CRD 703: Communication in Networked Society:
Paper: Ideas of Identity and Subjectivity in the Network Society and Provide a Basis of Inquiry at the Crossroads of Nanotechnologies

Introduction
Identities consist of self-conceptions. Some ideas of self are assigned, some are chosen: cultural, spiritual, intellectual, biological. Social constructivists believe that identities are formed by our relations to others -- both people and things. Due to the ways in which relations change and flow, one could then say 'like a network, so are our identities'; as the network changes, so our relationships change, and so we change.

Castells and Levy provide some understanding of how networks in the digital society have changed our relations to others, or will change them, and they reveal a notion of individual identity. However, it is not in depth nor do they describe how our self-concepts change due to this new digital communications technology. The theory of the virtual self only extends as far as defining disembodiment and the shedding of our physical self in favor for a "person" of our own choosing for use online.

The idea that the network itself can influence our individual identity needs examination. Coupled with individual identity that extends beyond the concepts of the virtual self, these questions are particularly present in nanotechnologies where it is possible for us to absorb network technology and where an intersection emerges with a chance for Re-embodiment or further disembodiment.

This paper discusses the ways that several authors treat identity and subjectivity in the network society; while they do not provide complete theories for the individual identities I think they provide enough clues to formulate interesting questions of identity and subjectivity. Further thought expands on these concepts within nanotechnologies. As identities are formed of relationships, so too is subjectivity. In this way, identity and subjectivity are sometimes inseparable. Who we think we are often comes tied closely to what we think we can do in relation to our selves, our bodies. Subjectivity is one side of a power relationship and I suggest that nanotechnologies are bringing us to a point of great importance and personal political choice.

This paper only touches upon identity and subjectivity theory and current theories on identity in the Network Society; rather than exhaust the reader with details of them, I hope to ask some relevant questions about where we are and where we are going in relation to who we think we are, and how we relate to our bodies, in these networked times.

CRD 701: History and Theory of Communication Technology:
Paper: The Relationships Surrounding the Design of the Internet and How the Design Politicized External Groups

Abstract
The typical reply to the question "Who invented the internet?" seems to be "the Internet was invented by the military and researchers". Often, we then go on about our business without asking why they created the network, what their partnership was like, and how the design was affected by their relationship. In addition, how did those design-relationships affect external groups like industry? In short, the characteristics of the Internet by which we currently "live online" were models on which the military-research and research-research relationships are based. The needs of their relations directly effected the requirements they had for the network and their expectations of its use. By examining the theories of Langdon Winner and Bruno Latour, and understanding the design, relationships, and objectives of the groups who invented the internet, a novel view of the Internet's political nature is revealed.