Social media expert Research article on network relations theory and human factors design issues in communication technology, human computer interaction and computer mediated interaction

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Communication technology and theory: Research into the interpersonal and social interface

Summary: Web and online communication and interaction is asynchronous. As such the delay, be it a matter of seconds or several days, disintegrates the sense of "being there" and "shared time" that characterizes co-presence, simultaneous, and spontaneous interaction. People have the time to consider themselves consciously, to tell rather than talk, and some of this comes out in online and social media as cold, distant, and self-oriented rather than other-oriented. And yet a great deal of talk now happens in a mediated fashion. The implications for the design of social software, online interaction, online community, and social media are significant. And they will become very interesting as these media become more synchronous.

From conversation to transitivity

Transitivity describes our availability to communication through technology, and in particular, the network. Phone calls are for the most part point to point. (Though we could, who makes social conference calls?) Email and other networked technologies, however, excel at "group" interactions. Group addressing and cc'ing are certainly some explanation for this. It's cheap and effective. And quoting somebody in conversation is a simple matter of forwarding-no introduction required.

Transitivity in network terms describes a node through which communication travels. It obtains a curious twist when we use it to characterize social behavior. For it now suggests that there's a way in which we're all nodes in a network of communication, and whose flow we either pass along or not. The concept's an interesting one, because in asynchronous media, social phenomena depend upon transitivity of groups and individuals to the communication flow. Viral and word of mouth advertising depend on this effect, and rather than spam everyone with messages rely on individuals to pass them to friends instead. (The difference is extreme, but that's another discussion.)

How transitive are we to the flow of networked communication?
How important is our active participation to keeping flows of communication going? Can we keep flows of communication going without active participation?
Does the flow of communication through a technical network necessarily correspond to a social network? Can traffic on networks be read as an indication of activity within social networks?
Is there correspondence (and if so, how close) between activity in a network and relations among its members? Do more active networks suggest close friendships? Do thinner networks suggest looser ties?
Does the speed of message propagation through a network provide any measure of social relations?
Can we assume that communication speed corresponds to levels of trust between those involved?
Might the speed with which communication flows through a network be relevant from the perspectives of marketing or sales?
Variations in network transitivity would seem to correspond to levels of trust and also activity within a network. Is the trust established among members of online and email lists and groups validated, violated or tested by the transitivity of certain kinds of communication?
Is there value to individuals who pass messages along? Is there less economic and cultural value in those who don't?
If we value those who communicate frequently and effectively, what are some implications for the adoption of communications technologies?
Do highly effective and speedy social networks indicate a high degree of trust among members?

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