I agree with you that the idea of Network States is interesting but naive. I think the simple answer to why the internet/social media has not led to greater civic engagement from likeminded people in the same location is that social media tends to divide rather than unite. What we need is not likeminded people in the same place, but a diverse group of people, who come together around a shared goal that benefits them all for many different reasons and brings in people with the skills and expertise to do it.
I think this is a great topic to dive into, especially if we have some success stories as I found this to be too abstract. The cynic in me can’t see this happening because self interest / greed is what got us into this mess and it’s only getting more potent.
I agree with you that the idea of Network States is interesting but naive. I think the simple answer to why the internet/social media has not led to greater civic engagement from likeminded people in the same location is that social media tends to divide rather than unite. What we need is not likeminded people in the same place, but a diverse group of people, who come together around a shared goal that benefits them all for many different reasons and brings in people with the skills and expertise to do it.
I think this is a great topic to dive into, especially if we have some success stories as I found this to be too abstract. The cynic in me can’t see this happening because self interest / greed is what got us into this mess and it’s only getting more potent.
It feels like you are going from strength to strength with your essays recently. I loved this. Hard to express how much it resonates.