Society

In the worst case, targeted disinformation can become a real and present threat to our democracy. A number of initiatives in Germany have responded by taking on the mission of fact checking information on the net. 

Translation is incredibly challenging: translating sensitively demands that historical, geographical, political and social contexts be taken into account. In their article, the literature scholars and editors of the platform poco.lit. Lucy Gasser and Anna von Rath look specifically at English and German, and discuss ten terms related to race that are difficult to translate.

The Corona crisis represents a turning point in our work culture – most of the work that used to be done at an office desk is now carried out from home. Does this mean more independence and freedom of action for everyone? Find out more in this interview with the social scientist Lena Hipp.

How do things stand with the equality between men and women in Germany? This is a conversation with the author Nils Pickert about the liberation from gender clichés, gender-inclusive language and the “diaper drill” – the parental leave for fathers.

Since the coronavirus pandemic began, climate protests have mostly moved to the internet. We take a look at the environmental movements online world. 

“El siglo de las mujeres” (“The Century of Women”) by the Goethe-Instituts in South America develops strategies against patriarchal structures and violence against women. For International Women’s Day, “The Latest at Goethe” spoke with the Argentine anthropologist Rita Segato. 

(27 January 2021)
The extermination camp at Auschwitz was liberated 76 years ago today. Secretary-general of the Goethe-Institut Johannes Ebert writes about the personal and social responsibility that arises from commemorating the victims of National Socialism.

She was much more than just the daughter of a famous (artistic) family: Erika Mann worked as a war reporter, established a cabaret group, gave political speeches – and always stood up for freedom and democracy. 

What can we do about the flood of false reports, lies and conspiracy theories that make the rounds on the internet every day? Journalist and head of broadcaster ARD’s fact finder team, Patrick Gensing talks about parallel worlds, new pressures on journalists, and how fake news both poses a threat to and strengthens established media at the same time.
 

The climate protectors of Fridays for Future have brought the environment issue back to the streets – just like their predecessors in the 1970s. The older generation does not seem radical enough to the young activists. Both movements, however, have a lot in common.

Most people would like to lead a life that is in harmony with their environment - but it should be as comfortable as possible and without major restrictions. There are actually a few ideas on how to do this – small everyday aids that have a major impact on the environment.

We are in the midst of climate change and must use AI to tackle this challenge, says deputy director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre Victor Galaz. At the same time, AI technologies are used to harm the climate further. How can we find a balance between these poles? 

The image of the moody teenager who is thinks politics is just boring blah, blah is outdated. The Fridays for the Future movement has shown how enthusiastic young people can be about democratic processes and political issues. It would seem then, that an overhaul of the voting laws is long overdue. 

The European Union is negotiating its Common Agricultural Policy for the coming years and a lot of money is at stake – as is the climate. So far, it does not look as if environmental protection and small farms have been significantly strengthened in the drafts to date.

You read and hear in the media at regular intervals that people are either moving to the country or moving away from it. What is really going on? Is it an urban or a rural exodus? Where are Germans going?