The “transparent human being”

23 September 2014. Thanks to the continuing progress in internet communication, in particular, we are able to create professional and private networks, process large volumes of data in a short period of time, and operate both efficiently and globally. In this context, we easily forget that we also leave traces whenever we use the internet and that market research firms and other commercial enterprises can use these traces for the production of customer profiles.

Highly sensitive data in the net

There is a similar situation in healthcare: the more internet platforms are in operation for patient advice – this has long been customary in the US – the more highly sensitive data material is digitally available. Is this a curse or a blessing? Who protects these data from abuse? And who owns them exactly?

These questions will be discussed with guests by Prof. Dr. Florent Thouvenin from the Research Center for Information Law at the University of St.Gallen, Prof. Erich Kirtz, a theologian at the Pädagogische Hochschule St.Gallen, and Prof. Dr. Peter Jaeschke from the Institute of Information and Process Management at the FHS St.Gallen. The discussion will be moderated by Prof. Dr. José Gomez, Head of the Centre of Tertiary Education at the FHS St.Gallen.

The absence of lectures is a deliberate feature of the Science Café. Instead, the focus will be on a discussion with guests over a cup of coffee. On two further evenings, experts from the Pädagogische Hochschule, the Fachhochschule and the University of St.Gallen will discuss social media and education in childhood.

Science Café in St.Gallen: topics and data

• 23 April 2014, 5.30 to 7 p.m. | Dementia – a challenge for relatives and the environment
• 21 May 2014, 6 to 7 p.m. | The Eastern Swiss education landscape – where is it going?
• 24 September 2014, 5.30 to 7 p.m. | The transparent human being – curse or blessing?
• 29 October 2014, 5.30 to 7 p.m. | The art of being offline – how to use social media
• 26 November 2014, 5.30 to 7 p.m. | Early, earlier, earliest childhood: when must education begin?

The discussion will take place in the St.GallenTextile Museum, Vadianstrasse 2. Everyone is welcome, admission will be free.

Picture: Science et Cité