A Social Theory of the Internet initially engages with contemporary discussion regarding the methodology and orientation of the discipline. Following this, a fairly detailed overview is provided of the technology and culture from both contemporary and historical perspectives. Even at this stage, notable structural correlation can be drawn between the technology of the Internet, the means of system administration and the cultural lifeworld of the users.
The second part is concerned with a development of an appropriate methodology and a review of current literature. This leads to a methodological balance and demarcation between social inquiry, techniques and aesthetics. Specifically, for social inquiry, contemporary critical theory is given priority. For analysing techniques, phenomenology is given priority, and finally for aesthetics, post-structuralism.
This demarcation is applied according to the literature reviews. Contemporary critical theory is applied to a review of texts relating to "virtual community" – with the central question being whether there actually is an Internet community. For texts relating to "virtual reality", phenomenology is applied to correlate the claims of abstraction, simulation and experience. Finally, post-structuralism is applied in an analysis of the cyberpunk sub-genre of science fiction, as representative of the aspirations and fears of an Internet community.
The third part of the thesis deals with the critical issues facing the Internet. These are defined as critical as they can fundamentally alter the content and trajectory of the Internet as a social site. Specifically the areas taken up by the Internet include: (a) universal access, (b) content censorship, (c) data security, (d) the public sphere and (e) technical standards and institutional status. In each of these topics a definition and history is provided, followed by contemporary issues for the Internet and then a series of recommendations.
The final part of the thesis deals with the relationship between the Internet and modernity and between social theory and practical implementation. In the first instance, the specific questions are raised on whether qualitative changes in mediative techniques is the key to understanding changes to social formations, rather than the classical competing claims of productive forces or rationality. In the second instance, the prospects and probability of introducing revolutionary changes based on counterfactual universal ideals against deeply ingrained vested interests.
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