Four decades after his death, the French philosopher's ideas continue to resonate in contemporary discussions around social media, power, and identity.
The philosophy of Michel Foucault, who died in 1984, is still relevant in today's world saturated with social media. His work emphasizes the importance of understanding the self and the power dynamics at play in knowledge acquisition. In the current digital age, social media platforms have become central in shaping the self, as individuals compete to be knowledgeable and powerful through their online personas. A key aspect of Foucault's work is the need to recognize the power dynamics at play, as well as the importance of self-awareness and resistance to prefabricated identities. His viral philosophy has made him an influential figure in the contemporary world, even if his work sometimes appears tedious or infuriating.
In an interview with TechCrunch, Signal CEO Meredith Whittaker criticizes the media's obsession with AI-driven deepfakes, the encroaching surveillance state, and the concentration of power in the five main social media platforms. She also discusses the company's recent war of words with Elon Musk, Telegram's Pavel Durov, and OpenAI's leadership.