Digital Enclosure

"Digital enclosure - the creation of an interactive realm wherein every action and transaction generates information about itself" (2).

This idea that Mark Andrejevic (Mr. A) introduces is used to describe the path that every digital "move" takes. Mr. A tries to explain that even though one may see this definition and try to imply physical space, the concept also applies to virtual space, like the internet. An example of how this works is when we purchase things online we leave detailed records of our information which then transfers over to search databases. Another example is the "clickstreams" that are responsible for us getting to the location we have ended up at on the internet.

Although the virtual space is a big part to the concept of Digital enclosure, it is not the whole meaning. Mr. A uses the term enclosure not only to invoke the notion of space, but also to highlight the process of enclosure, whereby places and activities become encompassed by the monitoring embrace of an interactive (virtual) space (2). The enclosure may occur when we buy items online, our information may be sold to third parties or used by marketers for targeted advertising campaigns.

I think this term is interesting because i have always found it odd whenever i buy items online they ask some strange, unnecessary questions which could be a part of movement because it adds information to the internets total database in the end. The idea of clickstreams is also interesting because there are many time where i will be just browsing the internet and next thing i know im looking at something im very interested in purchasing. How i got to this point, i do not know, but it must have something to do with planned out advertisements by certain web sites.