Daniel Leiter
Information
Using custom software and an AI natural language model fine-tuned to detect hate speech, the project transforms social media profiles and feeds into so-called heat maps. This visualization technique – known from the representation of climate data, voter behavior, or stock markets—translates the activities of an account into a political landscape. Each posting (e.g. referred to as “truths” on Truth Social) is represented as a single cell and classified as well as colored according to its probability of containing hate speech, while the grid as a whole depicts the chronological social media profile or feed.
The term 'thermogram' refers to thermal imaging techniques, which display the heat emission of beings or objects using similar color gradients. Thermal imaging is also used to identify inflammation in living beings, which is visible as heat hotspots.
The work thermogram reveals the ongoing disruption of social media as companies advance deregulation under the flag of free speech, fueled by shifting US political dynamics. The postings classified as hate speech therefore become inflammatory hotspots in a deregulated social network.