new mega typologies: virtual social communities

Assignment One:
New infrastructure typologies that did not exist prior to the internet.

Main Entry: in·fra·struc·ture
Function: noun
1 : the underlying foundation or basic framework (as of a system or organization)
2 : the permanent installations required for military purposes
3 : the system of public works of a country, state, or region; also : the resources (as personnel, buildings, or equipment) required for an activity

Main Entry: vir·tu·al
Function: adjective
1 : being such in essence or effect though not formally recognized or admitted virtual dictator>
2 : of, relating to, or using virtual memory
3 : of, relating to, or being a hypothetical particle whose existence is inferred from indirect evidence

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A brainstorm:

Working directly from home.

Non-physical social interactions (friendster, myspace, craigslist)

Blogging (sharing thoughts, livejournal, xanga, blogger)

Long distance learning

Evaporation of space measurement.

Time does not really elapse. Instantaneous access.

Physical isolation with mental company

Self-created, self representation: avatars

Immediate communication (instant messenger things)

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CASE STUDY: Friendster
I have decided to use friendster as the most used tool for social interaction in virtual space. Nearly everybody that I know has a profile which they update and maintain regularly. This has become a social phenomenon that has spawned similar networks: myspace.com, thefacebook.com and others that I am unaware of.

Friendster allows you to "meet" people from all over the world, search for like minded people and potentially interact with friends of people you already know. Additionally, this is a tool to maintain contact with friends who are physically detached from your everyday. It is a way to keep in touch, check in with friends individually or on a mass level.

The slides submitted give a brief introduction to the friendster craze.