Mindy Seu’s groundbreaking project, “A Sexual History of the Internet,” challenges traditional narratives of internet history by highlighting the contributions of marginalized figures who have shaped online culture. Through a unique blend of performance, artist book, and financial experiment, Seu explores the entanglement of bodies, desires, technologies, and power dynamics on the web.
Seu’s project delves into the complex relationship between sexuality and the internet, tracing its roots back to the military-industrial complex and the inherent power dynamics at play. By centering the stories of theorists, net artists, cyberfeminists, and sex workers, Seu reframes the historical narrative, shedding light on overlooked voices that have influenced the development of online spaces.
The project began as a lecture-performance in 2023, where Seu engaged audiences in a multimedia exploration of the internet’s sexual history. Utilizing Instagram Stories as a platform for storytelling, Seu brought together disparate narratives in a shared, immersive experience that challenged conventional modes of communication and knowledge dissemination.
Recognizing the limitations of digital media, Seu decided to create a physical record of the performance in the form of a meticulously designed book. Bound in black leather-like vinyl and featuring over 700 pages of content, the book expands on the digital experience with visual elements that enhance the storytelling and preserve the ephemeral nature of the performance.
In a bold move towards shared authorship and financial equity, Seu introduced a “Citational Split” model for the book, where 30% of profits are redistributed among those cited in the project. This innovative approach challenges traditional academic structures and emphasizes the importance of community-driven knowledge production.
By reframing the internet’s history through a lens of inclusivity, transparency, and activism, Seu’s “A Sexual History of the Internet” offers a new cultural infrastructure that celebrates diversity, resists erasure, and promotes a more equitable future for digital storytelling. In its multi-discursive, layered ecosystem (from performance to book and back again), the project asks us to imagine what a consensual internet might look like.
In today’s digital age, the internet plays a crucial role in our daily lives. It has become a platform for communication, information sharing, and entertainment. However, with the rise of social media and online platforms, concerns about privacy and consent have also come to the forefront. The concept of a consensual internet raises important questions about how we interact with technology and each other online.
Imagine a world where every online interaction is based on mutual consent and respect. A consensual internet would prioritize user privacy and data protection, ensuring that individuals have control over their personal information. This means that users would have the power to choose what data they share, who they share it with, and how it is used.
In this ideal online environment, consent would be the foundation of all digital interactions. This means that users would have to actively give permission before their data is collected or shared. Companies and online platforms would be required to be transparent about their data practices and obtain explicit consent from users before using their information for any purpose.
A consensual internet would also promote digital literacy and empower users to make informed decisions about their online activities. By educating individuals about the importance of consent and privacy, we can create a more respectful and ethical online community.
The project’s multi-discursive approach, from performance to book and back again, challenges us to think critically about the current state of the internet and envision a more consensual future. By exploring different mediums and engaging in dialogue about consent and privacy, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and respectful online environment.
As we continue to navigate the complexities of the digital world, it is important to consider how we can build a consensual internet that prioritizes user agency and autonomy. By advocating for consent and privacy rights online, we can create a more ethical and sustainable digital landscape for future generations.
