Adult education centre events in May 2021

Monday, 3 May, 6.45 to 8.15 p.m.
"I follow you (at every turn)!" - The fascination of influencers
Online participation: free
After registering (by 3 May, 3 p.m.) at www.vhs-chemnitz.de, you will receive an access link by email.

Imitate, emulate, buy - how and why do influencers and idols from the media world have such a strong influence on young people's lives? To what extent do (parasocial) relationships with influencers support young people in their identity work? The course will shed light on the impact of these idols in social media and will identify positive influences, but also critically evaluate the influencer existence.

This event is a cooperation between SAEK Chemnitz and the Chemnitz Adult Education Centre as part of the "medienkundig" course series.

Wednesday, 5 May, 7 to 8.30 p.m.
Conspiracy myths, half-truths and disinformation - how to make information and facts understandable and trustworthy
Online participation: free
After registering (by 3 p.m. on 5 May) at www.vhs-chemnitz.dehttp://www.vhs-chemnitz.deor 0371 488 4343, you will receive an access link by email.

We live in turbulent times: The corona pandemic in particular has brought and continues to bring forth new half-truths, rumours, falsified and distorted information, conspiracy narratives and misinformation on an almost daily basis. They take hold, are passed on and spread at breakneck speed - giving the impression that they reflect reality.

How are we supposed to know what is really true and trustworthy? How can facts be understood or made comprehensible? How do you get to the real source of information?

The author and blogger Ingrid Brodnig, known for her numerous publications on the subject of online hate, has long been active in the defence of the internet as a medium of enlightenment. On this evening, she will also show that there are ways for all users of the internet and social media to counter disinformation and false reports and make real facts understandable. This also applies to her new book on the subject, which has been announced for early 2021.

Austrian journalist Ingrid Brodnig was editor of the news magazine Profil from 2015 to 2017, where she was responsible for reporting on digital topics. Prior to that, she was head of the media department at the Viennese weekly newspaper "Falter" and author of the weekly IT column "Digitalia". Ingrid Brodnig has received numerous awards and prizes for her journalistic work and was named Austria's Digital Champion in the EU in 2017.

This event is a cooperation between the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and the Chemnitz Adult Education Centre.

Tuesday, 11 May, 7 to 8.30 p.m.
Conspiracy ideologies. Moderated expert talk with discussion
Online participation: free
After registration (until 11 May, 4 pm) at www.vhs-chemnitz.de or 0371 488 4343 you will receive an access link by e-mail.

COVID-19 was only invented to enslave humanity. Climate change is not influenced by humans, but a lie to establish the coming eco-dictatorship. The Federal Republic of Germany is not a sovereign state, but an occupied country. Migration movements are the work of a global elite to destroy the people. These are some of the currently widespread conspiracy ideologies: some seem completely absurd, others quite plausible. Such narratives spread rapidly, especially when people or societies are in crisis. Because conspiracy ideologies cannot do without the naming of enemy images, hatred, violence and terrorism also arise in their context.

The lecture and discussion will explore the causes of the boom in conspiracy narratives. Together with the audience, the speakers will discuss the dangers posed by conspiracy ideologies and give tips on how to deal with people who believe in them.

This event is a cooperation between the Saxon State Centre for Political Education and the Chemnitz Adult Education Centre as part of the "Kontrovers vor Ort" project.

Monday, 17 May, 7 to 8.30 p.m.
Book reading: History of the throwaway society
Online participation: free
After registering (by 17 May, 4 pm) at www.vhs-chemnitz.de or 0371 488 4343, you will receive an access link by email.

Sooner or later, everything is thrown away. Even usable products that are as good as new end up in the bin. Such behaviour is the result of a long-term process. It started at the turn of the century with hygiene products such as toilet paper, sanitary towels, nappies and paper handkerchiefs. After the Second World War, other disposable items were added: paper cups and plastic crockery, nylon stockings and ballpoint pens, razor blades, drinks cans and much more.

In his book, historian Wolfgang König shows how the economy and consumers have jointly made throwing away a routine and discusses ways of overcoming the throwaway society. A reading and discussion invite you to exchange ideas.

Wednesday, 26 May, 7 to 8.30 p.m.
Coral reefs - threatened wilderness of tropical seas
Online participation: free
After registering (by 26 May, 4 pm) at www.vhs-chemnitz.de or 0371 488 4343, you will receive an access link by email.

Coral reefs are considered the epitome of the wilderness of tropical seas. Today, they are severely threatened by pollution, exploitation of marine resources, global warming and ocean acidification. The unique ecosystems in the Caribbean and Indo-Pacific are changing before our eyes to an unprecedented extent. The chances of international conservation efforts are dwindling. Scientists hope to at least protect remote island refuges in order to preserve relict populations for later eras.

The illustrated lecture also shows the fascinating beauty of the coral reefs. A recognised expert, curator for marine ecology at the German Oceanographic Museum in Stralsund, will explain the background to current developments and attempt to provide an outlook for the future.

This event is a co-operation between the Adult Education Centre of the District of Leipzig and the Adult Education Centre of Chemnitz.

Current information can be found at www.vhs-chemnitz.de.