A Structural-Functionalist Approach to 

by Bobby Caples        
 

  Perhaps Cyberspace is a community in and of itself. The characters that people assume when in cyberspace may actually exist independently of any other society in the world, as John Perry Barlow writes in the Cyberspace Declaration of Independence. Nevertheless, Cyberspace is not totally independent of other societies. As long as the people who animate those virtual characters also interact in other physically real societies, cyberspace will be a social structure, or institution, in that community. By examining cyberspace as an institution in a society such as the United States, we can better understand how exactly Cyberspace contributes to our community.

    Because we are studying how a particular institution contributes to a society, we are studying sociology. And since we are studying sociology, Cyberspace as an institution will be examined using a common sociological perspective: the structural-functional perspective. This view deals with how structures in societies function to contribute to the stability and harmony of the whole society. Two basic questions are, then, asked about any given social structure: (1) What is the nature of this social structure (cyberspace); and (2) What are the (in this essay, positive) consequences of this social structure? (Brinkerhoff et. al., 1999)

    Two definitions are necessary before beginning. First, Cyberspace in this essay refers to the realm of the internet where an individual interacts with others in live communication using words only. Video phone calls, e-mails, and other internet features are not included. Second, the adjective normal (as in normal life) will be used for the purpose of distinction from Cyberspace. A separation of cyberspace from this phrase is not an implication that cyberspace is abnormal or weird. In fact, interaction with others in cyberspace is becoming quite common and popular. The adjective normal is merely used to distinguish between life with cyberspace and life without it.

    Regarding the first question dealing with the nature of cyberspace, most people accurately think of cyberspace as something which deals with computers. It is undoubtedly the product of the recent technology boom over the past 20 years. However, this is not a complete explanation of its nature. Cyberspace, although it doesn't exist in a certain set-aside physical region, is a new realm of existence – it is a new world. It is a world whose visitors increase every day. Its cities and countries are the different sites and computer terminals throughout the physical world, such as LambdaMoo, which is filled with different characters, ideas, thoughts, emotions and anything else which can be expressed using words. Cyberspace has many languages, customs, and norms. In addition, Cyberspace obviously exists apart from the physical world. Although it may be related to computers and terminals which are physical, the actual institution itself is not physical. To say the institution of cyberspace is defined by computers is like saying the institution of the family is defined by the house in which they live. Certainly the computer and the house say something about their respective institutions, but they barely scratch the surface of their meanings. Nevertheless, the use of cyberspace requires computers and all other necessary technology, which means that its use is restricted. Because the necessary technology costs a decent amount of money and education to operate, it is unlikely that those in lower social classes without sufficient funds or situational opportunities (such as opportunities at schools and universities) will use Cyberspace. Time also restricts its use. As cyberspace takes up time, only those with sufficient leisure time would be able to participate as well.

    Another aspect of cyberspace is that it exists in absence of many standard methods of communication. In our normal lives when we encounter someone and experience his or her presence, we are able to observe that person's body language and hear speech patterns to attain a better understanding of the person and what s/he is trying to communicate. We are also able to observe the setting and the environment in which the communication is taking place. In short, there are many aspects of communication which cyberspace is incapable of transmitting. Thus, it can often be difficult to understand all that the person is communicating and, for example, if that person is genuinely who s/he is representing him/herself to be. As we look more and more at the institution of Cyberspace, one thing if anything becomes clear: Cyberspace is a massive institution in many societies undoubtedly increasing in size. The next question is, then: What are the positive consequences of this massive institution?

    EXPANDED HORIZONS Even as recently as 20 years ago, the only realistic method of satisfying a desire to meet someone from Paris was to go to Paris. There were phones 20 years ago, but randomly calling someone from Paris hoping to start a new friendship most likely wouldn't have worked. Now, cyberspace has given society a means of meeting and interacting with people that has never before been capable. Within minutes one can be talking to people over the world about topics just as diverse as the people. This positive consequence of Cyberspace has opened the most doors to the diversity of the world since the telephone.

    COMFORT ZONE Another positive consequence is similar to that of writing a letter, only to a greater degree. When one sends a letter to a friend, s/he might well feel much more free to share what is really on his or her mind. The physical uneasiness of some sensitive subjects often-times prevents one from engaging in some face-to-fact communication. Letters and also Cyberspace makes such communication possible. Cyberspace, to a greater degree, allows one to talk about such sensitive subjects with innumerous amounts of people. It also allows communication with people going through similar personal issues in life, such as a life-threatening disease or rape. Emotions, thoughts, experiences – anything that can be expressed at least in part by words – can, at least in part, be expressed in cyberspace. In short, Cyberspace creates a new comfort zone in which individuals may be themselves without the worries of normal communication. However, one must be careful for two reasons. First, as stated previously, the standard methods of analyzing whether a person is genuine are not present in Cyberspace. All that exists in Cyberspace is text, and text can easily be manipulated to state and infer anything the author wishes. Anyone can be anyone. Second, just because Cyberspace might offer a comfort zone for individuals does not mean that it is a haven from all danger. As Julian Dibbell writes in A Rape in Cyberspace, not even a land of words is immune from such psychological dangers as the psychological pain involved with rape.

    IMAGINATION LambdaMoo, as mentioned before, allows more than the mere sharing of thoughts. It is a virtual playground within which almost anything can happen. The only limit is the imagination. In many "cities" of the cyberspace world, there are places to exercise one's creativity and imagination. In our real world, where imagination and creativity are often thought to be suppressed, cyberspace should be a welcome arena for these to flourish.

    EDUCATION Many schools and universities have come to recognize the value of the internet in education. The cyberspace portion of the internet is not exception to educational value. Cyberspace can be used in many ways to educate – from learning about other cultures to discussing ideas with others around the world to getting a classroom of college students to discuss early in the morning.

    VALUE REAFFIRMATION The impetus for John Perry Barlow's Cyberspace Declaration of Independence was the debate regarding the application of the First Amendment to Cyberspace. Although some may view such laws as extreme, the institution of Cyberspace is nevertheless meeting the basic human need of defining values. As a result of this new "world's" existence, our society has been forced to reevaluate the values it places on such things as the freedom of speech versus the protection of children from harmful material. Though it may initially be viewed as problematic that we have so many more questions to answer now about our values, these questions are a necessary part of our culture in defining who we are and who we want to be.

    ESCAPISM It's good to get away. Most everyone who can afford them takes vacations – they are regarded highly in our country. In addition to the pleasures that vacations bring, they also serve the purpose explicitly stated in its name: it vacates people from their normal state of existence. It is escapism. Although commonly view as bad, retreating out of one's normal state of existence into another one is often a much needed respite from an often times strenuous world. By entering into another world and taking on a new character, one succeeds in retreating from the normal and entering a different state. If one escapes too much from the real world, this might be a sign of an unhealthy normal life. However, used in moderation, Cyberspace may become a little vacation every now and then from the struggles of everyday life.

    There are many people who are very cynical about Cyberspace and its role in our community. The evidence is not complete on the effects it may have on society. Nevertheless, all of these cynics, myself included, must concede that there are many ways in which Cyberspace truly does contributes to our world.

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