ZEW’s Digital Voyage on Board of MS Wissenschaft

The widespread use of short messaging services, online banking, uncountable smart phone apps, data glasses and smart computers in hospital operating rooms all confirm that the digital age has permeated all spheres of modern life. The exhibition focuses on the significant role of science and research in this development. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) sent the MS Wissenschaft on her mission.

This year, ZEW's contribution to the MS Wissenschaft is the computer program "Social Media & Co. – Alles wirklich kostenlos?" (Social Media & Co. – Truly free of charge?). The software was developed by the institute’s "Information and Communication Technologies" Research Department.

Visitors can learn about the actual costs and efficiency of sharing news online in a fun and interactive way. At first glance, digital communication seems to simplify many aspects of life, but efficiency requires more than just finding the lowest price for online purchases or keeping in touch with many people. The time needed to reach a desired result is crucial. Using digital media can be extremely time-consuming, as many readers will know.

The exhibit is based on a network-analytic diffusion model that explains how news is spread in today’s digital age. It draws comparisons between the present and both the age of pre-digital mass media as well as historical communication networks 150 years ago. The exhibition piece also addresses the costs of news distribution. “Today, in the digital age, it is easier and cheaper to reach people. However, news items need to stand out in this flood of information. The way they are being presented is important” says Prof. Irene Bertschek, head of the ZEW’s research department "Information and Communication Technologies."

The MS Wissenschaft will visit 38 cities along German and Austrian waterways, completing her voyage at the end of September 2014. From August 4th-7th, she will anchor in Mannheim, where the ZEW is located, on the Lindenhof Rhine Promenade. Admission to the exhibition is free of charge. Opening hours are from 10am to 7pm daily. School classes and groups of ten or more people are asked to give advance notice. Further information about the MS Wissenschaft and the "2014 Science Year – The Digital Society" can be found at www.ms-wissenschaft.de and www.digital-ist.de (German language only).

For more information please contact

Prof. Dr. Irene Bertschek, Phone +49/621/1235-178, E-mail bertschek@zew.de

Michael Kummer, Phone +49/621/1235-357, E-mail kummer@zew.de