Course:LIBR559A/Hampton, K., Livio, O. & Sessions, L. (in press)

Citation

Hampton, K., Livio, O. & Sessions, L. (in press). The social life of wireless urban spaces: Internet use, social networks, and the public realm. Journal of Communication. 255 - 264.

Main Arguments

The authors propose that wireless technology (as opposed to cell phones) facilitate a trend towards “privatism” which has decreased the diversity of opinions that people are exposed to (5). We use the wireless connection on our iPhone to strengthen existing relationships, rather than make new ones. The authors report that a parallel trend is occurring in the conglomerization of media providers. The effect is similar, diverse perspectives are increasingly less available.

Theoretical Frameworks

We are envisioned as boats that become caught in wifi whirlpools that give us tunnel vision that illuminates distant members of our tribe. There is a sense of Technological Determinism about this article, though the term never appears. No theory officially informs this article. It is as if the authors are innocently saying: let us simply look and write down our observations. The word ethnography is used without acknowledgment of the burden that comes with it.

Method

The researchers observed many wifi users from afar, and a few wifi users up close. The subjects observed from afar analyzed in terms of their behavior. It appears that the researchers were unable to see what was displayed on these subjects’ screens. The subjects observed in person were analyzed in terms of the websites they visited. This ethnography was conducted at various locations, at various times of day, and subjects were offered a monetary incentive to participate.

Pitfalls

It is unclear how useful the researchers’ data gathering method was. Not knowing what websites subjects were looking at seems to negate the possibility of drawing any conclusions about surfing habits. This study would benefit by giving the reader more context. If we are meant to understand that a change has occurred, then what came before now? My recollection is that cell phones entrenched old relationships just the same. The authors conclude by claiming that wifi facilitates greater participation in the public sphere. But if we are going out in public just to message our existing contacts, I am not sure how this claim can be valid.

Page Author: Audrey McField