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What does it mean to live in a digital society?
Does social media empower political activism?
How do we form and express our identity in a digital age?
Do algorithms and search engine results have a social role?
How have software and hardware transformed how we interact with each other?
In the early 21st century, digital media and the social have become irreversibly intertwined. In this cutting-edge introduction, Simon Lindgren explores what it means to live in a digital society.
With succinct explanations of the key concepts, debates and theories you need to know, this is a must-have resource for students exploring digital media, social media, media and society, data and society, and the internet.
"An engaging story of the meaning digital media have in societies. The writing is relatable, with diverse and comprehensive references to theories. Above all, this is a fun book on what a contemporary digital society looks like!"
- Professor Zizi Papacharissi, University of Illinois at Chicago
Simon Lindgren is Professor of Sociology at Umeå University in Sweden. He is also the director of DIGSUM, an interdisciplinary academic research centre studying the social dimensions of digital technology.
List of contents
Digital Society
Social Media Platforms
Beyond Optimism and Pessimism
Interaction and Identity
Communities and Networks
Visuality and Visibility
Emotions and Affect
Power and Exploitation
Activism and Mobilisation
Datafication and Algorithms
Software and Devices
Researching Digital Society
Epilogue: Digital Media and Social Change
About the author
Simon Lindgren is Professor of Sociology at Umeå University in Sweden. He is also director of DIGSUM, an interdisciplinary academic research centre studying the social dimensions of digital technology, and the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Digital Social Research.
His research is about the relationship between digital media and society with a particular focus on politics and power relations. He studies mobilisation and contention on the internet and the consequences of datafication and automation for such processes.
Summary
Cutting-edge student exploration of what it means to live in a digital society. Introduces key concepts and research essential for digital media, social media and media/data and society modules.
Report
An engaging story of the meaning digital media have in societies. The writing is relatable, with diverse and comprehensive references to theories. Above all, this is a fun book on what a contemporary digital society looks like! Professor Zizi Papacharissi 20210708
