eBay has single-handedly changed the way the world shops for goods, every kind of item, no matter how rare, is just a mouse click away. People no longer have to search long and hard for an incredible discount or an extraordinary antique, it is all there for you to find in the eBay community. It is a website with millions of members; composed of buyers and sellers who interact on various blogs, stores, groups, and chats that enable them to become one interconnected group of people. Numerous norms have developed with regard how to behave on this site. People’s desire to fit in and be accepted to this group and avoid punishment and ridicule ensures that people will conform to these established norms. Of particular interest are the buying and selling norms that exist, for all purchases are made on the basis of trust. Sellers must trust that the people buying their goods will actually pay them in a timely and efficient manner and buyers must trust that they are purchasing the authentic goods that sellers post.
In order for these norms to be followed, there must be some sort of regulation to ensure adherence to the “laws” of eBay. People are willing to conform to social conventions and adhere to laws that restrict our behaviors in order to ensure that “we live in a predictable and safe world, interacting peaceably and fairly with other humans” (Wallace 69). Thomas Hobbes proposed the concept of the Leviathan, an amorphous being to whom we defer to decide what behaviors are acceptable. MacKinnon argues that even though there is little internet regulation, a Leviathan still exists “because we want the Internet to flourish and sense it will not unless we build framework of trust and establish means to ensure compliance with, at least the very least, netiquette” (Wallace 69).
The “framework of trust” is built off of eBay’s own Leviathan, user feedback. This mechanism ensures that users will conduct a fair and honest trade and will build peoples trust in the system. Once a transaction is made, the user is typically asked to leave feedback about the seller (if the item shipped, was in good condition etc) and about the buyer (if paid immediately) and as a result, a person develops their identity on eBay based on their feedback score. A star and a number next to a person’s username, which is displayed to entire community, represent the score, which reflects all of their previous transactions. This feedback mechanism ensures that people will behave according to the group norms, since people with higher scores are looked more favorably upon and usually get more business. As stated above, it is human nature to want to be accepted by a group and avoid shame and ridicule; this situation is no different.
EBay also ensures that people understand the rules of buying and selling by making them read and agree to the user agreement before a person can become a member of the eBay community. In a sense, it is the “sign at the door” that teach the users how to behave appropriately and understand the social norms that are expected of them. For example it reminds users that they should pay on time for a good they purchased and to not post false or defamatory information. If these norms are violated, there are still mechanisms to ensure that a person will be penalized. For example, if a person lies about an item and conveys misleading and inaccurate information, when the buyer receives this item that they were misled about, the seller will in turn receive a negative feedback, lowering their score. Clearly there are reproaches for violating the eBay norms and the negative feedbacks acts as the arched eyebrow. The Leviathan keeps people acting in accordance with the norms set by the group and guarantees that there will be repercussions for those who stray from these norms.
6 comments:
eBay is a unique space online- and people who join are hoping to reap tangible benefits (getting the cash or getting the goods). This was an excellent choice for this assignment!
My brother has been using eBay for quite some time, and it hasn't always had such a strict Leviathan. If I remember correctly, users didn't actually have to give all that much information- but now, eBay requires that you fill in your full name, address, etc. This is quite another form of the Leviathan because eBay knows who you are and it's harder to escape its power to obey the rules. I really like how you relate the user agreement to the sign on the door becuase this is a perfect example of what Wallace meant.
I htink the reason people obeys these norms, beyond the reason of wanting to be accepted, is that they want to have future use of eBay with a "clean slate" so to speak. In other words, they don't want their eBay reputations tarnished, therefore following the norms not only allows them to ramina a part of the group but enables them to be a "good member of society."
Great post!
eBay is a really great example of an online space where a Leviathan certainly exists. In addition to being a great place to look for any item you could possibly be in need of, eBay is a perfect example of an online community whose success is completely based on the willingness of its users to follow a general set of rules and norms. In an era where counterfeit merchandise is readily produced and available, it is important that spaces such as eBay do what they can to control the dissemination of bogus goods. And because internet identity theft is also a huge problem on sites such as eBay, it is good that both buyers and sellers are publicly rated on their eBay activity. It seems that eBay’s Leviathan is the site’s creators, for they have put a number of mechanisms into effect to help users feel that they are buying and selling in a trustworthy online space.
Good job!
Ebay is definitely a driving force in the online shopping that is talking over the commercial department stores. The selection and pricing on Ebay is pretty much unmatchable in any other site or location. It has such an attraction because any person could sell any little item they choose. I can put a picture up of this chair that I am sitting on and get bids for it because somewhere out in the world someone is looking for a chair. I agree with you 100% in that the feedback users leave for each other is the Ebay leviathan. The comments users leave on each others page builds their reputation and determines their future success on Ebay. People will want to build that good reputation and so will conform to the norms of Ebay (speedy payment, good communication, shipping good prices etc.). Also giving them the user agreement when opening an account lets new users know there are rules and regulations to follow from the start.
Hey Marisa, great post! I almost discussed ebay myself with regards to a Leviathan in an online space, and I completely agree with your analysis of the ebay Leviathan and the way it enacts the "sign on the door" method of establishing the rules from the start so everyone knows what is expected of them as members of this online community. It seems that with ebay, everyone is aware of the rating system and feedback process from the start, which reduces the need for reproach options, simply because it is a preventative process. Not only do you go into the ebay experience knowing that you cannot cheat anyone out anything because the entire ebay community will be able to see this when they look at your rating section, but it also gives you the security of knowing that everyone else is held to the same standards, which definitely gives ebay a more secure feel. I think an important part of the ebay Leviathan is also the fact that while the creators of ebay established a fairly official Leviathan on the site, all of the members of ebay must work to enforce this Leviathan on the other members by putting in the effort to give specific feedback on their transactions as a means of maintaining a fair system for everyone involved, not just for themselves. Great discussion of the topic and application of the theories!
Marissa, eBay certainly is a great example of a source where a Leviathan exists, and I should know because I was actually kicked off eBay as a child. I started bidding on certain things I really could not get, and I received tons of negative feedback and my account was therefore inactivated. eBay is a dominant force in online shopping, so maintaining order via the Leviathan is crucial for its survival. For the most part, I think that their form of Leviathan is effective. I agree with you that sellers with higher ratings clearly have an advantage over ones with lower ratings because buyers will place more trust in them, and therefore will be wiling to place higher bids on a certain item. Unfortunately, I had to learn the hard way that a true Leviathan exists on eBay, and I am glad you went into detail because it showed me some steps that could have been taken before I was completely banished from the site. What a shame.
Hey, wow lots of comments. The topic you picked is really a great example of an online leviathan. I have had some experience with eBay, and the leviathan is really strong. People really feel pressure and must conform to the norms of eBay or accept failure. The success of a seller is directly correlated to his feedback, which is the leviathan. Therefore, it’s a perfect system. No wonder why it has been such a huge success. Out of curiosity and only limited eBay experience, is a seller allowed to look at a buyer’s feedback and determine that s/he doesn’t want to sell to him? This would only strengthen the leviathan by adding another dimension. Interestingly, in addition to the leviathan being enforced by the eBay community, there is also administrative influence. eBay really takes full advantage of the powers of the Leviathan, and it clearly shows in the company’s success.
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