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“... Inconceivable, Unrealistic and Inhumane”. Internet Communication on the Flood Disaster in West Germany of July 2021 between Conspiracy Theories and Moralization—A Neopragmatic Explorative Study

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  • Olaf Kühne

    (Department of Geography, Eberhard Karls University, 72074 Tubingen, Germany)

  • Lara Koegst

    (Department of Geography, Eberhard Karls University, 72074 Tubingen, Germany)

  • Marie-Luise Zimmer

    (Department of Geography, Eberhard Karls University, 72074 Tubingen, Germany)

  • Greta Schäffauer

    (Department of Geography, Eberhard Karls University, 72074 Tubingen, Germany)

Abstract

The aim of this article is an explorative study of the debate on the flood in the western part of Germany in July 2021, based on the comments found below the coverage of a German public television channel (ZDF) published on YouTube. Based on the neopragmatic framing of the analysis by connecting morality and mass media according to Luhmann, as well as Dahrendorf’s conflict theory, four patterns of interpretation were identified which illustrate a high moralization of the conflict: conclusions drawn from the storm (e.g., of a political nature, references to COVID-19, etc.), far-reaching, predominantly negative interpretations that place the storm and its consequences in the context of other negatively interpreted aspects, as well as rational and empathetic interpretations regarding expressions of sympathy and offers of help, and, ultimately, interpretations that range from climate change and planning failures to various conspiracy-theoretical claims of responsibility for the flooding. All in all, a transformation from conflicts of interest and facts to conflicts of identity and values is taking place, revealing two utopias: the utopia in which man and nature are in harmonic unity, as well as the utopia of the satisfaction of individual (material) needs in a stable material-spatial and legal framework. Science has an instrumental application in both utopias.

Suggested Citation

  • Olaf Kühne & Lara Koegst & Marie-Luise Zimmer & Greta Schäffauer, 2021. "“... Inconceivable, Unrealistic and Inhumane”. Internet Communication on the Flood Disaster in West Germany of July 2021 between Conspiracy Theories and Moralization—A Neopragmatic Explorative Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-22, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:20:p:11427-:d:657687
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sören Messinger-Zimmer & Julia Zilles, 2016. "(De-)zentrale Energiewende und soziale Konflikte: regionale Konflikte um die Vertretung des Gemeinwohls," Vierteljahrshefte zur Wirtschaftsforschung / Quarterly Journal of Economic Research, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 85(4), pages 41-51.
    2. Kamlage, Jan-Hendrik & Drewing, Emily & Reinermann, Julia Lena & de Vries, Nicole & Flores, Marissa, 2020. "Fighting fruitfully? Participation and conflict in the context of electricity grid extension in Germany," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    3. Reusswig, Fritz & Braun, Florian & Heger, Ines & Ludewig, Thomas & Eichenauer, Eva & Lass, Wiebke, 2016. "Against the wind: Local opposition to the German Energiewende," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 214-227.
    4. Olaf Kühne & Florian Weber, 2018. "Conflicts and negotiation processes in the course of power grid extension in Germany," Landscape Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(4), pages 529-541, May.
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    1. Corinna Jenal & Sven Endreß & Olaf Kühne & Caroline Zylka, 2021. "Technological Transformation Processes and Resistance—On the Conflict Potential of 5G Using the Example of 5G Network Expansion in Germany," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-20, December.

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