Cultural Discourse Research Articles

«Theory of everything»: types of information and the theory of interpretation in «Philosophy of chance» by Stanisław Lem

The article is focused on the S. Lem’s perspective of the literary work as a product of the reader’s apprehension of the text in the culture discourse. The aim of the research is to describe the Lem’s view on the structure of the text; Lem’s encounter as a writer, a reader, and a philosopher is used to state the conditions and characteristics of the text interpretation. By the means of multiple introspection the author of “Philosophy of chance” devotes his research to the explanation of his model of the literary work as a product of the social-cultural existence. Moreover, the author’s aim is to state the characteristics of the text creation and interpretation. Therefore, the research shows a new, “cybernetic” approach to the text interpretation based on the comparison between the text structural characteristics and the rules of the mathematical theory of probability and the theory of information. The futurological view lies in the hypothesis about the text as a “self-learning program” (also known as a neuronet) which can transform due to the developing conditions of the interpretation process. As a matter of fact, S. Lem highlights two types of information: selective and structural. Both types might be identified in the text, but that depends on the reader, his encounter and expertise.

Get Peace of Mind with Do-It-Yourself Living Wills: The Digitalisation of Medical-Legal Practice and the New Post-Covid 19 Approach

“The automatisation of the core tasks performed by legal practitioners […] is an ongoing and open-ended process” (Schäfke-Zell & Asmussen, 2019, p. 65). “A host of innovative legal-tech companies have entered the market of legal service providers, presently challenging the lawyers’ monopoly over the practice of the law, and ultimately, altering the mode of production in the legal field” (Caserta, 2020, p. 1). Beginning with these assumptions, this study draws on ongoing research on healthcare powers of attorney, living wills, and advance directives (Giordano, 2019, 2021) and will explore the current radical changes and restructuring of modalities of production in medical-legal documents and in the delivery of legal services. The legal websites in the corpus under investigation provide guidance in creating a personal living will according to well-established legal procedures that are pursuant to the laws and regulations of a particular state or country. Living wills and advance directives are signed documents in which the declarants state whether or not they wish to be kept alive using artificial means in the event a doctor declares their death to be imminent. Doctors and medical practitioners are legally bound to follow these directives. Following the increased digitalization of the legal field, these documents are now frequently drafted and completed online, thus embracing the full potential of the new technologies available today. Both verbal and visual rhetoric (Murray, 2014; Sherwin, Feigenson, & Spiesel, 2005) will be investigated to ascertain whether and to what extent digital transformation is redefining the ways in which this legal service is offered, thus promoting greater understanding and wider knowledge of a controversial issue such as making decisions regarding one’s end of life and the choices available among various life-prolonging measures and treatments. The research aims to determine whether the new digital genres can help translate the specific constraints and demands of legal argumentation into new popular, cultural and technological discourse which better appeals to peoples’ emotions and values. The legal sector’s increasing use of digital forms and templates embellished with visual and multimedia content may at once have a commodifying and democratizing effect. Legal meanings and services in the new legal market (Schäfke-Zell & Asmussen, 2019, p. 66) might be better understood and internalized, thus reinforcing and disseminating the emerging vernacular of digital culture along with law, regulations and legal institutes and instruments, which would otherwise be difficult for a layperson to comprehend or accept (Anesa, 2016; Calsamiglia, 2003; Calsamiglia & van Dijk, 2004). In addition to this process of democratization of new media, the Coronavirus pandemic also contributed to changing people’s approach to life (Garzone, 2023) and to living wills, triggered by an increased sense of precariousness of life and imminence of death. English-speaking countries, in particular, have seen a surge in people updating and altering advance directives as a result of the complications caused by the disease; different steps might be taken now, when current documents may be dangerously inadequate. The best ways to update existing texts to the new post-Covid 19 conditions therefore call for thorough investigation.

