Grounded in face negotiation theory and integrated with uses and gratifications theory and the technology acceptance model, this study explores how social face influences utilitarian and hedonic smartphone use in China. The findings of a survey of 725 smartphone users reveal that face gain positively predicts hedonic smartphone use and exerts a stronger influence on hedonic use than on utilitarian use. While face-loss avoidance did not directly predict utilitarian use, it positively moderates the effect of perceived usefulness on utilitarian smartphone use. These results confirm the dual-mechanism nature of the paradox of belonging and distinction: whereas face gain acts as an explicit engine for social distinction through hedonic play, face-loss avoidance functions as a defensive anchor that reinforces utility to ensure social inclusion in a collectivistic cultural context.
This interview outlines the multi-decade career of Professor Daniel Raichvarg, a leading figure in France’s Information and Communication Sciences whose unique academic trajectory mirrors the historical evolution of the discipline within France. Conducted during his visit to Hangzhou and Shanghai, the interview explores Raichvarg’s border-crossing identity as both an astute researcher and a dedicated theatrical performer. Seamlessly bridging the humanities and natural sciences, his journey began as a biology teacher in the 1970s before transitioning into a representative scholar of science communication. In this dialogue, Raichvarg exhibits a distinctive cross-disciplinary and cross-boundary nature: his dramatic practice and his research on “theater of science” and science communication are mutually reinforcing and complement each other. The discussion illuminates how this hybrid identity not only offers deep intellectual inspiration for his scholarly inquiries but also actively facilitates the practical, real-world translation of his research. Furthermore, Raichvarg emphasizes that contemporary science communication must balance theoretical rigor with practical application through a consistent multidisciplinary mindset. Introducing several of his ongoing public intervention projects, such as the award-winning “Experimentarium,” and the global “Ferments Road Initiatives,” he illustrates his vision for “communication and the public.”
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.
