Contemporary Age Research Articles

Grammatical Cohesion in Sports Discourse: A Dissection of Selected Radio Programmes in Ibadan Metropolitan Area, Nigeria

There is rarely any radio station that do not present programme on sports in the contemporary age. Most radio stations have their sports analysis in the various languages that their prospective listeners understand. It is possible because the issue of sports had become inevitable to the people irrespective of age, colour, and gender. It has become a unifying force among people of varied background. This, therefore, necessitated linguistic investigation into the grammatical properties utilized by sports analysts in their presentations on the radio. The study examines the occurrence of each grammatical property in enhancing cohesion in the presentations made by sports presenters on the radio stations. These grammatical devices include: reference, substitution, ellipsis, and conjunction. Ferdinand Saussures Model of Language Structure on Syntagmatic Relation was utilized as the theoretical framework for the study. The data for analysis in the study comprised thirty sports presentations that were recorded and afterwards transcribed to examine the manifestations of the grammatical devices. The results from the analyses show that personal reference is the most prominent of all the types of reference. Nominal substitution and nominal ellipsis are the most recurrent of the types of substitution and ellipsis respectively. The striking manifestations of coordinating, subordinating, and additive conjuncts dominate the types of conjunction employed by the sports analysts on the radio. The study suggests that radio analysts should continually undergo programmes that will enhance their grammatical competence and as well see language as a weapon for expressing content and meaning by practically influencing their listener.
 Key Words: Conjunction, Discourse, Ellipsis, Grammatical Cohesion, Reference, Substitution,

Political Theology and the Anthropocene in advance

Carl Schmitt’s political theology—which refers to the translation of theological concepts into secular political and legal categories, namely sovereignty and the state of exception—is defined against a background of “metaphysical” constellations where, according to Schmitt, bourgeois individualism and the nihilism of technology have come to dominate the modern age. My argument is that our contemporary age is dominated by a new “metaphysical” constellation—the Anthropocene. This condition—to which the ecological crisis is inextricably related—demands an entirely different kind of political theology to Schmitt’s sovereign-centric and anthropocentric version. As an alternative, I propose a political theology of planetary entanglement and care based on approaches from eco-political theology (Moltmann, Latour, Keller) and animal studies (Deleuze, Agamben, and Ciamatti).

HOW CAN THE DEVELOPMENT OF E-GOVERNMENT IN THE EUROPEAN UNION INCREASE? BUILDING AN EXPLANATORY STATISTICAL MODEL

The main premise from which we start in the construction of this article is that, in the contemporary era, the need for digitalization and facilitating access to public services has become an imperative in the vast majority of liberal-democratic states. Digitalization is an inevitable process in the natural course of the contemporary age, considering that its benefits have been more than tangible in the vast majority of cases, and e-Government is precisely a concretization of the benefits of digitalization. However, the development of e-Government is not a simple process, as it requires the presence of several factors, which this article will present, analysing their relevance. Moreover, in this article we will also note the main structural differences at European level in the implementation of e-Government: which countries have reached an advanced level of e-Government development, which countries have serious problems in developing e-Government and, above all, why these differences exist.

Pakistan Halal Standards for Food: An Analysis of Juristic Opinions on Sea Creatures

The question of Halal and Haram has been very important and of major concern in all religions. Islam has emphasized on it and has laid down the stress on adopting Halal and prohibiting from Haram. In the contemporary age which is of standardization and processing, the standardization of foods on the basis of Halal and haram is also adopted by Muslim and non-Muslim countries. In Pakistan Halal certification for food is also working and Malaysian Halal authorities has a key role in establishing the HALAL authority. Before the establishment of Pakistan Halal authority, Malaysian authorities has also issued HALAL certificates to many food companies of the Pakistan as Engro, Rafhan and Shan Foods on the basis of MS 1500 (Malaysian Halal standard for Food). In Pakistan the working on Halal standards started somewhat late in 2016 by the name of Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority with the help of JAKIM (Halal Standard institution of Malaysia). Pakistan Halal authority issues Halal certificate with to food companies and food items by the title of PS 3733. This authority has defined hierarchy of official’s food scientists, Muslim Jurists and others to issue HALAL certificates without any hurdle and transparently. This article provides an insight into the background of establishment of HALAL authority in Pakistan, procedure of providing HALAL certification and others.

