Webcam
Understanding the social implications of constant connectivity
Daniel Miller author Jolynna Sinanan author
Format:Paperback
Publisher:John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Published:24th Jan '14
Should be back in stock very soon
This paperback is available in another edition too:
- Hardback£50.00(9780745671468)
This insightful work investigates the social significance of the 'always on' webcam, revealing its transformative role in contemporary communication and relationships.
The book Webcam delves into the social implications of the 'always on' webcam phenomenon, exploring its impact on modern life. Through case studies conducted in the UK and Trinidad and Tobago, the authors reveal how webcams have woven themselves into the fabric of daily interactions. With the rise of platforms like Skype, the webcam has transitioned from a novelty to a standard tool for communication, yet its deeper meanings and effects have largely gone unexamined.
As the narrative unfolds, Webcam highlights the profound consequences this technology has on various aspects of human existence. It touches on themes of self-consciousness, intimacy, and the maintenance of long-distance relationships, emphasizing the evolving role of visual communication in social interactions. The authors argue that the webcam represents more than just a means of communication; it signifies a shift in how we connect with others and perceive ourselves.
The research presented in Webcam situates the technology within a framework of 'polymedia,' illustrating how the coexistence of multiple communication technologies shapes our experiences. This perspective allows for a deeper understanding of media technologies as integral components of our humanity rather than mere tools. By examining the webcam's journey from videophone to an 'always-on' presence, the book offers insights into the changing landscape of human connection in a digital age.
''Some of the most interesting uses of new technologies silently slip into our consciousness and become deeply integrated with our everyday lives. Miller and Sinanan help us to understand how our everyday existence is affected by online video conversations in ways that are unexpected and intriguing. Long anticipated by science fiction, video conversation looks much less like a simple update to the phone call we might have expected, and much more varied.''
Alexander Halavais, Arizona State University
'My grandmother used to shout into the phone to make sure she was heard across the country. Now, grandmothers and babies enjoy each other on webcams. This fascinating book shows how far-flung people use Skype to maintain and extend their networks. Friends become like kin; kin become like friends.''
Barry Wellman, NetLab Director and co-author, Networked
"In the accessible and engaging style that we have come to expect from Miller�s publications, Webcam explores the socio-cultural effects of the webcam from an anthropological perspective. That said, this book will appeal to scholars from much of the social sciences and beyond, for its contents and core arguments pose important questions for what it means to be human, and connect with others in an age of instant global communication."
Michael Duggan, Royal Holloway University of London
"Webcam is a wonderful edition to the growing research on technology, mediation, and everyday life. It offers readers a window into the ways people are incorporating this technology into their relationships, romances, and understandings of self."
American Anthropologist
ISBN: 9780745671475
Dimensions: 229mm x 152mm x 20mm
Weight: 318g
220 pages