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Articles by Michael Makowski
Für KI zählt Reputation statt SEO | Digitale Welt
Sichtbarkeit und Reputation gehören zu den zentralen Währungen im Wettbewerb um Aufmerksamkeit. Seit Langem setzen Unternehmen deshalb auf strategische Öffentlichkeitsarbeit. Mit dem Durchbruch Künstlicher Intelligenz verändert sich jedoch die Logik dieser Disziplin grundlegend. Denn KI-gestützte Informationssysteme stellen deutlich höhere Anforderungen an ihre Informationsquellen als klassische Suchmaschinen.
In Germany, Historic Guilt Is Fueling Islamophobia, Anti-Immigrant Policies
Palestine solidarity demonstrations have gripped Germany each day since the Israeli bombing of Gaza began after Hamas’s attack on October 7. Protesters in Berlin routinely march through the streets chanting slogans like “Free Palestine from German guilt!,” which is meant to call out what they see as Germany’s unfair and uncritical support for Israel—based on the country’s historical guilt for perpetrating the Holocaust.
‘The Coal Is Still in the Ground’: How German Activists Are Resisting a Fossil Fuel Takeover
The tiny village of Lützerath in western Germany was, for most of its history, unremarkable. It contains about a dozen homes and its population rarely climbed to more than one hundred. But today, Lützerath has become the epicenter of Germany’s environmentalist and eco-activist movement. Lützerath sits at the edge of an open-pit coal mine owned by German multinational energy company RWE.
What Germany’s Rearmament Means for World Peace
Three days after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stood before the Bundestag, Germany’s parliament, in an emergency gathering to announce the biggest change to German foreign policy since World War II. “Wir erleben eine Zeitenwende,” he said. “We are experiencing a Zeitenwende.” The Zeitenwende—a watershed moment, a changing of the times.
The Return of the ‘Sewer Socialists’
On November 3, Richie Floyd, a former middle school science teacher, was elected to the city council of St. Petersburg with 51 percent of the vote. Floyd, as a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, is now not only the only openly socialist elected official in Florida, but also the first to be elected in the state in nearly 100 years. Floyd, like many young socialists, became more active in politics after Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’s 2016 run for President.
What Germany’s Welfare State Can Teach the United States
Some Americans think of Germany as a kind of socialist state. But that isn’t the case. Germany does have a robust welfare state, but it is funded through semi-public institutions that share costs between individuals, their employers, and the government. It’s a social democracy, a capitalist country with laws and taxes that provide an expansive array of social services.
Germany’s Elections Favor the Left but Promise Coalition Challenges
German voters have spoken: After the September 26 election, Germany’s politics will take a modest, but marked, move to the left. The biggest winner of the election was Germany’s Social Democratic Party. The SPD had the strongest showing with 25.4 percent, replacing Angela Merkel’s party, the Christian Democratic Union, or CDU, as the largest party in the Bundestag, Germany’s federal parliament. Taken together, the elections mark a modest but certain move to the left in German politics.
Germany’s Election Will Deliver a Change in Power
On September 26, Germany, Europe’s largest democracy, will vote to elect a new parliament and a new chancellor. As Chancellor Angela Merkel heads into retirement, the election promises a new chancellor for the first time in sixteen years and will almost certainly change the ruling coalition in Germany’s parliament. This election is unique because it will almost certainly result in a ruling coalition of three parties—something rare in German history.
Planet burns while billionaires soar
While record-breaking wildfires burned across the Western United States, Amazon executive chairman and billionaire Jeff Bezos stepped out of his space capsule to a crowd of cheering fans. His company Blue Origin’s first launch into space was a success. Bezos became the second billionaire to reach space and cement his stature as a leading private space industry figure.
Misinformation in Your Mailbox: Rightwing Newspaper Tries to Sway Wisconsin
Residents living in the suburban Wisconsin town of Hartland recently found a copy of the rightwing weekly newspaper The Epoch Times in their mailbox. They aren’t alone in this. The paper is making a deliberate effort to reach and sway voters throughout the nation. For many, The Epoch Times, which is tied to a Chinese spiritual movement known as Falun Gong, is an unknown paper. Its “sample edition” landing in mailboxes might seem like a benign offering, or perhaps even a mailing error.
