Reimagining the Internet 110. Is there hope for democracy in a social media-driven world? Nathan Schneider sees it every day.
Apr 2, 2025
Nathan Schneider, a media studies professor at UC Boulder and author of "Governing Spaces," dives into the disillusionment with social media’s impact on democracy. He reveals how platforms have morphed from neutral forums to polarized battlegrounds. Schneider discusses emerging decentralized alternatives like Mastodon and the need for diverse networks tailored to specific purposes. He emphasizes empowering users against centralized control and the importance of nurturing creativity and responsibility in digital engagement, especially in the global South.
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Social Media Capture
- Billionaires and states have captured social networks, a dystopian outcome for decentralization advocates.
- Alternatives exist but haven't replaced dominant, captured platforms.
Weaponized Platforms, Implicit Feudalism
- Social media platforms, never truly neutral, are now weaponized tools for specific agendas.
- "Implicit feudalism" in online spaces, where admins hold all the power, has seeped into mainstream politics.
User Exodus Destinations
- Some users unplug from social media entirely.
- Others migrate to platforms like Blue Sky, drawn by its familiar user experience reminiscent of early Twitter.