Why do online communities organise themselves?
Online communities exist because there is a need for individuals with common interests, hobbies, lifestyles, attributes etc. to communicate and share opinions and generate relationships with people they otherwise wouldn't. Terry Flew(2004, p62) quotes Howard Rheingold who defined virtual communities as 'social aggregations' that emerge from individuals using the Internet for conversations long enough to build online relationships.
There is also less regulation on online communities than physical groups getting together. Flew(2004) refers to 'Cyberhate' sites such as white supremacists, neo-nazis, and many other racist, sexist, etc. which can exist as outlets of free speech despite what the majority of society believes. Thus, individuals of minority groups, whether with good intentions or bad, can co-exist within cyberspace with anonymity if desired. This means that online community users are more open in their opinions and comments and can often play with personas that in 'real life' they would never attempt.
How do online communities organise themselves?
Previously, communities have been held back by geographic or temporal constraints. With the Internet and the many opportunities it provides for online communities to emerge such as social networking sites, blogs, forums, etc. interest groups now have many ways in which to develop.
It is also evident that users of online communities do not devote themselves to a single group, and instead are often part of many different online communities for many different topics/issues. This too is a sign that there are no longer geographic or temporal boundaries for online community development.
What does it require for online communities to organise themselves?
In order for online communities to organise themselves, it involves having a group of individuals with something in common, a purpose or a trait, who wish to discuss the issues surrounding it. Flew(2004) also suggests online communities requires a 'desire to be connected to those who are like you'. It also involves a technical side, such as readily available Internet and a basic understand of the technology.
To find out more about virtual communities visit here. Or here to find out more about Terry Flew.
1 comment:
Many of your points make valid statements about the practises and purposes behind online communities.
I'd like to note though that negative communuties such as white supremacists, neo-nazis, etc. have always have always existed and have expressed their ideas to others. The internet does does however, allow a larger audience to view these opinions, whether they agree with these views or not. Community contributors do also have anonymity on their side, simply known by the alias they present, which also allows them to spread their opinions moer rapidly than ever before.
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