Misunderstading about 'netizen'
The concept 'netizen' is very frequently used especially in Korea. Most people, however, use the word just based on their common idea rather than quote the concept accurately. I think people misunderstand this important concept. The Korean word 'nurikun(누리꾼),' which is an equivalent for the 'netizen,' proves that people don't understand the meaning of netizen and don't use the concept properly. Because the word 'nurikun' means 'general internet users' or 'general users on the web.' Does it have something to do with the original meaning of netizen? Absolutely not.
Mrs. and Mr. Hauben had visited Seoul, and they flied back to the U.S. yesterday. I met and talked with them at a coffeeshop near Yonsei University on August 5. Their son, Michael Hauben coined the word netizen. (His work was already quoted several times by Korean researchers, as you know.) Nowadays Mrs. and Mr. Hauben is doing the netizen research after their son. They told me that almost all Korean people identified themselves as the netizens. "Yes, I'm a netizen...!" I agree with them. Netizens are everywhere here in Korea! (How could it be!)
Netizen is not the word that point any casual internet users. "They are people who understand it takes effort and action on each and everyone's part to make the Net a regenerative and vibrant community and resource. Netizens are people who decide to devote time and effort into making the Net, this new part of our world, a better place." (by Michael Hauben, 1995) This is a sophisticated concept. If you have the consciousness of social/political participation and take action, you can be a netizen. If you just enjoy web surfing, it's very hard to say that you are a netizen although you spend great time for the internet.
Still many people including journalists use the word netizen carelessly. Also, 'nurikun' cannot show the original meaning, it's not the equivalent but just a new word. There are interesting cases that actualize the power of netizens in Korea, but because of this, the concept seems to be used excessively. You can find more about the netizen in the book: [Netizens : On the History and Impact of Usenet and the Internet]. You can read the full text here: Netizens: On the History and Impact of the Net.
Mrs. and Mr. Hauben had visited Seoul, and they flied back to the U.S. yesterday. I met and talked with them at a coffeeshop near Yonsei University on August 5. Their son, Michael Hauben coined the word netizen. (His work was already quoted several times by Korean researchers, as you know.) Nowadays Mrs. and Mr. Hauben is doing the netizen research after their son. They told me that almost all Korean people identified themselves as the netizens. "Yes, I'm a netizen...!" I agree with them. Netizens are everywhere here in Korea! (How could it be!)
Netizen is not the word that point any casual internet users. "They are people who understand it takes effort and action on each and everyone's part to make the Net a regenerative and vibrant community and resource. Netizens are people who decide to devote time and effort into making the Net, this new part of our world, a better place." (by Michael Hauben, 1995) This is a sophisticated concept. If you have the consciousness of social/political participation and take action, you can be a netizen. If you just enjoy web surfing, it's very hard to say that you are a netizen although you spend great time for the internet.
Still many people including journalists use the word netizen carelessly. Also, 'nurikun' cannot show the original meaning, it's not the equivalent but just a new word. There are interesting cases that actualize the power of netizens in Korea, but because of this, the concept seems to be used excessively. You can find more about the netizen in the book: [Netizens : On the History and Impact of Usenet and the Internet]. You can read the full text here: Netizens: On the History and Impact of the Net.
* 네티즌을 '누리꾼'이라고 번역한 것에서도 알 수 있듯이, 국내에서는 광범위하고 일반적인 인터넷 사용자를 네티즌이라고 간주하는 듯 싶습니다. 그런데 실제로 네티즌이라는 용어는 참여의식을 가지고 변화를 모색하려는 한정된 집단을 가리키는 뜻. (다른 아시아 국가들에서는 이 용어가 한국만큼 빈번하게 사용되지는 않습니다만.)
3
14
Trackback URI _ http://hypercortex.net/ver2/trackback/4
- 2005/08/10 09:59
2Z over at Hypercortex says they re different : The concept netizen is very frequently used especially in Korea. Most people, however, use the word just based on their common idea rather than quote the concept accurately. I think peop..
- 2005/08/11 11:40
도서출판 한길사 대표 김언호씨가 쓴 출판일기 '책의 탄생'에 등장하는 에피소드다. 월간 여성지 '샘이 깊은 물'에 기고했던 동아투위 동료 이해성씨의 분노를 전해들었다. 우리말을 쓴답시고 '아마추어'를 '풋내기'로 고쳤다는 것이다. 우리말..
누리꾼 vs. 네티즌
from 夢島2005/08/16 12:08On reading the article, I confused the term 'netizen' with a Korean portal. that has faded in terms of popularity. Anyways, something interesting to note.
