online platforms are not only managed in terms of service agreement but also in the functionality of the service that can be provided- in other words managers dictate what rules users must go by and algorithms determine the levels of functionality that a user must abide by, there are actually levels (or layers) of bureaucracy within online platform communities

A reference to conflict theory, a power struggle within online platform communities between the managers and structural designers versus the online platform users

here is a reference to conflict theory, the bureaucracies and the rationalist spirit, the two concepts of the " iron cage" where there is a power struggle between components

points to structural functionalism where various components act as a unified system to maintain stability, that is close to the definition of a bureaucracy, rules are established, there are movements that alter some basics of the bureaucracy but overall change is slow or non-existant and there is a continued trend towards relative stability as the bureaucracy evolves

who is managing these platforms and what management techniques are used to control the flows of information in a digital relationship, in addition how is trust established and lost within online platforms communities

trustor and trustee relationship within the online platform arena. trust in this arena is unique, where parties trust each other "virtually" versus the traditional roles of trust in face to face communications

In ADE, page 218, line 22-23, a very valid and important consideration for all rational choice theorists- explaining how groups and more perplexingly successful groups form from a group of individuals when rational thought places more weight on cost than benefit- why would an individual act out against rational thought. Critics of Rational Choice Theory state that not persons do not always act out of rational thought and emotion impacts their rational thought processes. An example being those who decide to eat undercooked food when rational thinking says not to

evidence of rational thought and the ability to weigh costs from benefits

Per Coleman from ADE, the "free rider" will engage in a cost/benefit analysis to determine their level of engagement in an activity based upon rational thought. The two examples of involvement in environmental efforts and the lack of working classes in the U.S. to act collectively to redistribute wages are great examples. Another example that comes to mind since I am involved is one's decision to join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). There is argument to this day the bay has not in many years made significant improvement and trying to persuade others to join the CBF is linked to "free riders". Those considering joining the CBF weight the benefits of joining versus the monetary costs (membership dues) and ultimately determine if they will join or not based upon what they will receive versus what it will cost in terms of time, money, etc.

As Pryor writes there are various sociological theories that apply to the production of capital and the triangle diagram works well as a representation. The Rational Choice theorist would examine the diagram and view individual choices taking place at each level to determine the greater effect(s) on the generation of human capital but this diagram functions most appropriately to diagram Symbolic Interactionism and show how individual components function as a group to generate in this case the phenomena of human capital

In reflection of the video it is important to mention that critics of Rational Choice Theory would say that not all persons engage in rational thought and additionally persuasions brought about by factors other than individual choice may affect decisions such as social pressures.

Mirroring much of Rucha's comments Coleman discusses trust as a means of a decision making process based upon evaluation of others' judgment and performance. Placing trust in someone is part of the process of maximizing personal gain by placing trust in another. Important to note per ADE and Coleman's examination of trust, that rewards for trust are not equally distributed but rather according to social dynamics such as sex, gender, and class to name a few. The topic of trust includes two key players, the trustor and trustee. The trustor would be placing trust in another while the trustee is the person acting as confidant or trusted person. ADE cites the example of Julia and Malika, whom are involved in a financial situation of trust. Another example appropriate for studying digital sociology would be the level of trust established between purchasers (trustors) and sellers (trustees) in a digital exchange of information online.

Exchange theory can be thought of as the application of rational choice theory based upon the various levels of social interaction, involving a cost/benefit analysis and involving or weighing the socially approvable behavior or socially unapprovable behavior while seeking to maiximize profits

In addition it is important to mention from reading ADE a basic principle of Homan's that individual choices that result in action(s) are occur along the continuum of rationality and individual to collectiveness so to better understand Rational Choice Theory it includes individual choice based upon rewards and costs and the choices one makes occur as a result of a level of rational thinking and individual or collective choice.

Sociological theory suggests that the trend towards expensive weddings will continue because

• conflict theorists would argue that there has always been the case of the have and have nots and when applied to extravagant weddings there will continue to be those with the means to "show off" their wealth while those with less means may be disenfranchised from affording to marry -Structural functionalists explain the recurrence of extravagant weddings by explaining how they are serving a function is society that is being reinforced through repetition of occurrence -Symbolic interactionists will argue that the trend of greater frequency of extravagant weddings will occur because social media and other media outlets as well as cultural expectations, marketing practices, etc. will shape the meanings that individuals place on what a wedding should "be"

This statement regarding social media's influence on weddings made me think to Murthy's article on theorizing Twitter. Although different in scope, social media has had a profound influence on people's individual decisions and changed the way individuals, groups, and organizations communicate. Relating social media to the influence of people's wedding decisions it can be related to both structural functionalism and symbolic interactionism. Structural functionalism because any phenomena that reaches millions to billions of users is going to have a large impact on how societies function and social media has a great influence on how people perform individual actions/communication as well.

