Transnationals and Media
by Deepthi
Global populations today are connected across regional boundaries in ways never before possible, strengthening vibrant diasporic communities as well as complex hybrid individual identities. Transnationals—some who have come with the intention of establishing a new life in the US, others who are here with a specific goal and plan to later return to their home countries and families—rely heavily on social networks, both online and offline, to form and maintain relationships with multiple communities and cultures.
This study looks at how online tools like branded social networks [1], photo and video communities, and email and IM services help people around the world manage their relationships, impacting conceptions and formations of cultural practice and identity. The study focuses on uncovering and exploring a set of digital practices around identity expression and construction as they emerge online and off among transnational populations.
Please share any comments, reactions or questions you may have, I would love to hear them.
– Deepthi
The following map displays the 62 different countries represented in the International Communication Survey.
[1] I favor the term branded social network to refer to communities like Facebook. Read the full exploration of this shift in terminology.
Hi Deepthi,
Read your post, like the focus, but have a question. Would this study only include industrialized nations, underdeveloped nations or both? I think advancements in technology has certainly ushered in a “democratization of information” which allowed people to interact and create, maintain, and support communities via social networks like Facebook, Myspace, foursquare..etc. But those without the means, those living in poverty, of which 1/3 are women, are just trying to survive. Probably do not have the savvy to use computers or cant afford such devices such as smartphones, internet connected iPods, or other such devices. I love Facebook, and other branded social networks, and devices….but there is something about seeing someone face to face.
At times, I want to say to my friends and family…Give me face time…not Facebook…cause sometimes meaning can get lost in the transmission….Thanks
Joseph EULO
Hi Joseph, thanks for checking it out. This study is geared to studying relationships that span nations, and because of my respondent pool, more professionals than those living close to the margins. The data I gathered is largely from industrialized nations but there are also voices included from underdeveloped nations as well as from people who have affiliations with both. In fact, the data from the International Communication Survey (link at the top and in the righthand menu) is from a total of 62 different countries.
On the other hand, the last time I checked, Facebook was growing faster in Africa than in any other continent, and mobile technologies are allowing regions that were never wired for land phones to connect to much needed services. Thanks for your comment and if you have any more thoughts after reading the reports on the site, please do share them!