Unpacking Manipulation in the Digital Age: A Series Overview

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Michael Klenk has developed a blog series on “Unpacking Manipulation for the Digital Age” at the Open for Debate blog. The series is an accessible summary of core ideas from his academic work on manipulation and AI, and it aims to be a helpful primer on important ethical and philosophical questions about manipulation in the digital age. The series includes:

Post 1. Navigating the Digital Influence Landscape.

Explores the evolving landscape of digital influence, pinpointing three aggravating factors that heighten the risk of problematic social influence in our digital era.

Post 2: The Dark Side of Digital Influence

Points to a new challenge posed by digital influence: unintentional manipulation fueled by automated systems.

Post 3: Types of Social Influence and Manipulation Without Intention

Distinguishes coercion, persuasion, and manipulation, dissecting the intricate web of social influence, emphasizing the need to give an account of manipulation that goes beyond the idea that it lies ‘somewhere’ between persuasion and coercion.

Post 4: The Rise of Digital Manipulation

Gives concrete examples of manipulation in the digital age that escape current notions of manipulation, thus underscoring the pressing need for a refined understanding of digital manipulation.

Post 5: Unraveling the Complexity of Manipulation Theories

Dissects the two prevalent theories of manipulation, revealing their limitations in capturing the intricacies of digital manipulation.

Post 6: Rethinking Manipulation: The Indifference View of Manipulation

Finally introduces the indifference view of manipulation, which offers a fresh perspective to comprehend and evaluate digital manipulation, paving the way for nuanced discussions.