Words matter. Platforms, academic activism, and technological power
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24137/raeic.12.24.2Keywords:
platforms, academic activism, technological system, technological constructivism, defensive resistanceAbstract
In an environment shaped by technosolutionism, this article proposes a contextualized and engaged perspective that seeks not only to interpret the world but to transform it. It critically reflects on the concept of “platform” within the framework of digital capitalism and its impact on cultural and communication industries. Through theoretical review and contemporary examples, it analyses how the term has evolved from its computational origins into a polysemic and strategic notion. The supposed neutrality of platforms is questioned, revealing their role as gatekeepers with economic and political power. The article also explores tensions between traditional media and new digital environments. Furthermore, it addresses the role of infrastructures—such as the radio spectrum and submarine cables—and their increasing privatization. Finally, it advocates for the university as a space for critical thinking and academic activism, capable of imagining alternative digital futures guided by the common good.
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