Practices of contradicting in networked publics

Abstract This article proposes a research heuristic to analyse practices of contradicting in networked publics. This heuristic is based on the thesis of the polarization of society, as witnessed in the media discourse, and the approach of a political sociology of conflict. Such an approach requires developing theories in communication and media studies to document social conflict dynamics in changing public dynamics, explain dominant communicative practices, and to interpret subsequent developments. The research heuristic presented here prefers an approach rooted in praxeology and as such makes it possible to analyse practices of contradiction in networked publics, leading to observations informed by theories of public sphere. This approach is particularly relevant in ongoing debates on gender relations, sexualized harassment, and violence, all of which have once again become ‘trigger points’ that are challenging individuals and institutions of modern societies on different levels. The debate about the accusations against Till Lindemann as the lead singer of the internationally renowned German band Rammstein, a debate that has garnered attention beyond the German-speaking contexts, illustrates how this proposed research heuristic can become a tool for an informed analysis.