR2.0 this year, despite earlier plans, but hope to be in contact and discussions with some of you anyway. Best wishes Nils Zurawski / nilz

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Re: networks
by Niels Ole Finnemann 24 Sep '01

24 Sep '01

<fontfamily><param>Geneva</param>Aldon, I am sorry if I misunderstood your posting (air-l 117, 118). I admit that I read the sentence: »If we work from a model of human knowledge and learning as being based on neural networks then any organization is a network of neural networks, an internet« as if it meant that the function of the human mind in general was based on the neural network model and that all sorts of networks, the internet included, could be understood on the basis of this model. Now, I am not sure what it means. However, in your reply you make a similar analogy, saying that »neural networks ... provide a model for storing of information, just as RAID 5 arrays present a similar model for storing information«. As you describe these two models, they are in no way similar. In neural networks, »it is the network itself, and its connections that store the information and not the individual nodes« while in RAID »the information is spread across several different drives with some redundancy built in«. I suppose that it means that the information in the Raid model - contrary to the neural net-model - is actually stored in a number of distinct nodes. Lets take it a little further. When it comes to the storage of organisational information, we will always find that it is distributed and stored in much more complex ways than any of these two models, since information is both stored in computers (digital form), in printed texts and reports, eventually in videos, tapes and other traditional media, in the memories of many individuals, as explicit knowledge as well as in the form of tacit knowledge (Polanyi) etc.. Even the internet exist in a relationship with the whole matrix of available media, both when it comes to the social use of the internet in general and when it comes to the strategic use of the net within a specific organisation. There cannot be an organisation - not even a fordist or a leninist one - in which the information is not distributed in a number of different ways, in a variety of medias and minds, in a variety of semiotic codes and according to a number of different »models« of which we so far have only mentioned a few. In this respect I can follow Wilford Uncapher (air-l, 118) where he points to a number of aspects which seems of relevance for a theory of networks. The neural net and Raid models are to flat, they cannot present the whole array of complexity, e.g. the variety of heterogenous scales present in all organised communicational systems. They also lack a historical perspective. Distributed information is a constituent part of any sort of division of labor, whether »physical« or »intellectual«. It is not a new historical phenomenon, and if we want to identify new forms of distribution we can only do so if we are able to identify older forms. Finally, however, I agree that it is highly relevant to analyse the function(s) and various forms of redundancy used in all sorts of communication. This is not simply a matter of the amount of redundancy, a matter of more or less, it is also a - tricky - matter of functions and forms, not to say definitions. E.g. in Shannon's famous 1948-paper he employs at least three and maybe four different definitions of redundancy, though without making the differences explicit. (For those interested I have discussed his notions of redundancy and among other things shown that redundancy in various forms can be used both as a means of stabilisation and of (unexpected and perhaps uncontrolled) innovation of new forms and procedures. See the paper Redundancy and Codes, available as html or pdf at http://www.hum.au.dk/ckulturf/pages/publications/nof/redundancy.htm ) Maybe network organisations could be defined as organisations which are based more on redundancy than on regulations and rules, but anyway, all sorts of organisations in the whole history of mankind have been based both on rules and redundancy functions in one mixture or another. Finally, a comment concerning the assumed new network-organisation of Bin Laden, mentioned in various postings. Taking into account for instance the various national Resistence-movements in Europe during WWII, Viet Cong, ANC and other organisations in South Africa, Rote Arme Fraction, Brigada Rosso (Italy), ETA (Spain), IRA, The real IRA, The various Hizbollah groups, a list which could be continued with numerous guerilla-movements throughout the 20th century, I think the claim that a new kind of (terrorist) network organisation has emerged need to be substantially qualified. Niels Ole Finnemann </fontfamily>PS excuse me the strange codes appearing in my former posting and perhaps also in this. *************************************************** Niels Ole Finnemann Lektor, dr. phil. Institut for Informations- og Medievidenskab Aarhus Universitet Niels Juelsgade 84 Tlf: 89 42 19 34 8200 Aarhus N Mail: finnemann(a)imv.au.dk http://www.imv.au.dk/medarbejdere/adresselisteekstern.html/finnemann/ Leder af Center for Internetforskning http://imv.au.dk/cfi/

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air statement -- david silver
by D. Silver 24 Sep '01