Un burattino elastico fra illustrazione e animazione. Il corpo di Pinocchio nelle pratiche artistiche di Gianluigi Toccafondo

The essay investigates the representation of Pinocchio in Gianluigi Toccafondo’s artistic practices, mainly analyzing the figurative motifs. Collodi’s puppet is, indeed, explicitly at the center of several works by Toccafondo, which are interested in painting, illustration and animated cinema. Using his distinctive visual style, Toccafondo contaminates drawings and animations with cinematographic references. This is how the puppet takes the form of Totò while the Cat and the Fox take those of Laurel and Hardy. Through the analysis of the representation of Pinocchio’s body, the essay wants to capture and interpret a significant update of the symbolic elements inherent in the imaginary of Pinocchio in contemporary age.

EFFECT OF CIRCUIT TRAINING ON CARDIO-RESPIRATORY ENDURANCE AMONG ADOLESCENTS

In the contemporary age, an inactive lifestyle is a burning issue. In the context of Pakistan, the majority of adolescents are victims of sedentary lifestyles leading to various chronic problems like cardio-respiratory diseases. In this regard, regular training is considered a medicine and cure to restrict chronic problems. This study focuses on how adolescents' cardio-respiratory endurance is affected by circuit training. This study comprised of an experimental, randomized controlled trial and pre/post-intervention study design. The intervention was conducted at the Government College of Management Sciences in Haripur Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Twenty-four participants were randomly divided into the experimental group (n=12) and the control group (n=12). Before starting the intervention, a pre-test was conducted and then the experimental group was engaged in circuit training intervention whereas the control group was not engaged in intervention. At the end of the intervention, a post-test was conducted. The change in cardio-respiratory endurance for 16–19-year-old participants differed significantly between the experimental group (Heart Rate 8.083±3.423, Respiratory Rate 2.750±1.357) and control group (Heart Rate .667±2.309, Respiratory Rate -.333±1.371) (p>0.05) in favor of the experimental group. Circuit training intervention is effective in increasing cardio-respiratory endurance among adolescents.

Teletechnologies of Death and Mourning in Don DeLillo’s The Body Artist and Nicholas Royle’s Quilt

Teletechnologies are changing the way we cope with loss and grief. Apart from their romanticized relationship with death in the history of literature, teletechnologies also figure prominently as productive metaphors in critical theories. Psychoanalysis and deconstruction view telecommunication in its various forms as intricately connected to notions of telepathy and the unconscious, a point shared by Don DeLillo’s The Body Artist and Nicholas Royle’s Quilt. Both novels attach great importance to how the process of individual mourning, in the presence of different forms of technologies, is inscribed with a distinctive telepathic effect. Specifically, DeLillo’s text portrays the radio as an uncanny harbinger of death, and Quilt forges a link between the faltered telephone communication and the spectral moments when the dead is calling. The article proposes to conceive, from a psychoanalytical perspective, the subject of teletechnologies as a critical starting point to address related issues of telepathy and telecommunication and to understand death as loss in the contemporary age.

Gendering Robotic Bodies in Ian McEwan’s Machines Like Me and Annalee Newitz’s Autonomous

With the ubiquity of robotic devices in contemporary age, human-like robots have become protagonists of literary works, especially of science fiction which extrapolates from the existing technology and represents how the societies will be arranged or what kind of rules the individuals will be imposed on in the future. In Ian McEwan’s Machines Like Me (2019) and Annalee Newitz’s Autonomous (2017) humanoids are in the center of the narrative and though being mechanical human productions, they are expected to comply with heteronormative genders and required to perform their gender roles. Adams and Eves in Machines Like Me are produced in a limited number and created as factotum, while Paladin in Autonomous is a military bot who is produced as non-binary and without any gender marker; it is basically a machine with blades on its shoulders and hidden shields and weapons, yet because of its being in the military domain and its appearance, it is referred to as “he” by the humans until it was understood that he has a “woman’s brain.” From then onwards, Paladin was accepted as a woman, and she complied with the social expectations of femininity. When these novels are read through the prism of the classical theories of gender and posthuman feminism, it is observed that just like those of human beings, bodies of robots are also compelled to perform culturally constructed gender roles. Through a comparative examination of these novels, this paper investigates how humans are unable to leave their anthropocentrism behind and how human-centered perspective functions as an entrapment for the nonhumans and thus they are required to comply with the anthropocentric understanding of gender, which is still constructed in a binary logic in regulating the lives of nonhuman entities.

