Back to normal?

The digital success series of Europe's major innovation conference DLD continues – after eleven exciting DLD Sync sessions the following questions were discussed last week: With the U.S. elections just months away, what rules do we need for democracy? What changes can we expect to see in economic policy? Are tech giants becoming even more dominant when remote workers, Internet users and online shoppers rely ever more on their services?

From political instability to recession

Marietje Schaake, international policy director at Stanford University’s Cyber Policy Center, and Douglas Rushkoff, founder of the Laboratory for Digital Humanism at "CUNY"/Queens, discussed the many challenges that society and business are facing right now – from political instability to recession and the global disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. You can watch the DLD Sync session here.

“On the optimistic side: this crisis will lead to creativity for a renewed appreciation for what is really important in our local communities, our family and friends. On the negative side I worry about the blame game that is about to happen when the peak of the crisis is behind us. For example the rise of populism and nationalism and the blaming on immigrants, that we often see when times are tough. We must protect those very values of openness, freedom and human rights that we think are precious.“

Marietje Schaake, Stanford University

“Sometimes I think that the financial crisis in 2008 wasn’t severe enough to wake us up from the systemic problems in growth based corporate capitalism. But this crisis (Covid-19) is big enough. When the unemployment rate reaches a third of the country then you can’t fix it. It’s finally demanding that we develop some sorts of local resilience, local institutions, local economics and mutual aid.”

Douglas Rushkoff, Queens College, CUNY

More to come…

Mariana Mazzucato is a highly acclaimed economist at University College London (UCL) and author of several best-selling books. On Wednesday, July 8th, she will discuss with Hans Ulrich Obrist (Serpentine Galleries) the status quo of our capitalism. A historic opportunity for a reboot, as Mariana Mazzucato argues when she writes that the Covid-19 crisis is a “chance to do capitalism differently”.

Bacteria making supply chains more transparent, shoes and clothing made of mushrooms and algae, and maybe even houses with living walls… If the 20th century was the Age of Physics, the central technology of the 21st century will be biology. How will this trend develop and affect several business areas? At DLD Sync, four experts will explore and discuss this biological manufacturing revolution on Thursday, July 9th at 5pm (CEST): Suzanne Lee (Biofabricate), Mitchell Joachim (Terreform One), Ellen Jorgensen (Aanika Bio) und Drew Endy (Stanford University).

It’s hard enough to build a successful startup when times are good. But now? What are the partnerships that matter, what should governments do to support young businesses? Aol Co-founder Steve Case, Chairman and CEO of Revolution, and DLD Co-Chairman Yossi Vardi will discuss entrepreneurship in a time of crisis on Wednesday, July 15th at 5pm (CEST).

For more information and registration details, please visit the DLD Website.