From a Culture of Connectivity to a Platform Society

Summary

Professor José van Dijck discusses the evolution from a 'culture of connectivity' to a 'platform society,' examining how corporations and algorithms increasingly structure public and private life, and the challenge of embedding democratic public values into these systems.

Highlights

Introduction to the Research Network and Speaker00:00:22

Professor Andrew Murray introduces the Law and Communications Research Network at LSE, emphasizing the synergy between law and media departments, and introduces speaker José van Dijck.

Defining the Platform Society00:07:00

José van Dijck defines the shift from a 'culture of connectivity' to a 'platform society,' where online platforms penetrate all sectors of life, effectively operating as a globally corporate-driven infrastructure.

The Mechanisms of Platforms00:21:55

A detailed look at the mechanisms driving platform society: datafication, automated selection via algorithms, and commodification. These invisible mechanisms influence social order and public policy.

Platformization of Healthcare00:36:36

The speaker analyzes health apps like 23andMe and PatientsLikeMe, discussing how they promise public benefits while often operating as for-profit data businesses with opaque governance models.

Anchoring Public Values00:53:30

A discussion on the central challenge: how to anchor collective public values like transparency, fairness, and democratic control into the design of platforms that are currently governed by corporate interests.

Response and Audience Q&A00:59:24

Professor Sonia Livingstone provides a response on the grand narrative of platformization, followed by a Q&A session covering privacy, advertising, political regulation, and the role of for-profit businesses.