SYMBOLS ENGRAVED ON BUDDHIST PARASOL: SPECIAL REFERENCE TO MATHURA MUSEUM

After the creation of the universe, the practice of consecration of statues and symbolic representation of gods-goddesses and nature as divinity began in civilizations across the world; proving its continued existence and practice across human history. These symbols serve the multiple purposes; from being an emblem representing the concept of religious faith, notions and beliefs in the psyche of the devotees to representing the desire for glory, protection and good fortune. These symbols communicate complicated human emotions through symbolic language in the simplest ways. From the prehistoric times to the contemporary age these symbols can be traced across the human civilizations with some variations in its physical form. These variations sometimes translate differently across religions and sometimes their expressions carry certain similarities. We find such instances in the iterations of some Buddhist symbols, when worshipping the idol of Gautama Buddha was prohibited in Pre-Sectarian Buddhist age. As a result, initially Lord Buddha was represented through the consecration of religious symbols. Gradually with the passage of time, due to cultural assimilation and the domination of Hinduism, Buddhism (Mahayana sect) came closer to Hinduism. We find early Buddhist sculptures in open natural spaces as the consecration of the statue of Gautama Buddha preceded the construction of temples. To protect these statues from Sun and Rain, these statues were soon covered by various forms of parasol like canopies (Umbrella) to the upper part of the idol as a unique feature on the upper side of the idol marking the influence of Kushan period. These parasols are engraved with various symbols like: Mangal Kalash, Swastika, Conch, Shrivatsa, Lotus, etc. The specimens of these parasols can be found protected in Mathura Museum. This paper studies the meaning of artistic and symbolic foundation of these engraved symbols.

Against the Power of Computers and the Destruction of Reason. For the Development of Human Creativity and Judgement. Remembering the Critical Intellectual Joseph Weizenbaum on the Occasion of his 100th Birthday

This article is a reflection on the relevance of Joseph Weizenbaum’s ethics today on the occasion of his 100th birthday. Today, there are many debates about the impact of AI technologies such as ChatGPT on society. Weizenbaum understood himself not as a computer and AI critic, but as a critic of society. He situated the problems of computing in the context of society. The paper shows that in the spirit of Weizenbaum we should also in the contemporary age of advanced AI remind ourselves that computers cannot understand, do not have feelings, and therefore cannot do many things that humans actively and consciously do.
 Acknowledgement: This article was translated from German to English by Christian Fuchs. A German version of this article will be published in FIfF-Kommunikation (see https://www.fiff.de/publikationen/fiff-kommunikation)

Implementing History Education as Strategic National Framework for Strengthening Intergroup Relations

