This book interrogates the downfall of the previously dominant Western news media ecology and the emergence of a series of co-existing, blinkered and self-fulfilling media imaginaries. Digital technologies have fundamentally reshaped our understanding of reality by shattering the mainstream bubble of mass-produced information, leading to a splintering of knowledge and a proliferation of individual, personalised realities. This fragmentation (sharding) has profound consequences for democratic discourse, leading to a hyper-production of truths, where every individual becomes an expert in their own truth-seeking, often fuelled by conspiracy theories and desublimated repression – the unburdened expression of deeply-held prejudices and rage. Donald Trump is the ultimate embodiment of these trends, utilizing obscenity and desublimated repression to achieve political success. Understanding these shifts is crucial for navigating the current political landscape. This book shows how the victory of Trump in both 2016 and 2024 is not a fluke, but rather a symptom of a deep crisis within representative democracy, as the public increasingly seek to counter the limitations of a system that has failed to represent their interests. Sharded Media highlights the erosion of trust, the weaponization of digital platforms, and the rise of insurgent media. Traditional media outlets struggle to adapt while social media platforms, driven by engagement metrics, facilitate the spread of disinformation and amplify extremist voices. The pursuit of truth becomes circular and ineffective when those being fact-checked actively challenge the fact-checkers themselves. Addressing this crisis requires a deeper understanding of the complex interplay of political, cultural, and technological forces that shape our media ecologies.
- ISBN13 9783031847851
- Publish Date 4 May 2025
- Publish Status Forthcoming
- Publish Country CH
- Imprint Palgrave MacMillan
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 90
- Language English