Why is there so much bullshit these days? This is a question that many people find themselves asking. And while it might seem glib we would be wise to take this question seriously. Drawing on Harry Frankfurt’s concept of “bullshit” as a type of knowledge claim exclusively concerned with persuasion, without any regard for veracity, this event will explore the proliferation of bullshit in and through the current social media landscape. This event will explore the fertile source of much contemporary bullshit, what we call “the deep vernacular web” of anonymous message boards. Featuring the work of a small groups of researchers and artists whose work focuses on exploring and visualizing the dynamics of 4chan, the event will give visitors a chance to peer into the anarchic world that has produced and circulated the absurd “Pizzagate” and “QAnon” conspiracy theories, that were widely discussed in American news media.

With researchers from OILab.eu, including Marc Tuters, Stijn Peeters, Daniël de Zeeuw, Emilija Jokubauskaitė, Emillie de Keulenaar and special guest Kim de Groot.

This event is part of the new IMPAKT series Contested Environments exploring online platforms, games and new technologies such as VR and AR as the new and yet unchartered areas of political debate and opinion making.