Digital Inequalities.
Divides, Hierarchies, and Boundaries in Germany, 1970s to 1990s.
The advent of digital technologies in the 20th century has fundamentally changed the way we live and work.
From a 21st century perspective, these changes are referred to as the rise of a new "digital society". According to its founding myths, this society is based on an emancipatory use of technology, universal access and new forms of interactivity. However, contrary to all the utopian dreams associated with the 'computer revolution', the digital society has quickly developed its own hierarchies, erected new digital walls and created new digital divides.
This project takes up the German case in its transnational contexts in order to ask how and why such divisions, hierarchies and borders have arisen.
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Conference Report Europast
The second Europast summer school is a collaborative project between the C2DH in Luxemburg, the Center for Contemporary History in Potsdam, and the University of Lund, Sweden. The overarching topic was using digital tools for public history projects. The conference took place on the Belval campus of the University of Luxemburg from July 1 to 4, 2024.
The Creation of Tomorrow's Borders
The European Union's unwavering commitment to controlling its external borders was impressively demonstrated during last week's D-Day celebrations. As part of the festivities, a reenactment of the Allied troops landing in Normandy took place. Under the watchful eyes of thousands of spectators, British paratroopers landed on European soil. To their surprise,
"Wiring"? No thanks!
The year is 1983 (A.D.). The whole of Germany is to be made future-proof with a large-scale copper cable network expansion. The whole of Germany? No. A small group of "anti-cable" activists are opposing nationwide digital networking. And from the activists' point of view, life in a "wired" future will not be easy for consumers, unskilled workers and women in general...