Article ID: CBB553471115

Kurskorrekturen eines Technokraten: Die politische Rechtswendung des Nachrichtentechnikers und Zukunftsforschers Karl Steinbuch nach 1970. (Course Corrections of a Technocrat: The Political Turn to the Right of Karl Steinbuch, a Communications Engineer and Futurologist, after 1970) (2020)

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Karl Steinbuch (1917-2005) war ein Pionier in der Computertechnik und einflussreich in Futurologie und Kybernetik. Als Entwicklungsleiter bei Standard Elektronik Lorenz meldete er zahlreiche Patente an und entwickelte als Professor an der TH Karlsruhe 1961 eines der ersten künstlichen neuronalen Netze. Zugleich äußerte sich Steinbuch über Jahrzehnte politisch - mit Bestsellern und Artikeln, in Rundfunksendungen und im Fernsehen. Als Wahlkampfhelfer von Willy Brandt war er zugleich wissenschaftlicher Berater der SPD, ehe es 1972 zum offenen Konflikt kam. Steinbuch näherte sich zunächst der Union, dann nationalistischen Standpunkten an. In der Person von Karl Steinbuch kristallisieren verschiedene Dimensionen des Verhältnisses von Technik und Politik, Technokratie und technological fix. Die Untersuchung der Wortmeldungen des Technik-Intellektuellen eröffnet somit Perspektiven, wie technisch strukturiertes Denken Vorstellungen über Gesellschaft und Politik prägen kann. Zugleich zeigt sich, dass ein konstantes Technikverständnis keineswegs zu konstanten politischen Ansichten führt, wenngleich eine Nähe zu autoritärem Denken offenbar wird. Der Aufsatz liefert zudem neue Hinweise zur Biografie Steinbuchs, deren weitere Erforschung aufgrund seiner zentralen Rolle in der politischen Kultur des deutschen Südwestens als Desiderat gekennzeichnet wird. Karl Steinbuch (1917-2005) was a pioneer in informatics and influential in futurology and cybernetics. As head of development at Standard Elektronik Lorenz, he applied for numerous patents and as professor at the polytechnic TH Karlsruhe in 1961 developed one of the first artificial neural networks. Moreover, for decades Steinbuch spoke out politically-writing bestsellers and articles and making appearances in radio broadcasts and on television. As Willy Brandt’s campaign assistant, he also served as scientific advisor to the Social Democratic Party until open conflict arose in 1972. Steinbuch then identified with the Christian conservative parties, later also adopting extremist positions. In Karl Steinbuch’s biography various dimensions of the relationship between technology and politics, technocracy and “technological fix” come to light. An examination of the statements by this “techno-intellectual” thus opens up perspectives on how technically structured thinking can shape ideas about society and politics. At the same time, it becomes evident that a constant understanding of technology does not necessarily result in constant political points of view, although some proximity to authoritarian thinking does become apparent. Ultimately, the article provides new insights into Steinbuch’s life and recommends its further exploration due to his central role in the political culture of the German Southwest.

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Authors & Contributors
Castells, Manuel
Garza, James A.
Ziewitz, Malte
Torma, Franziska
Nikolas Dörr
Kiselyova, Emma
Concepts
Technology and society
Technology and politics
Information technology
Technocracy
Technology
Technology and economics
Time Periods
20th century
19th century
20th century, late
21st century
18th century
20th century, early
Places
Germany
United States
Soviet Union
Americas
South Africa
Mexico
Institutions
United States Navy
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