From Delphi to ORAKEL: A Brief Media History of Computer Democracy

Eva Schauerte (author)

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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)

Contributors

Eva Schauerte

(author)

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.