Social media and the commodification of the self: Doom-scrolling, narcissism and propaganda

10:00am Saturday 17 August

About this session

Social media surrounds us. Chances are you got a notification or two while reading this. Social media companies, and their psychopathic billionaire owners, make billions off keeping us addicted so they can sell our data to advertisers. On one hand, we’re told the internet is liberating- now you can make it in the world by becoming an influencer. On the other, almost every social ill is now ascribed by the media and politicians in some way to social media.

What does the dominance of social media say about our modern capitalist society? What are the impacts of algorithms on political consciousness and identity? What are the prospects for dissent and revolution under the watchful eye of surveillance capitalism? This session will provide a Marxist analysis of the many dynamics of social media relevant to activists and those attempting to change the world.

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