Opening Keynote: When things fell apart: the origins of ‘cancel culture’
As humans, we’re all looking for our tribe - a community that we feel represents us. But that desire to belong can lead us down the rabbit hole and into dark and murky places, particularly on the internet. As online dis- and misinformation becomes more common, and the line between what’s real and what’s not becomes blurred, people are more easily drawn in by false narratives and swayed by tall tales if it comes from people they believe they can trust. But this can have a massive impact. Not only on the people who are targeted by the lies, but on society as a whole.
This is something Jon Ronson knows a bit about. He’s been studying the impact of internet culture on real-world behaviors for several years now, so he’ll share some of the most interesting examples of what happens when cancel culture prevails and things fall apart. Join this session to:
- Understand the rise and evolution of dis- and misinformation online
- Explore the impact of public shaming and cancel culture on people and society
- Learn how businesses that have been the target of false narratives online can clear their name
- Dig into the pitfalls of group mentality
