Two chasms: 1 to 1 and (sub) urban first life vs cyberlife

Some thoughts after watching a video presentation which is concerned about the 'dichotomy between cyberspace and real space'. (Urban Informatics: The Internet, locative media and mobile technology for urbanites, Dr Marcus Foth)

The digital chasm in Australia between the 'first world' and interactive cyberspace is gigantic. Governments invest millions in an infrastructure of 'connectivity'. Well meaning researchers attempt to facilitate virtual interaction between households. Local councils aim to encourage community between neighbours.

To lure suburbanites with material incentives (free beer, BBQ etc) to socialise with each other and possibly interact via computer-mediated communication, ends abruptly when the freebies run out.

In Australia, mainstream society, based on individual possessions is organised mostly in an sub-urban form. The attention economy of its dwellers is usually delineated by the privately owned fence posts. The 'out there', the public, civic space is usually the place to off-load the 'externalities'. Rarely do 'neighbourhoods' actively care for their immediate surroundings. In fact, people go to huge expenditures to 'buy' privacy, to seek exclusive refuge in their own 'castle'. There would have to be 'a private gain' to get the property-holder to connect with the many others. Routes of networking are inscribed through tradition: sport, family, work etc.

Civic empowerment and engagement presupposes a common good/concern, beyond the (e-) ballot box. To participate collaboratively in the world via a gestell, a will and literacies are required. Formal and informal learners stuck in sub-urbia would benefit from improving their transliteracy. Top down 'interventions' to connect a 'community' 'face to face' or/and virtually are rarely successful.

Cities, as refuges of creative classes provide productive environments to tap into pre-existing Communities of Practice. Investments in 'connectivity' and interaction design could target and facilitate participatory networks that operate with a social purpose in urban space/s or are virtually distributed.
Links:
Streetsblog, N.Y.
How to build 'passion-based virtual communities'
Wikia, 'the place for communities to come together'
i-neighbors, 'free service that brings you and your neighbors together', ca