I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how social media algorithms adn community standards are effectively shaping what art gets made and,more importantly,what art gets seen. It feels like artistic expression is increasingly being filtered through the lens of “shareability” and potential for virality, which can unintentionally lead to censorship, not necessarily from a central authority, but from the platform itself.
Are artists self-censoring to avoid shadowbanning or demonetization? Are platforms ethically obligated to provide equal visibility to diverse forms of expression, or are they primarily responsible for maintaining a safe and advertiser-kind environment? It’s a complicated balance because freedom of expression is important, but so is protecting vulnerable users from potentially harmful content. Where do we draw the line between curating a positive online experience and stifling artistic exploration,especially when something is intentionally pushing boundaries? And who gets to decide that line? I’m curious to hear other people’s thoughts on this.