The main objective of this study is to examine the increasing socio-political, cultural and economic problems that have militated against the progress of African continent, and demonstrate the extent to which the re invigoration of history in school curriculum can strengthen development practice in the continent. Africa generally has been plagued by several social problems ranging from insecurity, ethnic-religious conflicts, post-election violence and a number of other socially motivated crises. Thus from the western African region to the south, Central Africa; East and North, the evidence of conflicts have been reported. The conflicts arising from clash of group interests, and particularly, among contending forces and several belligerent groups have unarguably, been the bane of economic and political development. To most critics, the arguments have continued to hinge of the relegation of history subjects in schools-high schools and tertiary institutions such as universities, polytechnics, among others. The multiplier effect of this is the huge gap that has been created between the past and contemporary age where a vast majority of the people are unarguably isolated from the mainstream culture of unity and common African cultural heritage. Again, with the rising wave of globalization and Information and Communications Technology (ICT), the orientation of the average African child is more or less greatly influenced by western culture and exposure. What we now experience in most African societies (Nigeria inclusive), is a system where people are hardly conscious of the Pan-African spirit of brotherhood which finds expression in collective interest as well as love and care. The consequence of this development is fast staring the continent in the face, while the sub-region constantly gravitate with numerous challenges raging from lack of community bonds, conflicts, violence, terrorism, kidnapping(as in the case of Nigeria);child trafficking, banditry, proliferation of small arms and light weapons; drug peddling ,among others. This paper is an exploration of some of the strategies that can be employed in order to mitigate social problems that have continued to fester among groups and sections of the African society using history subject as a point of departure. The study is essentially an archival work, and hence, relies on existing works of experts for its investigation. The method of data collection is therefore secondary in nature. The paper recommends that to effectively contain the challenges confronting the continent, there is the urgent need to reinforce the teaching and learning of historical narratives having to do with African culture and principles, especially among teenage population in African schools. This way, the much sought-after nation-building, peace, stability and viable inter group relations would be realized.

New Discourse of the Shennong Symbol in Vietnam

Objective: Researching the contemporary discourse surrounding the iconic figure of Shennong (a long-standing symbol in Vietnamese culture) aims to shed light on how this age-old symbol is being redefined in the present era. This research endeavors to provide insights for scholars and decision-makers, enabling them to generate fresh narratives for old symbols, and infuse new life into traditional icons to better serve the demands of modern life. Methods: Studying the new discourse surrounding the Shennong symbol in Vietnam requires an interdisciplinary scientific approach, incorporating fields such as cultural studies, literature, Sino-Nom studies, and communication studies. In the process of addressing this issue, the author utilizes research methods such as textual analysis, field research, text analysis, comparative analysis, logic-historical analysis, harmonizing contemporary and historical perspectives, and analytical synthesis. These research methods are consistently applied by the author to provide a comprehensive and specific approach suitable for the current research task. Results: Ancient records also affirm the blood relations of Shennong with significant figures in Vietnamese mythology, such as Lạc Long Quan, Au Co, and their descendants, the Hung kings. However, cultural expressions related to the figure of Shennong over the past 30 years (since 1991) have shown that the meaning of the Shennong symbol is evolving to better align with the demands of the modern era. Consequently, the significance of the Shennong symbol associated with agriculture still leaves an imprint on cultural practices, extending to symbolize the spirit of labor and building a new life in the contemporary age. Moreover, the Shennong symbol now holds a new meaning: a symbol of national unity. Conclusions: In Vietnam, legends and records related to Shennong, along with the religious practices and worship of this deity, traditionally focused on the symbol's significance for agriculture, embodying the deep agrarian spirit of the Vietnamese people. In the modern era, the Shennong symbol in Vietnam has expanded its meaning to encompass the spirit of labor in building a new life in a different age. Simultaneously, it is gradually becoming a symbol of national unity. This reflects the Vietnamese people's aspiration to utilize the Shennong symbol for constructing a more prosperous future and for fostering a sense of connection and unity among the diverse Vietnamese communities in various regions.

“A Sea Change into Something Rich and Strange.” Margaret Atwood’s Hag-Seed: A Metatextual Approach

Abstract Ever since it was published, Margaret Atwood’s Hag-Seed (2016) has been scrutinized for its peculiar engagements with the Shakespearean pre-text at the cross-section of various discourses, from literary and media studies, through drama pedagogy, even to prison studies. Drawing on the prison metaphor from the original and recontextualizing it as a contemporary prison performance is just one of the multitudinous forms and ways in which The Tempest is incorporated into Atwood’s novel. Thus, though it is quite difficult to designate a sole term for what she (un)does with the classic, one striking issue anyone may encounter is its intertwining metatextuality which encapsulates many of its core interpretations as a rewriting and/or adaptation. The present paper aims at unravelling the many layers, means and functions of this particular type of metatextuality and/or metatheatricality found in the novel. We look at the polyphonic nexus of texts and contexts that defines Atwood’s novel as an experiment that reconsiders, with a gesture of metatextual homage, the prospects of rewriting – a practice Shakespeare himself was highly familiar with – in the contemporary age. Nested in the Genettean structuralist framework (Genette 1997 [1982]), our approach is meant to expand its applicability taking into consideration Deleuze and Guattari’s concept of rhizome to investigate Atwood’s rewriting as an instance of “rhizomatic metatextuality” as well as the strategies of interpretation, appropriation, and reconstruction in fan fiction rewriting (see Jenkins 1992). Placing metatextuality as the central interpretive key of the novel, we shall discuss the roles of theatre (and art, in general) represented in Hag-Seed as an aesthetic and art history account, as well as the status of the interpreter or the intended audience of both the novel and the play within.

