Wireless networks are the fastest growing communications technology in history. Are mobile phones expressions of identity, fashionable gadgets, tools for life–or all of the above? Mobile Communication and Society looks at how the possibility of multimodal communication from anywhere to anywhere at any time affects everyday life at home, at work, and at school, and raises broader concerns about politics and culture both global and local.
Drawing on data gathered from around the world, the authors explore who has access to wireless technology, and why, and analyze the patterns of social differentiation seen in unequal access. They explore the social effects of wireless communication–what it means for family life, for example, when everyone is constantly in touch, or for the idea of an office when workers can work anywhere. Is the technological ability to multitask further compressing time in our already hurried existence?
The authors consider the rise of a mobile youth culture based on peer-to-peer networks, with its own language of texting, and its own values. They examine the phenomenon of flash mobs, and the possible political implications. And they look at the relationship between communication and development and the possibility that developing countries could “leapfrog” directly to wireless and satellite technology. This sweeping book–moving easily in its analysis from the United States to China, from Europe to Latin America and Africa–answers the key questions about our transformation into a mobile network society.
Customer Reviews
mobile fluff all the way - from start to end:
I was very dissapointed by the lack of understanding by the authors of the underlying mobile technology, the market dynamics, and the impact/correlation of the user behavior.
The authors fail to question the data obtained in their research and fail miserably to understand what they are actually stating as the thesis. Example, p117, 3rd paragraph: “At the same time, with the diffusion of smart phones euqipped with 3G or bluetooth technology, mobile-data services have begun to be vulnerable to computer worms and viruses.” Unfortunately, the authors have fallen for the sensational news that hit the wires in 2005 that phones are be the next target of viruses; displaying a lack of thorough research in this matter alone. So far, worms and viruses are not a problem as the execution/installation of files is quite protected, ie Symbian OS, etc. I even question the description “3G equipped smart phones” as there also 3G phones that are not considered smart phones, eg non-camera phones.
Additonally, the conclusion, though it is a proven fact that mobile communication proliferation has had and continues to have a large impact on how we communicate, how social interaction as a whole is starting to change, forming not, as incorrectly stated, a subculture, but a connected society as a whole; far exceeding the impact the web has had in the past 10 years.
My recommendation is to leave this publication in the shelf (Mr. Castells’ other works on the networked society, though, are a must read!!), save the money and time and conduct a quick google news search on mobile usage. You will get the same value within 30mins.
