The medium of Netspeak 59
reference to the concept of a ‘virtual community’. This notion has
been not a little contentious, with some considering it an empty
phrase, and others trying to give it a meaningful definition. Cer-
tainly, the mere fact of having engaged in an Internet activity does
not produce in a user the sort of sense of identity and belong-
ing which accompanies the termcommunity. On the other hand,
some Internet situations do promote such a sense of belonging,
which comes from ‘the experience of sharing with unseen others
a space of communication’.^52 Underlying this view is a broader
issue, to do with the way the Internet has come to be used in prac-
tice. To summarize a comple xdebate (in a netshell, perhaps): the
Internet is not as global a medium as it might at first appear to be.
While in principle much has been made of its ability to transcend
the limitations of physical environments, cultural differences, and
time-zones, thereby allowing people from anywhere to communi-
cate with people anywhere else about anything at all, in practice the
types of communication which take place are much more restricted
and parochial. Most Internet interactions are not global in charac-
ter;wearenottalkingtomillionswhenweconstructourWebpages,
send an e-mail, join a chatgroup, or enter a virtual world. Derek
Foster, summarizing a paper on computer-mediated communica-
tion (CMC) by Garth Graham, comments: ‘The interactivity of
CMC is about human connections. It is about talking. It serves in-
dividuals and communities, not mass audiences.’^53 Howard Rhein-
gold describes the Internet as an ‘ecosystem’ of subcultures.^54 And
Patricia Wallace identifies purpose as much more important than
geography:^55
Though I like the ‘global village’ metaphor, the Internet is not
really like that most of the time. With respect to human
interaction, it is more like a huge collection of distinct
neighborhoods where people with common interests can share
information, work together, tell stories, joke around, debate
politics, help each other out, or play games.(^52) Wilbur (1996: 13). (^53) Foster (1996: 29).
(^54) Rheingold (1993: 3). (^55) Wallace (1999: 9).