#ubiquitous human computing

New Media - We live with it, play with it, and employ it; some of us have even grown up with it. But what does it mean for us, our work, and our interactions?

Castells (1999, p403) indicates, that globalisation has resulted in social polarisation and exclusion meaning we are forfeiting our rights to equality, particularly in the workplace. He believes that the “accumulation of wealth at the top and of poverty at the bottom” of cultural and corporate structures is responsible for “black holes of informational capitalism.” These black holes of social exclusion (caused by prolonged unemployment, health issues, substance abuse and incarceration) make it extremely difficult for people to engage in workplace relationship building and causes anxiety for workers in unstable employment.

While I cannot prove the correlation, it is easy to understand why some people might turn to new media possibilities online for job options or security, self-image reinforcement and distant (safe) social interactions. As Sherry Turkle (2012) puts it, we like to be “connected, but alone” “together but separate” where it is safe because we can we can portray our ideal selves, not our actual selves. It gives us the power to edit, alter and as Hamelink (2006) pointed out, lie to ourselves and our greater environment.

 I believe these factors have inspired the ubiquitous human computing which Zittrain (2009) proves to be an increasing phenomenon. Why not enjoy the safety and security of your own home? Why enter a work force that does not understand that your family comes first? If the glove fits, why not embrace the “culture of real virtuality” (Castells, M. 1999. P403)

  References

Castells, M. 1999. “Chapter 21: An Introduction to the Information Age.” In The Media Reader:

continuity and transformation. London: Sage Publications

Hamelink, C. 2006. “Chapter 7: The Ethics of the Internet: Can We Cope With Lies and Deceit

on The Net?” In Ideologies of the Internet. New Jersey: Hampton Press Inc

Quirk, P. 2008. “What Does A Virtual Workplace Look Like.” Accessed April 22, 2012.

http://peterquirk.wordpress.com/2008/04/23/what-does-a-virtual-workplace-look-like/

Turkle, S. 2012. “Sherry Turkle: Connected, but alone?” YouTube video, posted April 3.

Accessed April 22, 2012. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7Xr3AsBEK4&feature=player_embedded

Zittrain, J. 2009. “Minds For Sale.” YouTube video, posted November 29. Accessed April 22,