24 Sep '01

Last week, Nancy Baym nominated me for an open seat position in the upcoming AIR election. I'd like to accept the nomination and offer a brief personal statement. Instead of using my time to broadcast my qualifications, I'd rather discuss what I would work towards if elected. Within two short years, the existing council and members of AIR have established a dynamic academic space to discuss Internet research. It is now time, I believe, to expand *dramatically* the conversations and communities. Building on the directions already put forth by AIR, I propose we work towards a more diverse and inclusive association, especially in terms of interdisciplinarity, internationalism, and, well, funkiness. As evident in last year's conference and this year's program, AIR is, by all accounts, interdisciplinary. Yet it seems to me that it remains dominated by communications, media studies, and sociology. If elected, I would work proactively to invite scholars from fields like ethnic studies, women's studies, queer theory, and labor studies, as well as from fields like anthropology, computer science, history, literature, psychology, and public policy. I would work towards a massive and member-generated database of academic and professional mailing lists, to which we could send information regarding our organization. I would work to encourage members to establish more special interest groups, and I'd encourage all of us to do what Steve Jones does tirelessly: to attend non-Internet specific conferences and spread the word. Last week, Charlie Breindahl encouraged members to think internationally. I agree wholeheartedly with Charlie, even if it means I'm not elected. Through the center I run (www.com.washington.edu/rccs) I have worked hard at this task, publishing reviews of books written by authors from outside the US and, in some cases, in languages other than English, and maintaining a collection of syllabi and researchers from around the world. Yet it's not nearly enough and, if elected, I would suggest a task force on international issues and explore options of using translation software to make AIR's Web site and discussion list more linguistically inclusive. This is getting long, my apologies. I'm almost through. Although members of AIR have done an admirable job of keeping up with a field that changes as I type, we need, I believe, to search wider, go deeper, get stranger. Some of us, myself included, are too comfortable with derivative scholarship, looking once again at LambdaMOO and its 17 users -- :) -- while ignoring environments like Quake and Asheron's Call, online communities that attract hundreds of thousands of users. How can we enliven our scholarship? How can we expand our conversations to include communities outside of academe? As academics, how can we improve (or begin?) our conversations and collaborations with digital artists and activists? And, perhaps most importantly for many of us, how can we help one another keep up with our students -- students who demand more and more classes in cyberculture and bring with them a significant amount of experience, expertise, and curiosity? In other words, how do we rediscover, highlight, and fly high the less explored aspects of the Net, the funky elements that attracted so many of us to the Net in the first place? If elected, I will jumpstart such discussions. Finally, if elected, I will try my hardest to inaugurate on-site hot tub parties at all AIR conferences. Thank you for your time, david silver school of communications university of washington faculty.washington.edu/dsilver

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RE: [Air-l] nominations
by Bunz, Ulla K 23 Sep '01

23 Sep '01

Who am I? Those of you who attended Aoir 1.0 in Lawrence may remember me as the smiley person at the top of the stairs, chiming, "Good Morning! Registration is down here and to your right!" When I'm not playing hostess, I teach and research as a doctoral candidate in Communication Technology at the University of Kansas. As I will graduate this year, I am disqualified for the Graduate Seat, which I would have loved to run for. So, I'm forging ahead, and I will now accept Nancy Baym's nomination for an Open Seat. International and Interdisciplinary Experience Growing up in Belgium and attending universities in Germany, New Zealand and the United States I have learned the value of intercultural collaboration. Along those lines, I recently suggested a joint conference between Aoir and the German Online Research conference (or any other qualified organization). I am officially in Communication Studies, but my research and teaching draw from various fields, such as cyber studies, communication studies, human-computer studies, psychology, and sociology. I strongly support international and interdisciplinary endeavors. Committee Experience: In preparation for Aoir 1.0, I have helped Nancy Baym with local organizational issues. Together with some students, I also filmed the Aoir 1.0 video and took conference pictures. I am currently involved in the Instructional Development Division of the Southern States Communication Association, and have ties into both the National and the International Communication Association. I have served on several departmental committees. I like to get things done. I want Aoir to: - become increasingly international both in membership and in conference location - become increasingly interdisciplinary, maybe even to the degree of branching into different divisions (not to be confused with "majors") during conferences - become an even stronger presence online, so that Aoir's website will become a valuable resource on all things Internet Research related for both members and non-members - work towards the future, so that maybe Aoir could eventually publish its own journal - recruit academic "youngsters" and foster their development through, for example, more workshops, seminars or cross-university courses Thanks. See you in Minnesota! ulla ******************************************** Ulla K. Bunz Ph.D. Candidate, Teaching Assistant University of Kansas 102 Bailey Lawrence, KS 66045 785-864-1160 ulla(a)ukans.edu ******************************************** Never Surrender ... ********************************************

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FW: [Air-l] election information
by Ellis Godard 23 Sep '01

