Social Currency and Identity
While reflecting on the substantial costs of travelling abroad, especially within the UK and the Republic of Ireland, I remembered the usual observation of pecuniary currency within the European commerce structure that inspired the European Union. Having multiple currencies throughout Europe made trade difficult between the nations, and thus, there were deficient markets over the continent. The European Union and a 'unified' currency (the Euro) have brought some relief to this dilemma; however, this is not the idea of contention I wish to discuss.
Rather, could the idea of a dysfunctional monetary currency be translated into a dysfunctional social currency. At this point, I have not researched other possible definitions for this term, as I like to think I have coined it, but I realize that this must be written about by someone else at some point in time. (I will get to the point of researching this at another time.) So, for the sake of clarity, I would like to discuss this term within my own scope of definition.
With monetary currency being that quantity with which we measure the wealth or value of a person, place, or thing (a noun if you will), it only follows that a generic definition of social currency would be a qualitative sum of a person, place, or thing's value to the social network.
Now, with that said, could there be an issue of social currency, either functioning within the bounds of 'expected behaviour' or without, that plagues the conflict in NI? In other words, could a dysfunctioning system of social currency be actively disrupting the political process to peace?
To answer this question, I am inclined to say that an examination of social opinions by organizations and communities is necessary. This would involve trying to understand how the many different identities within the communities view the others. But, I keep leading myself back to the problem of establishing 'identity' as a concrete term, which seems necessary to argue social currency.
Any thoughts?
Rather, could the idea of a dysfunctional monetary currency be translated into a dysfunctional social currency. At this point, I have not researched other possible definitions for this term, as I like to think I have coined it, but I realize that this must be written about by someone else at some point in time. (I will get to the point of researching this at another time.) So, for the sake of clarity, I would like to discuss this term within my own scope of definition.
With monetary currency being that quantity with which we measure the wealth or value of a person, place, or thing (a noun if you will), it only follows that a generic definition of social currency would be a qualitative sum of a person, place, or thing's value to the social network.
Now, with that said, could there be an issue of social currency, either functioning within the bounds of 'expected behaviour' or without, that plagues the conflict in NI? In other words, could a dysfunctioning system of social currency be actively disrupting the political process to peace?
To answer this question, I am inclined to say that an examination of social opinions by organizations and communities is necessary. This would involve trying to understand how the many different identities within the communities view the others. But, I keep leading myself back to the problem of establishing 'identity' as a concrete term, which seems necessary to argue social currency.
Any thoughts?
posted by KSedon at 9:20 PM
1 Comments:
"it only follows that a generic definition of social currency would be a qualitative sum of a person, place, or thing's value to the social network."
It sounds to me like you've come up with yet another way of talking about social capital.
Is there such a thing as a "qualitative sum"? I tend to think of sums as quantitative aggregations.
"To answer this question, I am inclined to say that an examination of social opinions by organizations and communities is necessary. This would involve trying to understand how the many different identities within the communities view the others."
If we are talking about something akin to social capital, then you're probably better off studying ties and networks (and maybe trust) rather than opinions and views of different identities. Probably both, eh?
Perhaps you've really brought us back to the question of building cross-community connections (and eventually communication). Maybe this is how (social)currency circulates?
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