Rise of the network society

I had the pleasure of attending lectures last semester by the brilliant Professor Burt Olivier (Department of Journalism, Media and Philosophy, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth).

He discussed the phenomena of the “space of flows” and “space of places”, Manual Castells proposes in his book “The rise of the network society” (1996, Second edition 2010).  At first I was puzzled (I won’t lie).  However after reading Prof Olivier’s 2013 article,  Time(s), space(s) and communication in Castells's 'Network Society , Communicare : Journal for Communication Sciences in Southern Africa, [ONLINE] VOL 32 (December), Available from http://reference.sabinet.co.za/sa_epublication_article/comcare_v32_n2_a3, regarding the book in question I now have a better understanding.  Taking excerpts from the article and my own understanding, I have written a short summary to assist with studying for my test:

The Network Society

The ‘network society” according to Castells is a society identified by electronic communication networks and networks supporting global economic trade.

He distinguishes between the “Space of flows” and the “Space of places” (discussed below).

The thesis explores the relationship between technological development and society.  Global society is transforming due to current electronic communication technology (i.e. the rapid onset of the internet).  Modes of communication (social, political, economic) have been altered and will ultimately have an effect on culture as we know it (e.g. people in one space communicating with each other on their smartphones).  Mass media, technological developments and the connection of the world markets through a global network in the 1980’s, contributed to the development of the space of flows.  These modes of communication are supported by governments and corporations, despite the lack of organisation and control (pornography, pirate websites, etc).  Attempts of control have been made to no avail.  

The Space of flows

A form of social interaction space changed by advanced communication technology, characterised by simultaneity regardless of physical distance.  For example: instantaneous communication (Facebook, IM) and trade (E-commerce).  This phenomenon can be traced back to the advent of roads and railways, only now we have the “Super Highway”.

Castells refers to the ‘timeless time’ of the space of flows.  As I understand it, the ‘compression’ of time that is beneficial to political and economic transactions by minimising time constraints leading to larger profits.  Larger profit and social dominance is the apotheosis of the space of flows.

Castells indicates ‘three layers of material support of flow-orientated practices’ (places or things that support the space of flows that are dependent on information technology:

§  Broadcasting systems, telecommunications, computer processing, high speed transport.

§  Nodes and hubs – government, medical treatment centres

§  Social elites – society is dominated by the social elites – organisations that disorganise society to their benefit.

The Space of places

The historically familiar sense of space that has time sequence and materiality (e,g, house, home, neighbourhood, family).

Time is constructed through experience, social interaction occurs in the same space (boardroom, city).  Time and space in the human experience is the space of places.

Cities are changing their structure to emulate information networks.  Organisations are moving away from the traditional city centre to outlying areas where separate ‘nodes’ are created that communicate locally and globally.  

Architecture in the space of flows

It has been indicated (by many) that Post Modern Architecture is the architecture of the space of flows, it “declares the end of all systems of meaning”.  This refers to the eclectic nature of Post-modern architecture; the mixture of elements and ahistorical styles.

There is however architecture that purposefully resists the space of flows by contrasting between the space of flows and the space of places. 

§  Barcelona Airport (Bofill) – The airport has a sterile, sparse ad dehumanising environment.

§  Madrid Highspeed AVE Station – The station building encloses gardens which oppose the train platform.

Clock time and virtual time

Castells proposes other ‘times’ including clock and virtual time.

Clock time refers to the ‘linear, measurable and predictable time of the industrial era, which has a connection between past, present and future, ‘human time’.  Contemporary societies are now dominated by clock time, however this is being challenged by the space of flows.

Virtual time on the other hand refers to culture of post modernism, the ‘virtual culture’.  Professor Olivier describes this as ‘the televisions capacity to bring together on a depthless screen, places and times…selected from history and geography’.  Andrew Palframan (Lecturer at the School of Architecture, NMMU) alludes to ‘A different place in the same place’.

Implications

Prof Olivier highlights the possibility of a breakdown in communication between those who want to protect humanity-preserving spaces and the social elites promoting and reinforcing dehumanising space of flows. 

He says further that the possibility of collective global trauma may be an indication of possible change (i.e an unpredictable natural event).  The social elites and the proletariat reside on the same planet and are both reliant on a sustainable eco-system.  If that fails we would have to start over.  Alternatively we could be faced with an ‘eco-political’ social resistance against the practices emanating from the space of flows… in the…. interests of natural ecologies.  (Ultimately to avoid dystopia).  Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.