Network and Social Interaction

Author: Tong Xing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-10-01
Features: The emergence and development of the internet have had a tremendous impact on human daily social life. Original social structures, social action methods, and social stratification have all undergone changes under the influence of the internet. As the internet gradually spreads and becomes more widespread, online social interactions will show a trend of returning to daily social interactions, gradually becoming an important part of human social life. Regardless of how rich and diverse online life may be, or how high the level of trust among netizens may be, the internet must face a reality: its inseparable connection to daily human life. Since netizens are inseparable from daily life, their actions cannot continue to drift away from reality and roam freely in the virtual online space; most of them will inevitably return to real-life social settings. The Guizhou People's Publishing House's publication of this series of books introducing the internet society is an excellent idea. It not only adopts a fresh perspective but, more importantly, it chooses a special publishing timing. As is well known, regarding the internet economy, we are now facing the issue of re-evaluating it. Because just yesterday, many websites were still asking in an obvious and alluring tone, "Are you online today?" They compared going online to having three meals a day, as if missing a day would leave one "starving." But today, media outlets place prominent headlines in their most noticeable positions, asking different websites, "Are you bankrupt today?" It seems as if the internet economy has reached its end. This attitude of the media is understandable because it is inherently tied to the fluctuations of social life phenomena. However, this does not provide much insight into understanding the internet society or its impact on China's politics, economy, culture, or even the daily lives of its citizens. It has even created some obstacles. The internet society may still seem distant from our lives, as China remains in the position of an underdeveloped country. However, we cannot ignore the need to understand it. China currently possesses one of the world's most developed three basic communication networks and the most developed cable television network, with the most numerous wireless communication users and the largest market potential in the world. Under globalization, China's information and communication infrastructure has developed rapidly, and related industries and economic operating methods are constantly innovating, growing increasingly closer to the world. All of this will greatly accelerate China's integration into the global internet society, allowing it to quickly step into the internet era. For this reason, our government has always attached importance to this issue, and experts and scholars have closely followed global trends in their research. It can be said that whether or not China can secure an important position in the future global internet society is a sign of the rejuvenation and prosperity of the Chinese nation, and this depends on our awareness and choices today. The current setbacks of the internet economy should not be a reason for human despair but rather a good opportunity for reflection on past operational mistakes and a fundamental understanding of the internet society. Because, in the most direct sense, these setbacks are also a result of people's lack of understanding and flawed choices. For example, Western scholars have long commented on the media's "information worship." They emphasize that irresponsible futurology is a vulgar social science, a clumsy hybrid of Sunday supplement popular literature and prophecy. Its characteristics include carelessly describing future worlds and elevating such advertising to the level of academic research; it is "filled with trendy, nonsensical clichés, sensational exaggerations, and empty promises." Of course, our current issue is not simply to adopt a critical stance but to maintain a clear-headed perspective. Only in this way can we respond calmly when the next wave of internet enthusiasm arrives. It can be said that this is the high-minded intention behind this series of books. The internet society is a broad topic, and it also requires the attention of different people. The issues discussed in each of the works in this series may not be comprehensive, and it may not suit everyone's taste. However, we believe it will further promote people's thinking about the internet society. At the current time of socioeconomic transformation, we need to consider issues from different angles and draw beneficial insights from various perspectives. Only in this way can we contribute to the healthy development of society as a whole.