Facebook is currently in the spotlight, particularly due to the Cambridge Analytica scandal. With this and other social media providers, the focus is on critically examining how they handle personal data. Furthermore, personalized ad filters, which create "filter bubbles," are being discussed. Algorithms play a key role in this process. The multimedia workshop group explored the concept of "filter bubbles" in the seminar "If then else – new developments and possibilities in the programmed society" and produced a film on the topic.
When algorithms are used, many different interests, perspectives, and needs seem to compete with each other in the digital society: What role do human rights play in the programming of software and the design of hardware in the networked society? Which values are inscribed in software programs by which stakeholders? Do media resolve or reinforce our stereotypes, clichés, and role models? These and other questions were addressed in a seminar with trainees in media and information services at the Louise-Schroeder-School/Berlin from April 16-21, 2018.
The workshop group Staged reading The work explored questions of values in the digital society and their expression in virtual currencies like Bitcoin or in citizen scores, as planned for implementation in China in 2020. The result is an impressive production featuring original texts on the subject. Two texts The results of the overall performance can be read here as an excerpt (PDF ).
When taking a photograph, what decisions do we still make ourselves, and what does the camera make? What emotions do news stories triggered by an algorithm in our personalized newsfeed? Are selfies already an expression of a changing relationship between humans and machines? In the Black and white photography workshop group This resulted in a variety of photo series.
„"Algorithm that everyone has to participate in!" is the title of the comic book., which was created during the seminar. The participants of this workshop tried out practical programming and experimented with a Calliope board. They also visited the Coding Hub in the "Kurt Tucholsky" city library in Prenzlauer Berg, which is part of the Open Roberta network is a project that aims to introduce children and young people to programming. They incorporated their programming experience into the comic and developed exciting stories about digital society. Viewable here as a PDF version for the web
The question of the role of programs and algorithms in our individual and social lives will continue to occupy everyone. Multimedia workshop group has in a Etherpad We've compiled links that can be used and added to even after the seminar. The process of reflecting on the digital society we want to live in continues. Here's a suggestion for a new social network from the multimedia workshop.
Impressions from all workshop groups and also the joint plenary sessions or leisure activities can be seen here. Have fun!
Title photo + photos 2+3+5 on this page: (c) Andi Weiland | www.andiweiland.de (CC by nc), „If then else? New developments and possibilities in the programmed society“++ on April 18, 2018 in Berlin (Berlin)
The seminar took place as part of the collaboration within the program „Civic youth education in the AdB“ in the project group „Digital Media and Democracy“ instead of. It was funded by the Senate Department for Education, Youth and Family
