I am posting a critical reflection on social capital based on readings thereof referenced at the end of this post.
Salient point #1: Effects of the Internet on Social Capital. Neves (2013, p.599) posits that “there is a contention between (i) the public and some academic discourse, which claim a range of adverse effects such as social isolation, and (ii) research that shows positive effects such as an expansion of social connectivity” (p. 599). Ideally, social capital encompasses the contribution of one’s associates, friends, and kin that can be contacted in times of crisis, derived pleasure from, or, leverage it for materialistic advancement.
Reflection #1. The explanation thereof makes a logical connection to positive social outcomes such as finding jobs, landing better job positions, social status, humanistic welfare, integration into the society, effective control of shared resources, and poverty alleviation. Social capital is a strong predictor of occupational and employment attainment, academic performance, engagement of civilians, and social cohesion. Persons with more social capital are perceived to have the edge over those with lesser social capital. The positive impacts of social networking in my case include gaining empathy, meeting new people, finding common grounds in an open society, building relationships, and quick communication.
Question #1. The (salient point #1) above thereof made me critically question what relationship exists between the use of internet and the amount of Social Capital? The social capital being an elastic concept, what are some of the considerations to take into account before measuring it?
Salient point #2: Erickson (2003) argues that surrounding oneself with close friends and relatives is advantageous in many ways, “from coping with everyday problems to living longer” (p. 2).
Reflection #2. The above-stated point is key to our contextual societies. Life outside class sometimes can bring about misunderstanding and isolation, or comfort and inclusion. In my case having a variety of family and friendship ties to oneself is key. Getting to know various kinds of people in a myriad of social contexts ameliorates one’s possibility of getting a good job, determining the path that a person’s life takes, creating an ambit of interests in culture, and living a healthy life. According to Erickson (2003), “knowing many kinds of people is helpful because it improves the chances of having the right contact for some purpose” (p. 2).
Question #2. Some of these connections we make are fast and we usually easily lose them without noticing. My question, therefore, lies on what happens to the unexpected and casual relationships made with classmates, neighbors, and acquaintances?
Salient point #3: social networks Granovetter, (1973) argues that “the degree of overlap of two individuals’ friendship networks varies directly with the strength of their tie to one another” (p. 1360). The consequence of this thereof is the dissipation of information and influence, opportunities for mobility, and organization of communities.
Reflection #3. The most spontaneous notions derived from natural tendencies of the strength of interpersonal relations should meet the criteria thereof: the (linear) power of connections is an assemblage of the magnitude of time, intimate relationships, mutual confiding, emotional intensity, and the complementary services that meet the criterion for the tie. Granovetter (2003) posits that “each of these is somewhat independent of the other, though the set is of course highly intra-correlated” (p. 1360). In my experiences, the “insignificant” part includes both the absence of connections and relationships in lieu to considerable significance; for example, the gesticulate “nod” connection existent amongst persons residing in my home town and me, or the “link” to person running my favorite fast food joint.
References
Erickson, B. H. (2003). Social networks: The value of variety, Contexts, 2(1), 25-31. http://ctx.sagepub.com/content/2/1/25
Granovetter, M. S. (1973). The strength of weak ties. The University of Chicago Press: American Journal of Sociology, 78(6), 1360-1980. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2776392
Neves, B. B. (2013). Social capital and internet use: The irrelevant, the bad, and the good. Sociology Compass, 7(8), 599-611. https://www.doi.dx.org:10.1111/soc4.12059
