Lauren R. Zentz

Offers a critical linguistic ethnographic examination of moral-political discourse on social media following the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol insurrection. Proposes that contemporary digital political communication is better understood as ideological "trench warfare," where routine exposure to opposing viewpoints fuels retrenchment and out-group delegitimization rather than open-minded democratic deliberation.

Focuses on the structural conditioning of interactions on Facebook, described through the platform’s “Seven As”: authorship, audience, acknowledgement, alignment, affiliation, algorithms, and amplification. Invites the reader to understand the technical specificity of any platform on which they conduct research.

Examines how grassroots movements navigate digital platforms and algorithmic systems to expand their reach and influence. Argues that successfully scaling grassroots efforts requires adapting to the opportunities and constraints created by platform algorithms while maintaining community-driven goals and political engagement.

Offers unique insights into the use of Facebook after the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Interrogates how users in private groups draw on individual experiences in movement building and identity construction while also critically reflecting on ethnographic practices around social media.

Explores the borders of what can be defined as Indonesian, Javanese and English languages, and how this is informed by ideologies of language and nationalism in contemporary Indonesia. Demonstrates that language planning is inseparable from the broader actions of the state, and how postcolonial nationalism and globalization have had profound implications for language use and state actions to control it.