Short answer
Consider the ethical implications of design choices, particularly how they might address or exacerbate societal anxieties and unmet promises.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- London School of Economics and Political Science Research Online (London School of Economics and Political Science) (2019)
- Method
- Conjunctural analysis
- Evidence
- Strong effect
The failure of neoliberal promises of self-confidence can be rerouted into networked misogyny, creating a harmful design for social interaction. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2019 study published in London School of Economics and Political Science Research Online (London School of Economics and Political Science). Using Conjunctural analysis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Consider the ethical implications of design choices, particularly how they might address or exacerbate societal anxieties and unmet promises.
Networked Misogyny as a Failed Design for Self-Confidence
The failure of neoliberal promises of self-confidence can be rerouted into networked misogyny, creating a harmful design for social interaction.
London School of Economics and Political Science Research Online (London School of Economics and Political Science) · 2019
Key Findings
- 01Neoliberalism's promises of self-confidence can be exposed as 'confidence games' when unfulfilled.
- 02These failures are rerouted through networked misogyny, leading to violence against women.
- 03Incels express rage through language of uprising and a 'war on women' to defend patriarchal order.
Application
Design takeaway
Consider the ethical implications of design choices, particularly how they might address or exacerbate societal anxieties and unmet promises.
How to apply
When designing user experiences or community platforms, critically assess how the system might foster genuine confidence versus superficial validation, and how it could be misused.
Project actions
- 01Explore how digital platforms can either foster or hinder genuine self-esteem.
- 02Investigate the language and symbols used in online communities to understand their underlying social dynamics.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a critical analysis of the link between socio-political systems and online behavior.
- +Identifies a clear pathway from societal failure to harmful social outcomes.
Limitations
It's hard to definitively prove causation between societal promises and specific online behaviors.
Reliability & validity
The study's reliance on qualitative analysis of online discourse may be subject to interpretation, impacting reliability. Validity is supported by the clear theoretical framework connecting neoliberalism to online phenomena.
Think critically
To what extent is the design of online platforms responsible for the amplification of misogyny, versus merely reflecting pre-existing societal issues?
Design Principles
"Design for empowerment, not exploitation of insecurity."
This research highlights how societal promises, when unfulfilled, can lead to the creation of toxic design patterns in online communities. Understanding these failures is crucial for designers to avoid inadvertently contributing to harmful social dynamics through their work.
What This Means for Your Design
When people don't get the confidence they were promised by society, they can get angry and form online groups that are mean to women.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to analyze the social impact of a digital product or service you are designing.
- 2.Discuss how the design choices in your project might either contribute to or mitigate harmful social trends.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights how the failure of societal promises, such as those related to self-confidence within neoliberal frameworks, can be redirected into harmful online communities. This suggests that design interventions must consider the potential for unmet expectations to fuel negative social dynamics, and that platforms should be designed to foster genuine empowerment rather than exploit insecurities.
Source
London School of Economics and Political Science Research Online (London School of Economics and Political Science)
From Pick-Up Artists to Incels: Con(fidence) Games, Networked Misogyny, and the Failure of Neoliberalism
journal · 2019
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about networked misogyny as a failed design for self-confidence?
- Consider the ethical implications of design choices, particularly how they might address or exacerbate societal anxieties and unmet promises. Evidence: London School of Economics and Political Science Research Online (London School of Economics and Political Science) (2019).
- Why does "Networked Misogyny as a Failed Design for Self-Confidence" matter for design?
- This research highlights how societal promises, when unfulfilled, can lead to the creation of toxic design patterns in online communities. Understanding these failures is crucial for designers to avoid inadvertently contributing to harmful social dynamics through their work.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Consider the ethical implications of design choices, particularly how they might address or exacerbate societal anxieties and unmet promises.
- What were the main findings?
- Neoliberalism's promises of self-confidence can be exposed as 'confidence games' when unfulfilled.. These failures are rerouted through networked misogyny, leading to violence against women.. Incels express rage through language of uprising and a 'war on women' to defend patriarchal order.
- What research method was used?
- Conjunctural analysis.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2019 journal from London School of Economics and Political Science Research Online (London School of Economics and Political Science).
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing user experiences or community platforms, critically assess how the system might foster genuine confidence versus superficial validation, and how it could be misused.
- What are the limitations?
- The analysis focuses on specific online communities and may not represent all instances of societal failure or misogyny.