Thank you for this metaphor - it brings clarity and refocuses the discussion on the dynamics of the whole system.
Of course there are a few key differences between cells and modern humans: (a) we have empathy, and (b) we are are much more interconnected. This means that if a non-destructive entity is harmed, e.g. an unjustly deplatformed person, this produces a signal that propagates to others who were not deplatformed, through the story being shared and empathized with. So the antibiotic-like harm is much less containable.
If we want to use “deplatforming” as a tool, don’t think it’s even possible to effectively do. The high connectivity of human social relations means that there will always be another “platform” for their message to propagate. This is especially true with social technology (printing press, digital social media) although I suspect it was also true beforehand. Not even, say, executing someone is guaranteed to suppress their message. (Extreme example: Jesus/Christianity.)
Of course there are a few key differences between cells and modern humans: (a) we have empathy, and (b) we are are much more interconnected. This means that if a non-destructive entity is harmed, e.g. an unjustly deplatformed person, this produces a signal that propagates to others who were not deplatformed, through the story being shared and empathized with. So the antibiotic-like harm is much less containable.
If we want to use “deplatforming” as a tool, don’t think it’s even possible to effectively do. The high connectivity of human social relations means that there will always be another “platform” for their message to propagate. This is especially true with social technology (printing press, digital social media) although I suspect it was also true beforehand. Not even, say, executing someone is guaranteed to suppress their message. (Extreme example: Jesus/Christianity.)