Baldwin slams Trump's response to BLM protests, COVID-19 in virtual town hall - The Daily Cardinal
Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin slammed President Trump’s response to Black Lives Matter protests, trade wars early in the year and COVID-19 Wednesday afternoon. In an interview with State Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler, Baldwin, D-Madison, set the scene in Washington D.C. last week, saying police and federal agents were “turned against” peaceful protesters, using tear gas to allow the president to visit a nearby church.
Vos’ recorded statement on immigrants, COVID-19 sparks outrage as Republicans criticize Evers’ staff for recording meeting - The Daily Cardinal
Days after Republicans criticized Tony Evers following the recording of a May 14 meeting discussing Wisconsin’s reopening leaked to the public, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is on the defense after a comment about immigrant communities sparked outrage. The call, which was first released to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel based on an open records request, took place following the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision that struck down Evers’ “Safer at Home” order.
Give Them Liberty, and Give Them COVID-19
A photo essay from Wisconsin's anti-quarantine protest. by Michael Makowski April 25, 2020 7:00 AM On Friday, thousands of people gathered in Madison, Wisconsin, to protest Governor Tony Evers's extended Safer at Home order. Here are some images from the event. Tags Coronavirus Republicans Far Right Health White Supremacy Protest Public Health Nationalism Trump Dispatches Photography April 25, 2020 7:00 AM Get the latest Progressive news Sign-up for our free weekly e-mail newsletter.
Far Right, Spurred by Trump, Plans Next Anti-Quarantine Protest in Wisconsin
In a triad of tweets, President Donald Trump recently called on Americans to “liberate” their states from stay-at-home orders imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19. In doing so, the “law and order” President sparked protests around the country from citizens seeking to “reopen” their states. The next big protest is set for Friday, April 24, in Wisconsin. Reopening too soon could undo the progress Wisconsin has made in slowing the spread of COVID-19.
This isn’t just voter suppression — it’s electoral violence. - The Daily Cardinal
Amidst the most deadly and widespread pandemic in over a century, Wisconsin proceeded with an in-person election. Thousands of otherwise voters were unable to participate in the democratic process. Thousands of voters who did risked their lives. What happened on Tuesday isn’t just voter suppression. It is electoral violence. The election didn’t have to be like this, and for a few hours, at least, it wasn’t.
Sen. Baldwin calls on USDA to allow more federal funding for rural broadband - The Daily Cardinal
U.S. Sen. Tammy Balwin, D-Wis., joined a bipartisan group of senators calling for a change in requirements to a U.S. Department of Agriculture program blocking rural communities in 19 states from funding for rural broadband expansion.
F-35s will worsen Madison’s housing crisis, harm communities of color - The Daily Cardinal
The military-industrial complex has taken aim. This time, Madison is in the crosshairs. Three years ago, in Washington D.C., the Air Force announced its pick of Madison as home to eighteen new F-35 fighter jets. Today, the Madison community grapples with the reality of F-35s coming to their city and what consequences they might bring.
UW System protest policy could become state law - The Daily Cardinal
In November 2016, around 15 students protested conservative media personality Ben Shapiro’s on-campus lecture. Now, the UW System policy that states students who disrupt campus speech three times will be expelled could become state law. Protesters of the 2016 Shapiro lecture — “Dismantling Safe Spaces: Facts Don’t Care About Your Feelings” — chanted “shame” and “safety” before going to the stage and standing in front of Shapiro.
UW System faculty, students show hesitant support for sexual harassment prevention collaborative - The Daily Cardinal
Like many other schools, the UW System has recently installed more measures to prevent sexual assault and harassment. But the System’s move to join a national coalition of colleges fighting these issues sparked both praise and criticism from faculty and students alike.
