On a somewhat related note, I agree that change is in many ways a bottom-up phenomenon, especially when aided by so called hybridized organizations. I am a believer in the grassroots movements that Chadwick examines, but I don't think it is entirely justifiable to say that these movements truly begin online. They are conceived by passionate individuals with ideas and strong beliefs --the internet just fertilizes them.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Grass Grows in the Ground, Not Online
Chadwick's "organizational hybridity" is a fascinating concept given today's political landscape call for change. Organizational hybridization seems inevitable because Parties, interest groups, social movements...and on an International level, NGO's and PTAs, all thrive on the intense desire to bring about change. All of the aforementioned groups have become more successful in the past decade because they share the medium of the internet as not only their megaphone, but as their rol-a-dex. Many of these groups appeal to the same increasing audience, and as one group's network grows, so do the others. It only makes sense that they join forces. They can use each other and gain from each other. I don't think its too different from the mergers of major corporations.
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I agree that the internet does not deserve all the credit for these newly emerging movements. It takes dedicated people to run those sights and organize events that do more than simply give information. One of things that I thought to be interesting about the Chadwick article is that he mentioned that the definition of a 'supporter' was changing and that people were not going along with all the different functions that an organization was in favor of but had specific causes that they were interested in. The idea of being a 'new cohort' and thus having a very specified interest that you wish to pursue, is something that the internet does get credit for. Similar to our discussion about how the internet allows people to acquire very specific and relevant information for themselves specifically, so does the internet allow people to become involved in a more narrowed subject that they are truly passionate about. I think this system of 'new cohorts' will allow people to further personalize their lives and interests. No longer do you have to be part of an organization that mostly fits your criteria. Now you can pick and choose different parts of different organizations thus more fully representing your own interests. If only we could do this with political parties.
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