THE IMPACT OF COMPUTER NETWORKING IN SOCIETY: SOCIAL NETWORK SEARCHING APPROACH

Abstract

The quality of life in a community can be seen as the nexus of' social capital'and communal engagement (Putnam 1993, Coleman 1988).‘ Social capital’accumulates through social networks and trust, and the morals of collective reciprocity that these connections foster (Putnam 1993). This paper explores the relationship between computer networks, social networks and communal engagement in a geographic community using checks and interview data collected among residers of Blacksburg, Virginia, over a three time period (1996 through 1999). Social connections are the base of social networks. Connections form through commerce among individualities, whether face-to- face or intermediated by communication technology (telephone, computer networks). Computer networks, like the telephone, can support being social networks. In fact, according to Wellman (1996), when computer networks link people as well as machines, they come social networks. The substantiation described in this paper shows that computer networks aren't just buttressing-- but indeed expanding-- being social networks within a geographic community. The Internet is an important medium for garnering coffers-- fellowship and aid, including information-- from other members of social networks. Likewise, increased communal engagement and community involvement can be attributed to the Internet among about a fifth of Internet druggies. The check data shows that this is a group that's'pre-disposed'to be engaged. The Internet provides tools and services that enable them to act on their predilection. Keywords : telephone, computer networks