Marleen Stikker, Founder & Executive Director, Waag Futurelab
- Marleen Stikker reveals her drive to understand “how the world functions.”
- Explains how philosophy aided her critical view of economics and technology.
Podcast
Overview
In this episode of The Brand Called You, host Frits Bussemaker speaks with Marleen Stikker, Internet pioneer and Executive Director of Waag Futurelab, about the philosophical, cultural, and political foundations of technology.
From co-creating Digital City Amsterdam, one of the world’s first online public communities, to leading initiatives for digital sovereignty, Marleen reflects on how technology shapes society—and how society must take responsibility for technology.
The conversation explores why the Internet has shifted away from public values, how Big Tech’s dominance threatens democracy, and why building alternative, open, and sovereign digital infrastructures is essential for the future.
00:01:14-How did studying philosophy lead to becoming an Internet pioneer?
- Marleen Stikker
reveals her drive to understand “how the world functions.”
- Explains how philosophy aided her critical view of economics and technology.
- Argues that technology is an artifact, deeply tied to culture and human assumptions.
- Discusses the responsibility of those who build technology to consider bias and ownership.
00:03:51- How did family background influence Marleen Stikker’s mindset?
- Describes her mother’s literary background and her father’s “trans science synthesis.”
- Talks about the blend of science, humanities, math, and art in her upbringing.
- Credits this interdisciplinary view for her approach to AI and technology as languages.
00:06:06- What inspired the creation of The Digital City?
- Early engagement with social movements and global computer networks.
- Influence of events like the Yugoslavian war and the need for connectivity.
- Importance of accessibility and interface design—“opening it up to the general public.”
- The Digital City as an inclusive “catalyzer” for organizations and individuals online.
00:11:28- Why did UNESCO recognize The Digital City as a World Heritage Site?
- Decision to “freeze” and archive The Digital City in 1996 to preserve Internet history.
- Collaboration with the University of Amsterdam and Amsterdam Museum for restoration.
- Captures how people, organizations, and the Internet’s social fabric evolved.
- The first digital heritage honored in this way by UNESCO.
00:14:01- Why does Marleen Stikker claim “The Internet is Broken”?
- Concerns about business models of big tech companies controlling the Internet.
- Explains the shift from public good to profit-centric platforms.
- Critiques lack of public service structure and the risks to privacy, autonomy, and sovereignty.
- Skepticism about relying on “governance” of existing tech giants alone.
RESOURCES:
Learn more about Marleen Stikker: LinkedIn
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- Marleen Stikker reveals her drive to understand “how the world functions.”
- Explains how philosophy aided her critical view of economics and technology.
- Argues that technology is an artifact, deeply tied to culture and human assumptions.
- Discusses the responsibility of those who build technology to consider bias and ownership.
