Castells contends that in the network society, of modern consumer capitalism, technology increases social engagement. To Castells, online communications merely initiate subsequent social relationships. Therefore, technology neither reduce nor replace human relationships. An example of Castell’s theory in practice is online dating, which begins in virtual space. However, the aim of such relationships is to fulfil intimate physical desire in the real world. Castells theory is supported by research, which reveals that the stigma once associated with online dating is now a phobia of the past. It is now generally accepted that intimate relationships exist in a market. As such, finding the partner of your dreams is no longer a matter of luck. Dating and mating have effectively become a science, driven by the free market principles of competition and consumer choice. Algorithms ensure compatibility and therefore the likelihood of customer satisfaction and happiness increases. Desire is a commodity in our ‘pay-as-you-go’ network society. However, it can also be argued that the certainty of science is also reducing the spontaneity of intimacy in modern life. Society stagnates when its members do not have the freedom to make choices and learn from their lived-experiences, especially where personal relationships are concerned.
What kind of society will be have in the future, if our capacity for intimacy depends on a network connection? Consider who will be excluded, who will be included and why?
Technological dependence also supports Baudrillard’s concept of simulacrum, which suggests that the boundary between the virtual and real world is becoming increasingly blurred. Baudrillard contends that modern society exists in a hyper-reality, in which modern life is a representation of the virtual. Hence, the virtual is real and the real is also virtual. As such, society’s fetish with the body is also a simulacrum and a commodity for consumer capitalism. This is demonstrated in the way that there is a market for surgical procedures where females [and males] can be surgically transformed to resemble a Barbie doll – a representation of an exaggerated reality. Lips, buttocks, noses, breasts, faces and even biological sex, can be adapted to conform with changes in trends, and individual choice.
Does the simulation of reality [a hyper-reality] signify happiness, or is it evidence of increasing normlessness and alienation in modern society?
SOCIAL ACTION SOCIETY C.I.C. 
Social media is both a useful and harmful tool in developing meaningful relationships. Individuals do not realise how social media can help you connect with people around the world with your similar interests and hobbies. However, if intimacy becomes too network dependant, you might see a shift in who can and can not use social media which could cause alienation within society.
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1st question
If we get to that kind of society those who are digitally fluent and have constant access to high-speed, reliable networks would likely be the most included. They would have the ways to form and maintains relationships, which allows them to expand further into social circles with certain niche interests. While the older population would face exclusion because without the necessary technology the older populations, could potentially lead to increased loneliness and social fragmentation.
2nd question
While it can cause alienation the boundaries between what’s real and what’s not can blur, potentially eroding shared social norms and a common understanding of reality.
It can be a little bit of both, because it can be a from of It allows us (as people) to escape from the mundane, experience things we might never encounter in our daily lives, or even fulfill desires in a safe, controlled environment. Things like online games, or even virtual tourism gives people a sense of self. For some, this escape is a genuine source of comfort and satisfaction, a way to explore identity or find community that feels more authentic to them.
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In part the network could make people happy but that is vastly short lived. Especially with online dating the fact that not many people can tell in the modern day what is or isn’t a simulacra means that happiness in time is short lived. People are happy for a time with online relationships but in the end crave the physical attention of other people and not just online.
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I think our future will be reliant on technology, with online dating and other things. The older generations will most likely be excluded due to the fact that they may have difficulty with using technology. The younger generations will thrive because this is what they grew up with, and this is what they know.
The idea of a hyperreality isn’t a sign a sign of happiness, in my opinion. What you post online won’t go away, no matter how hard you try. There are people who will spew hatred from behind an anonymous account, those who will catfish others, etc.
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The society of the future will be more Indivisual. People are texting much more than meeting physically.
So the in the future going to work, hanging around with friends, and even reciving invoices can be done at the network society.
Therefore, people with high levels of networking which is more availalble to SNS, well influeced will be inclued to the future society.
Also, people with less interested in social media or Aged people who have truble using much techniques will be excluded from the society and isolated.
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Society in the future if our capacity for intimacy depends on network connection, could look like that of which people are less likely to act socially in public with strangers. This could be because through the network they have the protection of being behind a screen, making them feel more comfortable and secure to introduce themselves and build relationships with people. This would lead to when not having this protection out in public, there will be a hesitance to interact with others and build relationships.
This could negatively impact those in the working classes who may not be able to afford the technology to access these networks. This is because they would be less likely to build relationships online before face to face interactions, and it would also be harder for them to build relationships with strangers face to face, who may be able to afford to access the network before meeting people in person.
The simulation of reality I think may portray itself as happiness, but really is evidence of the increase in normlessness. For example, social media makes people feel happy when posting and talking to others, etc. But as shown by several cases there are negative impacts, and people often exaggerate how happy they are online to fit in with the simulation of reality.
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We could use social media to make our deep relationships, but have to be careful with. I am an introvert so sometimes I have difficulty talking with people face to face. So I use social media to be close with my friends in my class, for example I comment some compliments to their post, and it leads to 1:1 conversations. I could talk there and make some relationships, and then I could make an appointment later with them and this is how I make friends using social media. But I don’t mean we can have random conversations with random people in online because it could be lead to crime that we cannot realize. Also people can use fake pictures of themselves and post fake posts in online. So I think we have to make relationships with people in our real life in social media, not the random people that we didn’t met before.
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