Information Ecologies

In learning about the Internet we realise that the tool for communicating is located within an information powerhouse. As an ecology, it is shaped by the way in which people (mis)use it. The Internet as a resource needs to be considered with much trepidation as its ability to mould society and indeed undergo transformation itself is an aspect that when explored can be frightening.


Rafael Capurro, Towards an Information Ecology. In: Irene Wormell (Ed.): Information and Quality. London: Taylor Graham 1990, 122-139.

Information Ecologies by Felix Stalder

These two readings were given to Net 11 students to use when thinking about the following questions. I related the readings to the questions asked, but more simply thought about the term "Information Ecology" and tried to determine what that meant for me and how it influenced my experience using the Internet. Also how I would describe the Internet in this way to a less advanced user. The readings helped to point out some areas for deeper discussion but for the purpose of this blog today, I will address the questions and maybe come back to the deeper issues at a later date.

This reading I love and wanted to add it here because I drew upon it when thinking about this topic. Net 12 students will recognise it as part of the required reading in that curriculum.

Neil Postman, 'Informing Ourselves To Death' (1990)


* How might the metaphor of an ‘ecology’ impact on the way you think about, understand or use the Internet?

Ecology - the branch of biology dealing with the relations and interactions between organisms and their environment, including other organisms.
Dictionary.com

Using metaphors to describe the Internet has an impact on the person you are describing it to and using "ecology" is leading one to believe that the system is reliant on all users to co-inhabit the space and indeed impact the way each user relates to one another. It is my understanding that in an ecology, if an organism was to stop participating/interacting with the environment, the environment will adapt to that change and growth is achieved. Likewise when an organism(s) are added.

The nature of the Internet is to adapt and change with its environment and when organisms (users) are added and subtracted this is invariably what happens. The new pages that spring up everyday and disappear, the programs that cease to become popular and the the ones that soar all contribute to the "ecology" of the Internet and the way the growth of it occurs organically.

My thoughts here are directed to Web 2.0 and how a new generation of younger more tech savvy people who are what has been reported as "digital natives" because of their never having been exposed to a world without the Internet are the ones who change and manipulate the online environment. Web 2.0 is borne organically from a need in this younger generation to utilise what they deem important and value most highly.


* How are the concepts ‘information’ and ‘communication’ understood within the
framework of an ‘information ecology’?


Where information is concerned I really am unsure as to whether or not the Internet is doing a (dis)service. The negatives have been discussed in the readings and the notion of knowledge as power seems to be diluted when the Internet makes information so readily available.

Information and communication work as a team to ensure that the availability of resources on the Internet is accessible to most. Unfortunately with all new developments there are instances where the technology is not available to some, and that creates a hole in the society. As that particular section of society is not represented online, their presence cannot be felt and the ecology is unchanged because of a lack of contribution on their part.

This isn't an isolated case that only targets the Internet and printing suffered the same ridicule many years ago when it became popular. New media as it is called is exactly that and will therefore undergo much scrutiny before it is embraced as a powerful tool.

A large aspect to new media is communication and the ability to take advantage of that. The influx of new users because of the ability to communicate via the Internet really is its strong point and the reason why most cannot imagine life without the personal computer.

Within the framework of the information ecology, information and communication often intersect and are equally as important to each other as they are individually. The nature of the Internet is to inform ourselves and pass on that knowledge. We send links to friends, and share experiences had on the Internet all the time, passing on information to each other in a fashion that is reliable and instantaneous which in today's fast paced society is of paramount importance not only for business but also socially.

* Why don’t we talk of a ‘communication ecology’?

Communication ecology would take on the assumption that all forms of communication are ecological in nature and so are environmentally changed when contributed to or left stagnant. Not only is this not the case in most forms of communication as the nature of the relationship normally stays solid even without regular imput from parties concerned but when applied to the Internet the ability to communicate asynchronously and synchronously changes the ability to communicate and the rules of etiquette.