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The New Responsibility – Farewell to Freedom?
1 h 0 minGerald Häfner
To Whom Does the Sky Belong? Can We Protect Outer Space from Economic and Military Exploitation?
Description
A contribution by Gerald Häfner
The lecture describes how humanity is increasingly losing the night and the starry sky. Through artificial light, many satellites and the growing use of outer space, not only is darkness lost, but also an important part of our cultural and spiritual connection to the sky. The speaker regards it as particularly critical that states and companies want to use outer space economically and even extract raw materials on the Moon or asteroids. He emphasises that the sky belongs to all people in common and must be protected. He calls for stricter rules, fewer satellites and a ban on space mining, so that the sky remains a space of peace and responsibility.
A contribution by Gerald Häfner for Dark Sky Week 2026.
German | Subtitles · DE · EN
Publication: 3 April 2026
Translated by AI from the original (Deutsch), not reviewed · Read the original
Speakers
Gerald HäfnerGerald Häfner leads the Section for Social Sciences at the Goetheanum in Dornach, initially as co-leader from 2015. He studied German literature, Waldorf education, social sciences and philosophy, and was a member of the German Bundestag for Alliance 90/The Greens (1987–2002, with interruptions) and of the European Parliament (2009–2014). He co-founded initiatives for democracy and civil rights, including Mehr Demokratie and Democracy International.
All videosProduction · Section at the GoetheanumMathematical-Astronomical SectionAll videosmas.goetheanum.org
Details
- Series
- Dark Sky Week 2026, Episode 1 of 3
- Section
- Mathematics and Astronomy
- Language
- German · Subtitles: German, English
- Access
- With subscription
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