In Retrospect: Trust and Identity in the Digital Public Sphere | Veneeta Singha

In Retrospect: Trust and Identity in the Digital Public Sphere | Veneeta Singha

 

Kathmandu, January 2014

 

 

I read a First Monday Journal paper titled "The Augmented Social Network: Building identity and trust into the next-generation Internet" by Ken Jordan et al in 2003. Once a proud proponent of diffusion, participation and online "communities of interest," my belief in "rhizomatic" and vibrant social networks has since wavered and dissipated even. The nature of my work and personal interests have, however, brought me back, unfailingly, to the digital sphere and what we now regard as a key part of our communications imperative (and infrastructure).

 

 

Relevance begets reassessment. Ideals such as self-organizing, openness, a public commons and personal empowerment allow us to review any mediated sphere, digital and otherwise, with some common perspectives. When I read about "affinity and trusted third parties," I could not help but rush through to the term "cluster." 

 

 

Technobabble aside, much of what is discussed in the above paper has direct and long-term relevance for anyone engaged in the online world, in almost any manner. It also brings to the fore much of what occurs, in less mediated ways, in the non-digital world. We are, after all, parts of a "community operating system" drawn together and asunder by boundaries, trust, exchange, expression, history, governance, communication, groups, environment, identity, reputation (from the 12 Principles of Civilization, graphically delineated by Cynthia Typaldos). Purpose is at the top of the pyramid diagram.

 

 

Rather than simple assertion, we often look towards the value that lies in any discourse (for ourselves, primarily, and then as a collective). Are we now moving to a "federated network identity" that stamps out the very ideals that gave the Internet its guiding light? Or am I just too pre-emptive when it comes to technology?  My livelihood is linked to the "augmented social network."

 

 

Now, what about the "notion of a community memory?" Without hesitation, I do believe that any means of communication ought to have inherent values of and capacity for reinforcing trust and identity. Sharing4good allows us both, as do many other platforms and digital initiatives. 

 

 

"For that reason, now is the time to present transformative visions of the Internet, to offer models that suggest how digital media can give rise to networks of trusted association (and expression)."