The public sphere, the domain for conversation and public information, has long been the imagined space for the 'people'. It has come under many guises too; be it in newspapers or public spaces, on radio or across the internet. An evolving space that is always changing.
In the contemporary media climate, the internet has become the primary space for this public discourse and rhetoric, especially given the advent of 'blogging' and Social Networking. Twitter is one such example of how the public sphere is shifting online, as it caters for conversation and is highly accessible. It has developed 'into a powerful form of communication' (Johnson, 2009), allowing users to subscribe to the information they want to see. This differs from the more traditional outlets of the 'public sphere', as those in the 'twittersphere' can tailor the information they receive based on their social, political and cultural beliefs. They can tailor their own public sphere. 
The recent social revolution in Egypt and the Iranian Presidential elections of 2010 are elements of this movement of information on Twitter, especially the speed in which the information is transferred.
While undoubtedly Twitter will not replace or absorb into the public sphere as we know it (Hauth, 2010) due to the limitations it places on its conversations (140 characters or less), it is an example of the modern nature of the public sphere and the way we receive information.
Reference List:
Hauth, A 2010, 'Twitter as a Public Sphere', New Media and Democracy, Viewed 21 August 2012 <http://www.personal.psu.edu/alh5147/blogs/cas497a/2010/02/twitter-as-a-public-sphere.html>
Johnson, S 2009, 'How Twitter Will Change The Way We Live (in 140 characters or less). (Cover story)', Time, 173, 23, pp. 32-37, Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 21 August 2012
Jurgen Habermas and the Public Sphere - http://records.viu.ca/~soules/media301/habermas.html
http://www.wired.com/business/2011/02/egypts-revolutionary-fire/
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1905125,00.html
Hey Will. Excellent post. I think you explained your ideas well and used great references to back it up. The thing that interests me about the public sphere is that the inference is that it is a place for free speech, however, when you really think about it there are still limitations that can effect what is said. As you mentioned for Twitter you can say just about anything but it has to be in 140 characters of less, so the format is limiting. As far as the old coffee houses that symbolise the beginning of public spheres they would have had moral, social law and religious restrictions that would have limited what could and could not be said. So although public spaces provide a conduit for free speech there are still boundaries to what can be discussed. Great post.
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ReplyDeleteYou used good references for support your post. I agree that public sphere is shifting online and the limitation (140 characters or less) is an example of the modern nature of the public sphere and the way we receive information. Today, other media such as online news, TV news, and magazines report some tweets such as a celebrity’s tweet; therefore some information are actually from Twitter if I don’t use Twitter. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThis is a really good blog post. You have a great writing style and the blog is structured well. You have used your references well to support what you are saying and this comes through clearly. Your images are also great as they relate to your point and show that well and your hyperlinks are really good too. I like how you said they can tailor their own public sphere and that the public sphere is changing to be online as I think they are great points and I agree you with you. You also do address the limitations of twitter which is well done.
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ReplyDeleteGreat post on the Twittersphere Will. You make a few interesting points which really creates a great read! I think one of the most interesting I found was your discussion of how Twitter allows people to “tailor their own public sphere”. To me, this is almost against the whole idea of globalisation, with more and more people opting to ignore or separate themselves from global issues and rather move from a “public sphere” to a very “personal” sphere. Nevertheless, it’s an interesting topic for discussion and being someone who doesn’t have a twitter account, it was interesting to read the effects it has on the public sphere. Well done!
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