Communities and Networks

This chapter focuses on group contexts in which online interaction often happens, including communities and social networks. Baym shy's away from debating which definition of community is correct, and introduces five qualities found in both online groups and in many definitions of community creating online contexts. The five qualities are space, shared practice, shared resources and support, shared identities, and interpersonal relationships. Baym says that different definitions of community reside in these five qualities, forming different online contexts in which online interaction happens. Online communities may be good ways for members to share a common interest and space, obtain resources from other members whether or not the user previously knows them, gain support and self esteem, and form interpersonal relationships. Baym segways into the ways in which online interaction happens in social networks. Baym argues that in modern times we have shifted from tightly bounded communities towards increasing "network individualism." Network individualism, described by Baym, is the idea in which each person sits at the center of his or her own personal community. Social networks are a prime example of this as the sites are designed for users to have their own personalized communities. The idea of network individualism is supported by Nicholas Gane and David Beer in their article "Network." In the article they cite Manuel Castells reflection on network individualism when he says: "it is not the Internet that creates a pattern of networked individualism, but the development of the Internet provides an appropriate material support for the diffusion of networked individualism as the dominant form of sociability." Internally on social network sites, groups are allowed to be formed within the system, making messages available for many people to read it depending on where it is posted. These groups within social networks network through the internet, creating a shared but distributed group identity.

Baym introduces new concepts in this chapter, however still continues to tie in previous concepts, and foreshadow coming chapters. This chapter is very informative as Baym describes the five qualities found in both online groups and many definitions of community. She uses examples to help the reader grasp the concept and get a better understanding of the message she in trying to convey. For example, when Baym talks about online groups and communities having shared resources and support, she gives examples of online groups giving informational support, esteem support, and emotional support. Baym uses the example of a mother blogging about her baby since she was 29 weeks old, until the baby died unexpectedly at 17 months. People who read the mothers blog immediately shared emotional support and donated more than $20,000 to the March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization helping to prevent birth defects. Baym effectively uses real life examples to further inform the reader of the types of qualities found in online groups and in communities.