Loneliness, Nature, and Technology: Questions of Embodiment in Haushofer's Die Wand and von Steinaecker's Die Verteidigung des Paradieses

Abstract: This article re-reads Marlen Haushofer's seminal novel Die Wand (1963) through the lenses of Sigmund Freud, Friedrich Nietzshe, and her 21st-century successor Thomas von Steinaecker. On the basis of Freud's Das Unbehagen in der Kultur (1930) and Nietzsche's notion of homo natura as elaborated in Jenseits von Gut und Böse (1886), the article first interrogates notions of loneliness depicted in Haushofer's novel, then questions the Cartesian emphasis on the mind rather than the body as creator of knowledge, and exposes the tensions created by the human drive to control nature through technology. Finally, the article undertakes a critical comparative reading of Die Wand and von Steinaecker's Die Verteidigung des Paradieses (2016). Demonstrating the influence of Haushofer on von Steinaecker's novel will reveal how crucial developments in discourses around loneliness, nature, and technology from the second half of the 20th century are reworked and reimagined for our highly technologized contemporary age.

A Review on Cryptography in the Field of Internet of Things

Abstract: In this contemporary age of technological advancements, the expanse of IoT devices has permeated every facet of our surroundings. IoT has evolved into an indispensable component across various domains. The proliferation of IoT devices has inevitably brought forth concerns regarding the security of the data they produce. With the accumulation of exabytes of data from IoT devices, a pressing need for ensuring data security, particularly as it traverses the internet, has arisen. The consistent generation of substantial data by IoT devices on a daily basis further complicates the task of safeguarding this information. Cryptography emerges as a potent solution in addressing this challenge. By leveraging cryptographic techniques, it becomes feasible to establish a robust and effective layer of security within the realm of IoT. This study is primarily dedicated to the escalating presence of IoT devices and the role of cryptography in furnishing solutions for managing the data generated by these IoT devices.

The World Spoken Through the Son: Divine Speech and Creation in the Epistle to the Hebrews

The “Word of God” plays an important role in Hebrews. The author of Hebrews uses spoken quotations to recontextualize Scripture for the contemporary age (e.g., Heb. 2.12–13) and appeals to divine speech acts that alter the course of history (e.g., Heb. 6.14; 8.5). One such speech act is his creation of the world by the word of God, which the author claims we understand “by faith” (Heb. 11.3). But what claim is the author making with respect to creation? This article will argue that the identification of the “Word of God” in Hebrews as the Son in Hebrews 11.3 is a viable reading and then show that this reading affects other passages in Hebrews. To accomplish this, I will (1) provide an overview of some relevant interpretive issues with Hebrews 11.3; (2) discuss how intermediaries (e.g., Word; Wisdom) related to creation in early Jewish literature; (3) demonstrate how the presentation of creation in Hebrews relates to those concepts in early Jewish literature; (4) provide a reading of Heb. 11.3 in light of that synthesis; and (5) offer some suggestions regarding how other passages in Hebrews might be read to highlight Christ as the Word.

