Ph.D Scholars Workshop @ Sociology Dept., D-School

25th August saw the Ph.D Scholars Workshop in the Sociology Department of D-School, Delhi University. I presented a paper titled, "Blogosphere: The New Social Space".

The Workshop was very encouraging and interactive as I got experienced a learned audience in the fellow scholars, the brilliant faculty of the Sociology Department, DU, as well as, a good number of people who had dropped in from Jammia Millia Islamia and JNU.

My paper was focussed on how blogosphere is emerging as a new social space where virtual communities are forming up. These communities have interesting possibilities such as the power-political game that takes place and the notion of the public and the private realm.

I have explored several dimensions but would appreciate if anyone could suggest me suitable ways to explore the subject. Better still, I would like to get your experinces when you blog, the way you interact with peers, friends and anyone who attracts your fancy.

For your understanding let me summarize some of my research findings for your, in brief:

1. The blogosphere is a political space and everyone participating in it have some agenda -- direct and indirect.

2. The community formed on the blogosphere is always surrounded around a cause. There are communities that form around day-to-day personal experinces but these communities are loosely fragmented.

3. The blogosphere as a public sphere is very powerful in the way it leaves footprints for all future times. As a result there is very few distortion of meaning and experinces, even if it were to be desired.

NOTE: My brother Amit Choudhury came down from Mumbai and has taken a lot of pains in getting me the books and doing a lot of running around in libraries to get me notes etc. His observation on Delhi is relevant. No wonder he is appaled by the attitude of the natives of Delhi in the way they act and behave, he is in love with Mumbaikars for their humble attitude and sobriety. Society in Delhi, according to him appears to be just born. It is immatured and will take another 100 years to evolve where men here learn to socialize, and live harmonically. For the moment mobile, cars and attitude are their pride possesions.

Seperating the Wheat from the Chaff: A sociological problem

Hi folks!

Thanks for your tremendous response.

Moving forward, I was exploring the potential of blogs as a democratic medium. All of us

Research on Blogs and Blogging in India

Send me Your Response

Friends!

Thanks for your tremendous response through this blog, as well as, e-mails.

Blogs are a global phenomenon. Each passing day witnesses thousands of newer blogs from citizens across the world. However, the practice of blogging means different for different people. For the Westerners blogging is a way to discuss on issues such as politics or personal things. For a culturally diverse nation like India it means cross-cultural communication, shared experiences and a way to protest against governance. In this sense it serves a more pro-active role.

Following are my concerns that you will need to address while participating in this research project:

1. What are the type of blogs that interest you? Are these on personal issues or issues that affect the society at large?

2. What are the problems that you face while blogging?

3.What are your personal observations on Indian blogs?

4. Has blogging or blogs bought in a change in your lifestyle or ideology?

5. Do you think you have been able to bring about a change in your society through blogging?

6. What are your observations on cross-cultural communication through blogs?

7. Do you feel that censorship is important for blogs?

8. What, do you think, is the difference between websites and blogs?

PS: If you are not able to answer to some or any of the above questions, please do send me your observations on any area related to blogging. Your response is vital for the success of this research project. If you choose not to post a reply in the public domain, you can e-mail me at newmedia.soc@gmail.com.

Your Concerns

Hi Folks!

Of late I have received several mails where respondents are asking me how I am going to use the information they sent me. Some have even queried whether the information is all of any use for the research.

To cut a long story short, I want to remind you that all the response I am receiving is directly related to my research work. It provides interesting findings on how the culturally diverse Indians are responding to cyberspace. Perhaps the concept of online interviews is new to India and so its creating some doubts on the minds of the respondents. By participating in the research you have nothing to loose -- rather it will serve an Indian researcher to complete a study that has tremendous benefits of all future researchers.

So please do write to me without worrying much about revealing your identity. You may or may not reveal your identity. Afterall, what's in a name.

PS: All information gathered here will be solely used for academic purposes and no names of respondents will be disclosed unless they want me to do so.

The Project

Hi!

To begin with, let me introduce myself. I am a D.Phil student in the Sociology Department of Delhi University and I am researching on the sociology of the new media.

The emergence of the Web and its wider implications on human lives cannot be denied. Amidst this backdrop I would like to begin by first exploring BLOGS.

I would be delighted if you could pull off some time and get me the details of how exactly you began blogging. I would appreciate if you provide me the following details in your writeup:
1. How did you learn about blogs?
2. What compelled or 'inspired' you to start your blog(s)?

Additionally, it would be great if you can send me me your full name, your profile, e-mail address and telephone number. You may mail me these in addition to your replies on the blog. My e-mail address is newmedia.soc@gmail.com

Bye

Asim

Welcome Folks!

Welcome to the research space! This is the space for conducting sociological research on the new media.

The blog will be updated shortly.

Rgds,

Asim