I think the fact that the fascist movement about to destroy the most powerful country on earth is almost entirely grown out of a handful of tiny, creepy Internet forums for ultra-racists suggests that the exchange of ideas has an effect on the world, even when it happens online

DFzlinger.bsky.socialOct 6, 2024 8:21pm

there’s no game plan. posting doesn’t matter. you have no material effect on the world. you are a witness, a spectator, a subject in the classical sense. the spectacle has already recuperated whatever energy you wish to inject into the situation for its own ends. there are no tactics.

That's true, but you're not gonna change that by posting on Stormfront, just like you weren't gonna stop Naziism by going on Father Coughlin's radio show.

the reason people disagree with you on this is because they've all seen first hand how posting has actually been powerless to stop the rise of fascism, and "ideas affect the world" is not a response which meaningfully acknowledges the actual political reality we're facing.

I hate having been so plugged into political conversations online since the 1990s, as it meant everything leading up to today was so obviously going to happen.

Twitter famously aided Trump's rise to power, and more engagement only fed him. Even (especially) people mad at him. In an alternate universe where Twitter wasn't so powerful, I don't think Trump wins the 2016 R nomination, and fascism becomes significantly less mainstreamed.Twitter famously aided Trump's rise to power, and more engagement only fed him. Even (especially) people mad at him. In an alternate universe where Twitter wasn't so powerful, I don't think Trump wins the 2016 R nomination, and fascism becomes significantly less mainstreamed.

When I consider it, Nazis took advantage of and exploited social media and internet forums for their political agendas to spread hate and created well established movements online decades ago, and when pushed into the darkest corners of the web, festered, grew, and spread outward via infiltration.

Wait, we shouldn't leave Twitter for Bluesky because it's too small, but tiny, creepy internet forums changed the world?

It's a good idea for a handful of folks to monitor *chan, Stormfront, random fash Discord channels and even X and Truth Social, but there's no need to provide them with chew-toys.

Oh hey someone read DeBord. That’s neat.

Well the fascists tend to have the backing of billionaires like Peter Thiel and Koch. So it’s not really the same now is it?

i agree man, certainly had an effect on your campaign