In this podcast, Nina Knauf and Jessie Glander discuss “Social Media Abyss: Critical Internet Cultures and the Force of Negation” by Geert Lovink, a book chosen for a shared class at Wayne State University. Social Media Abyss was published in 2016 during the peak in public questioning about data privacy and social media, and Lovink touches on many internet culture topics.
Glander points out that Lovink does a great job of highlighting the realities of social media today. One of the key strengths of this book is that Lovink’s arguments are well informed and have maintained relevance. His chapter seven quote demonstrates this best, “Bitcoin believers want an alternative, disseminated form of trust, shared and borne by all the individuals involved, without ‘political’ interference.” Knauf argues that this sentiment is seen in the rise in popularity of online trading and investing apps.
This quick conversation with Knauf and Glander takes a deep dive into the most timely and memorable ideas offered in Social Media Abyss and questions how this book is applicable in today’s social media landscape.
Find out more about the author of Social Media Abyss, Geert Lovink, by visiting the Institute of Network Cultures.
Nina Knauf 