May I have your (responsible) attention, please!
Insight session by Deike Schulz
Twenty-five years ago, in the song ‘The Real Slim Shady’, Eminem asked: “May I have your attention, please?” A pertinent question when we look at our current information society. What or who is still genuine? And how can people participate in that society in a way that is both smart and responsible?
In this lecture, Professor Deike Schulz explores the connection between those seeking attention and those giving it. Drawing on recent research from the ‘Organisations and Social Media’ lectorate, Schulz examines the role of influencers in the information society. The focus here is not so much on clickbait or the negative excesses of the influencer economy, but on the development of a quiet force: the ability to reflect critically and act responsibly on the basis of an open (offline) dialogue.
As well as influencers, we also look at the role of learning communities in relation to disinformation. How can they contribute to a critical and informed attitude towards information flows, including those from influencers?
Two completely different topics? Nothing could be further from the truth. Both themes share significant common ground – or rather: hotspots. Influencers can learn from researchers, students and one another, and vice versa. So: “Guess there’s a Slim Shady in all of us. #$% it – Let’s all stand up.”
Each Insight Session comprises two individual presentations by two different speakers. In this session, Sinan Çankaya and Deike Schulz will share their insights on two different topics.