7.2: Social Computing
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Social computing is defined as the intersection of human social behavior and computational systems that reconstruct social conventions to facilitate interaction, informed decision-making, and collaboration. The historical evolution of social computing is traced from early systems like ARPANET and bulletin board systems to the emergence of social networking platforms such as GeoCities, Friendster, and LinkedIn. The integration of web technologies in the mid-1990s led to the migration of online communities, while advancements in compression technology broadened the range of shareable media from text to images and videos.
7.2.1 What is Social Computing?
As you read, Social computing is a prominent branch of computer science, that investigates the dynamic interplay between individuals and computational systems, highlighting the inherently social nature of computing. It encompasses various online activities, contrasting personal computing by emphasizing the social and interactive dimensions. Examples include blogs, wikis, Twitter, and social networking sites, all aimed at enhancing user social engagement with technology. The term "social computing" should not be confused with artificial intelligence, as its primary focus is to imbue computers with social capabilities and create a more socially engaging experience for users.
7.2.2 Benefits of Social Computing
Social computing brings forth numerous benefits, transforming the way individuals and organizations interact with technology. It accelerates knowledge access and information sharing, leading to more efficient communication. Additionally, it plays a pivotal role in cost reduction by minimizing travel expenses and lowering overall operation costs. In the business realm, social networking facilitates the dissemination of information, reduces interruptions, and connects users with experts, ultimately contributing to increased performance and service quality. The positive impact extends to areas such as enhanced web/mobile business performance, improved marketing strategies, and increased economic revenue.
7.2.3 Types of Social Computing
The study of social computing involves two main research themes: sociological study and applied research. In the realm of computational social science, social networks analysis and the application of computer technology to societal studies take precedence. This involves the use of methods such as agent-based modeling, theoretical physics methods, and graph theory. On the other hand, application-oriented social computing involves the practical application of principles and technologies like communities, social networks, and sociology. This field has evolved through stages such as group software, social software, and the advent of social media in the Web 2.0 era. Examples include collaborative technologies, social media platforms, and various interactive applications.
The principles constant in social computing systems may have broader applications in the design of networked computer systems. The discussion extends to the importance of cognitive diversity in solving complex problems, citing the rise of the web as a catalyst for research on the "wisdom of crowds" phenomenon. The collective achievement in science and technology is explored, suggesting that diversity and independence play critical roles in advancing fields.
7.2.4 Conclusion
In conclusion, social computing stands at the forefront of technological evolution, fundamentally altering the way individuals, businesses, and societies engage with computational systems. Its broad spectrum, ranging from sociological study to practical application, underscores its significance in shaping the digital landscape. As we navigate the interconnected world of blogs, wikis, social networks, and beyond, the importance of social computing in enhancing innovation, increasing productivity, and improving user relations becomes increasingly evident. This chapter equips learners with a comprehensive understanding of social computing, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities presented by the continually evolving intersection of technology and society.
Future Readings Summary: |
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James Evans created a resource that elaborated the history, the current, and the future of social computing. He explained the intersection of social computing and Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW), emphasizing a design orientation incorporating social and behavioral sciences to augment productive cooperation with computation. Highlighted the growing research areas within social computing, such as mechanism design in economics, blockchain protocols, and socially intelligent computing, which examines how systems unleash or inhibit collective intelligence. Evans concluded by posing a design challenge for computer science, considering the potential for diverse weight initialization approaches to enhance the optimization of complex, networked models in deep learning. The overarching theme is the interconnectedness of networking and social computing, offering valuable insights for the design and optimization of future computing systems. See the full Open Access Peer Reviewed article here as a PDF See IEEE Xplore: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9241509 Reference: Evans, J. (2020). Social Computing Unhinged. Journal of Social Computing, 1(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.23919/JSC.2020.0002 |