Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin - www.knowledge-and-power.com

An international symposium in the series Forum Technoversum at the Deutsches Technikmuseum - German Museum of Technology, Berlin

How does the Internet change the way science, politics, and business are done, and what possibilities does it offer for the attainment of a democratic social order and freedom for all mankind?

Section 1: The Internet as an educational tool

"Knowledge is power", wrote Francis Bacon in 1597. What does this statement mean for us today?
The Internet facilitates access to knowledge and with its wiki-platforms, encourages people to participate in the production of knowledge by contributing what they know. Through social networks, the Internet user has access to a powerful megaphone that can be heard around the world.
How does the Internet affect access to knowledge and its dissemination?

Section 2: The Internet as political tool

In the world's political flashpoints, popular demonstrations and protests are organized using the Internet: Google, wiki-platforms, YouTube videos, Twitter tweets, blogs, FaceBook groups and whistleblower sites enable the free exchange of information, knowledge, and opinion. One can see how much political power these media hold from what is happening today in North Africa and the Middle East.
"The Internet has redefined the rules of power", wrote Die Welt Online. On the other hand, power blocs have arisen that stand in opposition to democratic development. Thus authoritarian states use the Internet to spread propaganda and misinformation and/or attempt to restrict access to the World Wide Web.

Section 3: The Internet as economic tool

Is capitalism a natural law, that inevitably moulds every infrastructure, and thus the Internet, to its own requirements? Will economics really devour the Web, or will the Web democratize the economy? The Internet alters the structure of markets. Worldwide interconnection opens new markets. Through globalization and the resulting intermixing of cultures and mores, the world has become more diverse and more challenging.
Economic transactions are becoming ever more diverse and challenging. Advantages in information and knowledge can be turned into monetary profit. Knowledge is becoming an ever greater economic factor.

Venue:
Deutsches Technikmuseum
Trebbiner Str. 9
10963 Berlin

Admission: 6 EUR (red. 3,50 EUR) each day

Presentations in german and english (simultaneous interpretation)

Patronage
Prof. Dr. Annette Schavan,
German Federal Minister for Education and Research