Becoming the Product. The Critical Internet Researcher as a Virtual Intellectual. Book Presentation with Morgane Billuart and Helena McFadzean

In the organizer's words:

In this book, the evolution of critical internet research takes center stage.
As the lines blur between rigorous scholarship, aesthetic branding, and market-driven content, Becoming the Product investigates the future of critical internet research and the sustainability of critical thinking in the digital age. This essay delves into the diverse strategies internet researchers adopt to share their work and sustain their careers-more or less independently-in today's attention economy. Charting the rise of subscription-based platforms and the increasing importance of engagement-driven metrics, Becoming the Product uncovers the tension between intellectual critique and the pressures of commodification.

Morgane Billuart (1997) is a French writer and visual artist. In an era dominated by digital culture, the enthusiasm for DIY internet philosophies, and the proliferation of self-help seminars, her distinctive approach seeks to shed light on the contemporary dynamics of faith and belief formation. Her work consistently grapples with these profound themes, intricately intertwined with her identity as a woman, prompting contemplation on the roles of bodies in reshaping our comprehension of the technocratic and digital landscapes that encompass us.
Helena McFadzean, writer and curator

Morgane Billuart: Becoming the Product. The Critical Internet Researcher as a Virtual Intellectual. Set Margins', 2025