Digital media has drastically transformed the way we consume and interact with information. With the rise of the internet and advancements in technology, we now have access to an immense amount of knowledge and interactivity at our fingertips. However, like any powerful tool, digital media also has its dark side. One of the most intriguing and controversial aspects of digital media is the spread of misinformation and fake news. The internet has given a platform to anyone with an internet connection, allowing them to voice their opinions and share information, whether it's accurate or not. The speed at which information can be disseminated on social media platforms and websites can often result in false information gaining traction and reaching a wide audience.
This event will be a summarization of the theory and findings of my research project that looks at how self-identifying witches use social media. Witchcraft users have historically adapted to the changes in society like all other peoples. Witchcraft users have also historically only had contact with others of their spiritual practices during yearly gathering events or local covens. However, social media has created platforms for people from minority subcultures to interact in ways that were formerly limited. By digitally surveying and interviewing users of the social media platform Tumblr who self-identify as witches, this project attempts to look at how these individuals have adapted the latest in social media to fit into their lives in regards to their spiritualties. The results seem to indicate that the people involved in the research use Tumblr (and a few other social media platforms) as a year-round alternative to Pagan gatherings, using it as a source for research, a platform for debates, a space for community interaction and spellwork, and a portal to stores to buy specialized witch-related goods and services while also acting as a space separate from the rest of their daily lives, creating a boundary between spiritual and mundane. In addition, new forms of magic using modern symbols, such as emoji and pop culture references, have begun to develop in these spaces.
By digitally surveying and interviewing users of the social media platform Tumblr who self-identify as witches, this project attempts to look at how these individuals have adapted the latest in social media to fit into their lives in regards to their spiritualties. Accusations go viral, globally, within hours, and instead of having dozens of angry voices baying for your blood , writes Haley, you have tens of thousands.
The speed at which information can be disseminated on social media platforms and websites can often result in false information gaining traction and reaching a wide audience. This phenomenon is often referred to as the "witch hunt" of digital media, as it mirrors the hysteria that surrounded witch trials in the past. Just as innocent people were accused and persecuted based on rumors and hearsay, individuals and organizations can now be targeted online, sometimes leading to severe consequences for their personal and professional lives.
Social media witch-hunts are no different to the old kind – just bigger
A lthough the west’s appetite for witch-hunting has long been sated, the urge to persecute has not, which explains why the idea remains so useful. Politicians and celebrities and journalists use the term “witch-hunt” all the time. In March this year the blogger Craig Charles Haley described “social media witch-hunts” as “witch-hunts on steroids”. Accusations go viral, globally, within hours, and “instead of having dozens of angry voices baying for your blood”, writes Haley, “you have tens of thousands”. Typically the accusers are cowardly, ignorant, offensive and openly misogynistic. When the historian Mary Beard appeared on BBC’s Question Time, she received torrents of abuse from internet trolls, less about what she had said than about how she looks.
Mary Beard: I almost didn't feel such generic, violent misogyny was about me Read moreIn the victimisation of public figures like Beard, we instantly recognise the witch-hunting paradigm: a mob pointing at an older woman, exposed in public and outspoken. But what, historically, are we referring to? Haley assumes we know. A witch-hunt was “the search for those people – usually solitary women – suspected of witchcraft, guided by panic, misinformation and misunderstanding”. Without pretence to a fair hearing, “communities would execute their suspects” on the thinnest proof.
Yet much of what we know, from folklore and fiction, is wrong. Robert Eggers’ horror movie, The Witch, set in New England in 1630, examines a family in the wilderness, afraid of what lurks in the woods. Eggers gives us a real witch, fleetingly glimpsed yet malevolently near. However, most real suspected witches were not isolated figures hounded by their communities. They were integrated and proximate, and all the more scary for that. Accusations involved personal relationships and intense emotions rather than random scapegoating.
There were some savage purges in the 17th century. Between 1616 and 1630, the German cities of Bamberg and Würzburg burned more than 2,000 witches. Matthew Hopkins, the infamous “Witchfinder General” – who is the subject of a new immersive experience at the London Dungeon – orchestrated an English witch-hunt in the 1640s that claimed 100 lives, and Scotland saw similar outbursts. On the whole, though, crazes that sucked in scores of innocents were the exception which proved the rule, namely that the toxic brew of a witchcraft prosecution followed a specific recipe of religious belief, legal opportunity and uncomfortable social intimacy.