Forgetting Amir Boktor: the quintessential humanist Arab educator

ABSTRACT With his numerous articles and books, Amir Boktor was the most prolific Arab pedagogue of his time. Boktor established and edited the longest-running pedagogic journal of his era, The Journal of Modern Education, which was read across the region. He was a staunch secularist and progressive educator, consistently advocating for a curricular revolution in Egypt. Boktor’s curriculum centered around the child, focusing on its needs and abilities, and was tailored according to societal and environmental relevance. Despite his significant contributions, Boktor’s intellectual legacy has been largely forgotten in both Egypt and the region’s historiography of education and history of ideas. This article explores the reasons behind this erasure or marginalization, arguing that despite his contributions and influence, Boktor remained a pedagogic outsider. He held senior positions at the American University in Cairo and refused to integrate the cultural discourse of his time into his pedagogy. As a dean at a foreign institution during the rise of state education and a progressive educator in an era of nationalist education and the search for collective identity, Boktor’s work stood apart. This study contextualizes Boktor’s authorship, highlights its exceptionalism within his professional community, and explains how he came to be the (forgotten) quintessential humanist Arab educator.

A CONSTRUÇÃO DA IDENTIDADE CULTURAL NA ERA DIGITAL

The construction of cultural identity in the digital era is a dynamic and multifaceted phenomenon, driven by technological advancement and globalization. The internet and social networks, as the main contemporary communication vehicles, play a central role in the formation of cultural identities, promoting interaction between people of different cultures and values. In this scenario, cultural identity is no longer static or limited to a geographic space, but becomes fluid, shaped by diverse experiences, including online and offline interactions. The digital age offers unlimited possibilities for cultural expression and recognition, allowing individuals and groups to share their traditions, beliefs and customs with a global audience. At the same time, this constant exposure to different cultures can generate tension between the preservation of local identities and the influence of a dominant global culture. Furthermore, cultural identity in the digital age is often negotiated, where individuals and communities choose which aspects of their culture they want to emphasize or adapt. However, this transformation can also generate challenges, such as cultural homogenization or the risk of cultural appropriation. Therefore, the construction of cultural identity in the digital age is a complex process that involves both the strengthening and transformation of cultural traditions. New digital platforms allow for greater democratization of cultural discourse, but they also pose challenges that need to be recognized and discussed, especially in relation to the preservation of cultural diversity.

As authentic as a Christian hipster: navigating authenticity within Emerging Christianity and Western culture

ABSTRACT This article analyzes the current pejorative understanding and usage of the term ‘Christian hipster’ within the context of Emerging Christianity through a case study of a Dutch emerging project: PopUp Kerk. The (Christian) hipster is approached as a linguistic ideal type within a broader Western cultural discourse, in both popular culture and literature on Emerging Christianity, regarding the paradox of authenticity. I argue that, in contemporary and academic ‘hipster bashing’, the Christian hipster becomes both the stereotypical embodiment and the scapegoat of a paradox inherent in a Western culture focused on authenticity. In the second part of the article, I introduce an ideal typology to conceptualize the type of authenticity sought in hipster Emerging Christianity. I argue that taking the Christian hipster seriously can provide insights into the way the Zeitgeist is influencing the ways in which Western evangelical Protestantism more broadly understands and seeks authenticity. Finally, the article explores what theological insights the Christian hipster may offer regarding (in)authenticity and faith.

Social networks and stigma: The experiences of African immigrants living with HIV in the United States

Over the past two decades, research on the conceptualization, measurement, and refinement of stigma has grown extensively due to increasing recognition of stigma as a driver of adverse health outcomes. While these lines of research have generally recognized that stigma is enacted in social relationships, few analysts have characterized how the structure and composition of these relationships influence stigma, particularly among immigrant populations. In response, this paper integrates data from social network analysis and in-depth interviews to explore the experiences of and responses to stigma by African immigrants living with HIV in the United States.All participants reported that they anticipated, experienced, and internalized stigma within their personal networks. Many concealed their status and disclosed to only trusted associates, family members, and medical providers. Building on findings from previous studies, we found that the meanings and belief systems (particularly African cultural discourses that link HIV with mortality, immorality, retribution, and silence) matter for how stigma is assigned, enacted, experienced, and resisted. Our analyses also revealed that the structure of participants personal networks (i.e, the extent to which their associates were connected to each other, and how integrated/involved they were in these network relationships) intensified or diluted their exposure to stigmatizing discourses, depending on the composition (resourcefulness/quality) of their personal networks. Such network connections (i.e., social capital) translate into rewards if they are supportive and accepting, and costs if they stigmatize.By showing how individuals can use their social networks to stigmatize or support their peers, this study advances theoretical expositions on (1) how the meanings and belief systems held by individuals matter for understanding social network/structural processes,(2) how social networks shape how stigma is assigned, enacted, experienced and resisted,(3) the costs and downsides of social capital, which are often neglected through emphasis on its salutary impacts. Our findings underscore the need for interventions that leverage the salient properties of personal networks to understand, conceptualize, measure, and reduce stigma.

