Irritate me: Between outrage and insight

On 25 September 2025, media scientist Bernhard Pörksen will be a guest on ‘Irritieren Sie mich’ (Irritate me). In conversation with Peter-André Alt, they will discuss the power of language, the responsibility of the media and the question of how we can create spaces for genuine discourse.


Bernhard Pörksen is one of the best-known media scientists and intellectuals in the German-speaking world.

He teaches at the University of Tübingen and is known as an author, speaker and discussion partner for his analytical acuity and passionate advocacy of an open culture of debate. He explains how outrage has become currency, how social media accelerates and polarises debate – and how this is shifting the framework conditions for the communication of science. In a ‘scandal society,’ he diagnoses, attention is often confused with relevance – with far-reaching consequences for science and research. For Pörksen, listening is a form of attention that helps us to understand difference, deal with complexity and rethink communication, especially at a time when polarisation and loud voices dominate discourse. understand differences, deal with complexity and rethink communication.

In the discussion series ‘Irritate me’ , he discusses with Peter-André Alt the role of the media in an uncertain public sphere, the responsibility of science and journalism, and the importance of genuine listening.

• Date: 25 September 2025
  
• Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
  
• Location:  Studio14 - Die rbb Dachlounge Masurenallee 20, 14057 Berlin
  

Participation is free of charge. Please register at:https://www.wuebben-stiftung-wissenschaft.org/event/bernhard-poerksen-zwischen-empoerung-und-erkenntnis