| Title | From Delphi to ORAKEL |
|---|---|
| Subtitle | A Brief Media History of Computer Democracy |
| Contributor | Eva Schauerte (author) |
| License | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ |
| Copyright | Eva Schauerte |
| Publisher | meson press |
| Published on | 2023-09-29 |
| Short abstract | This chapter discusses the scope and mediahistorical relevance of the political debate TV show ORAKEL. Produced and broadcast by West Germany’s Public Broadcasting Network in association with other TV channels in the early 1970s, it is argued here that this program constitutes a seminal example of a social and political use of cybernetics in Germany. Based on Helmut Krauch’s work on systems research at the Heidelberg Study Group, the ORAKEL TV show faced both technological and political frictions. Beyond being mere problems, this chapter contends that these obstacles were an essential component of this case’s character and thus of this project’s relevance. |
| Long abstract | This chapter discusses the scope and mediahistorical relevance of the political debate TV show ORAKEL. Produced and broadcast by West Germany’s Public Broadcasting Network in association with other TV channels in the early 1970s, it is argued here that this program constitutes a seminal example of a social and political use of cybernetics in Germany. Based on Helmut Krauch’s work on systems research at the Heidelberg Study Group, the ORAKEL TV show faced both technological and political frictions. Beyond being mere problems, this chapter contends that these obstacles were an essential component of this case’s character and thus of this project’s relevance. |
| Language | English (Original) |
Eva Schauerte is a media and cultural historian with a focus on media history of computer democracy. In the past she held research positions at the Institute for Media Culture Studies at Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg (2011–2016), and at IKKM (2016–2020). Currently, she works for the Senate Chancellery of Bremen.