Oral History of Internet (OHI): An intellectual dialogue with Manuel Castells on academic journeys, social insights and future perspectives

This interview focuses on the academic journey, research achievements, and insights of Manuel Castells across various fields. His academic trajectory spans multiple locations and disciplines. He initially studied economics and law before shifting to sociology. His research on the development of the internet has evolved through three stages: initially, he explored societal transformation driven by technological revolution; subsequently, he analyzed the internet and related enterprises; more recently, he has focused on the political changes brought about by the internet, including social movements, political processes, and the impact of social networks on society. Through his trilogy The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture , he proposed the theory of the network society, arguing that globalization is a network of networks, that power relations within the network society are complex and hierarchical, that power and networks are intertwined, and that identity remains of crucial significance in the network society. In addition, he elaborated on his views regarding issues such as the governance of super network platforms, the application of artificial intelligence in warfare, and the China–U.S. tech rivalry, providing diverse perspectives and theoretical references for research in related fields.