The Culture of Connectivity: A Critical History of Social Media

The Culture of Connectivity: A Critical History of Social Media By Jose Van Dijck (Oxford University Press, 2013; 240 pages; paperback; ISBN-10: 0199970785; ISBN13: 978-0199970780)

In this look at the rise of social media, Van Dijck explains the nature of social media, how their underlying characteristics facilitate their adoption, and what aspects of their nature and characteristics influence social media users in potentially nefarious ways. This book is an appropriate addition to the reading assignments for courses in media history and media theory, particularly at the graduate level. The author expresses clearly several insights on the power of social media and the source of that power, but does so in a purely academic manner....