Reviews
Dr. Mary Chayko provides a splendid tour of how social media came to be, what they are used for today, and what they are doing for and to us. Clearly written, Superconnected makes a fine introduction to the subject for students and general readers alike., In Superconnected, Mary Chayko gives the reader a grand tour of the digital world. From history to hypertext, from the web to wireless, from cognition to community, from proxemics to participation to power, from the self to sharing to surveillance, from romance to rights and from group to globalization...it is all here to be enjoyed in her insightful work., Superconnected is captivating in its approach as it dispels old myths and provides new insights into the functioning of a digital society. No other text provides such in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of such a wide range of issues, weaving together theory and on-the-ground examples, and local and global understandings, of how the internet and digital media/technologies have radically transformed many aspects of modern life., Superconnected is a provocative, thoughtful and thorough examination of the contemporary digital state of affairs. It will educate, provoke and inspire readers to form new perspectives on the consequences of new media in everyday life., Mary Chayko's Superconnected is an indispensable, interdisciplinary guide to the complexities of life in the digital age. Engagingly written and masterfully covering a wide range of essential and nuanced topics, it is a unique text that is ideal for any reader who wants to know how our current techno-social condition emerged and the promises and pitfalls of living in it. An outstanding text that deserves to be adopted across the disciplines., Writing in a clear and lucid style, Mary Chayko explores the impact of internet and digital media on many aspects of our lives, examining issues ranging from friending and liking to surveillance and global inequalities. The book is highly readable, an ideal text for undergraduate students as well as the general public who are interested in such topics., Mary Chayko has crafted a most remarkable work in Superconnected. Rarely have I seen a writer at such ease in identifying and explaining both the essential techno-social building blocks of information and communication technologies and the rich, fascinating behaviors associated with them. Sharing and surveillance, emotion and presence, hacking and activism, crowdsourcing and accountability, friending and dating, multitasking and stress -- these are just a few of Chayko's inspired and informed topics. The work of a topnotch scholar and master teacher, Superconnected is inviting and compelling, friendly and challenging, unique and vital. It is the book I have been waiting for -- perfect for any undergraduate class on information and communication technologies., Dr. Mary Chayko provides a splendid tour of how social media came to be, what they are used for today, and what they are doing for and to us. Clearly written, Superconnected makes a fine introduction to the subject for students and general readers alike., Don't let anybody tell you otherwise. From kids to seniors, we are the greatest generations: communicating, networking, and creating information and media constantly and collaboratively. In this lively, wide-ranging book, Mary Chayko tells you how and why we are the most superconnected society ever., In Superconnected, Mary Chayko gives the reader a grand tour of the digital world. From history to hypertext, from the web to wireless, from cognition to community, from proxemics to participation to power, from the self to sharing to surveillance, from romance to rights and from group to globalization...it is all here to be enjoyed in her insightful work., Writing in a clear and lucid style, Mary Chayko explores the impact of internet and digital media on many aspects of our lives, examining issues ranging from friending and liking to surveillance and global inequalities. The book is highly readable, an ideal text for undergraduate students as well as the general public who are interested in such topics., Superconnected is captivating in its approach as it dispels old myths and provides new insights into the functioning of a digital society. No other text provides such in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of such a wide range of issues, weaving together theory and on-the-ground examples, and local and global understandings, of how the internet and digital media/technologies have radically transformed many aspects of modern life., Don't let anybody tell you otherwise. From kids to seniors, we are the greatest generations: communicating, networking, and creating information and media constantly and collaboratively. In this lively, wide-ranging book, Mary Chayko tells you how and why we are the most superconnected society ever., Mary Chayko's Superconnected is an indispensable, interdisciplinary guide to the complexities of life in the digital age. Engagingly written and masterfully covering a wide range of essential and nuanced topics, it is a unique text that is ideal for any reader who wants to know how our current techno-social condition emerged and the promises and pitfalls of living in it. An outstanding text that deserves to be adopted across the disciplines., Mary Chayko has crafted a most remarkable work in Superconnected. Rarely have I seen a writer at such ease in identifying and explaining both the essential techno-social building blocks of information and communication technologies and the rich, fascinating behaviors associated with them. Sharing and surveillance, emotion and presence, hacking and activism, crowdsourcing and accountability, friending and dating, multitasking and stress -- these are just a few of Chayko's inspired and informed topics. The work of a topnotch scholar and master teacher, Superconnected is inviting and compelling, friendly and challenging, unique and vital. It is the book I have been waiting for -- perfect for any undergraduate class on information and communication technologies.
Table of Content
Chapter 1: SuperconnectednessSuperconnectedThe Internet......Digital Media......and Techno-Social LifeTechnology, Mediation, and the Diffusion of InnovationSociality, or Being SocialThis BookChapter 2: Creating the Internet AgeA (Very) Short History of Information and Communication TechnologyA (Not Quite as) Short History of Computing and the InternetThe Web Is BornWireless and Mobile CommunicationEarly Online NetworkingFull-Featured Social Network Sites (SNS) and Social MediaThe Triple Revolution of the 2000sChapter 3: Inhabiting a Digital EnvironmentSociomental Spaces, Cultures, and SocietiesWhy Not Cyberspace?Online Communities, Networks, and NetworkingCreating Digital EnvironmentsReality, Presence, and ProximityReality and the BrainEmotionality and IntimacySo, What About Physicality?The Intersection of the Online and the OfflineChapter 4: Sharing and SurveillanceSharing and Prosuming in a Participatory CultureCrowdsourcingLiking and Following, and Being Liked and FollowedOwnership of Online ContentThe Power to Disseminate and Publish InformationVertical, or Asymmetrical, SurveillanceHorizontal, or Social, SurveillancePrivacy and ObscurityChapter 5: Global Impacts and InequalitiesGlobalization and TechnologyStratification and InequalityCultural DividesHacking, Danger, Crime, and WarFinding Solutions, Bridging DividesSpeaking Back to Power: Social Organization, Movements, and ActivismThe Rise of Citizen JournalismChapter 6: Techno-Socialization and the SelfSocialization, Self, and IdentityDevelopment and Performance of the SelfExpression of the SelfWhen Identity Is MarginalizedGrowing up Online and OfflineSocialization Never Ends: Socialization Throughout AdulthoodChapter 7: Friending, Dating, and RelatingInteractivityMaking Digital Connections"Chemistry" and SynchronicityFriendship-Online and OfflineFlirting, Dating, Romance, and SexTrust and Social SupportInterpersonal Conflicts and HarassmentThe Lifespan of Digital RelationshipsChapter 8: The Techno-Social InstitutionsThe Institutional "Heart": The FamilyHealth CareReligionWork and CommerceEducation and LibrariesPolitics and GoverningThe MediaChapter 9: More Benefits and Hazards of 24/7 SuperconnectednessConstant AvailabilityConvenience and MicrocoordinationFun, Play, and EntertainmentMultitasking and the Attention SpanStress, Information Overload, and FOMOEmergenciesDependency and AddictionHealth and MoodsBeing Plugged in...to SocietyChapter 10: Our Superconnected FutureNew and Emerging TechnologiesThe Techno-Social Path AheadOur Personal Paths
