Sunday, July 14, 2024: 1:00 pm (Marillac Auditorium): We need to shape contemporary political narratives. Context hacking is a powerful tool to play with the nuts and bolts of the power structures that surround us; it's about understanding and manipulating the very fabric of our social relationships and cultural norms. Imagine society as a complex system - context hackers treat it as such, recognizing its potential for modification and subversion. From "urban hacking" to "cultural jamming," we employ creative tactics to challenge entrenched hierarchies and empower individuals to think critically about the world around them. But context hacking doesn't exist in a vacuum. It intersects with the powerful domain of political narrative, where storytelling becomes a potent force in shaping our perceptions of reality. This talk will explore how political narratives blur the lines between fact and fiction, weaving myths into public discourse and constructing grand meta-narratives that shape our understanding of history and progress. Drawing from narrative theory, Johannes will trace the evolution of political storytelling - from its roots in literary theory to its resurgence in the digital age. He'll confront the challenges posed by "fake news" and misinformation and examine how narratives are crafted to evoke pathos and sway public opinion. Amidst these challenges lies immense opportunity. By harnessing the tools of context hacking and narrative construction, we can forge a path toward a more open society.

Johannes Grenzfurthner