Final answer:
The digital and the biological merge when technology becomes an integral part of our social interactions and behaviors, leading to changes in how we communicate and perceive ourselves. This process is influenced by natural selection and the dynamics of online communication, which affect social homogenization and fragmentation.
Step-by-step explanation:
From a social evolutionary perspective, the digital and biological are merged when technologies become integral to our interactions and behaviors, effectively acting as extensions of our biological selves. Humans have evolved to have both biological and social features that adapt to a variety of environments, producing diverse cultures. The enduring understanding that transmission of information results in changes within and between biological systems is fundamental to this concept.
Today's technologies, like smart devices, are interactive, learning from users and facilitating communication in a way that mirrors how we connect with friends and family. This integration of technology redefines the way we interact, communicate, and understand ourselves within our environment. These changes can lead to both social homogenization and social fragmentation as we navigate these modern methods of interaction.
In this digital age, our reliance on technology impacts the theory of natural selection, considering factors such as gene flow, genetic drift, and mutation. Moreover, as we shift towards online communication, symbolic interactionism becomes particularly relevant in understanding the ways we deal with conflict, perceive social status, and construct meaning in our everyday lives.