Alumni and guests are invited to join the Oxford and Cambridge Society of Hamburg for a reading and discussion on Sunday, 21 October at the recently rennovated Literaturhaus. The session is with Anselm Rodenhausen, the author of Zernetzt, a sci-fi thriller set in Oxford.

Anselm (Magdalen College 2008) is a member of our society who has since moved to Brussels, he is writer and lawyer, has advised international tech-companies and is now working for the European Commission in Brussels on digital policy files (AI, Blockchain, online platform regulation). The reading (which will be in German) is followed by a discussion with the audience (in German and/or English) about various aspects of the digital revolution, including the recent debate regarding Facebook/Cambridge Analytica.

About the Book

In the near future, "Spannwerk", a social network run by Berlin start-up, has mounted a successful challenge to the dominance of Silicon Valley. Philipp, a well-connected business consultant, is asked to join a dubious research project run by Spannwerk: the aim is to develop the next version of the social network, which will scan brain patterns, collecting each thought and connecting users more closely than ever before. Then, one of Philipps's contacts dies - in mysterious circumstances...

We will start with lunch at Literaturhauscafé, who will be offering a three-course Sunday lunch for €37.00 (excluding drinks) before Anselm reads from his thriller Zernetzt and responds to questions.