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Connected Age
Defined
The age in which people have to the ability to participate in unfilter, barrierless communication through technological advancements such as online communities, blogs, and Wikis.
When did the Connected Age Begin?
The connected age is now. From what we could tell, the term was coined in 2003 in by Sociologist Duncan J. Watts in his book Six Degrees: The Science of the Connected Age. Since the term has been coined, it has grown in popularity (especially on blogs); however, the term is yet to be fully excepted.
What's Driving the Connected Age
The connected age is driven by technological advancements. The ability of people to access the internet from various sources has greatly contributed to the connected age. Also, the NetGen generation (see below) has been driving the change by pushing for more power on the fringes of corporate America. Powering the fringes is fueled by blogs, wikis, and other interactive media.
NetGen Generation
Who is the NetGen Generation?
People born after 1980
Characteristics of the Net-Genners
According to Allison H. Fine in her book Momentum: Igniting Social Change in the Connected Age, the Net-Genners have the following charateristics.
- Super-sized
- Wary of Large Organizations
- Tolerant (more accepting...)
- Volunteer
- Technology Savvy
- Connected
Analysis of the Net-Genners Characteristics
The Net-genners will have a major impact on the business of tomorrow as they are beginning to come of age. Larger than the Baby Boomer generation the Net-genners will out number the generations surrounding them. Because the Net-genners are tolerant, people are allowed to be individuals. The race issue is less obvious and alternative lifestyles aren't as thought down upon.
A passion for volunteering shows compassion within this demographic. However, they don't like volunteering their time to causes they don't understand. Therefore, it is neccessary for all causes to be advertised and transparent. Transparency is a by-product of the information age as Net-genners expect to know and help solve any major issues that may arise within a organizations framework. They see technology as a means of solving problems, and they take advantage of technologies ability to connect people to solve most problems.
Keys to Igniting Social Change
- Engage key people in thinking about what success means and looks like (not just designers)
- Reaching a consensus for change
- Democratic participation
- Open Environment- "friction free" discussion
*Should allow discussion to all with minimal effort
- Information Hubs
- Leaders driving the process
- A wide social network
*the wider the network the more powerful and resilient it becomes
- Listening
*Greatly speeds up responsiveness
- Willingness of people to participate
What is a Sense of Community?
- Feelings of membership and Belonging
- Feelings of influence (on and by)
- Integration and Fulfillment of Needs
- Shared Emotional Connection
Questions Community Planners Should Ask
- How do people inside and outside the community organizations participate in decision making?
- Who could you invite into the network to help make our designs better?
- Is information available to all?
- Is it easy for all citizens to access this information?
- Has a concensus been reached by the citizens on your design?
Technologies Influence on Communittees
- Decentralizes decision making process
- Encourages individual activism
- Allows large, loose networks
- Creates organization transparency
The Community Online
Possible Software & Websites that Aid in Community Development
- Listservs
- Blogs
- Wikis
- Interactive Games
- You Tube [1]
Community Advantages
- you could notify neighbors of when you are leaving town
- could post pictures for any friends to see
- could have a discussion board to discuss any current events happening in the neighborhood
Ex. Proposed parks, buildings, roads, or any type of development
- it is easier for people to stay in touch on the internet and relationships that would never otherwise exist could begin.
- People would be more involved since it would consist of less time and effort.
- Could have small groups within the community to fit specific people’s interests.
- Could have emergency contacts listed
- Could have a calendar of neighborhood events
- Could have a sort of online newspaper with local happenings
- Could sell things
- Could send birthday, Christmas cards, etc.
- Could stay in touch with people who move away
- Could keep businesses connected to the people of the community
- Could help people find their feet after diasters (personal and natural)
Designer Advantages
- Find out about local events and community uses
- Obtain a thorough neighborhood wish list
- Help build concensus
- Help get feed back on designs
- Allow possible users into the design process without a huge time investment
- Keep possible users informed on design progress
- Build interest for Community Build Projects
- Allows people to fulfill designer's intentions
Case Study #1- Portland, OR
Portland Charicteristics
- Independent minded people
- Strong sense of community
- Passion for environmental protection
- Strong ethic for managing growth in the region
- Through internet resources
Technology affecting urban growth
Office for Neighborhood Involvement
- Facilitate communication between neighborhoods and city governments
Portland Area Housing Clearinghouse
- Formed by Portland Bureau of Housing and Community Development
- $480,000 grant from U.S. Department of Commerce’s Technology Opportunities Program
- Web-based program to improve housing and community services for Portland residents
- Addresses information gap of low-income citizens and social services
- ½ of respondents change housing in a given year
- Creates data base for house listings
- Housing reduce inquiry by keeping rent data current
- Information on which documents to bring when signing up for social services
Neighborhood Listserv and Community Planning
- City planning process in which communities periodically develop a community plan with the Portland Bureau of Planning
- 1996- A development project and zoning changes proposed by city planning in southwest Portland
- Neighborhood felt it threatened streams and neighborhood character and developed an email list which led to a listserv
- Allowed neighborhood leaders to sharpen thinking and coordinate strategy
- Allowed activists to talk and give information
- Hastened the demise of the development and zoning changes
- City eventually found new solution to the problem; one that kept neighborhood citizens happy
Why is a Listserv better than a monthly/weekly meeting?
- More frequent exchanges of information
- Commits ideas to writing which helps the technical quality of the community response to the planning board
Links to other Case Studies
References
Momentum: Igniting Social Change in the Connected Age 1
Cities Online: Urban Development and the Internet.2
Facebook 3
