Trolling ourselves to death : democracy in the age of social media / Jason Hannan.
| Author/creator | Hannan, Jason, 1976- author. |
| Format | Book |
| Publication | New York, NY : Oxford University Press, [2023] |
| Description | x, 167 pages ; 24 cm. |
| Subjects |
| Portion of title | Democracy in the age of social media |
| Series | Oxford studies in digital politics Oxford studies in digital politics. ^A1031253 |
| Contents | Technology -- Disenlightenment -- Unreason -- Shame -- Conspiracy -- Trust. |
| Abstract | "We commonly think of trolls as anonymous online pranksters who hide behind clever avatars and screen names. Trolling Ourselves to Death reveals how the trolls have emerged from the cave and now walk in the clear light of day. Once limited to the darker corners of the internet, trolls have since gone mainstream, invading our politics and eroding our civic culture. Trolls are changing the norms of democratic politics and shaping how we communicate in the public sphere. Adding a twist to Neil Postman's classic thesis, this book argues that we are not so much amusing as trolling ourselves to death. But how did this come to be? Is this transformation attributable solely to digital technology? Or are there deeper political, economic, and cultural roots? This book moves beyond the familiar picture of trolls by recasting trolling in a broader historical light. It shows how trolling is the logical expression of widespread alienation, cynicism, and paranoia deeply rooted in a culture of possessive individualism. Drawing from Postman, Alasdair MacIntyre, Karl Marx, and Hannah Arendt, this book explores the disturbing rise of political unreason in the form of mass trolling. It explains the proliferation of disinformation, conspiracy theory, "cancel culture," and public shaming. Taking inspiration from G. F. W. Hegel, Paulo Freire, and bell hooks, this book makes a case for building a spirit of trust to counter the culture of mass distrust that feeds the epidemic of political trolling"-- Provided by publisher. |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (pages 131-158) and index. |
| Issued in other form | Online version: Hannan, Jason, 1976- Trolling ourselves to death New York, NY : Oxford University Press, [2024] 9780197557792 |
| LCCN | 2023040389 |
| ISBN | 9780197557761 hardcover |
| ISBN | 0197557767 hardcover |
| ISBN | 9780197557778 paperback |
| ISBN | 0197557775 paperback |
| ISBN | electronic book |
| ISBN | electronic book |
| ISBN | electronic book |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joyner | General Stacks | JA85 .H3655 2023 | ✔ Available | Place Hold |