Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg – First minister to be overthrown by the internet?!

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/15/books/merkels-possible-successor-resigns-in-plagiarism-scandal.html

I have to admit that while studying in the US for the last 7 month I really lost sight of almost everything that was going on back home in Germany during this period of time…almost. There was at least one specific German topic that could not be ignored even abroad due to its overwhelming presence in newspapers, magazines, on Facebook, as well as on every other possible media platform (although it seems like it hasn’t made it across the pond until recently). Of course I talk about the Guttenberg-affair.

The trouble started last month when Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, Germany’s (now former) minister of defense disclaimed having plagiarized parts of his 2006 doctoral thesis. The public discussion about this issue began mid-February with an article in the newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung and initially led to the deprivation of Guttenberg’s doctor’s degree one week later, followed by his recession from all of his political functions on the 1^st of March due to the extreme political pressure. The University of Bayreuth is still analyzing his thesis with regard to intentionally borrowed and not indicated passages from other authors. In addition to these charges, the department of public prosecution in Hof is still investigating the case because of the suspicion of copyright infringement.

After following this affair for over a month by reading various articles I hold the opinion that Guttenberg’s recession can be seen as an evidence for the increasing impact of the collective information processing that occurs with the internet (thereby also having in mind the introductory story of Shirky’s book Here comes everybody). For me, this medium significantly structured the course of action against the minister. The meticulously gathering transcription register “GuttenPlag Wiki” has not only visualized his copy-paste “orgies”, but also was omnipresent within the whole debate as well as its major reference point. Furthermore, the ten thousands of signatures of doctoral candidates which were collected through the internet did not miss its effect either, as well as the call against Guttenberg by Lutz Hachmeister on carta.info with more than 3000 Facebook-likes was part of the successful counter movement.

In my opinion, the pressure on the former minister of defense would never have been so massive without the internet. The commonly accessible facts had the effect of displaying a gash in the flawless self-presentation of Guttenberg. Without coming to his defense I think that Guttenberg became the victim of the new public that came into being through the internet. His case did not only visualize the structure of this public, but also - and that is the important point - its capacities. Therefore I believe that Guttenberg will not stay the only person to be overthrown due to this medium.

Btw: Thanks to all of you guys for having me in your class! I really enjoyed the discussions with you and wish you all the best for your future!