Introduction

Topics

Keep these questions in mind while reading this week’s assignments:

What do we want/expect out of an online platform?
How are online platforms related to information access/dissemination?
How are online platforms political? In what ways do they resemble democracies/autocracies?
What should online platforms do about conflict? When is it contrary to collaboration?

Please read/watch the following:

Henry Farrell and Bruce Schneier. “Democracy’s Dilemma.” Boston Review. [Link]
Facebook. “Mark Zuckerberg Stands for Voice and Free Expression.” [Link]

Complete the following task:

Find an online platform you are familiar with and read their ‘community guidelines’. Try to stick to a platform with a well-defined purpose. (Bonus points for an atypical platform!).

Answer the following questions on Canvas:

Misinformation and misdirection have long existed in democratic debate. In what ways does the internet (and online platforms) make this a more difficult problem to deal with?
What are examples of conflict and collaboration on facebook that fit in Zuckerberg’s vision of the platform? What behaviors go against his vision for the platform? Is it always possible distinguish between these? Is it even a well-defined distinction?
What is the goal or vision of the platform that you chose in the task and how is that vision reflected in the guidelines? What might be a definition of collaboration on this platform? In what ways do the guidelines encourage this collaboration?