The Phenomenon of Convergence and its Ramifications?
An Introduction to an Open Forum*

Exemplification of this Phenomenon

	An ideal exemplar of this process of convergence is present in current mobile, or cell-phone, technology. Today, we no longer have just a telephone – on our wireless, hand-held devices are a plethora of other uses or functions, e.g., watches, clock alarms, calculators, calendars, address books, personal organizers, cameras, videos, internet connectivity, televisions, etc., etc! This is an example of a form of localized technological convergence. Other devices are being developed along similar lines, e.g., computers, televisions, automobiles, in the building of new homes and even in our current houses (what with a reduced ecological footprint, security connected to the Internet, wireless environments for telephones, Internet connections, etc., etc.). What is the social impact of these devices in their becoming more convergent on both a localized (technological and cultural) level of activity and on a globalized (technological and cultural) level of interaction through the overall impact of their interconnection, e.g., to the Internet, the wider and widening reaches of governmental forms of electronic surveillance; the rapid convergence of different types of media (such as newspapers, e.g., having an Internet version with television-like sequences, the use of the Internet for advertizing, etc.), etc? (1)

	In our examination of this phenomenon let us look to its possible exemplification on both localized and globalized levels of social interaction (through forms of both technological and cultural/intercultural convergent connectivity?)? In this let us use our imaginations to also search for and/or speculate as to what the prospective future holds for a continuation of this type of trend, namely, of hyper-convergence? (2)

CONVERGENT	Technological Orientation 	:      Cultural Orientation
							:
							:
Global Orientation      3.  Globalized Technology	:      4.  Intercultural Globalization
							:
			       (e.g., Internet, media)	:	   (e.g., fast food brands)
………………………………………………………:……………………………………
							:
							:
Local Orientation	1.  Localized Technology	:      2.  Cultural Localization
							:
			       (e.g., mobiles, media)	:	  (e.g., local net communities)
							:

* For latest version of this paper: www.homestead.com/noelshomepage/noelshomepage3.html
Definitions

	Does the phenomenon of convergence exist on both localized and globalized levels of operation? And, if so, what are its ramifications if any? I would like to define convergence on two interactive levels of the local and the global, i.e., as the concurrence and concentration of (meta-textual) genres of activity in the formation of convergent genres of activity on, respectively, both local and global levels of social interaction. On a localized level of activity we have both cultural localization of cultural themes and memes, and, the instantiation of convergent forms of technology. On a more speculative level of the global, we need to ask ourselves does the continuation of this trend in convergence in both technological and intercultural spheres of interest have globalized ramifications for us, and if so, what might those ramifications be? (3)

Some Historical Perspectives?

	In the Modern era a spade was called a ‘spade’ and used as a spade… and more or less as a spade only! We might lean on it or use it in defense to club someone to death who might have been attacking us. Still, spades were rarely called the ‘murder weapon’, or, as a ‘device to lean upon in the midst of our digging’ with that spade. However, a possible defining feature of the Postmodern was a hybridization of genres of activity. E.g., in fiction we have the genre of faction (with a mixing of auto/biography and fiction), historical detective mysteries… in popular cultural television we have interactive reality TV, and, in cyber space continual cams (with or without actors and actresses invoking a number of genres from the diary or log to video-calling and video-conferencing to striptease-like acts of voyeurism, etc.), etc. In my opinion, this Post-Postmodern era of the Contemporary will see out both a convergence of technologies and cultural pratices on a localized level but also processes of convergence on a globalized level. What, then, is the real endpoint in this phenomenon of convergence? Are their limits, or, do we already see the consequences of this footprint of convergence as it stomps its way metaphorically over this thin sphere of activity that constitutes our current phenomenal exhibition of the Life-World?! What are the ramifications of this phenomenon (if we accept it as a phenomenon?)? Indeed, with the super-monopolization of the media what are the ramification for our current democratic political way of life? In the light of this ‘fear’ are we seeing, already, the erosion of personal liberties through a disempowerment of the individual and a re-empowerment of organizations, businesses and the state? In other words, to what extent is ‘our home in the world’, and the extent we might feel ‘at home in the world’, being influenced (and re-evaluated) by this type of phenomenon? (4)

To What Degree is there a Convergence of Convergence?

