Rural Social Transformation Under The Intermediary Of Mobile Internet

As the traditional communication research paradigm shows its limitations in the ever-changing technological development and the multiplex man-machine interactive communication,the value of media and technology research has been re-examined,and the interactive relationship among media,human and society has become an important context of communication research.In recent years,we cannot ignore the shaping effect of the Internet on the rural society.Mobile technology extends to every corner of the rural society like a blood vessel,building a brand new rural social life.In this study,two qualitative research methods of in-depth interview and participatory observation were adopted,and the rural society of Bainiu Village was taken as a case study,trying to analyze the core issue of "What kind of rural society has been reshapes by mobile Internet" from the perspective of Silverstone’s theory of "intermediation".Through in-depth investigation of e-commerce families,homestay families and interviews with different villagers,this study sorted out the characteristics of different cases,and explored the rural social reform under the intermediary of mobile Internet.It is found that mobile Internet has become an important participant and constructor of rural social life in Bainiu Village.Through the participation and embedding of social life scenes in Bainiu Village,mobile Internet has reshaped rural infrastructure,social space,interpersonal communication and family structure to a certain extent.Specifically,the infrastructure is advanced and intelligent,and the efficient and fast way of production and life in urban life are brought into Bainiu Village.The backward society of Bainiu Village takes on a new look.Social space is fluid,the solid space scope and boundary are subverted under the intermediary of mobile Internet,and the spatial perception of people in rural society is reshaped.The boundary of interpersonal communication is broken,and individual characteristics are enhanced.On the one hand,the social space constructed by the network consolidates the strong relationship in the village and promotes the establishment of new relationship.On the other hand,the characteristics of individual communication mixed with the individual demands and purposes of the communicators are further strengthened.The traditional rural society is undergoing a transition from acquaintance society to atomized society.The family relationship structure is free and equal.The family production and sales model dominated by network technology subverts the traditional family structure.The power of the fathers sinks,the status of women rises,and the affirmative family structure gradually leverages the power center of the traditional rural family.Under the shape of mobile Internet,a pluralistic,flowing and mixed "post-rural" rural characteristics are quietly growing.