Whitney Phillips, a professor of information politics and media ethics at the University of Oregon, detailed the recent deterioration of online environments during a recent appearance on the 404 Media podcast.
Phillips, the author of 'The Ambivalent Internet,' analyzed how platform dynamics and internet culture have shifted toward more hostile landscapes. The discussion focused on the correlation between the decline of digital civil discourse and the worsening political landscape.
The rise of digital demonology
During the interview, Phillips addressed her upcoming book, 'The Shadow Gospel: How Anti-liberal Demonology Possessed U.S. Religion, Media, and Politics.' The work explores the intersection of religious influence and political media structures.
Host Emanuel Maiberg noted that the conversation serves to understand the current state of the internet after years of significant, negative changes in platform behavior. The discussion highlighted how the evolution of social media structures has contributed to a more volatile digital ecosystem.
Phillips' previous research, including 'This is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things,' has documented the mechanics of internet culture and the ethics of online interaction.
