Are we in a Digital Ecosystem?

A new perspective of the Internet - Information Ecology!

The 'information ecology' can be compared to the natural environment in that a relationship with mutual benefit exists between technology and the user, much like a symbiotic process. I must admit to liking the description 'information ecology' in terms of the Internet and the Web. It does not support technology or social determinism but instead requires acceptance of both as being necessary and equally important - one cannot 'be' without the other. This is an exciting business model for any online venture. If I understand it correctly.

 

Communication within the 'information ecology' represents the bridge or connection between technology and users. Information is knowledge and it is a resource therefore information has significant value. But I wouldn't confuse information as a technology, that is to say it is not just a set of tools in the context of this ecology. Information is knowledge in the form of data that is shared and dispersed by the technology. Switching from my often used notion about using technology when sending an email, to the idea of sharing information when sending an email, is an example of what I think 'information ecology' can support. Hopefully I am not way off the mark with my thinking here...

 

Communication ecology tells me that the focus is on the technical aspects of a particular environment. The word communication is often associated with technologies and the word communications (plural) sits with terms such as information technology.  Although nowadays, if I heard "Im in communications" my first question is "communications in what?". So even though the literal meaning of communication can be taken as it is within a particular environment or 'ecology' I suspect we don't use the term 'communication ecology' too much because it leads to misinterpretation. It's hard to change widely held and accepted ideas of what 'communication ecology' means.