Cultural Linguistics and Critical Discourse Studies, written by Monika Reif and Frank Polzenhagen

Cultural Linguistics and Critical Discourse Studies, written by Monika Reif and Frank Polzenhagen

Finding My Penis in the Counselling Room

The powerful cultural discourses within which we live, and the stereotypical gender constructions that impinge upon each one of us, produce internalised power relations that can be both oppressive and liberating. We internalise power dynamics which we enact within ourselves and in relations with others. Such power differentials also converge or collide in the counselling room. It is therefore vital that counsellors practise with a clear and deep self-awareness of both our own internal insecurities and absorbed gender constructions. As a female counsellor grappling with these challenges, I decided to write this article using colloquialisms for male genitalia as a metaphorical attempt to resist such stereotypes and share my own vulnerabilities that impact upon my practice. This is an invitation to other practitioners to embrace their tender spots and bring them into connection with others.

Promoting civil discourse on social media using nudges: A tournament of seven interventions.

In this article, we test and compare several message-based nudges designed to promote civil discourse and reduce the circulation of harmful content such as hate speech. We conducted a large pre-registered experiment (N = 4,081) to measure the effectiveness of seven nudges: making descriptive norms, injunctive norms, or personal norms salient, cooling down negative emotions, stimulating deliberation or empathy, and highlighting reputation. We used an online platform that reproduces a social media newsfeed and presented the nudge as a message when entering the platform. Our findings indicate that none of the nudges significantly impacts participants' engagement with harmful content. At the same time, nudges making descriptive norms salient selectively increase participants' overall engagement with relatively harmless content. Additionally, making injunctive norms salient increased the likelihood of liking harmless posts. Exploratory text analysis also reveals that highlighting reputation leads to more substantial and coherent comments on harmful posts. These results suggest that nudges that activate norm considerations represent a promising approach to promoting civil discourse and making social media a safer and more inclusive space for all.

Cultural Discourse in African Poetry: Output by Human Translators and Machine Translation Systems

Cultural Discourse in African Poetry: Output by Human Translators and Machine Translation Systems

Contracorriente. Volver a mirar la historia de la arquitectura en Chile a través de las mujeres

Based on the ideas of art historian Griselda Pollock regarding the definition and critique of hegemonic cultural discourses, this article explores the possibilities for revising the history of architecture in Chile between 1920 and 1980 from a gender perspective. By employing Pollock's framework for understanding selective historiographical traditions, the article constructs a broad and heterogeneous panorama of significant figures at a local scale. The discussion concludes with reflections concerning the theoretical challenges involved in constructing a history of women in architecture.

HOLISTIC EDUCATION IN THE EUROPEAN SOCIO-CULTURAL SPACE IN THE EARLY MODERN PERIOD

The article presents a historical-pedagogical analysis of the content and development of the humanistic idea of holistic education in the European socio-cultural space during the Early Modern Period. It traces the value-based interpretations of the idea of holistic education within both secular (Renaissance humanism) and religious (Christian humanism) worldviews of the early modern era. The study reveals that the concept of holistic education was formulated within the philosophical and cultural discourse of Renaissance humanism. It is noted that the Renaissance ideal of holistic education was based on three key components: first, the virtues of broad erudition, intellectual culture, and the art of rhetoric; second, moral principles focused on the ideals of goodness, virtue, modesty, and personal inner culture, as well as Christian priorities of love and compassion; third, the recognition of the individual as the highest value, grounded in the dignity and rights of the person, and the idea of comprehensive and harmonious development of one’s abilities and talents. This also includes the Renaissance virtues of active engagement, initiative, industriousness, persistence, and the appreciation of physical beauty and courage. It is shown that the institutionalization of the idea of holistic education was carried out through the educational activities of Protestant gymnasiums, Jesuit colleges, brotherhood schools, and other educational institutions founded in the context of Protestant Reformation, Catholic Reformation, and religious reforms in the East Slavic lands. The article outlines the civilizational and human-creative significance of the concept of holistic education for the formation of modern European civilization.

