Contemporary Discourse Research Articles

Intersections in the digital society: cancel culture, fake news, and contemporary public discourse.

This article critically examines the intricate relationship between cancel culture and fake news, shedding light on their collective impact on current societies. The changing social landscape, marked by the transition from the "network society" to the "platform society," has given rise to unprecedented phenomena such as cancel culture. Rooted in social media complaints, cancel culture intersects with the dissemination of intentionally created false information, forming a complex web of dynamics. The study explores the multifaceted nature of cancel culture, its unintended consequences and the nuanced definitions surrounding it. The synthesis of erasure culture and fake news prompts critical reflections on the democratization of information, the protection of fundamental rights, and the potential risks to democracies of an unbridled online narrative. As digital networks continue to play a central role in everyday life, understanding and addressing these challenges is essential to maintaining a balanced discourse that upholds democratic values.

CULTURAL COMPETENCE IN EDUCATION: STRATEGIES FOR FOSTERING INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY AWARENESS

Cultural competence in education has emerged as a critical area of focus in contemporary educational discourse, aiming to create inclusive learning environments that celebrate diversity and promote equitable opportunities for all students. This review explores strategies for fostering inclusivity and diversity awareness within educational settings. The foundation of cultural competence lies in recognizing and respecting the cultural backgrounds, experiences, and identities of students, educators, and communities. Through culturally responsive teaching practices, educators can leverage students' diverse backgrounds to enhance learning experiences. This involves incorporating culturally relevant content, perspectives, and instructional approaches that resonate with students' lived experiences. Furthermore, building cultural competence requires ongoing professional development for educators. Training programs and workshops can enhance educators' understanding of cultural diversity, unconscious biases, and strategies for creating inclusive classrooms. Additionally, fostering partnerships with community organizations and engaging families from diverse backgrounds can enrich the learning environment and strengthen cultural connections. Institutional commitment to cultural competence is crucial for systemic change. Educational policies and curricula should reflect a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. School leaders play a pivotal role in creating a culture of respect and valuing diversity among students and staff. Moreover, technology can be harnessed to promote cultural competence through virtual exchange programs, multicultural digital resources, and online forums for intercultural dialogue. Fostering cultural competence in education requires a multifaceted approach encompassing curriculum development, educator training, community engagement, and technological innovation. By embracing cultural diversity and promoting inclusivity, educational institutions can cultivate environments where all students feel valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.
 Keywords: Education, Cultural, Competence, Inclusivity, Diversity, Awareness, Review

THE ROLE OF FINE ARTS IN PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY WITHIN INDUSTRIAL AND GRAPHIC DESIGN: A CROSS-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH

In contemporary design discourse, the intersection of fine arts with industrial and graphic design emerges as a pivotal avenue for promoting sustainability. This paper explores the evolving relationship between fine arts and design disciplines, highlighting their collaborative potential in addressing environmental challenges. By adopting a cross-disciplinary approach, it investigates how incorporating principles of fine arts into industrial and graphic design practices can foster sustainable solutions. The paper begins by contextualizing the current environmental crisis and the imperative for sustainable design interventions. It then delves into the fundamental principles of fine arts, emphasizing its emphasis on creativity, expression, and aesthetic sensibility. Through a comparative analysis, it elucidates how these principles can complement the technical aspects of industrial and graphic design to imbue products and visuals with sustainability-driven narratives. Furthermore, the paper examines case studies and examples where fine arts techniques and philosophies have been integrated into design processes to enhance sustainability. These include practices such as upcycling, biomimicry, and eco-conscious visual communication strategies. Additionally, it explores the role of fine arts education in nurturing a mindset that prioritizes environmental stewardship within design professionals. The findings suggest that by embracing a cross-disciplinary approach that embraces fine arts principles, designers can transcend traditional boundaries to create innovative, sustainable solutions. This synthesis of art and design not only enriches the aesthetic appeal of products and visuals but also instills a deeper consciousness of environmental responsibility. Ultimately, this paper advocates for a holistic integration of fine arts within industrial and graphic design practices as a means to promote sustainability in the face of global challenges.
 Keywords: Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Cross-Disciplinary, Industrial, Sustainability, Reviews.

Shevyryov, S. (2022). Complete works of literary criticism (7 vols). Vol. 5: 1846–1854. Part 1: 1846–1849. Part 2: 1850–1854. Ed. by A. Nikolyukin. St. Petersburg: Rostok. (In Russ.)

Shevyryov’s complete collected non-fiction works in 7 volumes is an ambitious project with the aim to reintroduce a preeminent Slavophile ideologist to contemporary cultural discourse. Soviet scholars dismissed Shevyryov as ideologically erring, and it was not until the 1990s that his works were rediscovered by publishers and booksellers. In the last decades, Shevyryov’s legacy was revisited, sparking interest in his travelogues, among other things. The recently published fifth volume contains the new edition of Journey to White Lake St. Cyril’s Monastery [Poezdka v Kirillo-Belozerskiy monastyr], written to encourage its readers to take an interest in Russian history and its preservation.

Social media and anti-immigrant prejudice: a multi-method analysis of the role of social media use, threat perceptions, and cognitive ability.

