Hello!
This blog is for people who are interested in the individual psychology of Alfred Adler and in questions about its relevancy in a world where interpersonal relationships are increasingly experienced as a part of cyberculture. I refer to Bell (2007) for the definition of cyberculture:
Cyberculture … refers here to ways of life in cyberspace, or ways of life shaped by cyberspace, where cyberspace is a matrix of embedded practices and representations…[T]hinking about cyberculture involves thinking about representations, meanings, images; about the ways in which we assemble particular narratives about how these new technologies have changed, are changing, or will change our lives. (p. 5-6)
As Marshall McLuhan stated, “…the personal and social consequences of any medium - that is, of any extension of ourselves - result from the new scale that is introduced into our affairs by each extension of ourselves, or by any new technology” (McLuhan, 1994, p. 7). This is not a technology blog; we are only concerned with the consequences to which McLuhan refers. A great many questions can be raised as a result of considering them. Here are a few samples, with no implications of priority or importance.
· How do we experience friends in an online world?
· How is emotional intimacy developed in online media?
· How are work relationships different for online workers?
· How does media based interaction and feedback affect the development of self?
· How does the Internet affect our sense of psychological nearness and alienation?
· Are there communities in cyberspace?
· Are media technologies changing faster than individuals and social groups can adapt?
I’ve provided a basic introduction to a few Adlerian concepts. Readers who are not familiar with individual psychology will find these posts helpful. Links to these posts can be found by selecting the “Table of Contents” link.
I look forward to hearing from and learning about you. Come in, look around, and comment wherever you wish. In addition to commenting on the posts, you can use the Contact Me form to suggest ideas for blog content, questions, or remarks. Consider sharing your insights by writing for the blog as well. That would be a wonderful example of social interest! Of course, you will receive authorship credit for anything that you write.
Regards,
Leonard
References
Bell, D. (2007). Cyberculture theorists: Manuel Castells and Donna Haraway. New York: Routledge.
McLuhan, H. M. (1994). Understanding media: The extensions of man. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. (Original work published in 1964).
Copyright © 2011 Leonard Snyder