Chinese American College Students’ Self-Meaning Making Through the Lens of Critical Whiteness Studies

Chinese Americans are historically perceived as perpetual foreigners and honorary whites in American political, cultural, and racial discourses. Utilizing Critical Whiteness Studies as a theoretical framework and Critical Race Hermeneutics as an analytic tool, this article examines how Chinese American young adults construct who they are against whiteness as the norm, the epistemology of ignorance, and white emotionality. Instead of passive victims, Chinese American college students actively challenge this hegemony, privilege, and oppression in unique ways.

Performatives Theoretisieren: Geschriebene Vernetzungsdynamiken zwischen Theorie und Praxis in Roland Barthes’ Essay Die Lust am Text

Abstract Roland Barthes’ seminal work, The Pleasure of the Text, represents a critical juncture in poststructuralist discourse, offering an incisive examination of the complex interplay between text theory and the praxis of writing. This investigation seeks to encapsulate Barthes’ multifaceted exploration, which deliberately eschews a singular, definitive conceptualization of text. Instead, Barthes ventures into a nuanced investigation of how theoretical frameworks are intricately woven with the act of writing, thereby presenting textuality as an inherently performative act. This performative aspect challenges entrenched interpretations and mandates a reevaluation of textual paradigms. Barthes’ intellectual engagement with the notion of text unfolds through a continuous dialogue articulated across a multitude of theoretical fragments. Collectively, these fragments foster a diverse and richly textured discourse. However, they resist consolidation into a monolithic theory of text, highlighting instead a »mechanism of endless reflexivity«. This metaphor underscores the profound interconnectedness between theoretical contemplation and the praxis of writing, a cornerstone for understanding the depth and breadth of Barthes’ scholarly contributions. At the heart of Barthes’ inquiry is his distinctive writing style, serving as a prism through which the performativity of textuality is examined. Barthes initiates a paradigm shift from the conventional literary work to the broader construct of the text, irrevocably intertwining textuality with the performative dynamics of writing. This shift introduces the concept of an »infinite text«, predicated on a dynamic reimagining of the text that advocates for an open-ended, fluid conceptualization over static, fixed definitions. In his ambitious endeavor to dissolve the binary between meta-language and object language, Barthes posits that engagement with texts inexorably leads to a realm where theory is not merely reflected upon but is performatively enacted. This reconceptualization of theory as a performative act posits the integration of theory and practice as foundational to theoretical exploration, challenging traditional academic demarcations and proposing a more cohesive, dynamic approach to the study of textuality. The Pleasure of the Text stands as the epitome of Barthes’ exploration of text theory, showcasing a writing style that exemplifies the seamless integration of theory and practice. Within this context, Barthes enacts a praxis of writing that transcends mere theoretical reflection, engaging in a performative exploration of textuality. Consequently, the text becomes a vibrant nexus where theory and practice merge, fostering a reconceptualization of textuality that extends beyond conventional scholarly parameters. Barthes’ methodology in The Pleasure of the Text underscores the performative realization of theoretical concepts through the act of writing itself, advocating for a dynamic, pluralistic vision of text theory. This work emerges as an intricate interplay of theory fragments that blur the traditional distinctions between literature and theory, advocating for a novel understanding of theory formation as an act of textual labor. This labor encompasses not merely the production of texts but entails a profound act of theoretical engagement and articulation, thereby elevating the discourse on textuality to new heights. Furthermore, Barthes’ text engages deeply with the reader’s role and the cultural implications of textuality, emphasizing the performative nature of both writing and reading. This aspect of performativity serves as a mirror to the performative facets of writing explored by Barthes, creating a symbiotic relationship between the text and its reception. Through this lens, Barthes invites readers to navigate the dualities of pleasure and bliss, the familiar and the disruptive, underscoring the active, performative engagement required in the reading process. In summary, this study delineates Barthes’ radical interrogation of text and theory through The Pleasure of the Text. His pioneering writing style inaugurates new experimental spaces that redefine the nexus between theory and practice, thus recalibrating the role of textuality within the realm of poststructuralist thought. Barthes not only interrogates the concept of text but also deliberates on its implications for readers and the broader cultural discourse, highlighting the performative dimensions of writing and reading. In doing so, Barthes’ work compels a reevaluation of textuality, advocating for an acknowledgment of its performative dimensions in the ongoing exploration of textual meaning and interpretation. Through The Pleasure of the Text, Barthes offers a meditative reflection on the potentialities and limitations of writing as a form of theoretical praxis, inviting scholars and readers alike to reconsider the essence of textuality in the contemporary intellectual landscape.

