Just a Few Questions

For the readings this week I found myself asking a lot of questions. Which then encouraged me to submit my response today (Sunday) rather than on Monday so ya'll could maybe think about the questions if you felt so inclined. Also I would like more time to think about the questions and perhaps read the articles further and perhaps gain some more insight. Here goes on the questions:

In Reconfigurations of the Public Sphere it states, "Technologies bring together dispersed persons and extend the reach of the public even further" Does this extend the reach of community as well? If so, what are the implications of that?

I realize that this is a question that is asked quite often now because of the extensive use of social networks, but I feel that it is still very important.

Another question, I felt that Reconfigurations of the Public Sphere used "public" as synonymous with "community". Was this the case or was I imagining it? EXAMPLE: "Many publics arise as well from the demands made by long-suppressed and marginalized groups for the rights and responsibilities of political membership, collective sovereignty, or both."

In A Discourse Theory of Citizenship Asen states that "Citizenship on the decline---in voting, campaign volunteering, letter writing, attendance at public meetings, etc." My question is: does this equal a decline in community? And What about this past election when more youth voted than ever before?

Also while reading this particular piece I was beginning to wonder what "community" looks like in other, non-democratic countries?

If, as Asen states, citizenship=performance not possession. I theorize that, if this is true, then citizenship isn't a right, it is not something you are born into--it is something you earn.