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Convergence: History, Meanings and Socio-Cultural Implications
Giuseppe LuganoEuropean Cooperation in Science & Technology (COST)
Thematic Session 3 “Information Infrastructures: from Standardization to Multiple Uses”
STS Italia 4th National Conference “Emerging Technologies, Social Worlds”
Why “Convergence” ?
Convergence as a conceptual
tool to analyse, evaluate,
compare and improve the
design and use of
information infrastructures
Convergence as a conceptual
tool to analyse, evaluate,
compare and improve the
design and use of
information infrastructures
The Internet as Global Information Infrastructure
Convergence has made the Internet (and us) even more interconnected. At what cost?Convergence has made the Internet (and us) even more interconnected. At what cost?
Originally, it was a small network of computers used for academic purposes…Originally, it was a small network of computers used for academic purposes…
A Brief History of today's Global Information Infrastructure
'50s - '60s
'90s
'2000s
…then it became an electronic highway of digital content to “consume”.…then it became an electronic highway of digital content to “consume”.
Today, digitally converged technologies have contributed to make
the Internet an integral part of “constantly connected” social lives
Today, digitally converged technologies have contributed to make
the Internet an integral part of “constantly connected” social lives
Convergence: a techno-economic viewpoint
Convergence is typically understood as a synonym of technological
convergence - the coming together of telecommunication systems,
computer networks and media industry
Converged networks and
devices
Convergence: a broader viewpoint
Convergence as a process spanning technological,
economic, global, cultural and social dimensions
(Jenkins, 2006)
Convergence as a complex and multi-faceted
phenomenon linked to parallel trends of divergence
(Fortunati, 2007)
Focus on: Social ConvergenceFocus on: Social Convergence
Social Convergence as Micro-CoordinationRendez-Vous: before digital technologies converged, mobile phones used to facilitate physical convergence of a small group of people to an agreed location (Ling & Yttri, 2002)
Rendez-Vous: before digital technologies converged, mobile phones used to facilitate physical convergence of a small group of people to an agreed location (Ling & Yttri, 2002)
Social Convergence as Virtual Co-Presence
InvasionInvasionExposureExposure
Exposure & Invasion: downside of increased convenience of access to social information and more immediate interactions
Exposure & Invasion: downside of increased convenience of access to social information and more immediate interactions
Online social networks typically model a social relationship as a “0” or “1”,
leading to a “collapse of disparate social contexts into one” (boyd, 2008)
Amplifiers & Attenuators: growing awareness of the need to privilege quality to quantity (not only aggregating, but also filtering social streams)
Amplifiers & Attenuators: growing awareness of the need to privilege quality to quantity (not only aggregating, but also filtering social streams)
Complementary function of convergence & divergence
The challenges of social convergence could be addressed by acknowledging the complementary function of convergence and divergenceThe challenges of social convergence could be addressed by acknowledging the complementary function of convergence and divergence
Complementary function of convergence & divergence
Early phase: divergence a strategy to compete -> fragmentation, choice, creativity
Early phase: divergence a strategy to compete -> fragmentation, choice, creativity
Growth phase: convergence as an opportunity to grow/”share the pie” via strategic partnerships (Skype / Facebook deal) -> interoperability, few global actors and policies
Growth phase: convergence as an opportunity to grow/”share the pie” via strategic partnerships (Skype / Facebook deal) -> interoperability, few global actors and policies
Maturity: divergence as a necessity to enable users to cope with the growing complexity by enhanced control of incoming/outgoing social streams (i.e. a social media funnel) -> enhanced user experience
Maturity: divergence as a necessity to enable users to cope with the growing complexity by enhanced control of incoming/outgoing social streams (i.e. a social media funnel) -> enhanced user experience
Filtered social stream
Social Convergence: the case of Nokia Lumia
The Nokia Lumia smartphones allow a seamless experience of multiple social networks from a single interaction space
The Nokia Lumia smartphones allow a seamless experience of multiple social networks from a single interaction space
While it is extremely easy to import contacts and visualize social streams, the lack of adequate “filters” (e.g. sort contacts by current location, interest) reduces significantly the usefulness of the feature
While it is extremely easy to import contacts and visualize social streams, the lack of adequate “filters” (e.g. sort contacts by current location, interest) reduces significantly the usefulness of the feature
Enhancing Information Infrastructures: Lessons Learnt
Convergence supports the adoption of similar protocols / policies, but it does not necessarily reduce complexityConvergence supports the adoption of similar protocols / policies, but it does not necessarily reduce complexity
Enhancing Information Infrastructures: Lessons Learnt“Big data” should not only used for marketing purposes, but also to implement social media funnels with user-controlled information “amplifiers” and “attenuators”“Big data” should not only used for marketing purposes, but also to implement social media funnels with user-controlled information “amplifiers” and “attenuators”
Computational Sociology should support Interaction Design by deriving behavioral and contextual patterns, models of evolving social relationships to test on the fieldComputational Sociology should support Interaction Design by deriving behavioral and contextual patterns, models of evolving social relationships to test on the field
Enhancing Information Infrastructures: Lessons Learnt
In a specific interaction context, the information infrastructure should not only consist of a detected and aggregated network of similar nodes…In a specific interaction context, the information infrastructure should not only consist of a detected and aggregated network of similar nodes…
DivergeConverge
…but also represent roles and relationships, which should be used as input for customizing interaction possibilities and information flows …but also represent roles and relationships, which should be used as input for customizing interaction possibilities and information flows
Enhancing Information Infrastructures: Lessons Learnt
We need to develop and use both convergent and divergent thinking strategiesWe need to develop and use both convergent and divergent thinking strategies
Thank you for your attention!
Question Time
Thematic Session 3 “Information Infrastructures: from Standardization to Multiple Uses”
STS Italia 4th National Conference “Emerging Technologies, Social Worlds”
Also by email: Giuseppe Lugano ([email protected])