Neoliberalism or postmodernism? Decolonizing Soviet Estonia, 1987–1991

ABSTRACT This comparative analysis of sociopolitical and cultural discourses in the Estonian SSR from 1987–1991 concentrates on the tension between postmodernism as a cultural logic of late socialism and neoliberalism as a then-emergent modern ideology. Postmodernist and neoliberal ideas both emerged from decolonial reactions to Soviet rule, albeit from different aspects of it. Postmodernism reacted to the sense that the stagnation-era Soviet regime was ‘stuck in presentness’ and to the Soviet grand narrative of building communism. Neoliberal aspirations developed in reaction to the way Soviet rule obstructed local economic initiative and local participation in the global market, finding support in Gorbachev’s call for enterprise-level economic autonomy.

Autistics, Myths, and Robots

Abstract Despite growing awareness, misconceptions about autism (also known as autism spectrum disorder or ASD) persist within science, academia, and popular culture. These misconceptions perpetuate harmful stereotypes that contribute to the ongoing stigma, exclusion, and isolation experienced by autistic individuals. A significant barrier to overcoming these challenges is the underrepresentation of autistic voices across multiple fields and disciplines, making it difficult to effectively challenge and transform prevailing social norms and attitudes about disabilities and neurological differences. While efforts are being made by advocates to improve representation through community-based participatory research and coproduction models, the arts remain a particularly powerful yet underutilized tool for disrupting problematic discourse. Through creative expression, the arts offer a unique avenue to subvert reductionistic pathologies, dehumanizing language, and unfavorable depictions of autism that have been deeply engrained in both academic and cultural discourse. This poem critically engages with widespread stereotypes, using sarcasm and humor to reclaim and reshape existing depictions of autism. By doing so, it aims to empower fellow autistic individuals to challenge these narratives and express their own experiences through whatever creative mediums resonate with them, ultimately offering a more nuanced and representative understanding of autism in the process. Keywords: Arts, neurodiversity, critical autism studies, representation, stereotypes, subversion Author’s Note As an autistic scholar and artist, I rely on a combination of lived experience, community involvement, and research training within this creative piece. A significant source of inspiration comes from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, particularly their powerful reclamation of terms like “queer” that were once used as weapons of marginalization and exclusion. By embracing and redefining these terms, this community has subverted their original pejorative meanings, transforming them into symbols of identity, pride, and resistance. This act of linguistic reclamation not only disrupts the power dynamics of hate and oppression but also fosters a sense of solidarity. In a similar vein, my work seeks to challenge and overturn the derogatory labels and misconceptions that have been imposed upon autistic individuals, using creative expression as a means to redefine our realities. Historically, academic and societal discourses have often dehumanized autistic people through harmful and reductive descriptions, perpetuating what I refer to in this piece as “myths” about autism. Through this work, I critically deconstruct these demeaning representations, employing a sardonic lens to counter these narratives and expose their absurdity. Incorporating examples from my experiences as an autism and neurodevelopmental researcher, I seek to highlight and dismantle these entrenched misconceptions, including deficit-based models, problematic pathologies, and stigmatizing descriptions of autistic individuals. As someone who experiences echolalia (i.e., the repetition of words, phrases, and sentences) and who frequently incorporates pop culture references when communicating with others, this piece also serves as a homage to the songs, films, and television shows that resonate with me and my special interests. To ensure clarity and accessibility for readers, I have included detailed endnotes that explain both the research references and the various pop culture elements, providing a comprehensive overview of the content and its meaning.

