Modena Festival Asks: Is Internet Really Gone?

This isn't just a catchy slogan for the festival, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year from October 16th to 19th. As reported by forumpa.it, this question is the starting point for a much deeper conversation about "New Connections for a Digital Humanity." It speaks to that unsettling sense that the open, democratic space the internet once promised has morphed into something dominated by a few big players, where our data is constantly being harvested.
It's a topic that resonates deeply, especially with the growing concerns around artificial intelligence and how it's shaping our perceptions of reality. We're seeing this play out in real-time, with discussions about the ethical implications of technology becoming more urgent than ever. The festival, held in Modena and supported by a host of local and national institutions, promises a rich program of talks, workshops, and art installations designed to explore these complex issues. Experts like Manuel Castells and Matteo Flora, alongside artists and ethicists, will be gathering to discuss how we can forge a more human-centered digital future.
Looking at the scope of events planned, from Smart Tech and Smart Art to Smart Society and Smart Health, it's clear that the organizers want to examine the profound impact of our increasingly connected lives across every facet of our existence. The goal, it seems, is to move beyond just technological advancement and to re-center our focus on ethics, collaboration, and what it truly means to be human in this digital age. Given how much of our lives are now intertwined with the digital world, shouldn't we be asking these kinds of fundamental questions more often?