Mobile technologies as interfaces of hybrid spaces. Space & Culture - 8 views

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  #1 Jacqueline Liu on 16 Apr 11

   

  Mobile telephones are being increasingly compared to remote controls, micro-computers, and collective social devices (Silva, 2006). Rapid transformations in the mobile phone interfaces lead to subsequent re-conceptualisations of the space and social relationships, which they mediate (Silva, 2006). Flash Mobs are the direct products of re-conceptualised spaces and relationships through mobile telephones. The first flash mobs were observed in London, Berlin, and San Francisco; they would consist of dozens and hundreds of people using cell phones to gather suddenly and perform some specific act (Silva, 2006).
  Silva (2006) suggests that flash mobs reflect the process of creating a hybrid reality - they show how communication networks are embedded in definite spaces and locations. Flash mobs are apolitical by nature, but they have features that make them very close to political demonstrations, namely, the ability to make the logic of networks physical and mobile. In this sense, the political and military potential of flash mobs can hardly be overstated. Flash mobs are the products of brilliant coordination among individuals and autonomous units, whose results affect the processes and changes at macro-levels, including politics and culture.
  Goodale, G. (2010, December 23). 'Tis the season for flash mobs, you say? They're just getting started. Christian Science Monitor, 2.
  Goodale (2010) tries to show how flash mobs fit in the conditions and circumstances of holiday environments. They help like-minded folk to gather on a holiday occasion, share fun and positive emotions, and celebrate Christmas. The author writes that the flash mob mentality is essentially about giving people a sense of belonging and an opportunity to join a crowd for fun (Goodale, 2010). Flash mobs contribute to the creation of an iconic image of holidays (Goodale, 2010). They celebrate common humanity and become more purposeful and sophisticated (Goodale, 2010). They merge with performance art and produce ideas with spontaneous turnout (Goodale, 2010).
  That flash mobs celebrate common humanity does not mean that they cannot be used as a tool of political action. Goodale (2010) recognises that the flash mob mentality can lead to the creation of refined political messages. As the digital tools of information dissemination are becoming more sophisticated, events similar to flash mobs may require political intervention and suppression at a global scale. However, it is difficult to imagine what kind of political action can restrain the rapid proliferation of communication, messages, and flash mobs. Also, it is not clear how future technologies will transform flash mobs and their political and aesthetic potential. Flash mobs can be short-lived but the consequences of their political action can affect the structure and direction of political relations for years ahead.
  
  Reference
  
  Silva, D.S. (2006). From cyber to hybrid: Mobile technologies as interfaces of hybrid spaces. Space & Culture. Retrieve from http://sac.sagepub.com/content/9/3/261.short?rss=1&ssource=mfc

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Mobile telephones are being increasingly compared to remote controls, micro-computers, and collective social devices (Silva, 2006). Rapid transformations in the mobile phone interfaces lead to subsequent re-conceptualisations of the space and social relationships, which they mediate (Silva, 2006). Flash Mobs are the direct products of re-conceptualised spaces and relationships through mobile telephones. The first flash mobs were observed in London, Berlin, and San Francisco; they would consist of dozens and hundreds of people using cell phones to gather suddenly and perform some specific act (Silva, 2006). <br /> Silva (2006) suggests that flash mobs reflect the process of creating a hybrid reality - they show how communication networks are embedded in definite spaces and locations. Flash mobs are apolitical by nature, but they have features that make them very close to political demonstrations, namely, the ability to make the logic of networks physical and mobile. In this sense, the political and military potential of flash mobs can hardly be overstated. Flash mobs are the products of brilliant coordination among individuals and autonomous units, whose results affect the processes and changes at macro-levels, including politics and culture. <br /> Goodale, G. (2010, December 23). 'Tis the season for flash mobs, you say? They're just getting started. Christian Science Monitor, 2. <br /> Goodale (2010) tries to show how flash mobs fit in the conditions and circumstances of holiday environments. They help like-minded folk to gather on a holiday occasion, share fun and positive emotions, and celebrate Christmas. The author writes that the flash mob mentality is essentially about giving people a sense of belonging and an opportunity to join a crowd for fun (Goodale, 2010). Flash mobs contribute to the creation of an iconic image of holidays (Goodale, 2010). They celebrate common humanity and become more purposeful and sophisticated (Goodale, 2010). They merge with performance art and produce ideas with spontaneous turnout (Goodale, 2010). <br /> That flash mobs celebrate common humanity does not mean that they cannot be used as a tool of political action. Goodale (2010) recognises that the flash mob mentality can lead to the creation of refined political messages. As the digital tools of information dissemination are becoming more sophisticated, events similar to flash mobs may require political intervention and suppression at a global scale. However, it is difficult to imagine what kind of political action can restrain the rapid proliferation of communication, messages, and flash mobs. Also, it is not clear how future technologies will transform flash mobs and their political and aesthetic potential. Flash mobs can be short-lived but the consequences of their political action can affect the structure and direction of political relations for years ahead. <br /> <br /> Reference <br /> <br /> Silva, D.S. (2006). From cyber to hybrid: Mobile technologies as interfaces of hybrid spaces. Space & Culture. Retrieve from <a href="http://sac.sagepub.com/content/9/3/261.short?rss=1&ssource=mfc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://sac.sagepub.com/content/9/3/261.short?rss=1&ssource=mfc</a></div>

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  #2 JoelMo Joel on 17 Apr 11

   

  This is a very interesting paper that tackles both the evolution of our definitions of interaction, collaboration and mobility, and the change in our conception of space and time. De Souza has intelligently studied how humans have created what she calls "hybrid spaces", in the context of mobile technology development, use, and standardisation, and she uses Flash Mobs to illustrate her theory.
  