Cabaret and decency: how contemporary definitions of cabaret are shaped by censorship

The abundant ‘cabaret’ events that populate London’s contemporary entertainment scene strategically adopt specific structures and aesthetics. Common points of reference include the Weimar Republic, Berlin clubs of the 1920’s, ‘salacious’ female nudity, ‘outrageous’ camp reveals and inevitable references to Bob Fosse’s ‘Cabaret’. The events often promise to provide a ‘high quality’ drinking and dining experience. In this way ‘nostalgia’ can be turned into financial success. This formulaic approach defines the contemporary understanding of cabaret, omitting vital aspects of the genre while turning it into a purely commercial commodity. My artistic practice as research interrogates the experimental nature of the cabaret of late nineteenth century Paris within a contemporary British context. Setting itself apart from the allure of ‘flesh and cash’ of the West End cabaret, Ms. Paolini’s Phantasmagoria Cabaret, regularly programmed at Hoxton Hall, London, since 2016, focuses on exploring an updated experience of European cabaret within the abandoned British Music Hall and Variety tradition. The wider cultural discourse fails to report on the possibility of different approaches to cabaret. I will draw on particular examples from my practice – how a 60-something performer clad in Y-fronts, for example, was regarded by a certain audience as obscene – to explore the subtleties of contemporary censorship and what it says about our cultural landscape. The ‘body reveal’ – one of the commercial selling points of West End cabaret replica productions – becomes unacceptable in the different context of Ms. Paolini’s Phantasmagoria Cabaret. This article examines how censorship operates in relation to contemporary experimental cabaret, providing an alternative account of the contemporary development of traditional cabaret and suggesting that there are different angles from which to approach discussion of the genre.

In Defense of Imagination: Canadian Youth Culture and the Dungeons & Dragons Panic in Canada, 1980–1995

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), the iconic tabletop role-playing game released in 1974, sparked controversy from its early inception. This article examines the emergence of moral panic around D&D, particularly in the United States and Canada during the early 1980s. It explores how concerned groups, such as Bothered Against Dungeons & Dragons, portrayed the game as a corrupting influence on American youth. Focusing on the spread of panic into Canada, this article investigates the role of American media in shaping Canadian perceptions. This study highlights questions about transnational cultural influence and the impact of media on societal norms. Was the moral panic primarily a result of American cultural influence, or was there tangible evidence linking D&D to real-world violence in Canada? Through analysis of media representation and cultural discourse, this article seeks to shed light on these complex dynamics and to highlight moments of youth resistance to narratives of moral panic.

Cultural diplomacy at second-tier global events: The case of Qatar’s 2023 Horticultural Expo

Horticultural Expos are second-tier expositions sanctioned by the Bureau International Des Expositions (BIE) and the latest event was held in Doha, Qatar from October 2023 to March 2024. Organized around the theme of “Green Desert, Better Environment,” Expo 2023 included pavilions from about 80 countries and organizations, and aimed to entice 3 million visitors to Qatar. Although Horticultural Expos are smaller and receive less attention than top-tier World’s Fairs, they are nonetheless important sites for host countries to engage in cultural diplomacy. Drawing from an event ethnography at the Expo in December 2023, this article shows how the Qatari hosts adapted nationalist scripts about the desert and local identity – to cement the state-led storyline that Qatar is committed to a sustainable and globally-engaged path to future development – in crafting its cultural diplomacy discourse for the event. Though cultural diplomacy works differently at second-tier global events, the case of Qatar’s Expo 2023 still has concrete effects that must be understood and evaluated on their own terms.

Comedies of Beset Manhood: Midlife Masculinity in the Films of Alexander Payne

The career of director-writer Alexander Payne has coincided with, and developed alongside, the cultural discourse about men in crisis. His last seven films have engaged several of the concerns that have informed considerations of contemporary manhood since the 1990s. Avoiding the overwrought tone of many of such works, Payne’s films collectively examine the disorientation and disappointments of midlife men, but they defy simplistic narrative resolutions. Both employing and subverting the conventions of comic form, Payne’s films artfully reveal how ideologies of iconic White manhood weigh on individuals who fall outside of—or age out of—those masculine ideals. In narrativizing and individualizing the concerns of the men-in-crisis conversation, Payne adds complexity and depth to ongoing discourses about gender and aging.