What is Digital Queer Activism?
Digital queer activism refers to the online mobilization of individuals who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) around issues related to their identity and social movements. This activism has become increasingly popular in recent years due to the rise of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Reddit, and others. These platforms provide a space for LGBTQIA+ people to connect with each other, share experiences, organize events, raise awareness about important issues, and advocate for change.
Digital queer activism also raises philosophical tensions when it depends on platform visibility algorithms that can be altered or revoked without accountability.
Philosophical Tensions
One philosophical tension emerges when digital queer activism relies on algorithmic decisions made by companies that may have different values than those held by the activists.
If a company's values do not align with the goals of queer activists, then they could potentially censor or restrict access to the content created by these activists. This could lead to an undermining of their efforts and limit their ability to reach wider audiences.
Platform visibility algorithms are often opaque and unaccountable, making it difficult for activists to understand why certain content is being promoted or demoted.
Another philosophical tension is the idea of privacy versus publicity. Queer activists rely heavily on online platforms to amplify their messages, but this can come at the cost of their own personal privacy. When someone posts something on a social media platform, they give up some control over how it is shared and who sees it. Companies may use data from these posts to target advertisements or influence user behavior in ways that the activists did not intend. This could compromise the authenticity of their message and erode trust in the platform.
Algorithmic Bias
A third philosophical tension arises from potential biases in the algorithms used to promote or demote content. Platforms like Facebook and YouTube use complex algorithms to determine what content appears most prominently in users' feeds. These algorithms take into account various factors, including engagement metrics (likes, shares, comments), video duration, hashtags, and topic popularity.
These algorithms may also be subject to human bias, as they are designed and operated by individuals with their own beliefs and experiences.
If an algorithm prioritizes videos about heteronormative relationships over queer relationships, then LGBTQIA+ activism may receive less visibility than other types of content.
Digital queer activism raises important philosophical tensions related to visibility, privacy, and algorithmic bias. It is essential for activists to understand these issues and consider them when planning their strategies. They should work towards building more transparent and accountable relationships with social media companies while still maintaining their autonomy and authenticity.
What philosophical tensions emerge when digital queer activism depends on platform visibility algorithms that can be altered or revoked without accountability?
While there are numerous benefits to using digital platforms for queer activism, there are also some potential drawbacks. One of these is the fact that the algorithms used by these platforms can be altered or revoked without accountability. This creates uncertainty around whether or not content will remain visible and accessible over time. It can also make it difficult for activists to build long-term relationships with their followers.