Fake friends? Online culture and the left

One of the notable features of the Corbyn era was the emergence of a range of leading left-wing figures with large online platforms and followings – not least Corbyn himself. These figures often play a critical role in circulating information and building a shared identity and sense of solidarity. At the same time, a ‘left celebrity’ culture raises some important political questions. Could identification with charismatic figures sometimes be a substitute for meaningful political action? How do we avoid identifying people as targets for the right to attack? Is there anything we can learn from how other political movements have responded to the emergence of celebrity figures?

In this session we will discuss the effects of online culture and parasocial relationships on social movements, followed by an digital walking tour through different online spaces to reflect on their political culture.