Description
Book SynopsisThe rise of digital media has been widely regarded as transforming the nature of our social experience in the twenty-first century. The speed with which new forms of connectivity and communication are being incorporated into our everyday lives often gives us little time to stop and consider the social implications of those practices. Nonetheless, it is critically important that we do so, and this sociological introduction to the field of digital technologies is intended to enable a deeper understanding of their prominent role in everyday life.
The fundamental theoretical and ethical debates on the sociology of the digital media are presented in accessible summaries, ranging from economy and technology to criminology and sexuality. Key theoretical paradigms are explored through a broad range of contemporary social phenomena from social networking and virtual lives to the rise of cybercrime and identity theft, from the utopian ideals of virtual democracy to the Orwellian night
Trade Review
"A concise and eclectic yet satisfactorily rich and well contextualized account of digital life."
Canadian Journal of Sociology
‘Adrian Athique’s introduction brings digital media, and its culture, politics and economics, into sharp focus. This book provides an essential outline of the digital world; it is accessible to all while remaining complex enough to be accurate.’
Tim Jordan, King’s College London
‘Digital Media and Society is a comprehensive, compelling and critical examination of the social and cultural consequences of digital media and communication technologies. The book provides a cohesive and coherent look at the present digital state of society, and it explains how the digital present came to be and what its consequences are. It is written in a clear, jargon-free manner and filled with information and questions that make it a remarkably useful teaching text.’
Steve Jones, University of Illinois at Chicago
Table of ContentsDetailed table of contents
List of Figures
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Part I: Digital Histories
Chapter 1: Building a Digital Society
Chapter 2: The Socio-Technical Interface
Chapter 3: Typing the User
Chapter 4: Audience As Community
Part II: Digital Individuals
Chapter 5: Pleasing Bodies
Chapter 6: Reality Checks
Chapter 7: My Personal Public
Chapter 8: Going Mobile
Part III: Digital Economies
Chapter 9: The Road To Serverdom
Chapter 10: Digital Property
Chapter 11: Consuming Power
Chapter 12: Information At Work
Part IV: Digital Authorities
Chapter 13: Virtual Democracy
Chapter 14: Under Scrutiny
Chapter 15: Managing Risk
Chapter 16: Living in a Cloud
Postscript
Bibliography