Hippo Campus: Seductively sweet at the Sylvee - The Daily Cardinal
The Sylvee was beaming with swarms of Minnesota natives and indie rock fans to welcome Hippo Campus this past Friday night. The venue was overwhelmingly full, but admiration for Luppen, Stocker, Sutton, Allen and Jackson united the mass of humans to embrace their hive-mindedness and enjoy the show. They nonchalantly strolled on the stage, hidden just barely in the shadows.
UW System faculty, students show hesitant support for sexual harassment prevention collaborative - The Daily Cardinal
Like many other schools, the UW System has recently installed more measures to prevent sexual assault and harassment. But the System’s move to join a national coalition of colleges fighting these issues sparked both praise and criticism from faculty and students alike.
The Daily Cardinal
By Michael Makowski | April 22, 2019 12:00 am With students at the lead, Hoofer Ambassadors places equity and inclusivity at the center of the conversation about accessing the outdoors. The program took shape over the spring semester, and is a product of efforts to bring more inclusion to Hoofers, UW-Madison’s outdoors club.
Follow the Flock: Michael Makowski's insights on SXSW 2019 artists - The Daily Cardinal
Rico Nasty is an American rapper whose shows are a performance of ferocity that demand attention and participation. She can be many things on stage: caustic, forceful, witty and empathetic. She engages the audience with calls to a mosh pit and embraces star-struck fans. Rico Nasty has disarmingly powerful stage presence, and her performance is a celebration of her journey toward self-confidence. KOKOKO! is a Congolese group that makes banging rhythms on upcycled, homemade instrumental artworks.
Baldwin bill aims to repay federal workers’ wages missed during shutdown - The Daily Cardinal
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin called for a vote Monday on a new bill she has co-sponsored that would provide compensation to federal workers impacted by the government shutdown. The Back Pay Fairness Act was introduced by Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, to fund additional costs created by unreceived paychecks. It guarantees employees full back-pay, as well as reimbursement for other accumulated interests, such as costs associated with loans and late bill fees.
What Democrats can (and can’t) do with a weakened governorship - The Daily Cardinal
In the wake of several last minute reforms from state Republicans, Democrat Tony Evers will likely not inherit the full authority enjoyed by Gov. Scott Walker during his time in office, despite defeating the two-term incumbent last month.
Hundreds of protesters brave cold to object to lame duck Republican legislation - The Daily Cardinal
Hundreds of protesters lined the steps of the state Capitol building Monday night to oppose Republican legislation that would strip power from newly-elected Democrats and restrict early voting in future elections. The legislation includes measures to take some authority away from incoming Democratic Gov.
Education department seeks to protect individuals accused of sexual assault - The Daily Cardinal
New proposed changes from the Trump administration would make it more difficult for students to prove wrongdoing in sexual assault allegations and increase protections for those accused. The proposal would alter Obama-era policies enforced under Title IX, established to protect students from gender discrimination and sexual violence in educational settings.
Joe Biden denounces the president, encourages voting during campus visit - The Daily Cardinal
Former Vice President Joe Biden was welcomed by over 1,000 people Tuesday morning in Madison during a campaign rally for U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tony Evers. Biden’s visit marked the most recent from a high-profile, Democratic figure, trailing former President Barack Obama, who visited on Friday and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who stopped in Wisconsin last Monday.
Student groups shed light on domestic violence in the undocumented community - The Daily Cardinal
A group of 16 UW-Madison students gathered Monday night to discuss Domestic Violence within Undocumented Communities, an event sponsored by Promoting Awareness Victim Empowerment and Dreamers of UW-Madison. The event focused on the unique challenges undocumented communities face when confronting issues of domestic violence. The discussion is part of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, celebrated in October to recognize and combat domestic violence.
Bon Iver, Baldwin rally Wisconsinites to vote, support ‘all human lives’ - The Daily Cardinal
Bon Iver frontman Justin Vernon left the Sylvee stage following their fundraising performance Saturday saying “On, Wisconsin” in a hinting tone, like what he actually wanted to say was “you better get out and vote, Wisconsin.” The show encouraged the audience to vote in the upcoming state election and heavily promoted hitting the polls early.
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