Sociological Analysis of Hyperconnectivity
Sociology
Hyperconnectivity is a fairly new concept that it is indigenous to the 21st century. The term was coined only a few years ago by Canadian social scientists as a way to describe how people are connect via machines, networked organizations, and networked societies overall. Thus, this is a term that could have been coined now. "Hyper" is usually an adjective to describe a state of excess excitement and unruly energy; "hyper" as it exists as a prefix coming from the Greek language, means abnormal, unusual, and appearing in quantities beyond what is normal. Both definitions can be useful when considering the global culture or state of hyperconnectivity that much of the world finds itself in during the 21st century. We have mobile devices that connect to the internet wherever we are and wherever there is an internet connection. We have long since had computers and laptops with which we use to connect to others. There are now generations of people who were born into a world overflowing with ways to say hyperconnected, but before we continue boldly into the future, it behooves us to consider the ramifications of hyperconnectivity upon our social realities. The paper examines the concept of hyperconnectivity with respect to the sociological perspective. Hyperconnectivity is a sociological phenomenon as well as a technological one; hyperconnectivity is affecting how we perceive ourselves, each other, and the world, for better and for worse.
As with most forms of technology, the technology itself is neither good nor bad, but what is good or bad, is how humanity uses it. The digital technology that allows for hyperconnectivity is neither good nor bad, while it also holds the potential be both good and bad. Social networks...
Hyperconnectivity certainly allows people to connect and communicate in many more ways that in previous decades and centuries. We are able to expand our social realities because of the distances our communication can travel for a price or for free (like Skype) because of hyperconnectivity. If we are on the move or are traveling we can still keep in touch with colleagues, friends, and family because of the state of hyperconnectivity in the 21st century. Further, we have the opportunity to expand our social realities and networks by getting in touch with people we would have never had the opportunity to meet because of such technologies. There is definitely a positive sociological aspect to hyperconnectivity. We become potentially more literate technologically, culturally, and with respect to information. Our concepts of identity and social institutions can expand and change because of exposure to people outside our common networks. Our realities can be enhanced and enriched because of hyperconnectivity. On a larger scale, because of hyperconnectivity, there is also potential for better communication in cases of emergency such as fire, terrorism, and natural disasters.
One the other hand, while there are just as many advocates for the positive affects of hyperconnectivity, there are just as many who advocate that hyperconnectivity is dangerous with negative affects. For example, …many of the young people growing up hyperconnected to each other and the mobile Web and counting on the internet as their external brain will be nimble, quick-acting multitaskers who will do well in key respects. At the same…
