I have found that travelling through my virtual network has given me the freedom to be who I really am without the worry of what people actually think of me, and am able to release frustrations on similiar issues that other people may want to also share. Travelling in a virtual network does give you the freedom to say how you really feel without actally speaking to the physical form. The virtual networks can make people not as shy and they may feel brave and more forward about their thoughts, but to meet these people in real time they may revert back to being mild mannered or shy again. The virtual networks can give a sense of security and freedom of speech to say what we want to say in the comfort of our own homes and as Tuan has stated, "Place is security and space is freedom: we are attatched to the one and long for the other" (Tuan 1977 p.3).
Tuan, Y . (1977). Introduction, in Space and Place: The perspective of experience (pp. 3-7). London, England: Edward Arnold.
Oil spill image retrieved from: ecowatchorg.tumblr.com
Virtual networks do give off a sense of anonymity and in turn creates a safe haven 'space' for its users. This allows a democratic like experience to have your say on matters of interest.This site seems to expose issues in the world, through a social networking site empowering readers with alerting knowledge. Since the content of the site directly relates to us as human beings in our concept of 'place'. I feel this is a good link from a virtual network space that relates to our sense of place. 'What begins as undifferentiated
ReplyDeletespace becomes place as we get to know it better and endow it with value.'(Tuan, 1977)
Tuan, Y. (1977). Space and place: The perspective of experience. London: Arnold.
Melanie I agree with your point completely. These social networking sites are giving us access to information and topics that we feel strongly about allowing us to be passionate and upfront via these sites. The power is given to us and the confidence allows us to say what we want without limitations.
ReplyDeleteEco Watch seems to be an empowering site providing information to people passionate about environmental issues allowing people to comment on certain issues and discuss the surrounding problems. To some extent we do have some anonymity but however Tuan's (1977) points did also differentiate between space and place, reflecting that we aren't anonymous, however, we do have a say and can make an imprint on the world and our place.
Tuan, Y. (1977). Space and place: The perspective of experience. London: Arnold.