Bigger Than the Internet: Museums and the Colonization of the Web

by Adriel Luis

Museums are increasingly expressing interest in equity, social justice, and even decolonization, in large part due to their growing investment in online spaces where such topics have risen to the top of public consciousness. But this investment has also led to heightened dependency on internet and social media platforms which center profit and gain, often through data mining, invasive advertisements, misinformation, and other behavior which run counter to principles of open and democratic society. Thus, museums’ aspirations to be participants and leaders in public service are at odds with the capitalistic endeavors of the companies which they have tethered to their notions of success. This paper investigates the relationship between museums and exploitive data collection practices, from their colonial histories to their uncertain futures. In recognition of decolonizing methodologies, the writer invites the reader through personal narrative, cross-disciplinary research, and a few hot takes.