Conclusion

Abstract

The final chapter considers the future of online extremism as we move forward in the digital age. Klein foresees how digital hate culture may well continue on its ascent toward achieving greater perceived legitimacy, global interconnection, and prospective followers. To this end, he suggests that future studies must both investigate and expose the forthcoming manifestations of hate, particularly in the political blogosphere, social networks, and conspiracy theory websites, where extremism is building new inroads into the mainstream. Klein further underscores the social responsibility that must be assumed by the Internet’s true gatekeepers—us. The everyday users and content hosts are charged with the role of custodians, to take on a more proactive stewardship over the Internet, and prohibit fanaticism from finding its home there.