Mutuality of Content

During the development of the Internet, there was considerable debate by different interests about the degree to which the Internet should be a public resource or a marketplace. However, the polarity of the views of the proponents of the different sides of this debate has not been borne out as indicated by the communication practices of individuals and communities using the Internet. Instead, these information practices reflect a much greater complexity, best described as a duality and interdependency between private and public activities, and commercial and public content. These activities and interests, or processes, are often mutually linked, mutually influencing and mutually dependent. In conducting their daily life activities people do not exclusively shift from clearly separate public and private spheres. Instead, while there are instances when these may be separate spherical activities, they are also mixed and overlap. The reasons, or need, for conducting various activities are linked to immediate or long term objectives. For example, an education activity, ostensibly a public sphere activity, can also be a prerequisite for participation in economic activities, or to maintain an economic role, such as keeping a job.

There continues to be considerable discourse about the potential social and economic importance, use and benefits of the Internet. While these possibilities exist, as the Internet matures, it is beginning to show signs that in some respects it is not remarkably different from the potential possibilities described of earlier communication technologies. A brief reflection on the policy’s towards, and social valuation of, these other technologies, suggests lessons for policy and research approaches to the Internet as it matures. While there are functional differences between the Internet and other mainstream communication technologies (e.g., radio, television), at a broader conceptual level and in terms of real social relationships and activities, development and social cohesion, there are many parallels.

Such historical parallels suggest that more analysis and consideration will be required about how the Internet should be used for certain activities. In some instances, we may need to temper out expectations about outcomes, particularly as the digital divide continues to be pervasive and rigid.