The Internet is POP — at least that's what re:publica 2018 claims. And under this motto, it invites you to a three-day conference in Berlin.
Pop is what reaches the masses and changes society. For better, but also for worse. And the internet is no longer just a place of communication, but an integral part of our everyday lives and our society—and thus also of pop culture. But why do influencers reach so many people via Instagram? What makes alternative facts so appealing to concerned citizens? And where does pop fit into populism?
These are questions that the 11th re:publica — Europe's largest conference on the internet and digital society — intends to address particularly this year. Participants can expect over 300 sessions from more than 600 speakers on 19 stages over the three days of the conference. In short: a packed program that makes choosing the right session more than difficult.
Whistleblower Chelsea Manning at re:publica
One session that many attendees clearly marked in their schedules was the Fireside Chat with Chelsea Manning. The crowd and applause were correspondingly large when the American whistleblower came on stage. Manning, who leaked confidential documents relating to the Iraq War to Wikileaks in 2010 and was arrested that same year, was sentenced to 35 years in prison in 2013. She served seven years and has been free for a year now. And her first trip abroad took her to re:public in Berlin. The audience cheered.
But Manning also has something to say: She warns against dismissing topics like machine learning or algorithms as mere hype. In her opinion, there are dangers lurking here that everyone must be aware of. And in this context, she explicitly calls on software developers to take responsibility: they can't simply develop tools and then no longer feel responsible for them. In her opinion, a new developer culture must develop, one in which diversity also plays a role.
In the audience questions, Manning received a lot of support and was praised for her courage and described as a role model. However, Manning doesn't feel like a role model—and doesn't want to be perceived as one:
“I don't feel like a role model, and I worry about being placed in that position, because I'm pretty flawed and I'm pretty new to living.”
Instead, she suggests:
“Maybe we can all be our own role model.”
There couldn’t have been better closing words for this talk.
The topic of startups also has its place at re:publica. The session "Startup Ecosystems Worldwide" will highlight why functioning ecosystems are so important for startups. Rey Buckman from Airbus BizLab Hamburg emphasizes the importance of established programs such as the High-Tech Gründerfonds. Only a symbiosis between private and public initiatives makes an ecosystem successful.
Tips for live streams on Facebook & YouTube
In cooperation with re:publica, the MEDIA CONVENTION Berlin (MCB) is taking place again this year. The focus here is on current issues in media and internet policy, market trends, and developments in the digital media society. And the MCB talks, with titles like "10 Tips for Live Streams on Facebook & YouTube" and "The New Strength of Newsletters and Podcasts," are enjoying great popularity. So much so that listening isn't always possible—there are too many people!
Unless you get there very early. But the schedule packed with interesting sessions makes that practically impossible. What we definitely don't want to miss, though, is Sophie Passmann with "Less filter bubble, more detox tea! – What can we learn from influencers?" If only to celebrate our inner fangirl moment. And also to report on it tomorrow.
