The Real of the Virtual: Critical Reflections on Web 2.0

Social media, as the heart of Web 2.0, is a relatively novel theoretical notion and social phenomenon, pertaining to a long series of academic subjects, such as digital culture, virtual communication, e-democracy, technological convergence, and online interactivity. Arguably, one of the most useful...

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Main Authors: Christos Boikos, Konstantinos Moutsoulas, Charalambos Tsekeris
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Paderborn University: Media Systems and Media Organisation Research Group 2014-04-01
Series:tripleC: Communication, Capitalism & Critique
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.triple-c.at/index.php/tripleC/article/view/566
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author Christos Boikos
Konstantinos Moutsoulas
Charalambos Tsekeris
author_facet Christos Boikos
Konstantinos Moutsoulas
Charalambos Tsekeris
author_sort Christos Boikos
collection DOAJ
description Social media, as the heart of Web 2.0, is a relatively novel theoretical notion and social phenomenon, pertaining to a long series of academic subjects, such as digital culture, virtual communication, e-democracy, technological convergence, and online interactivity. Arguably, one of the most useful tools to adequately interpret and analyze this phenomenon is Critical Theory. The present article aims to comprehensively discuss and reflexively elaborate on the complex interrelationship between Critical Theory and Web 2.0 developments. This mainly involves the historicization of the relevant concepts and the identification of crucial sociological, philosophical and interdisciplinary issues that strongly demonstrate the essential ontological complicity between the real and the virtual. In addition, the analytical emphasis on recent social movements, such as the Arab Spring, reflexively depicts the new media as critical media, a characteristic feature that somehow stands in contrast to the participation of the internet in the circulation and accumulation of the Capital. Through contemporary Web’s inherent paradoxes, it is eventually shown that the social potential of the new media can indeed be realised, so that the internet serves the people and the public good.
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spelling doaj.art-fe8016a7225849b4b912d0cab3f2cb7d2023-09-02T15:42:50ZengPaderborn University: Media Systems and Media Organisation Research GrouptripleC: Communication, Capitalism & Critique1726-670X1726-670X2014-04-0112140541210.31269/triplec.v12i1.566566The Real of the Virtual: Critical Reflections on Web 2.0Christos BoikosKonstantinos MoutsoulasCharalambos TsekerisSocial media, as the heart of Web 2.0, is a relatively novel theoretical notion and social phenomenon, pertaining to a long series of academic subjects, such as digital culture, virtual communication, e-democracy, technological convergence, and online interactivity. Arguably, one of the most useful tools to adequately interpret and analyze this phenomenon is Critical Theory. The present article aims to comprehensively discuss and reflexively elaborate on the complex interrelationship between Critical Theory and Web 2.0 developments. This mainly involves the historicization of the relevant concepts and the identification of crucial sociological, philosophical and interdisciplinary issues that strongly demonstrate the essential ontological complicity between the real and the virtual. In addition, the analytical emphasis on recent social movements, such as the Arab Spring, reflexively depicts the new media as critical media, a characteristic feature that somehow stands in contrast to the participation of the internet in the circulation and accumulation of the Capital. Through contemporary Web’s inherent paradoxes, it is eventually shown that the social potential of the new media can indeed be realised, so that the internet serves the people and the public good.https://www.triple-c.at/index.php/tripleC/article/view/566Social MediaCritical TheoryDigital LabourSocial DynamicsVirtual CommunitiesWeb 2.0Arab SpringInternet Studies
spellingShingle Christos Boikos
Konstantinos Moutsoulas
Charalambos Tsekeris
The Real of the Virtual: Critical Reflections on Web 2.0
tripleC: Communication, Capitalism & Critique
Social Media
Critical Theory
Digital Labour
Social Dynamics
Virtual Communities
Web 2.0
Arab Spring
Internet Studies
title The Real of the Virtual: Critical Reflections on Web 2.0
title_full The Real of the Virtual: Critical Reflections on Web 2.0
title_fullStr The Real of the Virtual: Critical Reflections on Web 2.0
title_full_unstemmed The Real of the Virtual: Critical Reflections on Web 2.0
title_short The Real of the Virtual: Critical Reflections on Web 2.0
title_sort real of the virtual critical reflections on web 2 0
topic Social Media
Critical Theory
Digital Labour
Social Dynamics
Virtual Communities
Web 2.0
Arab Spring
Internet Studies
url https://www.triple-c.at/index.php/tripleC/article/view/566
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