A New Theory of Information & the Internet

Balnaves (new media, Curtin U.) and Willson (Internet studies, Curtin U.) examine the current commodification of information, particularly in regard to the increasing encroachment of the Internet into all facets life. They outline the academic discourse over the nature and object status of information; discuss the reciprocal influences of fields such as computing and artificial intelligence on the evolution of information theory and the Internet; and explore the idea of the Internet as a mediator in the distribution of information in the public sphere. They consider the social, cultural, political and material limitations and potentials of the Internet as a collaborative entity, illustrate how the structure and language of existing collective online spaces differs from more mainstream websites, and assert the continuing importance of both technological and social influences on the evolution of the Internet as a conduit for free information exchange. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Mark Balnaves is Professor and Senior Research Fellow in New Media at Curtin University. He is an expert in audience research and has published on the global mapping of audiences, media theories, and research methodology.
Michele Willson is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Internet Studies at Curtin University. Her publications on online community, and network sociality include Technically Together: Rethinking Community within Techno-Society (Lang, 2006).