The Iron Cage and the Digital Matrix: Castells and Cultural Transformations in the Information Age.

Manuel Castells? theorization of the ?network society? as the contemporary form of advanced capitalism is a comprehensive account of the role of networks and information technologies in altering economic, social, and cultural relationships. However, Castells? analysis of the cultural consequences of informational restructuring is ambiguous and at times contradictory. This paper examines the Castells? concepts of ?real virtuality? and the ?spirit of informationalism? in articulating a cohesive account of the cultural conditions of the network society. Via the analogy with Weber?s ?iron cage,? which Castells also employs, I argue that contemporary life can be thought of as a ?digital matrix? that produces a sense of distant intimacy by simultaneously disconnecting and connecting fragments of identity shared across virtual space. This set of experiences alters perceptions of social relationships and the sense of self, and subsequently supports and extends the integration of information technologies into daily life and spurs exploration of alternative uses. Like previous social transformations supported by consequential changes in technology and its uses, the slow revolution of the digital matrix is directed by conflicting social groups working to creatively use, define, and limit the impact and nature of new technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]