Online Ethnography
I must admit that I have would have to agree with the stereotype of online interaction that Christine Hine mentions in that it is “inadequate for the formation of intimacy”. I have always believed that face to face encounters add richness to our social interactions and help to shape us into better human beings. Hine says that we should not adhere to online/offline dichotomies; however I find it hard not to separate these simply because of the amount of deception that is constructed in terms of who people really are. I do see the advantages to online ethnography in that it is inexpensive and less time consuming, it just seems to me that once we abandon our attempts to interview people face to face, we are missing such an important component of compassion and understanding that is necessary on the part of the researcher in order to fully comprehend the position of the person being interviewed. We understand sociological issues by studying people in society and without in person interaction we cannot see things the same way and thus incorporate change. I really don’t see how online research can be labeled as ‘qualitative’ when there are no boundaries between whether or not you are talking to a ‘real’ person or an online persona that exists in someone’s own mind and is not reflected in society. It would take much more effort to have people engage with the researcher they cannot see, I know I would give up more information to someone who took the time to meet me personally and hear my story rather than answer questions online.
Joinson states that “people respond to computers as social actors”. I would have to disagree with this because in no way would I ever think of a computer as a substitute for human contact. Technology has given us convenience and visual anonymity, however this is what is wrong with society today, the anonymity is what deters us from implementing social change. People now have the means to avoid confrontation; my friend broke up with his girlfriend in an email, that is disgusting, the ultimate disrespect! As social researchers, we need to maintain a level of respect in order to gain trust which in turn gives us valuable material. I would like to see the historical research that suggests that online activity does not reduce social interaction. I can’t help thinking about growing up without technology and how much nicer people were to one another….something to ponder. Even if you don’t like country (um..Paul) please listen to this song because it brings to light the reasons why I think technology has in some ways altered what we used to consider the simple things in life, just a bit of nostalgia for us older ones.
