Convergence and Media Technology

Convergence is a term that can be broadly used to define multiple contexts. In relation to technology the growth and development is evident in information, communication and business around the world. The Internet technology is a prime example of all three categories, which contribute to the understanding of convergence in today’s form of communication and new media. The emergence of social media network communities and free market economies were brought to life due to the birth of the internet while the technological convergence of products such as computer and telecommunication devices also brought about the discussion of whether or not these developments were fulfilling the predictions of future utopia and dystopia possibilities portrayed in texts such as ‘Brave New World’ by Aldous Huxley and ‘War of the Worlds: Cyberspace and the High tech Assault on Reality’ by Mark Slouka. This essay will focus on the technological convergence and its consequences – Utopia or Dystopia.

The development of the ‘Net’ began with the interconnection of computer networks using computer-mediated communications technology to connect people around the world, in public discussion forums and sharing of information through the telephone systems. It was soon the nucleus for ideas and fueled by the ‘gift economy’; a social act of sharing valuable information or goods with no immediate returns or even future rewards. With the steady increase in active participants and common interests, various types of virtual communities were born.

Having a utopian position in regards to technology, is to imply that there are technological solutions to social problems (Ward, 1997). These solutions are defined in terms of technology’s effect on communitarian mindsets such as the need to balance individual rights and interests with that of the community as a whole through self-governing participation. While a large part of a social utopia is achieved through the realisation of a virtual community on