The Death of the Public Square: Why Digital Spaces Fail Us
How attention-maximization algorithms destroyed public assemblies, and what a return to offline physical hubs would require.
The internet was promised as a global town hall, but algorithms designed for engagement maximization have turned public debate into competitive performance. True community requires shared physical presence, localized accountability, and friction.
In this essay, we critique the corporate capture of communication systems and propose a return to regional assemblies, physical reading salons, and decentralized communication models.
David Kross
"David is a cultural columnist and political theorist, writing on the future of democratic institutions and digital public squares."
Discussion & Reader Notes
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