Again a statement about what a wedding should "be" which relates to both structural functional theory and symbolic interactionism. What a wedding should be can be related to the expectations and functions that it serves for society but may also be related to individuals thoughts and feelings on what a wedding should be to them and to others who help shape and make their decisions

a key term included in this statement that points directly to symbolic interactionism is "believe". There is a belief for some that a wedding should meet certain standards, either portrayed by media, or from family and friends' expectations or from differing expectations between spouses. The focus on the meaning that people place on weddings is most closely tied to symbolic interactionism.

In reading this line it caused me to ask "How do individuals view weddings and what meaning do they have for the individuals and perceived impact on those around them?" I found my thoughts leaning towards the theory of symbolic interactionism.

These statements point towards structural functionalism, and the role that those involved in extravagant weddings play and how they help maintain societies stability. Loss of jobs, the closing of businesses, etc. point towards the role extravagant weddings have played in being part of a stable society. By reducing the frequency of expensive weddings it could have a significant impact on the stability and functioning of society.

This question can be related to both structural functionalism and conflict theory. At face value it does call into question how the role of weddings would shift in society but it also causes the reader to question the impact it would have on classes. If trends shifted away from extravagant weddings and more diy weddings and cost efficient weddings were available the higher the volume of those who could not afford to be married would increase. Although perhaps only minimally, the gap between the have and have not's would shrink which applies to conflict theory and the struggle between classes for resources.

This statement points to the role that extravagant weddings play in serving as an important function in society. In the subsequent statements the article mentions the importance of extravagant weddings in terms of economic stability. Extravagant weddings to provide a significant role in society in terms of economic stability but functionalism also includes how societies make adjustments as changes in society occur to return to a relatively stable state. If extravagant weddings were greatly reduced the impacts would eventually be redistributed over time.

Another statement that supports conflict theory, showing the discrepancy between those who can afford to wed and those who cannot.

This statement clearly demonstrates how weddings are trending more so towards a class based privilege, where wealthy and middle class persons can wed while those in lower middle classes and below cannot afford to wed. This statement reaffirms the basis of conflict theory, that there is competition for resources and those with access to the resources will continue to enjoy the luxuries of such while those with less will continue to not have access.

This statement most closely relates to structural functionalism, clearly describing that some people who wed have ideas that their wedding should "be" or serve a purpose or function outside of the traditional definition of what a wedding means.

Question and following statement relate most closely to conflict theory. Those not able to afford extravagant weddings are oftentimes disenfranchised even further as extravagant weddings become more prevalent, either by wealthier couples or those willing to borrow and incur debt/finance their wedding. If the trend is for weddings to increase in cost and cause some to follow suit and borrow money then those certainly incapable of affording weddings will be even more disenfranchised.

True that companies and services associated with the various components of wedding services (photographers, cake makers, event supply companies, jewelers, florists, etc.) benefit greatly from expensive weddings, but who else? When affluent families join together through marriage oftentimes families benefit, strengthening the influence of the affluent families. Returning to the wedding services and product providers that benefit, oftentimes very extravagant weddings are hosted by well known companies which eliminated competition from other smaller companies (conflict theory).

Video shows a wedding of a seemingly upper class couple with apparent affluence. The video most closely relates to the Conflict Theory, this couple is portrayed having a well above average wedding enjoyed by few. The video shows no mention of the greater meaning of weddings to portions of family or society although there is clear focus of how the wedding is a special bond between the bride and groom so symbolic interactionism can be related to the video as well.

"more important in our society" reinforces the sociological tradition of structural functionalism. This statement supports the idea that weddings are not just two individuals interested in each others lives but that the wedding of two persons has a greater meaning for family, community, and society

Comments made regarding the 1942 letter lean towards wedding occurrences in the past functioning more as important individual ceremonies with deep meaning (symbolic interactionism) versus events that were used to distinguish classes (conflict theory) or support the role of weddings as larger events to strengthen functions within society (structural functionalism).

Throughout history, in numerous cultures, there has been distinct class differences where affluence describes a few while the majority has had to "make do". In our current society this is still the case. The few wealthy can have extravagant weddings like the video shares while many have to implement DIY weddings or take the "cheap" route.

This statement may include two unrelated variables that can be examined individually. Exorbitantly priced weddings can be compared to low cost weddings and may influence some people's decisions to wed but the topic of the importance of marriage extends well beyond the argument that wedding costs prevent some people from getting married.

When examining how sociological theories apply to weddings, most especially in terms of the prevalence of expensive weddings it is important to understand that there are vastly different cultural segments in the U.S. and this increases daily. To make the blanket statement "in our culture" can be misleading