The blessings and burdens of communication: cell phones in Jamaican transnational social fields

Abstract

While increasing attention has been given to the role of the Internet and transnational cultural flows (Appadurai 1996), only recently have we turned our thoughts to how often ubiquitous new communication technologies are utilized within transnational social fields (Mahler 2001;Richman 2005). In an article that traces the rise in global phonecard usage, Steven Vertovec (2004) highlights the significant role that mundane objects like phonecards have played over the last decade, particularly in the lives of non-elite transnational migrants. While noting that the use of phonecards has started to decline in North America, he suggests that 'a broadening of the global telephone network -especially driven by wireless technologies surrounding both telephone and Internet services -is continuing apace' in developing countries where telecommunications infrastructure has traditionally remained uneven (Vertovec 2004: 223). Jamaica is one such country.

Information seeking, technology use, and vulnerability among migrants at the United States–Mexico border

“…Another relevant concept that has received attention in the literature is that of transnational social fields, defined as "a set of multiple interlocking networks of social relationships through which ideas, practices, and resources are unequally exchanged, organized, and transformed" and that transcend nation-state boundaries (Levitt and Schiller 2004; see also Horst 2006). This theory will inform the way we approach understanding the complex networks that provide information to potential migrants prior to their decision to migrate to the United States.…”

“…Panagakos and Horst (2006) specifically state that "more attention needs to be directed to the variety of ICTs utilized in transnational social spheres and towards understanding the implications of these increasingly mediated relationships" (111). Researchers have conducted studies to determine the "scope of transnational practices among particular immigrant populations" (Levitt andSchiller 2004, 1004; see also Wilding 2006;Benitez 2006;Horst 2006;Portes, Guarnizo, and Haller 2002;Guarnizo, Portes, and Haller 2003;Itzigsohn and Saucedo 2002). However, a very limited amount of research has examined the use of ICTs by migrants prior to or during migration-for example, to understand the type and amount of information potential migrants seek and gather about the migration experience, what sources they turn to for this information, and how they understand the risks involved in crossing into the United States.…”

Network analysis of metaphors in immigrants' accounts of techno-science: A theoretical-methodological proposal.

“…Horst (2006) muestra cómo el aumento de las comunicaciones internacionales entre migrantes y sus familias y amigos en el país de origen permite una evaluación más realista de las condiciones y requisitos necesarios para emigrar. En mi propia experiencia como emigrante en varias ocasiones, he visto cómo el desarrollo y accesibilidad de las comunicaciones electrónicas permite el estar lejos físicamente, pero cerca, emocionalmente de las personas que están en el lugar de origen.…”

Awareness, Transience and Temporality: Design Opportunities from Rah Island

“…We have seen a variety of reports and publications that account for the ways old forms of socialization and power are challenged, opening up for radically new forms of engagement, which are still developing and taking different shapes. Studies from places as distant as Sweden [1,2], the Philippines [3], Japan [4], Jamaica [5] or Israel [6] among others, despite providing us with rich and diverse pictures, also point to similar, emerging behaviors, some of which we will follow up on in this work. One such aspect that has been suggested early on was that mobile phones would allow for more private communication, since it was thought of as a personal device, rather than, for instance, a device going into people's homes or workplaces [7,8].…”