Its a small world after all?

Ever since the wake of electric technology, when Marshal McLuhan predicted a "global village" of increased connectivity and communication, scholars have been assessing and debating the pros and cons of new technologies. In recent years, particularly with the development of new online mediums, many have been quick to reject McLuhan's initial idea, instead suggesting these new technologies have led users into increased self-absorption and isolation. However, things could be returning to McLuhan-ian state of affairs after the Pew Internet and American Life Project released a study suggesting social media does indeed lead to a more diverse, wide spread social network. The results of the study seem to indicatethe suggestion that social media breads isolation and less authentic relationships is incorrect. Since this study was released just yesterday, its difficult to see how its results will impact New Media and the way it is studied and viewed in this country, but it certainly raises new questions and issues that are worth exploring further. You can read more about the study on yahoo news: http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20091104/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_techbit_internet_isolation, as well as some analysis by Stan Schroeder at mashable.com.