From Counterculture to Cyberculture: Virtual Community Discourse and the Dilemma of Modernity (original) (raw)

This paper explores the evolution of virtual communities through the lens of countercultural movements of the 1960s and 1970s, highlighting how the ideals and practices of these movements shaped modern online interactions. It examines the interplay between communication technology and the concept of open communication, analyzing the WELL as a case study for understanding cultural contradictions inherent in virtual communities. The work posits that virtual communities offer a unique space for autonomy and sociability, reflecting both the aspirations and limitations of their countercultural roots.