Social media platforms like TikTok have shown us the power of algorithms in shaping public discourse. Their creators developed a system designed to keep users engaged, maximizing time spent on the platform. While TikTok presented a significant challenge to traditional capitalist structures, we saw how quickly those at the top moved to coerce its owners into submission. The sale was a clear warning: platforms that challenge the status quo are not welcome.
This isn’t the case with alternatives like Lemmy or Mastodon. While they have noble intentions, they lack the clout to sway public opinion significantly. If we want to effectively combat capitalism, we must create a social media platform that competes directly with the giants. A platform that maintains user engagement like the existing ones but intentionally shifts the narrative towards leftist ideologies.
Imagine an algorithm that not only maximizes time spent online but skillfully guides users toward progressive ideas. Traditional platforms often funnel users into echo chambers, amplifying conservative viewpoints by leading them down a rabbit hole without them even realizing it. This kind of manipulation is reshaping perspectives every day, and we can’t ignore its impact.
To truly fight capitalism, we need to leverage similar tactics. We should harness the potential of algorithms to promote leftist values, empowering users to question the existing capitalist framework. By constructing a platform that encourages critical thinking, solidarity, and progressive change, we can redefine the narrative and foster a movement that resonates with a broader audience.
We must not shy away from the methods that currently dominate social media. Instead, let’s use them to our advantage. The future of resistance lies not just in alternative platforms, but in harnessing the power of algorithms to cultivate a new generation of leftists ready to challenge the system.
We can spread our ideas on any platform. The key is to know your audience and speak their language. Avoid the intimidating ‘red’ terminology. I understand the frustration of tempering your language, but you can’t convert someone in a single interaction. Focus on planting seeds. Remember the lurkers: an idea is more readily absorbed when it’s a thoughtful point, not a full manifesto.
Seek out catalytic moments, where a reactionary crowd targets someone for a progressive statement. In these situations, treat the opponent’s rhetoric as a specimen to be dissected. Your discipline is key: do not react emotionally or be baited into their frame. Your goal is a systematic dismantling. Break their argument down into its core claims. Do not let them distract you with personal attacks, whataboutism, or shifting goalposts. Anchor the debate on their original, foundational points. Then, methodically invalidate each one with concrete evidence. You are performing a public demonstration: this is how an ideology collapses under the weight of its own failures.
Know your battlefield. If you’re thinking of going into a place like Stormfront to debate their core members, forget it. You’re not there to convert the propagandists; you’re there to win the audience. Your goal is to make the lurkers see the truth, not to make the liar admit they’re lying.
And when you pique someone’s interest, when you see that spark of genuine curiosity, guide them. Point them toward resources where they can educate themselves further. Maybe that’s a book, a video essay, or even an instance like lemmy.ml. It’s a gradual process; you don’t hand a new recruit the full agitprop arsenal on day one. You’ve just shown them the crack in the wall; now give them the tools to see it’s part of a crumbling foundation.
These is a good strategu, but still subject to the hostile whims of the platform owner. Let’s say you want to convince an audience of Israeli warcrimes and your opponent has thrown your argument into doubt. A platform can easily censor a video reply for violence, or “hate speech,” or some hidden reason they don’t feel inclined to volunteer.
On tiktok, it was relatively easy to get a leftist message to trend, whereas on facebook it’s close to impossible. Certainly do these things you’re suggesting ⸻they’re powerful and effective ⸻ but if a means can be developed to go around the constraints of capitalist-controlled social media, it’s worth pursuing
That’s a fair point, and it actually reinforces the core principle I was getting at. The key in any space is to know your audience and speak their language, avoiding the ‘red’ terminology that triggers defenses. This isn’t just true for people; it’s true for the platforms themselves.