  Flash Mobs use and rely on the characteristics of the tools that serve to create them. The way they are created and the way they happen are both subject to an evolution in how we organise, communicate and perceive ourselves through new technologies and mobile communication mediums.
  
  De Souza (2006) maintains, and I agree with her, that these technologies have brought new possibilities in terms of communication and collaboration and have therefore shaped new social interactions and redefined the traditional frames of space and time. This idea supports the one expressed in Howard Rheingold's video I have posted on the same subject (Rheingold, 2005). By extension, this paper also underlines and follows the principles raised by Marshall McLuhan in his book "Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man", especially when he says that "the medium is the message" (1964).
  
  I found this paper at the very beginning of my research on Flash Mobs studies and I hesitated before finally deciding not to choose it. Yet, I still believe it is a valuable reference and its main strength lies in its in-depth analysis of mobile communication technologies' contribution at many levels in society.
  
  In her conclusion, De Souza declares that mobile communication technologies "recreate urban spaces as a multiuser environment", before adding that "because mobile devices create a more dynamic relationship to the Internet, embedding it in everyday activities that happen mostly outdoors, the idea of digital spaces as instances disconnected from physical spaces no longer applies". This last statement sheds light on the importance and role of Internet and mobility on people's collaboration within the context of Flash Mobs organisations (Nicholson, 2005).
  
  Reference
  
  De Souza e Silva, A. (2006). From cyber to hybrid: mobile technologies as interfaces of hybrid spaces. Space & Culture, 9 (3), 261-278.,
  
  McLuhan, M. (1964) Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. MIT Press.
  
  Nicholson, J. (2005) 'Flash! Mobs in the Age of Mobile Connectivity' The Fibreculture Journal, Iss.6 December. Accessible from http://six.fibreculturejournal.org/fcj-030-flash-mobs-in-the-age-of-mobile-connectivity/print/ (accessed on 11th April, 2011)
  
  Rheingold, H. (2005) Howard Rheingold on Collaboration. Accessible from http://www.ted.com/talks/howard_rheingold_on_collaboration.html (accessed on 10th April, 2011)

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">This is a very interesting paper that tackles both the evolution of our definitions of interaction, collaboration and mobility, and the change in our conception of space and time. De Souza has intelligently studied how humans have created what she calls "hybrid spaces", in the context of mobile technology development, use, and standardisation, and she uses Flash Mobs to illustrate her theory. <br /> <br /> Flash Mobs use and rely on the characteristics of the tools that serve to create them. The way they are created and the way they happen are both subject to an evolution in how we organise, communicate and perceive ourselves through new technologies and mobile communication mediums. <br /> <br /> De Souza (2006) maintains, and I agree with her, that these technologies have brought new possibilities in terms of communication and collaboration and have therefore shaped new social interactions and redefined the traditional frames of space and time. This idea supports the one expressed in Howard Rheingold's video I have posted on the same subject (Rheingold, 2005). By extension, this paper also underlines and follows the principles raised by Marshall McLuhan in his book "Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man", especially when he says that "the medium is the message" (1964). <br /> <br /> I found this paper at the very beginning of my research on Flash Mobs studies and I hesitated before finally deciding not to choose it. Yet, I still believe it is a valuable reference and its main strength lies in its in-depth analysis of mobile communication technologies' contribution at many levels in society. <br /> <br /> In her conclusion, De Souza declares that mobile communication technologies "recreate urban spaces as a multiuser environment", before adding that "because mobile devices create a more dynamic relationship to the Internet, embedding it in everyday activities that happen mostly outdoors, the idea of digital spaces as instances disconnected from physical spaces no longer applies". This last statement sheds light on the importance and role of Internet and mobility on people's collaboration within the context of Flash Mobs organisations (Nicholson, 2005). <br /> <br /> Reference <br /> <br /> De Souza e Silva, A. (2006). From cyber to hybrid: mobile technologies as interfaces of hybrid spaces. Space & Culture, 9 (3), 261-278., <br /> <br /> McLuhan, M. (1964) Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. MIT Press. <br /> <br /> Nicholson, J. (2005) 'Flash! Mobs in the Age of Mobile Connectivity' The Fibreculture Journal, Iss.6 December. Accessible from <a href="http://six.fibreculturejournal.org/fcj-030-flash-mobs-in-the-age-of-mobile-connectivity/print/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://six.fibreculturejournal.org/fcj-030-flash-mobs-in-the-age-of-mobile-connectivity/print/</a> (accessed on 11th April, 2011) <br /> <br /> Rheingold, H. (2005) Howard Rheingold on Collaboration. Accessible from <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/howard_rheingold_on_collaboration.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.ted.com/talks/howard_rheingold_on_collaboration.html</a> (accessed on 10th April, 2011)</div>

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