The far right has moved online, where its voice is more dangerous than ever
The far right has moved online, where its voice is more dangerous than ever
Social media such as X are facilitating the growth of extremism by allowing its figureheads a platform to direct violence
Lol they've always been on the internet, what is this article on about
I'm not so sure about "moved online". These folks heard of the Daily Stormer or not?
Online is where they've been, it's the seat of their power. It's how they branch out into things like Gamergate to make waves in the real world.
I think the point is that the resurgence in far-right violence experienced in the UK this summer is linked to them being allowed back onto major social media platforms, particularly Musk's decision to let Stephen Yaxley-Lennon and co back onto Twitter. The article points out that the far-right in the UK don't operate through a central organisation but instead rely on bombarding easily-influenced segments of the population with daily propaganda and misinformation as a means of radicalising them to take violent actions locally - that strategy depends on far-right figures having access to the mainstream platforms that their target audience can be found on.
I agree that is what the article is attempting to say. I'm not so sure if it is really true or particularly important though, and distracts from the actual problem. I disagree that their strategy relies on having access to mainstream platforms, I think the main purpose of their mainstream access is to try to influence our politics with their propaganda.
I don't think people get radicalized on twitter, they get radicalized on an individual basis at the grassroots level in more intimate communities, after doing their recruiting on a more one-on-one basis in places like niche, decentralized gaming communities.