	Basically, I would like to argue that the Contemporaneous era is already upon us in and through an already initiated process of the convergence itself of these convergent phenomena themselves, both technological and cultural in orientation! On one hand, we have mobiles, and, on the other, we have the ubiquitous spread, e.g., of a fast food culture that is both localized (in the existence of a number of localized venues; some with brand recognition), and, in the fact that many of these that have a degree of brand recognition are already globalized (in the extent of their world-recognition and world-footprint). So do we see a stop or end-point to this trend of mega-convergence or hyper-convergence, or, in an even more extreme form, super convergence, i.e., the continual relentless convergence of all or most convergent forms of both technology and the world of cultural themes and memes? Localized forms of technological convergence are already with us! Is this not also happening in localized forms of cultural/intercultural convergence? Moreover, and contemplated with a high degree of concern, what might those ramifications be should we enter into a period characterized by a high degree of overall global convergence? (5)

What Form Might a Relatively High Degree of Global Convergence Exhibit?

	With the overlapping and possible intersection of the non-virtual with the virtual, hyper-convergence would be expected to display a degree of complexity greater than that envisaged in any form of a Modern-style grand narrative (whether traditional or non-traditional in character)? On the other hand, through the Postmodern critique of grand narratives, in what sort of form would hyper-convergent narratives take? In my opinion, we should expect competing forms of complex global narration. The so-called global ‘War On Terror’ is one such attempt along this avenue of possibility. Although a grand narrative-like commentary created/fabricated by a traditional form of a political center, in my understanding a Contemporaneous form of political dissemination is more nodal, adventitious and localized in orientation and ambition. Moreover, all attempts to create/re-create traditional forms of power-dissemination must founder on the creation of the reactionary formation of alternative networks, such as, e.g., localized communities, net-communities, organizations acting directly and/or indirectly in a subversive-like manner. By such means the hegemony of such Contemporaneous global scenarios is both actively and reactively engendered and deconstructed. So, e.g., we might well call into question the real existence of such an organization called ‘al-Qaida’, still, such an idea (of such an organization alone) can inspire imitative practices and consequences as if such an organization were to actually exist (to the extent envisaged by the propaganda promoted in this so-called ‘War on Terror’). (6)

Conclusion?

	The process of a localized technological convergence is already with us as exemplified in mobiles and the ongoing merging of media such as newspapers, television, the Internet, etc! What actual or possible ramifications should we welcome and/or fear in this regard w.r.t. the private sphere and the public spheres in the life of the individual and their interaction in forms of community? (7)

Can we also argue that there is localized cultural/intercultural process of convergence proceeding as well? That such a process is already occurring in net-communities whether merely through participation in the world of a virtual game or virtual world, or, linked by a communality of religious ideologies, common philosophies, etc., etc? (8)

	Can this type of process of a hyper-convergence proceed effectively to a state of super-convergence, albeit with the qualifications of a nodal de-centering, adventitiousness and other forms of limitation that would be expected to occur on a globalized technological level of activity? In the increasing interconnectivity of the Internet, and the inevitable formation of competing and/or parallel Internets (such as in China, e.g.) will we see an effective degree of convergent convergence or hyper convergence/super convergence on a technological level of globalization? Or only some form of loose fragmentation? (9)

	Similarly, can we expect effective degrees of parallel and/or competing forms of intercultural globalization to coincide to form a real or de facto process of intercultural-global convergence, i.e., a state of super-convergence, or, indeed, a super-convergent (sense of the world as a world) state!? Would the institution of the United Nations and the formation of international treaties and laws, along with an acceleration of this trend, be a positive indication of this type of outcome in that regard, namely, the inevitable formation of a world government (whether de facto or de jure)? (10)

	So, should we worry about these localized processes of technological and inter/cultural convergence? And, furthermore, should we worry, or, rather, worry even more, about processes of a globalized technological and inter/cultural convergence? Is it possible to already see evidence for such a super-trend and possibly foresee how such a trend might manifest itself as a two-edged sword for both good or evil? Or, is it the case that we have enough grounds to already find ourselves in a position where we should be very concerned… and that such a trend should be debated and examined in order to clearly ascertain the nature of this phenomenon, the manner it might appear to have a life of its own, that extent it might be constrained and re-directed, and better appreciated as to the nature of its overall actual and possible social consequences and ramifications?! (11)

	So, to this end let us repair…! (12)

							         Noël Tointon, Sydney, 18.2.07.