http://www.elearnspace.org/blog learning, networks, knowledge, technology, community Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:45:13 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 http://www.elearnspace.org/blog/2009/03/19/social-networking-sites-and-social-theory/ http://www.elearnspace.org/blog/2009/03/19/social-networking-sites-and-social-theory/#comments Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:10:53 +0000 gsiemens http://www.elearnspace.org/blog/?p=3871 The internet, specifically social networking tools like Twitter, assaults the boundary between our private and public selves. The many representations of “George” – father, son, brother, employee, friend – move toward one on Facebook. Social networking and social theory explores this blurring of identities through Erving Goffman’s (a connection to Manitoba!) work: “front stage” and “back stage” concepts have been a useful way to understand social life. Goffman wrote in 1959 of how we keep certain information private, part of the process of impression management.”
Impression management is not solely under our control. If you have presented at a conference, commented on a blog, or had someone take an image of you and post (and tag) on Flickr, you exist online. Others participate in defining and broadcasting who we are.

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