WEEK 7 "My Essay Topic"

4. Writing in 1994, close to the birth of the internet, Howard Rheingold said "those of us who are brought into contact with each other by means of CMC [computer-mediated communication] technology find ourselves challenged by this many-to-many capability—challenged to consider whether it is possible for us to build some kind of community together" (Rheingold, Howard, 1994. "Introduction.' In The Virtual Community: Homesteading on the Electronic Frontier. HarperPerennial: New York. p. 12.)

Critically consider this question in terms of a contemporary social network, and discuss whether Rheingold's ideal of community has been achieved. You must draw on academic literature in the field in framing your essay.

I have considered to focus particularly on Facebook or online gaming as the contemporary social network.