Withdraw
Loading…
Small Talk, Big Impact: Overcoming Polarization through Informal Information-Sharing in Third Places
Lanier, Amy
Loading…
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/132972
Description
- Title
- Small Talk, Big Impact: Overcoming Polarization through Informal Information-Sharing in Third Places
- Author(s)
- Lanier, Amy
- Issue Date
- 2026-03-12
- Keyword(s)
- Information grounds
- Proximity
- Third places
- Social ties
- Polarization
- Abstract
- In a divided society, a failure to communicate can lead to social exclusion and mistrust of the Other. This study explored how informal information-sharing in third places can impact communities by fostering social connection and deepening individuals’ sense of belonging within communities. Fisher’s information grounds theory, Granovetter’s theory of the strength of weak ties, and Oldenburg’s concept of third places were applied to explore the information flow in a rural coffee shop located in a small Texas town experiencing rapid urbanization. This research was conducted using autoethnographic case study, and data was obtained through semi-structured interviews and participant observation. The Bonnici and O’Connor proximity model was applied to represent the impact of proximity amid information flowing in many directions. Findings showed that informal information-sharing like chit-chat and gossip yielded important social ties and that the presence of key actors within the information ground drove the information flow to increase social tie strength. The hospitality shown in a common ground environment led to meaningful social connection, even between individuals with starkly opposing perspectives. This research may initiate broader conversations about how common ground atmospheres can be fostered to promote social cohesion, not just locally but across the nation and world.
- Publisher
- iSchools
- Series/Report Name or Number
- iConference 2026 Proceedings
- Type of Resource
- Other
- Genre of Resource
- Conference Poster
- Language
- eng
- Permalink
- https://hdl.handle.net/2142/132972
- Copyright and License Information
- Copyright 2026 is held by Amy Lanier. Copyright permissions, when appropriate, must be obtained directly from the authors.
Owning Collections
iConference 2026 Posters PRIMARY
Posters presented at the 2026 iConference https://www.ischools.org/iconferenceManage Files
Loading…
Edit Collection Membership
Loading…
Edit Metadata
Loading…
Edit Properties
Loading…
Embargoes
Loading…