Weaponizing the Digital Influence Machine:" by Ghosh and Scott.
Chapter 19: The Transformation of Value
How does the commodification of digital spaces and personal data in online advertising technologies contribute to the alienation of individuals in modern society?
Lecture Notes
How does the commodification of digital spaces and personal data in online advertising technologies contribute to the alienation of individuals in modern society?
Key Terms
- Digital Dualism: The concept that online and offline are separate and distinct realities. Digital dualism can contribute to a sense of alienation as individuals navigate these different realms.
- Echo Chamber: A situation in which beliefs are amplified or reinforced by communication and repetition inside a closed system, often occurring on digital social platforms. This can contribute to a sense of isolation and detachment from broader society.
- Alienation (
review): A concept in Marxist theory referring to the estrangement of people from aspects of their human nature as a consequence of living in a society stratified into social classes. The term is also used in a broader sense to describe the detachment of individuals from each other and society due to the structures of capitalist economies.
To Read
"Weaponizing the Digital Influence Machine: The Political Perils of Online Ad Tech" by Dipayan Ghosh and Ben Scott.
To Watch
Social Media Victims Lawyer Up with Laura Marquez-Garrett
Social media was humanity’s ‘first contact’ moment with AI. If we’re going to create laws that are strong enough to prevent runaway AI from destroying our societies, we could benefit from taking a look at the major lawsuits against social media platforms that are playing out in our courts right now.
Student Facilitation
Marx's "Capital" Vol 1 - Chapter 19
Student Facilitation Questions
The Impact of Wage Labor on Individual Autonomy: Chapter 19 of "Capital" discusses how the wage-labor system impacts workers' lives. How does this concept parallel the influence of online advertising technologies on individual autonomy and decision-making in the digital space?
Commodification of Personal Data: In "Capital" Chapter 19, Marx talks about the commodification of labor. How can we relate this to the commodification of personal data in the realm of digital advertising? Discuss in the context of Ghosh and Scott's work on the political perils of online ad tech.
Alienation in Digital Spaces: Drawing from Marx's concept of alienation in Chapter 19, how does the manipulation of personal data for targeted advertising contribute to a new form of alienation in digital spaces?
Legal and Ethical Implications of Digital Influence: Considering Marx's analysis of the legal structures supporting capitalist systems in Chapter 19, how do current legal battles against social media platforms (as discussed in the podcast with Laura Marquez-Garrett) highlight the need for new legal frameworks in the digital economy?