23 Sep '01

I do not know how many other grad students are on the list. But if getting my PhD within the next year does not disqualify me, I would be honored for the opportunity to serve in an open seat. I have helped network sociologists in cyberspace for nearly a decade, including web site design as well as initiation of the first two Usenet newsgroups about sociology (alt.sci.sociology and sci.sociology). I also have some relevant experience, ranging from departmental committees (such as the Computing Committee) to executive boards (such as the Netspace Foundation, a volunteer nonprofit which provides discounted online services to other nonprofits). I have studied cyberspace for almost as long, including a Master's thesis on social movements and cyberspace, several conference participations, a forthcoming dissertation on social control in cyberspace ("The Moral Order of Cyberspace: Conflict Management and Social Structure Online"), and an article soon to be under review, as well as teaching several courses on the subject. And I have recently broadened my scholarship to consider communications studies, including a book chapter out next spring in a volume edited by two Professors of Communicaton, and an invited participation at the Eastern Communication Society meetings in April. Thanks for your consideration, Ellis Godard godard(a)virginia.edu University of Virginia -----Original Message----- From: air-l-admin(a)aoir.org [mailto:air-l-admin@aoir.org]On Behalf Of Nancy Baym Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2001 10:39 AM To: air-l(a)aoir.org Subject: Re: [Air-l] election information Hey Grad Students! There's an open seat reserved for you and I'm not seeing any grad students on this list! Nominate yourself or your buddy now! Nancy >Open Seats > >Mia Consalvo >Charles Ess >Laura Gurak >Nick Jankowski >Klaus Bruhn Jensen >Michel Menou >Gitte Stald >Barry Wellman _______________________________________________________________ Nancy Baym, Communication Studies University of Kansas NEW! email: nbaym(a)ku.edu NEW! snail mail: 102 Bailey, 1440 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 66045, USA NEW! url: http://www.ku.edu/home/nbaym _______________________________________________ Air-l mailing list Air-l(a)aoir.org http://www.aoir.org/mailman/listinfo/air-l

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election information
by jeremy hunsinger 23 Sep '01

23 Sep '01

This is a list of everyone that has accepted nominations as of 12:30pm Sunday as compiled to the best of my ability. There are several outstanding nominations, and there were a few well reasoned rejections. If there are errors, Please send me a note at nominate(a)aoir.org so that I can do what you request. There are more people actually in the process, considering running, trying to decide what position to run for, I encourage all interested parties to run, send a note to nominate(a)aoir.org to get on the ballot or nominate someone to be on the ballot. More information about the elect will be provided on the members website at http://aoir.org/members again contact nominate(a)aoir.org if there are any problems: The List: President Steve Jones Vice President Nancy Baym Secretary Treasurer Ben Bates Open Seats Mia Consalvo Charles Ess Laura Gurak Nick Jankowski Klaus Bruhn Jensen Michel Menou Gitte Stald Barry Wellman -- Jeremy hunsinger http://www.cddc.vt.edu/jeremy CDDC/political science http://www.cddc.vt.edu 526 major williams hall 0130 virginia tech blacksburg, va 24061 540-231-7614

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Listowner! A request .... a plea ... a prayer ...
by Ken Friedman 23 Sep '01

23 Sep '01

Dear Listowner, Is it possible for *you* to unsubscribe Maryrose Larkin from AIR-L ? When she returns to her office on October 2, she can always subscribe again. Got nearly 50 iterations of AIR-L this morning. Ten more days of this will be no fun at all. Ken -- Ken Friedman, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Leadership and Strategic Design Department of Technology and Knowledge Management Norwegian School of Management Visiting Professor Advanced Research Institute School of Art and Design Staffordshire University

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Fwd: Seeking senior scholar in new communication technology at UConn
by Steve Jones 23 Sep '01

23 Sep '01

>NOTICE OF VACANCY > >Department of Communication Sciences, Communication Processes Section > >Storrs Campus > >Rank: Open Salary: Open, depending >upon qualifications and experience > >Dates Duties begin: 8/23/02 > > Consideration of applications begins 11/14/01. > > Search closes when suitable candidates are identified > >Description of Duties > >Conduct research and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in New >Communication Technologies. The candidate should have an additional >expertise in one or more of the following areas: marketing, >advertising, organizational communication, computer graphics, >e-commerce, media effects, interpersonal, or Internet research. The >job also includes service to the department and university, >including advising in the undergraduate, M.A., and Ph.D. programs. > >Lab space and substantial startup funds will be available to >facilitate a qualified candidate's research program. > >Qualifications: Ph.D. completed; expertise in advanced research >methodology and relevant teaching experience. > >Program and Campus Information > >The Communication Processes Section of the Department of >Communication Sciences serves approximately 300 undergraduate >majors, 15 M.A. and 25 Ph.D. students. There are 10 full-time >faculty positions at the Storrs (main) campus. The department is >well equipped with laboratory space and modern computing and >research equipment including high-speed Internet connections and a >facility designed for human computer interaction research. The >university also houses the Booth Center for computing research. > >The Storrs campus is located in rural Connecticut, 40 minutes from >Hartford and 60 minutes from Providence, RI, between Boston (90 >minutes away) and New York City (3 hours away). For more information >see <http://www.coms.uconn.edu/>www.coms.uconn.edu or ><http://www.uconn.edu/>www.uconn.edu. > >Application Procedure > >Send letter of application, with a curriculum vita, three letters of >reference, and copies of relevant publications and papers as email >attachments to: > >Mark Hamilton, Chair, > >COMS-NCT Search Committee > >comsci2(a)uconnvm.uconn.edu > >Department of Communication Sciences > >Box U-1085 > >University of Connecticut > >Storrs, CT 06269-1085 > >The University of Connecticut encourages minorities, women, and >people with disabilities to apply for this position. > >Mark Hamilton >Department of Communication Sciences >University of Connecticut >Storrs, CT 06269-1085 > >Phone: 860-486-4569 >Fax: 860-486-5422 > >

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