It just occurred to me, after reading some of Benkler, that the studies we've read of the internet take a particular perspective (Nakamura explored race/ racial identity; Weinberger looked at the business potential and knowledge construction; and Benkler is examining it from an economic, social democratic point of view).
I wonder, then, what a study of the internet would look like on its own merits. That is, what would a theoretical examination -- not one from a particular field of study or perspective -- tell us?
What's the benefit of looking at the internet, which so many people use, for so many different reasons, from a singular perspective or point of view or entrance point? What's the drawback?
Could we even read the internet using critical theory without choosing a subject to explore, like race or economics? I think we could. Thoughts?
3 comments:
This could be a consequence of my brain being tiny, but I think it might be impossible to examine the internet from the perspective you describe. The internet is too huge a medium. It would be like asking, "All books on the planet: What's up with them?"
We have to focus on an aspect like economics or race when talking about the internet because otherwise the analysis would be a million pages long. That's the only way I can conceive it ... please, if someone else can propose a way, I'm all ears.
Well, you're right, especially when you put it in terms of "all books on the planet. Discuss."
However, I was thinking more along the lines of a (more) general rhetoric of the internet, even though it's impossible to determine what the "internet user" is. then again, I think it's impossible to determine what the "reader" is, too -- yet theorists talk about it all the time.
Do you see my connection here? Put another way: theorists and critics seem to say "readers" do this, "writers" do this, "texts" do this; we're all for analyzing texts, writers, and readers in these broad terms, and yet we're somehow convinced the internet is ENTIRELY beyond them. I'm just sayin'... :)
First, Alyssa, I am completely stealing "All books on the planet: What's up with them?"
And, on to Sarah's comment... I agree that the Internet needs its own form of analysis, probably more than one, in that telvision, radio, and other forms of media have also developed their various forms of theoretical lenses through which to analyze and critique itself.
However, I would also say (and I am sure that you would agree), that it is important to keep discussing the Internet in terms of racial, political, economical, "ecumenical, spiritual, grammatical" etc...(name that movie...) terms simply because all other forms of media are also discussed in these terms. Remember, too, that the Internet tends to be an information source. And, from a librarian's perspective, we steal from other disicplines in order to analyze. No one ever really steals from us, but we think that's just because we're so intimidating. ;) So, you get my drift?
Yes--NEW ANALYSIS AWAY!!!
But, also, keep utilizing what has been tried and true.
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