Data is the currency of the 21st century. Some speak of the golden age of knowledge, others of total surveillance. Nevertheless, progress is faster and faster and people must somehow keep up - both an opportunity and a challenge.
Digitalisation has an impact on people as well as on many areas of everyday life. However, this reality has not yet convinced everyone. The consequences of technological progress are unpredictable and cause discomfort for many people. Health and jobs could be at risk The freedom of the individual is also threatened. More and more people are becoming increasingly dependent on digital technology, which will lead to chaos if it collapses. The digital age is always progressing unchecked.
Despite scepticism, digitalization has long since reached everyone. Public
life demands a certain interaction with technologies in order to be able to participate at all. Everywhere, people unconsciously come into contact with "measuring devices" that analyze interaction and communication behaviour. Soon, cryptic data sets will mutate into mathematical formulas that predict human action.
Machines seem to be able to control people more than they want. Conversely, humans try to act self-determined with technology at all possible levels.
Goldfish, Hornbach hardware store, Freimann near Munich, 2019
The result of a 2015 study by Microsoft Canada went viral. It has been claimed that people now have less attention capacity than goldfish. In 2000, the average attention span was expected to be twelve seconds, today it is only eight seconds. The goldfish takes the lead with nine seconds.
Slot machines, showroom - staged at the OnePlus pop-up event, Berlin, May 18, 2019
On the occasion of a new smartphone model from OnePlus, fans of this brand should get to know and buy the cell phones worldwide in a unique atmosphere. OnePlus' smartphones particularly awaken the buyer potential of tech-savvy young people from the gaming scene who are happy to invest their money in new technologies.
Anechoic room, EMC - Laboratory of the Deggendorf University of Technology, 2019
In this room, the electromagnetic compatibility of devices such as smartphones, computers, electronics with CE marking or even 5G antennas is checked. Due to the absorber material attached to the iron walls, ceiling and, if necessary, floor, electromagnetic waves are absorbed, creating a low-reflection room. Immunity tests can be carried out with the antenna by irradiating the objects at different frequencies. An analog camera is available for test objects with a screen, which would record a screen flickering if it was not functional.
Round result of the 5G auction, Federal Network Agency, Mainz, May 20, 2019
A race for the 5G mobile communications standard is currently taking place worldwide, in which Germany is striving to be a leading position as an industrial nation. In order to achieve this, the auction of frequencies in the 2 GHz and 3.4 GHz to 3.7 GHz ranges took place in Mainz from March 19, 2019. The telecommunications companies Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom, 1 & 1-Drillisch and Telefónica took part in the auction. The auction should be completed when no more bids are placed on any of the blocks. On June 13, 2019, the auction ended and the companies paid the state a total of 6.6 billion euros. According to Dirk Wössner, the head of Deutsche Telekom in Germany, the money for the network expansion is now missing.
Smartphone traffic light, Haunstetter Strasse, Augsburg, 2019
The Augsburg municipal utility started a pilot project in 2016 and redesigned the public space to protect smartphone users. A smartphone traffic light in the form of light signals was installed on the floor, because according to a study by the Dekra, every sixth person uses their smartphone on the road and therefore attention for the common pedestrian signal drops. The traffic lights are useful at points where there are primarily pupils and students who, unlike older people, use the cell phone more often. The invention has proven itself, other cities have also adapted their traffic light system to the "head down society".
Digital conference, Darmstadtium, Darmstadt, June 12, 2019
By winning the title “Digital City” in 2017, Darmstadt was to offer experimental space for digital smart city technologies and become an urban digital ecosystem for the residents. Darmstadt is one of three German cities where the 5th generation mobile network was introduced for testing in 2019 despite numerous opponents. Some of the concerned citizens, who believe that the digitization of Darmstadt is already causing noticeable physical complaints, attended the digital conference. Because of the supposedly perceptible radiation, more and more people now left the city center. Sascha Lobo, who described Germany as a radio-hole republic during his lecture at the event, is a supporter of the expansion of mobile communications. Because the network coverage here is on the level of a developing country. Even countries where there is more desert than areas with civilization would have a better network. In addition, the award ceremony of a photo competition was held to combine digitization and culture. The picture with the title "Hacking ... the library?" Took first place, the second place went to "The digitalization of the forest".
Goldfish, Hornbach hardware store, Freimann near Munich, 2019
”Not Spot”, Münsing near Munich, July 4, 2019
Numerous tourism associations nowadays advertise with poor mobile phone network . In remote regions in particular, the deadlock is becoming a location advantage. The need for people to emancipate themselves from technology has been increasing for several years. In times of nomophobia (no-mobile-phone-phobia) and a life in which interpersonal interaction increasingly takes place virtually, there is now a mega trend: the mindfulness boost. Activities such as knitting, baking or planting herb gardens are becoming fashionable. The digital generation in particular shapes the trend of hipster culture and longs for self-determined interaction with the digital world.
Reichenbachbrücke, Munich,15. Mai 2019
Red Button, Biohotel Schlossgut, Oberambach near Munich, 2019
This hotel offers package deals called Digital Detox, in which guests do not use a smartphone or tablet to devote themselves instead to yoga, board games and creative activities. The hotels have to follow a few guidelines. For example, the WLAN in the hotel has to be switched off at a certain time so that guests are exposed to less radiation. The power lines are specially insulated to prevent electrosmog. The power supply in each room can be completely cut off using a red button.
Kopfstand, Passau, 12. Mai 2019
Margit Weber discovered the advantages of a (used) smartphone for herself at the beginning of 2019 despite her refusal to consume. As an advocate of considerate progress, Margit Weber, with her enormous environmental awareness, forms a strict counterpoint to the exploitation of valuable resources as well as to wasteful consumption. She tries to contain the negative consequences of capitalism and digitization in her own creative way in all areas of everyday life. The lifespan of broken items is extended with the help of others until they actually no longer serve their purpose. A glove serves as a cell phone cover or paper labeled on one side is used as scratch paper - the back of a 12-year-old maths exercise by her son serves as a cleaning plan.