Network society - Castells
Class Media technology & society
Networks, society & communication tech
💡 Network society = a society
whose social culture is made
of networks powered by ICT
Network = set of interconnected nodes
Node = point where the curve intersects itself
→ there is no centre
→ nodes may be of varying relevance
→ relative importance of node stems from its ability to contribute to the
network’s goals (not its specific features)
Process flows
→ flows = streams of information between nodes
Defined by the program that assigns its goals & rules of performance
→ made up of codes (eg valuation of performance, criteria for
success/failure)
Work on binary logic = inclusion or exclusion
Within network distance between nodes = zero
→ able to connect entire network
Outside network distance = infinite
→ there is no access unless the program of the network is changed
Not specific to 21st century
→ networks are fundamental pattern of life
→ wherever there is life, there are networks
Network society - Castells 1
, Historical subordination of networks to vertical organisations
→ power inscribed in institutions of society
Networked social organisation had to overcome material limits
→ ability to introduce new actors & new content in social organisation
increased over time
→ technological change & evolution of communication technologies
Vertical organisation ↔ horizontal organisation
Networks became most efficient organisational form
→ result of three major features of networks (that also benefited from the
new tech environment)
1. Flexibility
2. Scalability
3. Survivability
Tech change & foundation of new tech paradigm
Bc of available electronic ICTs that network society can deploy itself
fully
Different from conceptual framework of information or knowledge
society
→ empirical & theoretical error
All known societies = based on information & knowledge as source of
power, wealth & meaning
→ new tech & societal world where human bodies & minds are extended
in networks powered by ICTs
Informationalism (information age)
💡 Informationalism = technological paradigm of network society
→ based on augmentation of human capacity of information
processing & communication
Information & knowledge are key factor for power & wealth
→ but misleading to conceptualize our society as information age
Network society - Castells 2
Class Media technology & society
Networks, society & communication tech
💡 Network society = a society
whose social culture is made
of networks powered by ICT
Network = set of interconnected nodes
Node = point where the curve intersects itself
→ there is no centre
→ nodes may be of varying relevance
→ relative importance of node stems from its ability to contribute to the
network’s goals (not its specific features)
Process flows
→ flows = streams of information between nodes
Defined by the program that assigns its goals & rules of performance
→ made up of codes (eg valuation of performance, criteria for
success/failure)
Work on binary logic = inclusion or exclusion
Within network distance between nodes = zero
→ able to connect entire network
Outside network distance = infinite
→ there is no access unless the program of the network is changed
Not specific to 21st century
→ networks are fundamental pattern of life
→ wherever there is life, there are networks
Network society - Castells 1
, Historical subordination of networks to vertical organisations
→ power inscribed in institutions of society
Networked social organisation had to overcome material limits
→ ability to introduce new actors & new content in social organisation
increased over time
→ technological change & evolution of communication technologies
Vertical organisation ↔ horizontal organisation
Networks became most efficient organisational form
→ result of three major features of networks (that also benefited from the
new tech environment)
1. Flexibility
2. Scalability
3. Survivability
Tech change & foundation of new tech paradigm
Bc of available electronic ICTs that network society can deploy itself
fully
Different from conceptual framework of information or knowledge
society
→ empirical & theoretical error
All known societies = based on information & knowledge as source of
power, wealth & meaning
→ new tech & societal world where human bodies & minds are extended
in networks powered by ICTs
Informationalism (information age)
💡 Informationalism = technological paradigm of network society
→ based on augmentation of human capacity of information
processing & communication
Information & knowledge are key factor for power & wealth
→ but misleading to conceptualize our society as information age
Network society - Castells 2
