#rp25 speaker Denis Kogel & Magdalena Pulz: Internet history through memes

From Lord of the Weed and Lolcats to Skibidi Toilet: memes shape generations online - as maybe one of the most honest forms of expression on the internet. According to Magdalena Pulz and Dennis Kogel, memes can thus tell us something about generational similarities and differences. How do the most popular memes relate to the narrative of generations? We'll find out - at re:publica 2025!

At first glance, it seems as if we can clearly differentiate and identify millennials, Gen Z and boomers in the digital world. However, Magdalena Pulz and Dennis Kogel show that this is not always true – using memes as an example. In their joint podcast 'Browser History', the two hosts regularly show where the division into generations reaches limits. For this, they focus on a small piece of internet history each week. Together, they ask the question: How has the internet made us into what we are today?

Alongside 'Browser History', Magdalena Pulz works as a freelance journalist, moderator and format developer - after several years at Süddeutsche Zeitung. Her favorite topics include pop culture, history and audio journalism. Her podcast partner Dennis Kogel reports for the radio and for various podcast productions - on online culture, technology and games. He works as a journalist, author and podcaster.

The motto of re:publica 25 is ‘Generation XYZ’. What is your message for future generations with regard to the digital society?

Dennis Kogel: "Platforms come and go. It's all about the people."

Magdalena Pulz: "The internet is powerful, dangerous, intrusive, difficult to control and overwhelming. But it is also very, very funny."