The Ministry of Truth: BigTech's Influence on Facts, Feelings and Fictions

The Ministry of Truth scrutinizes the information market in the era of the attention economy, calling on citizens, public educators, and politicians to action in averting the role of BigTech in critical infrastructure. The authors reveal how social platforms control facts, feelings, and narratives to such a degree that they are the de facto arbiters of truth. They suggest hope for a more democratic internet through a systematic analysis of the largest players of the information age, aiming to amplify human agency for a robust deliberative democracy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 199 pages
Publication date: 07 June 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

In the era of the attention economy, the Ministry of Truth takes a critical look at the information market, urging citizens, public educators, and politicians to take action to prevent the dominance of BigTech in critical infrastructure. Through phenomena such as influencers, 'fake news,' and COVID-19 conspiracies, the authors expose how social platforms exert such immense control over facts, feelings, and narratives that they have become de facto arbiters of truth. BigTech not only dominates the information infrastructure but also shapes our attention, determining what we focus on.

The authors offer a glimmer of hope for a more democratic internet through their systematic analysis of the largest players in the information age. Their goal is to amplify human agency for a robust deliberative democracy, not just a version 2.0 but a lasting version that has staying power. This book appeals to both the general interest reader and professionals who are dedicated to mobilizing responsible technological development.

Vincent F. Hendricks is a Professor of Formal Philosophy at The University of Copenhagen and the Director of the Center for Information and Bubble Studies (CIBS), which is funded by the Carlsberg Foundation. Camilla Mehlsen is a Digital Media Expert and Spokesperson for the Danish child organization Childrens Welfare. She is the author of several books on digital literacy and her work on digital media has been published in various newspapers and magazines.

Weight: 256g
Dimension: 126 x 203 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030986285
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022