Exploring Language Variation in Internet Buzzwords: A Case Study of the Phrase “Officially Diagnosed as XX”

Internet buzzwords, characterized by their interactivity and permeability, serve as indicators of the shifting emotional landscapes and emotional appeals of netizens within distinct temporal contexts. However, these buzzwords remain far from stagnant, continually undergoing linguistic variations influenced by the psychological dispositions of users and the ever-shifting environmental backdrop. In this case study, a comprehensive exploration of linguistic variation within internet buzzwords is undertaken, focusing intently on the dynamic phrase "officially diagnosed as XX" and its profound reflection of prevailing social mentalities and linguistic motivations. Guided by the conceptual framework of eco-linguistics, which offers a lens for comprehending the economic underpinnings of language and rationalizing the phenomena of internet buzzwords, this study delves into an intricate analysis. By meticulously dissecting online datasets and user commentary, the study unveils the multifaceted employment of "officially diagnosed as XX" as an instrument to articulate an array of emotions and cognitive states, ranging from humor to frustration and even self-deprecation. Through the prism of language evolution in the digital era, the study engages in a scholarly discourse on the intricate phenomenon of linguistic variation within the realm of internet discourse. Ultimately, this research not only illuminates the intricate dynamics between language, society, and technology in the contemporary age but also advances our comprehension of the profound interplay between language, emotion, and human communication within the digital realm.

PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE AS THE HISTORICAL BASIS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

ABSTRACTPhilosophy is an extensive science, meaning it is closely related to our daily lives, and philosophy is the driving force of our daily lives as individual human beings and as collective human beings in the form of a society or nation. Philosophy of science is a philosophical reflection on the nature of science which will not recognize a stopping point towards achieving the goal, namely truth and reality. Understanding the philosophy of science means understanding the intricacies of science so that its most essential aspects and foundations also understand the perspective of science, the possibility of its development, and its interweaving between one branch of science and another. The research approach that researchers use in writing this scientific work is a type of library research. Philosophy is a science that seriously studies the true nature of everything. Science is a method of thinking objectively in describing and giving meaning to the natural and moral world to organize and systematize. Knowledge indicators are: It is accumulative, and its truth is not absolute but objective. There are six phases of scientific development: The Pre-Ancient Greece Phase, the Ancient Greek Phase, the Medieval Age Phase, the Renaissance Age phase, the Modern Age phase, and finally, the Contemporary Age phase. Keywords: Philosophy, Historical, Development, Science, Knowledge

‘Go to Oxbridge, get an education, start a career. Do all the right things’: the ‘low value’ arts degree and the neoliberal university

ABSTRACT Departments of Arts and Humanities globally face increasing financial threat from falling enrolment, rising costs, and ‘strategic realignment’ at university level. In the UK, in particular, cuts to the Arts and Humanities sector are becoming endemic, with complex ramifications for prospective students as well as academic and professional staff. In light of these structural and ideological challenges, this paper proposes a revisiting of the philosophical work of Richard Rorty. Rorty has argued compellingly for the morally educative importance of the arts as well as the distinct gift of a liberal education more generally. Ultimately, however, we argue that Rorty’s liberal ideals are radically threatened in the present context of neoliberalism and that they have been particularly problematised in philosophical and literary work since Rorty’s death in 2007. The theoretical writings of Lauren Berlant as well as the literary fiction of Nicole Flattery and Natasha Brown are our key exemplars here. Through our analysis of these texts, we interrogate what we might desire of education beyond the liberal paradigm underpinning Rorty’s thought; and we sketch a framework for the Arts and Humanities perhaps more responsive to the crises of our contemporary age.

Soft Paternalism and Freedom in the Age of Artificial Intelligence – Through the “tactfulness (融通無碍 Yuzu-Muge)” of 華厳学 Hua-Yan philosophy

Abstract Living in an era of technological innovations, we must understand and trust them to benefit from these new technologies. In this context, paternalism is renewed as the so-called “soft-” or “Libertarian paternalism”. How can we face it and ensure freedom in the vortex of wellmeaning advice and persuasion? This paper will discuss 1. the characteristics of freedom since the 18th century from the perspective of the Enlightenment discourse in Germany by Mendelssohn and Kant, 2. the conditions for freedom in the contemporary age of accelerating technological innovation, and 3. from trans-modernism, rethinking the dichotomy between otherness and autonomy, coercion and freedom, by the idea of 融通無碍 Yuzu-Muge, tactfulness in 華厳学 Hua-Yan Philosophy.