The science fiction author Neal Stephenson coined the term "Facebooked" to describe post-industrial societies that have their traditional media outlets destroyed by digital platforms.
Because the algorithms curating the platforms optimise for virility and engagement rather than objectivity or truth, they degrade our public sphere and consensus reality - a shared, baseline agreement about what's happening in the nation, and why - breaks down. Normal politics becomes impossible.
We got Facebooked good and hard during the pandemic, with the rise of the anti-vax movement and the occupation of Parliament grounds, but normal life resumed after the lockdowns when everyone logged off and went back to work. The nation returned to its traditional media habits: scanning the headlines on a news website while waiting for Netflix to load, or half-listening to a radio bulletin while ironing a shirt.
But as the lights go out in newsrooms around the country, the paranoia and rage fuelled by algorithmic media are likely to return. Newshub is closing its doors (to be replaced on Three by a much leaner news team) and TVNZ is shutting down Fair Go and Sunday and downsizing news capability. Newspapers have gone through successive rounds of layoffs. The ad revenue that sustained daily news media over the past 100 years has migrated to the web - Google alone took in two-thirds of the nation's $2.1 billion digital advertising spend last year so newspapers and broadcasting companies are desperately seeking alternative revenue streams. Like every other troubled sector or sinking company in New Zealand, they hope to find them within the Beehive.
This story is from the April 27-May 3, 2024 edition of New Zealand Listener.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 27-May 3, 2024 edition of New Zealand Listener.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.