Convergence: History, Meanings and Socio-Cultural Implications

Giuseppe LuganoEuropean Cooperation in Science & Technology (COST)

giuseppe.lugano@cost.eu

Thematic Session 3 “Information Infrastructures: from Standardization to Multiple Uses”

STS Italia 4th National Conference “Emerging Technologies, Social Worlds”

Why “Convergence” ?

Convergence as a conceptual

tool to analyse, evaluate,

compare and improve the

design and use of

information infrastructures

Convergence as a conceptual

tool to analyse, evaluate,

compare and improve the

design and use of

information infrastructures

The Internet as Global Information Infrastructure

Convergence has made the Internet (and us) even more interconnected. At what cost?Convergence has made the Internet (and us) even more interconnected. At what cost?

Originally, it was a small network of computers used for academic purposes…Originally, it was a small network of computers used for academic purposes…

A Brief History of today's Global Information Infrastructure

'50s - '60s

'90s

'2000s

…then it became an electronic highway of digital content to “consume”.…then it became an electronic highway of digital content to “consume”.

Today, digitally converged technologies have contributed to make

the Internet an integral part of “constantly connected” social lives

Today, digitally converged technologies have contributed to make

the Internet an integral part of “constantly connected” social lives

Convergence: a techno-economic viewpoint

Convergence is typically understood as a synonym of technological

convergence - the coming together of telecommunication systems,

computer networks and media industry

Converged networks and

devices

Convergence: a broader viewpoint

Convergence as a process spanning technological,

economic, global, cultural and social dimensions

(Jenkins, 2006)

Convergence as a complex and multi-faceted

phenomenon linked to parallel trends of divergence

(Fortunati, 2007)

Focus on: Social ConvergenceFocus on: Social Convergence

Social Convergence as Micro-CoordinationRendez-Vous: before digital technologies converged, mobile phones used to facilitate physical convergence of a small group of people to an agreed location (Ling & Yttri, 2002)

Rendez-Vous: before digital technologies converged, mobile phones used to facilitate physical convergence of a small group of people to an agreed location (Ling & Yttri, 2002)

Social Convergence as Virtual Co-Presence

InvasionInvasionExposureExposure

Exposure & Invasion: downside of increased convenience of access to social information and more immediate interactions

Exposure & Invasion: downside of increased convenience of access to social information and more immediate interactions

Online social networks typically model a social relationship as a “0” or “1”,

leading to a “collapse of disparate social contexts into one” (boyd, 2008)

Amplifiers & Attenuators: growing awareness of the need to privilege quality to quantity (not only aggregating, but also filtering social streams)

Amplifiers & Attenuators: growing awareness of the need to privilege quality to quantity (not only aggregating, but also filtering social streams)

Complementary function of convergence & divergence

The challenges of social convergence could be addressed by acknowledging the complementary function of convergence and divergenceThe challenges of social convergence could be addressed by acknowledging the complementary function of convergence and divergence

Complementary function of convergence & divergence

Early phase: divergence a strategy to compete -> fragmentation, choice, creativity

Early phase: divergence a strategy to compete -> fragmentation, choice, creativity

Growth phase: convergence as an opportunity to grow/”share the pie” via strategic partnerships (Skype / Facebook deal) -> interoperability, few global actors and policies

Growth phase: convergence as an opportunity to grow/”share the pie” via strategic partnerships (Skype / Facebook deal) -> interoperability, few global actors and policies

Maturity: divergence as a necessity to enable users to cope with the growing complexity by enhanced control of incoming/outgoing social streams (i.e. a social media funnel) -> enhanced user experience

Maturity: divergence as a necessity to enable users to cope with the growing complexity by enhanced control of incoming/outgoing social streams (i.e. a social media funnel) -> enhanced user experience

Filtered social stream

Social Convergence: the case of Nokia Lumia

The Nokia Lumia smartphones allow a seamless experience of multiple social networks from a single interaction space

The Nokia Lumia smartphones allow a seamless experience of multiple social networks from a single interaction space

While it is extremely easy to import contacts and visualize social streams, the lack of adequate “filters” (e.g. sort contacts by current location, interest) reduces significantly the usefulness of the feature

While it is extremely easy to import contacts and visualize social streams, the lack of adequate “filters” (e.g. sort contacts by current location, interest) reduces significantly the usefulness of the feature

Enhancing Information Infrastructures: Lessons Learnt

Convergence supports the adoption of similar protocols / policies, but it does not necessarily reduce complexityConvergence supports the adoption of similar protocols / policies, but it does not necessarily reduce complexity

Enhancing Information Infrastructures: Lessons Learnt“Big data” should not only used for marketing purposes, but also to implement social media funnels with user-controlled information “amplifiers” and “attenuators”“Big data” should not only used for marketing purposes, but also to implement social media funnels with user-controlled information “amplifiers” and “attenuators”

Computational Sociology should support Interaction Design by deriving behavioral and contextual patterns, models of evolving social relationships to test on the fieldComputational Sociology should support Interaction Design by deriving behavioral and contextual patterns, models of evolving social relationships to test on the field

Enhancing Information Infrastructures: Lessons Learnt

In a specific interaction context, the information infrastructure should not only consist of a detected and aggregated network of similar nodes…In a specific interaction context, the information infrastructure should not only consist of a detected and aggregated network of similar nodes…

DivergeConverge

…but also represent roles and relationships, which should be used as input for customizing interaction possibilities and information flows …but also represent roles and relationships, which should be used as input for customizing interaction possibilities and information flows

Enhancing Information Infrastructures: Lessons Learnt

We need to develop and use both convergent and divergent thinking strategiesWe need to develop and use both convergent and divergent thinking strategies

Thank you for your attention!

Question Time

Thematic Session 3 “Information Infrastructures: from Standardization to Multiple Uses”

STS Italia 4th National Conference “Emerging Technologies, Social Worlds”

Also by email: Giuseppe Lugano (giuseppe.lugano@cost.eu)