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Asignement: Discuss how “mediated identities” in social networks, blogs or any form of net presence may express central notions of reflexive modernity covered by Ferguson in Social work, individualization and life politics
H Ferguson
Fergusons reflexive modernity describes a society were people have to chose their own way of living their lives, and therefore also their identity. In this modern society sharing emotions and intimacy is vital for creating social bonds. Using social networks and blogs can be a way to convey your identity to other people, but also a tool to help your self discover and create your identity and your way of living.
Many of the most popular blogs in Norway is all about emotions an the daily living experience of the blogger. Showing of your things, what you buy, emotions you experience…. It conveys a feeling of shared intimacy. As a reader you can feel that you connect with the blogger, without really understanding that this is a narrative intimacy.
In using social networks you also get a stronger element of connecting with a network. Being in that network also defines your identity. An example is that differense between users of Facebook and Myspace in the US. Facebook originated fron the academic envirement and therefore many academics use it. It is also more popular among white people than black people. My space is more popular among african american people. (http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol13/issue1/hargittai.html).
Ferguson says that the society of reflexive modernity is a risk society. When you choose your identity and your way of living you have the possibility to choose “wrong”. These “wrong” ways can make your life very difficult to live. When you expose yourself emotionally on the net you place yourself at risk of being rejected, criticized and condemned. Publishing yourself online reaches many more people quicker than in real life communication. This makes the risk bigger.
mediate
verb |ˈmēdēˌāt|
1 [ intrans. ] intervene between people in a dispute in order to bring about an agreement or reconciliation : Wilson attempted to mediate between the powers to end the war. See note at insert .
• [ trans. ] intervene in (a dispute) to bring about an agreement.
• [ trans. ] bring about (an agreement or solution) by intervening in a dispute : efforts to mediate a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
2 [ trans. ] technical bring about (a result such as a physiological effect) : the right hemisphere plays an important role in mediating tactile perception of direction.
• be a means of conveying : this important ministry of mediating the power of the word.
• form a connecting link between : structures that mediate gender divisions.
adjective |ˈmēdēət|
connected indirectly through another person or thing; involving an intermediate agency : public law institutions are a type of mediate state administration.
DERIVATIVES
mediately |ˈmēdēətlē| adverb
mediation |ˌmēdēˈā sh ən| noun
mediator |ˈmēdēˌātər| noun
mediatory |ˈmēdēəˌtôrē| adjective
ORIGIN late Middle English (as an adjective in the sense [interposed] ): from late Latin mediatus ‘placed in the middle,’ past participle of the verb mediare, from Latin medius ‘middle.’
