Of
Philip Boverman
When Chelsea Manning took the main stage of the digital culture conference Republica in Berlin in May 2018, there was a silence that grows deeper and more reverent in the memories of those who were there. Luminous displays and the electrifying feeling that the camera lenses are absorbing a bit of world spirit. It was Manning’s first visit outside of the United States since his release from prison. A year earlier, outgoing President Barack Obama had released her from the remainder of her 35-year sentence, which she was serving for publishing classified US Army documents while a military analyst stationed in Iraq. Manning had revealed the truth about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the truth had changed the way the American media discussed those military operations.