Re: [Air-l] teens and myspace
Is the notion of online social activity as "not real" a generational issue - are we now the generation that doesnt adequately understand that generation?
and how might we re-define notions of digital divide considering all this?
This is an interesting question, Radhika -- one I've been working on in one configuration or another for about a decade. Re. Facebook: The students I have informally interviewed have described an interesting twist in what you and others here are finding. The most recent student I spoke with, a 20 year-old junior, explained to me that his "life is going much better since he's backed off myspace." Of course, I found this comment wildly interesting and pursued it further. He explained that he had spent so much time in front of the computer screen for the past two years that he didn't realize how addicted he was to relationships that "weren't real." Said he was happy to get out again and see people in person. When I asked about the rest of his friends he explained that most of them are still stuck "talking" via computer screen. He's enjoying getting out, playing music, meeting for coffee at starbucks, etc.... Sounds just like our generation. (Sorry, I'm a boomer. It's boomer mentality to think "our" means "mine." :-) Love the discussion! Thanks, Stephanie Bennett
Dear fellow AIR members, As a break from the current discussions on teens and IM and SMS and all that, I have a question. Want to come to Vancouver in 2007? I had a wonderful time at the AIR conference in Chicago last fall, and I am looking forward to Brisbane this fall (spring there, I guess). A few years ago I was at the Maastricht and Toronto AIR conferences and enjoyed those, as well. All of which is a preface to my seeming madness at what I am about to propose - hosting the next, next AIR (2007) in Vancouver, Canada. I think it is time to give something back. I haven't done a formal proposal yet, and only spoken about it to a few people here in Vancouver, so if others are thinking similarly and are further along, let me know and I can tag along. If others think this is a good idea and would like to help out - please contact me directly (smith@sfu.ca). If you think this is a bad idea and I should NOT pursue it, I'd certainly like to hear about that, too! I will be approaching the executive in the next week or so, with a few cost estimates and suggestions for venues. I think we can have a fun, interesting, and exciting conference here in Vancouver, and I look forward to showing you our lovely home. In the mean time, feedback is most welcome. ...r -- Richard Smith, Associate Professor School of Communication Simon Fraser University, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, CANADA V6B 5K3 Phone: 604 291 5116 Web: http://www.sfu.ca/~smith/ Mobitus: 2001 1070 0578 skype - callto://richard_k_smith PGP Public Key: http://arago.cprost.sfu.ca/smith/ richardsmithpublickey.asc
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Richard Smith -
Steffasong＠aol.com