In one three-week period, the words ‘slut' and ‘whore' had been directed at 6,500 unique Twitter users in 10,000 tweets
It’s a myth that millions of innocent women were persecuted by male lawyers and clerics as a means of social control. We know of about 110,000 witch trials between 1450 and 1750, six of which have recently been commemorated with temporary “dark plaques” in London. This may seem like a lot, but over 300 years and millions of women, it is not so great a total. Nor were accusations tantamount to death sentences: half of the trials ended in acquittal because courts were wary of executing blameless people on dubious evidence. This is why there were fewer trials than many suppose. If witch-hunting was a way of getting rid of people, or explaining misfortune, it wasn’t a very good one.
So is “witch-hunting” an appropriate label for what Jon Ronson has called “the great renaissance in public shaming”? Let’s turn to gender. Pre-modern societies were patriarchal, and most suspected witches female, their accusers male. Yet one in five convicted witches was male. Men could be witches in exactly the same way as women – there were just fewer. Even more interesting is the proportion of witnesses against witches who were women – women who believed themselves, or often their children, to be bewitched. Our female ancestors were keen students of each another’s reputations, and competed ruthlessly to protect themselves and their households, and to denounce others.
In the victimisation of public figures like Beard, we instantly recognise the witch-hunting paradigm: a mob pointing at an older woman, exposed in public and outspoken. But what, historically, are we referring to? Haley assumes we know. A witch-hunt was “the search for those people – usually solitary women – suspected of witchcraft, guided by panic, misinformation and misunderstanding”. Without pretence to a fair hearing, “communities would execute their suspects” on the thinnest proof.
The impact of the witch hunt in the digital space can be devastating. Reputations can be ruined, businesses can be harmed, and individuals can be subjected to harassment and cyberbullying. Furthermore, the spread of misinformation can have far-reaching consequences, such as influencing public opinion, affecting political outcomes, and undermining trust in institutions. In response to this growing issue, there has been a push for media literacy and critical thinking skills to be taught in schools and for individuals to be more discerning about the sources they trust and share online. Fact-checking organizations and algorithms have also emerged to combat the spread of false information. While digital media has undoubtedly opened up new opportunities for communication and access to information, it has also made us more susceptible to manipulation and deception. The witch hunt in the digital media era is a reminder of the power and responsibility we hold as consumers and creators of content. It is essential to be vigilant, verify information, and promote a culture of accuracy and accountability online..
Reviews for "Hexing in Cyberspace: The Role of Curses and Hexes in Online Witchcraft"
1. John - 2/5 - I found "The Witch" to be incredibly slow-paced and lacking in substance. The story seemed to drag on without any real captivating moments or an engaging plot. The characters felt flat and the dialogue was often uninteresting. While the cinematography was beautifully done, it couldn't save this film from being a disappointment. Overall, I wouldn't recommend "The Witch" to anyone looking for an exciting or gripping horror film.
2. Emily - 3/5 - Although "The Witch" has its moments of suspense and a unique setting, I found myself underwhelmed by the overall execution. The film had a promising premise but failed to deliver a truly terrifying or chilling experience. I was left wanting more from the scares and felt the story lacked depth. While there were some memorable scenes, they were too few and far between to make up for the overall shortcomings. "The Witch" may appeal to those who appreciate slower-paced horror films, but I personally wasn't fully satisfied.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - "The Witch" had so much potential with its eerie atmosphere and historical setting, but it ultimately fell flat for me. The pacing was slow to the point of being tedious, and the plot lacked clarity and cohesion. The characters were difficult to connect with and their actions often felt forced and implausible. While the film had its visually striking moments, it failed to deliver on the promised horror elements. Overall, "The Witch" left me feeling unfulfilled and wanting a more engaging and cohesive storyline.
4. Michael - 1/5 - I couldn't stand "The Witch." The entire film felt like an exercise in boredom and frustration. The story was convoluted and made little sense, leaving me questioning the purpose of it all. The dialogue was dry and uninteresting, and the characters were forgettable. I was hoping for a terrifying and gripping horror experience, but instead, I was left feeling immensely disappointed and annoyed. I would not recommend "The Witch" to anyone looking for a captivating or enjoyable movie-watching experience.
5. Amanda - 2/5 - As a fan of horror films, I was excited to watch "The Witch," but it left me feeling underwhelmed. The slow pacing seemed to drag on forever, and the scares were few and far between. While the film had an intriguing setting and some creepy moments, the overall execution fell short. The story lacked depth and failed to fully explore its potential. I found myself waiting for something truly terrifying to happen, but it never quite delivered. "The Witch" may appeal to some, but it certainly didn't live up to my expectations.