Convergence is introduced as a conceptual tool to analyse, evaluate, compare and improve the design and use of information infrastructures (particularly, the Internet)

1. STS Italia 4th National Conference “Emerging Technologies, Social Worlds”
Convergence:
History, Meanings and Socio-Cultural Implications
Giuseppe Lugano
E
European Cooperation in Science & Technology (COST)
giuseppe.lugano@cost.eu
Thematic Session 3 “Information Infrastructures: from Standardization to Multiple Uses”

2. Why “Convergence” ?
Convergence as a conceptual
tool to analyse, evaluate,
compare and improve the
design and use of
information infrastructures

3. The Internet as Global Information Infrastructure
Convergence has made the Internet (and us) even more interconnected. At what cost?

4. A Brief History of today's Global Information Infrastructure
'50s - '60s
Originally, it was a small network of computers used for academic purposes…
'90s
…then it became an electronic highway of digital content to “consume”.
'2000s
Today, digitally converged technologies have contributed to make
the Internet an integral part of “constantly connected” social lives

5. Convergence: a techno-economic viewpoint
Convergence is typically understood as a synonym of technological
convergence - the coming together of telecommunication systems,
computer networks and media industry
Converged
networks and
devices

6. Convergence: a broader viewpoint
Convergence as a process spanning technological,
economic, global, cultural and social dimensions
(
(Jenkins, 2006)
Convergence as a complex and multi-faceted
phenomenon linked to parallel trends of divergence
(Fortunati, 2007)
Focus on: Social Convergence

7. Social Convergence as Micro-Coordination
Rendez-Vous: before digital technologies
converged, mobile phones used to
facilitate physical convergence of a small
group of people to an agreed location
(Ling & Yttri, 2002)

8. Social Convergence as Virtual Co-Presence
Online social networks typically model a social relationship as a “0” or “1”,
leading to a “collapse of disparate social contexts into one” (boyd, 2008)
Exposure Invasion
Amplifiers & Attenuators: growing awareness of Exposure & Invasion: downside of increased
the need to privilege quality to quantity (not only convenience of access to social information and
aggregating, but also filtering social streams) more immediate interactions

9. Complementary function of convergence & divergence
The challenges of social convergence could be addressed by acknowledging
the complementary function of convergence and divergence

10. Complementary function of convergence & divergence
Early phase: divergence a strategy to compete -> fragmentation,
choice, creativity
Growth phase: convergence as an opportunity to grow/”share the
pie” via strategic partnerships (Skype / Facebook deal)
-> interoperability, few global actors and policies
Maturity: divergence as a necessity to enable users to cope with the
growing complexity by enhanced control of incoming/outgoing social
streams (i.e. a social media funnel) -> enhanced user experience
Filtered social stream

11. Social Convergence: the case of Nokia Lumia
The Nokia Lumia smartphones allow a seamless
experience of multiple social networks from a
single interaction space
While it is extremely easy to import contacts and visualize social streams,
the lack of adequate “filters” (e.g. sort contacts by current location,
interest) reduces significantly the usefulness of the feature

12. Enhancing Information Infrastructures: Lessons Learnt
Convergence supports the adoption of similar protocols / policies,
but it does not necessarily reduce complexity

13. Enhancing Information Infrastructures: Lessons Learnt
“Big data” should not only used for marketing purposes, but also to implement social
media funnels with user-controlled information “amplifiers” and “attenuators”
Computational Sociology should support Interaction Design by deriving behavioral
and contextual patterns, models of evolving social relationships to test on the field

14. Enhancing Information Infrastructures: Lessons Learnt
In a specific interaction context, the information infrastructure should not
only consist of a detected and aggregated network of similar nodes…
Converg
Diverge
e
…but also represent roles and relationships, which should be used as input
for customizing interaction possibilities and information flows

15. Enhancing Information Infrastructures: Lessons Learnt
We need to develop and use both convergent and divergent thinking strategies

16. STS Italia 4th National Conference “Emerging Technologies, Social Worlds”
Thank you for your attention!
Question Time
Also by email: Giuseppe Lugano
(giuseppe.lugano@cost.eu)
Thematic Session 3 “Information Infrastructures: from Standardization to Multiple Uses”