"The? New? Normal?" Reflecting on normalization as a perpetuation of pre-existing conditions of power

The "normal" is a constantly changing socio-technical construct. It is based on normative assumptions and power relations; introduction of any "new normal" requires interrogating tacit hierarchies of power/knowledge. This becomes particularly important in times of crisis when potential openings for change become visible and power plays may come to the fore.

Robert Braun, Senior Researcher at IHS, reflects critically on naming the post-pandemic era as the "New Normal". From a Science, Technology and Society (STS) studies perspective normalization suggests that there are no alternatives to the ways the world is constructed for us in the here and now by new and emerging technologies, such as dataspace and artificial intelligence.

The lecture is followed by an audience discussion moderated by Katrin Auel, head of the IHS research group European Governance, Public Finance and Labour Market.