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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 17 page paper considers what is meant by virtual communities and how they compare to real or physical communities. The paper looks at how they emerge and the social order that is seen within these communities along with the advantages and disadvantages. IRC (Internet relay chat) is then considered as an example of how communities are formed and the impact they have on those who take part. The bibliography cites 20 sources.
Page Count:
17 pages (~225 words per page)
File: TS14_TEvircom.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
of the interactive society. There is a great deal of debate over the role of these virtual communities, whilst some commentators see them as healthy, encouraging interaction and communication, whilst
others see them as an antisocial development that is likely to engender isolation which may culminate with a societal ties being broken (Castells, 2000). The role of the internet and
the development of communities may be seen as taking place with similar paradigms as those in the physical works. But there are also difference, with fewer barriers to communication greater
diversity may be achieved, giving value to the input received by a community, it is also possible to see that an level of support is available more speedily, however the
development and movement or transitions within the community may also take place at an enhanced rate. Thos paper demonstrates how virtual communities have many similarities with physical communities, but also
have significant difference. In addition, it has also been argued that virtual communities also have the potential to develop into physical communities. II. Areas of Practice There are many areas
of practice that can be used, from online discussion groups and gamers to the presence of IRC (internet relay chat). The formation of a virtual community may occur
in many environments and as a result of many different pull factors, from entertainment, to loneliness and even, in extreme cases, necessity, as seen with the use of online communities
following the September 11th attack on the World Trade Centre. There are also elements that may be seen to support minorities good or bad, and may also be seen as
a threat to democracy due to lack of controls that are seen in any physical environment, and may also promote illegal practices. The increase in terrorism is often seen as
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