Alpine Symposium 2018: A lot of philosophy, politics - and a rock star
The Alpine Symposium 2018 once again attracted several hundred guests to the Hotel Victoria Jungfrau in Interlaken on January 16 and 17. Keynote speakers such as Anders Indset, Joachim Gauck, Peer Steinbrück and Bruce Dickinson provided plenty of food for thought and visual material.
Will humans become obsolete after all? This rather gloomy vision of the future could well become reality one day, believes economic philosopher Anders Indset from Norway. He warned against underestimating the speed of technological developments. "Quantum computing will achieve a breakthrough before the end of this year," predicts Indset. "There will be an explosion of intelligence, in three to five years we will have machines with IQs like adult humans," he predicted. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will become Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). We should have respect for the vision of a "Homo Obsoletus," Indset warned, and called on the audience to become shapers of change themselves, so as not to simply be at its mercy. Algorithms cannot become the new authorities, he said.
For a good life
The presentations by Rolf Dobelli and Mahsa Amoudadashi were more about the "little things. Mahsa Amoudadashi pleaded at the Alpine Symposium 2018 for more cordiality in dealing with customers and employees. However, this cannot be learned, but must first be "awakened" through exemplary enthusiasm. Rolf Dobelli in turn gave a few inputs for a "good life", such as: Saying "no" more, being more modest, or stopping always comparing oneself with others.
Europe: The answer to the 21st century
Former German President Joachim Gauck also struck a calm note. He certainly sees a challenge in growing populism, but would like to see a little more composure, an "antihisteric," as he put it. People's justified fears must be given room to be expressed, he said. In response, he said, there is a need for inviting and simple language. But this field should not be left to the populists. Their recipes are too seductive. Instead, politicians are called upon to use communication to simplify the increasingly complex processes in an "enlightening" way. Joachim Gauck is convinced that an appropriate civil discourse is still possible through "robust civility.
The second "political heavyweight" at the Alpine Symposium 2018 was former German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück. He, too, warned against increasing populism, but in contrast made it clear that a "retreat into one's own wagon castle" was the wrong strategy. "No problem can be solved only nationally anymore," Steinbrück said. It is true that Europe is extremely challenged by Brexit, financial or demographic problems and uncertainties in the policies of major powers such as the United States or Russia. But it is precisely this Europe that is the only right answer to the 21st century, he said. And where does he see Switzerland in this Europe? In particular, the problem of the free movement of persons must be solved.
Rock star and businessman
The motto of this year's Alpine Symposium was "Plan B." Bruce Dickinson has many such "Plan Bs. As the lead singer of the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, Dickinson is also a shrewd businessman. It's hard to imagine the rock genre without his band and its music. As a pilot - he flies a Boeing 747 with all the band's equipment from gig to gig himself - he also founded several aviation maintenance companies and managed an entire airline, Air Djibouti. In the spirit of "diversification", Bruce Dickinson also works as a beer brewer and watchmaker.
New working worlds, emotions and humor
Other impressive and emotional performances were given by the two sisters Melati and Isabel Wijsen. As schoolgirls in Bali, they launched an initiative with the organization "Bye Bye Plastic Bags" against the immense pollution of the oceans and beaches with plastic waste. With their refreshing performance, they won the hearts of the audience at the Alpine Symposium 2018. Samuel Koch, on the other hand, reported on his way back to life, which had changed completely after his serious accident in front of running cameras in the TV show "Wetten, dass...?". Similarly, Michel Fornasier was born without a right hand. Thanks to his bionic hand prosthesis "iLimb Ultra Revolution", he is nevertheless able to walk with two hands and uses this example to demonstrate the possibilities of robotics. Bernese Professor Kathrin Altwegg reported on the mission of the "Rosetta" space probe to the comet Tschuri-Gerassimov. And entrepreneur Viktor Calabrò showed how new and more flexible forms of employment can bring new benefits to the economy. Finally, Dr. Roman F. Szeliga, doctor, manager, author and clinic clown, as well as cabaret artist Florian Schroeder provided the audience with a number of laughs with their performances.
