Right, I am merging some of the questions together but have identified the different points I’m making!
Communities in my opinion can be classed as a collection of likeminded people, with similar interests who are able to offer advice and support for other members of that community. There are so many various groups online; it’s hard to say that they are all communities because the word ‘community’ implies more than just an interaction of a group of people, it seems to involve more ‘togetherness’ which is why it may be hard to apply it to online communities because the technological aspect diminishes the real-life connection which has been associated with communities for so long now. XXXXX
This isn’t to say that online communities do not exist because they quite clearly do; it’s just a case of distinguishing between actual communities and online groups.
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In relation to McMillan and Chavis (1986) and their 4 characteristics, with reference to the fourth one I can agree with their need to have a “spirit of community” (Blanchard) but I don’t 100% agree with the need to have an “emotional connection.” I think there needs to be a certain link between the members, but I wouldn’t say it’d be as much as emotional, but just to have enough interest to be involved throughout the community. However, this could just be me still relating emotion to more real life situations as I wouldn’t say I have ever really felt a sense of community online. I am part of/ a member of Facebook etc, but I wouldn’t class that as a community. The closest I have to a community online is to be part of the Lincoln network, but that comes with being a student at the University, to me a community can be more of a choice you make to get involved with.
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This can be linked to the Julie/Julia Project as it was found that “81% of the respondents were female at an average age of 38 years of age.” I think this shows how online interaction will sometimes consist of people of the same gender and age, because they are likeminded in their interests. Personally I don’t really think of this as an online community, I would class the project as a group of people with an interest in the project, wouldn’t you?
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I agree with you Cara. Relating to your point about the "need for emotional connection" it is hard to establish emotional bonds with people without face to face interaction. I think I have a similar viewpoint to you as I see emotion to do more with 'real life'.
ReplyDeleteThe amount of emotion connection someone has for a community on the internet must rely on the type of person they are. I think the 'feeling of membership' would be the strongest as mentioned in one of my posts; people need to feel accepted. So if they feel they are lacking in acceptance in 'real' community they may try and find it on the internet?
This links in with last weeks topics of 'expressing different selves' and people can do this online within communitys to feel that sense of acceptance.
ReplyDeleteThere doesn't seem as many risks associated with people joining communities though... do you stil think there is as much risk?
With regard to your "4 characteristics" post. You don't mention this virtual community -backed up by weekly slots for f2f group meetings and in the context of shared location and Facebook connection!
ReplyDeleteWhat would make you feel that this was a virtual community? This probably relates to Sue's part of the unit -coming up.