For Alison Kitchens, we now possess a greater understanding of social media than before. In the United States, extensive research is underway concerning the potential detrimental impact of social media on the mental health of young people. Those operating in digital spaces must contemplate the tools themselves. Are these tools contributing to the common good? What will remain consistent are the missions
and objectives of the institutions they strive to fulfill, but all around us there will be constant change. For me, the future involves continuing some of the tactics, such
as using accessible language. Ensuring that the content is as easily understandable
as possible for everyone will stand the test of time. By assessing what has evolved,
what we now understand, and how we should adjust our approach, we can formulate
a strategy to adapt to whatever emerges.
As for Paweł Sawicki, looking ten years ahead is too far ahead to predict what will transpire. The landscape changes too rapidly and evolves too swiftly. However, what we do know is that we must generate more content that can be employed on any emerging platform. Videos, lessons, or podcasts will always remain and can be transferred
from one platform to another. The emphasis should be on creating content that remains consistently interesting and accurate to perpetually educate people over time.
At present, polarization on TikTok seems too risky, as content can be repurposed
in another context and distorted. Since these platforms are privately owned, economic considerations can potentially conflict with the values of the institutions that use them.
The social media platforms are not partners in values. Despite that it is changing, I do not think many of us will share too many of the values that they do, because they are concentrating on profit. If they are deciding that our content is not profitable
for the policy of the platform, algorithms can simply put us away. – Paweł Sawicki
Questions from the audience:
Question 1: As institutions supported by governments, how are you responding
to questions that are in the middle of political debates?
Paweł Sawicki replied that the museum strives to discourage politicians
from influencing their work and using the memorial as a stage. At times, he faces criticism because the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial commemorates various victim groups, and some groups feel they are less recognized than others. Occasionally, they feel the need to speak out on a universal level when observing global events, due
to an understanding of the consequences of hatred, populism, and divisive language, among others. For instance, the memorial chose to issue a statement when Russia attacked Ukraine.
As we fight with memory being instrumentalized by politicians, we also should refrain from using instrumentalization in politics. […] Trying to find our way through this symbolic political minefield is part of the work. – Paweł Sawicki
Question 2: Since social media is often associated with immediacy, cynicism, and humor,
how do you handle real-time reactions and cynicism on social media?