Mimi Mihăilescu
The engraved bullets that killed Charlie Kirk in September 2025 were not simply evidence; they were content designed for viral circulation. Mimi Mihăilescu argues that this represents a trajectory first made explicit in Christchurch: terror reimagined not as ideology, but as performance art optimised for algorithmic engagement Read more
Friedel Marquardt
Changing the way we think — and appreciating new perspectives — can be a complex and vulnerable process. Drawing from her research into social media as a space for sharing marginalised narratives, Friedel Marquardt presents the online 'grace space' to safely foster transformative conversations around new ideas Read more
Mimi Mihăilescu
The once steady alliance between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has now become a bitter feud. It has transformed what should be serious political discourse into a social media spectacle that perfectly encapsulates our current democratic crisis. Mimi Mihăilescu argues that American democracy is crumbling into a grotesque theatre where the world's most powerful men treat governance like a reality show Read more
Kate Hawkins
In 2022, The Loop inaugurated a Best Blog prize to reward a contribution of exceptional value. We have now conferred our third £500 prize on the author of a piece judged by our independent jury to be the best in that calendar year. Managing Editor Kate Hawkins presents the longlisted articles — and the jury reveals what gave our 2024 winner the edge Read more
Soumi Banerjee
Artificial Intelligence promises unprecedented access to the world’s knowledge, yet delivers a curated illusion. As algorithms prioritise engagement over understanding, what appears open is in fact tightly controlled. Soumi Banerjee explores how algorithmic mediation deepens inequalities, shaping not just what we see — but how, and whether, we understand it Read more
Markus Patberg
Many are calling for for reforms to social media platforms that will strengthen their democratic function. But to meaningfully reshape online platforms, we first need to determine their democratic purpose. Our goal, argues Markus Patberg, should be to empower civil society Read more
Mimi Mihăilescu
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but protest visuals, especially during political upheaval, read like novels. Mimi Mihăilescu shows how visuals aren't just for documentation – they persuade, polarise, and shape public opinion. In Romania, where two protest factions are currently clashing, visuals are on the frontline of political warfare Read more
Thomas Evans
Social media platforms allow radical political actors to communicate with, and organise at, the sub-national level, enabling engagement beyond existing activist cohorts. Exploring local strategies of dissident Irish republicans and the far right in the UK and Ireland, Thomas Evans analyses this phenomenon Read more
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