It is accepted that social media exacerbates social divides. The profit models of platforms like Facebook and Twitter are designed to maximise I-it relations. They embolden various forms of harassment and manipulation while impeding trust and reflection. As a humanist approach, dialogue as envisaged by Martin Buber is a means of relationship-building. Beyond its goal of consensus, it offers a path toward the appreciation of subjective interiorities outside one’s own. This in turn facilitates openness from previously held convictions. In the context of social media, Buberian dialogue promises to enrich the realm of online diplomacy and participatory democracy. This session will explore its role and potential applications in this realm.
Author: Institute of Languages, Cultures & Societies
Speaker(s): Marcus Hallside; Federico Filauri (moderation); additional discussants: Paul Mendes-Flohr; Vic Seidler; Johan Siebers; Claudia Welz
Organisations: Institute of Languages, Cultures & Societies
Event date: Monday, 20 June 2022 - 4:00pm