is cyberspace still relevant to our contemporary society?

Computers, the machines that help most people function in society today are often described with their networks as not physical spaces but that which denotes a virtual space, or a cyberspace. This cyberspace is still relevant in society today as it forms an integral part of our communications through social networks and media on the net. Cyberspace has many uses, some that have become outdated since its first days and others that will continue to be relevant to our contemporary society today. Cyberspace has a range of interpretations, from the impulses of electricity which generate reactions fueling words, sounds and pictures to the modern media view which is of a vast sea of information, which can be manipulated however the user sees fit.

Cyberspace is described by Philip Steinberg and Stephen McDowell as "a domain of information flows that apparently transcends state boundaries." This idea of cyberspace transcending boundaries reflects Patrick Flanagan's interpretation who describes cyberspace as "the coined term for the computer world" where "a user is able to type a message and then send it with the click of a button. Within minutes after traveling through cyberspace, the mail message arrives at another person's computer mailbox." (1997) For the purpose of this essay, cyberspace will be an ever encompassing sea of information which transcends man made boundaries and can be easily transferred by means of communications.

Cyberspace as described in movies and small screen shows is one of huge source of information, and in the case of the anime TV series "ghost in the shell" cyberspace is a web not only of information but a crime harboring city. Ghost in the shell is a futuristic cyberpunk anime which revolves around a team fighting virtual crime. In this prediction, Cyberspace is not only still relevant to the society, the society depends on it. From a simple phone call, to creating artificial intelligence both rely on the web of cyberspace. Ghost in the shell talks about cyberspace being "vast and infinite" and also as a "sea of information," which mirrors the cyberspace talked about in this essay. Ghost in the shell description of cyberspace as not only a library of information, but as a crime harbouring city relates to today’s crimes of the internet, where identity fraud and credit card theft is rife. Obviously the crime in ghost in the shell and that of today’s differs, however the idea that cyberspace can be not only information but be dangerous as well is the same. Though this does not verify that cyberspace is still relevant to law abiding citizens, it shows that cyberspace is not only being used for media and communications.

Cyberspace regarding other outlets of media and creativity, such as the website deviant art let artists show their work online and to a wider audience than they would usually be able to. In this case, cyberspaces ability to transcend borders and help people virtually travel distances in seconds rather than the usual hours is helping breed a deviance from usual art. Deviant art immerses itself in this capability of cyberspace where “you can find pencilrs in south America collaborating with colourists in Asia on the next marvel comic blockbuster. “ Kevin Mc Carthy an author on the subject of technology and how its changed the arts states that “ technology has made the arts accessible to mass audiences “ where “the internet shows promise of creating more direct links between artists and their audiences and further reshaping how art is distributed and experienced. “ (2002)
The Chiapas uprising of 1994 was largely organised in cyberspace, where with cyberspaces ability to transcend borders an international community of supporters was raised. Oliver Froehling reported on the organisational ability in social situations that cyberspace has, describing the “possibilities and limitations of the net as a tool for social movements.” (1997) Froehling explained this “success of internet organising in southern Mexico is due to the constant and reciprocal connections between cyberspace and other social spaces.” Today, cyberspace is still used as a median for getting a message across and gathering supporters as it did in 1994. Organisations such as GreenPeace regularly update their websites and add information to the infinite cyberspace, gathering supporters and creating an avenue of relatively cheap advertising. Cyberspace, in this case has absolutely not shown any slowing of the importance of it in creating awareness. organising and creating awareness for organisations cyberspace is still a highly valued tool, which is not irrelevant to society today.

Social networking today is based around the idea of cyberspace transcending borders. friends can chat from one side of the world with others from the other with clarity as if they were standing next to each other. Social networking poses a threat to privacy however, Donna Mertens describes people as having a “dangerous understanding of what kinds of “personal” information they are prepared to share with others.” Even with this danger, Social networking is still popular today with younger generations, showing that the lure of cyberspace is still strong and relevant to society. By the end of 2009 it is predicted that facebook, a social networking site will have over 250 million users and up to 350 million, with an increase of 10 million every month. Obviously the numbers here validate the previous claim, that despite the dangers social networking is growing in popularity and there forth cyber space is continuing to be a relevant part of society today.

Cyberspace is a constantly and vastly changing medium, where information, video and pictures can be uploaded and sent around the world in seconds. Cyberspaces importance in society today is huge as it helps shape the world we now live in in ways such as art, information and cyber crime. The influence and importance of cyberspace has yet to be eclipsed, and it remains relevant to society today.


Refrence List!!!

Kevin F. McCarthy, Elizabeth Heneghan Ondaatje. 2002. From Celluloid to Cyberspace: The Media Arts and the Changing Arts World Rand corportation. Internet book source: http://books.google.com/books?id=oXip2MZZrrkC&dq=cyberspace+and+media&lr=&source=gbs_navlinks_s

By Donna M. Mertens, Pauline E. Ginsberg. 2008. The Handbook of Social Research Ethics SAGE Publications Inc. Internet Book source: http://books.google.com/books?id=lMbrqQUj4mUC&dq=social+networking%2Bethics&source=gbs_navlinks_s

Flanagan, P. 1997. Telecommunications: today's ten most critical telecommunications Computer Technology Research Corp. Internet Book source: http://books.google.com/books?id=B1-EAAAACAAJ&dq=inauthor:%22Patrick+Flanagan%22&lr=&ei=jPjgSoDsDYjMlQSkqYCRDA

Flanagan, P., 1999. Cyberspace: the final frontier?. Journal of business eithics, Journal article vol 19 no 1, pg 115. Available at: http://www.jstor.org.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/stable/25074080?&Search=yes&term=cyberspace&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dwhat%2Bis%2Bcyberspace%26x%3D10%26y%3D13%26wc%3Don&item=12&ttl=3774&returnArticleService=showArticle&cookieSet=1 . Accessed date: 20/10/09

Steinberg, P; McDowell, S,. 2003. Global Communication and the Post-Statism of Cyberspace: A Spatial Constructivist View. Review of international political economy, Journal article vol 20 no 2, pg 196 - 221. Available at: http://www.jstor.org.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/stable/4177458?&Search=yes&term=cyberspace&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dwhat%2Bis%2Bcyberspace%26x%3D10%26y%3D13%26wc%3Don&item=4&ttl=3774&returnArticleService=showArticle . Accessed date: 20/10/09

Social Cash. feb 2009. How many users will Facebook have by the end of '09? Internet Source: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=47793929098 Accessed date: 20/10/09

MacFarlane, M. 2007. misbehaviour in cyberspace: the rise in social networking sites and chat rooms intermingles free expression and student safety in cyberspace. Internet source: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Misbehavior+in+Cyberspace:+the+rise+in+social+networking+sites+and...-a0169676763 . Accessed date: 20/10/09

Ghost in the shell. 1995. movie/dvd. Mamoru Oshii. Japan: production I.G.

federal bureau of investigation, 2007. Internet Fraud. Published by: FBI. Available at: http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/internetschemes.htm . Accessed date 22/10/09

Merriam webster, 2009. Definition of Cyberspace. Publised by: merriam Webster. Available at: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cyberspace . Accessed date: 22/10/09