The discourse on immigration and immigrants is central to contemporary political and public discussions. Analyzing online conversations about immigrants provides valuable insights into public opinion, complemented by data from questionnaires on how attitudes are formed. The research includes two studies examining the expressive and informational use of social media. Study 1 conducted a computational text analysis of comments on Singaporean Facebook pages and forums, focusing on how social media is used to discuss immigrants. Study 2 utilized survey data to examine the use of social media at the individual level, testing the relationships between cognitive ability, perceptions of threat, negative emotions towards immigrants, and social media usage within the Integrated Threat Theory framework. Study 1 found that discussions about immigrants on social media often involved negative emotions and concerns about economic impact, such as competition for jobs and crime. Complementing these findings about perceived economic threats, Study 2 showed that individuals with higher social media usage and greater perceptions of threat were more likely to have negative emotions towards immigrants. These relationships were mediated by perceptions of threat and were stronger in individuals with lower cognitive abilities. The findings from both studies demonstrate the role of social media in shaping public attitudes towards immigrants, highlighting how perceived threats influence these attitudes. This research suggests the importance of considering how digital platforms contribute to public opinion on immigration, with implications for understanding the dynamics of attitude formation in the digital age.

Edged beyond thresholds of conventional vulnerabilities: Critical reflections on COVID‐19, women and gender

AbstractThough Johan Galtung's extensive application of the term structural violence in peace studies has been a subject of controversy, his rendition remains critical, seminal, and influential in broad spaces of contemporary discourse including Africa's sociocultural engagements. In his epic essay: “Violence, Peace and Peace Research” he reasoned that structural violence is violence that results in harm but is not necessarily caused by any specific identifiable actor and advanced his argument to the proposition that positive peace is the absence of structural violence. This paper probes how structural violence, seen as multiple ways in which economic, social and cultural systems in Africa, specifically Ghana, leverage their cumulative strengths to edge particular populations in this context women, to the brinks and margins of Covid‐19 related risks, thus stretching women's state of affairs beyond the thresholds of traditionally held vulnerabilities. The study unveils how women's disproportionate exposure to COVID‐19 compromises public health to the detriment of human capital. It concludes that making women's rights locally relevant in Africa constitutes an important capital investment in promoting a better human rights regime for social development as the world contemplates a post‐COVID‐19 era, expressed in shared prosperity, collective security, and equity in social justice.

Artificial Intelligence Islamic Architecture (AIIA): What Is Islamic Architecture in the Age of Artificial Intelligence?

Revisiting the long-debated question: “What is Islamic architecture?”, this research article aims to explore the identity of “Islamic architecture (IA)” in the context of artificial intelligence (AI) as well as the novel opportunities and cultural challenges associated with applying AI techniques, such as the machine learning of Midjourney in the context of IA. It investigates the impact factors of AI technologies on the understanding and interpretation of traditional Islamic architectural principles, especially architectural design processes. This article employs a quantitative research methodology, including the observation of works of artists and architectural designers appearing in the mass media in light of a literature review and critical analysis of scholarly debates on Islamic architecture, spanning from historical perspectives to contemporary discussions. The article argues for the emergence of a continuous paradigm shift from what is commonly known as “postmodern Islamic architecture” (PMIA) into “artificial intelligence Islamic architecture” (AIIA), as coined by the authors of this article. It identifies the following impact factors of AI on IA: (1) particular requirements and sensitivities, inaccuracies, and biases, (2) human touch, unique craftsmanship, and a deep understanding of cultural issues, (3) regional variation, (4) translation, (5) biases in sources, (6) previously used terms and expressions, and (7) intangible values. The significance of this research in digital heritage lies in the fact that there are no pre-existing theoretical publications on the topic of “Islamic architecture in the age of artificial intelligence”, although an extensive set of publications interpreting the question of the definition of Islamic architecture, in general, is found. This article is pivotal in analyzing this heritage-inspired design approach in light of former criticism of the definition of “Islamic architecture”, which could benefit both theorists and practitioners. This theoretical article is the first in a series of two sequential articles in the Buildings journal; the second (practical) article is an analytical evaluation of the Midjourney architectural virtual lab, defining major current limits in AI-generated representations of Islamic architectural heritage.

Do we really need a “Digital Humanism”? A critique based on post-human philosophy of technology and socio-legal techniques

Few concepts have been subjected to as intense scrutiny in contemporary discourse as that of “humanism.” While these critiques have acknowledged the importance of retaining certain key aspects of humanism, such as rights, freedom, and human dignity, the term has assumed ambivalence, especially in light of post-colonial and gender studies, that cannot be ignored. The “Vienna Manifesto on Digital Humanism,” as well as the recent volume (2022) titled Perspectives on Digital Humanism, bear a complex imprint of this ambivalence. In this contribution, we aim to bring to the forefront and decipher this underlying trace, by considering alternative (non-humanistic) ways to understand human-technologies relations, beyond the dominant neoliberal paradigm (paragraphs 1 and 2); we then analyse those relations within the specific context of legal studies (paragraphs 3 and 4), one in which the interdependency of humans and non-humans shows a specific and complex form of “fundamental ambivalence.”

Colombian Television in the 1980S

This article examines the claims that the unique public-private television system of the 1980s provided space for the development of a national sense of community-based on common narratives and decentralization. The sources for the analysis included a revision of its contemporary discussion in printed media coupled with an analysis of TV shows currently available on streaming services and interviews with relevant figures of the time. The television content shot on location was praised for representing the nation, while simultaneously giving rise to debates about decentralization, which was finally addressed by the creation of regional broadcasters. The hybrid system fostered diversity, production quality, and a national representation that was strongly contested from the regions. At the same time, the system unintendedly hampered the creation of an audiovisual archive, and complaints about its tender systems resonate with the plight of contemporary public service broadcasting in Colombia.

The interaction of history and modern thought in the creation of Iran's architecture by investigating the approaches of past-oriented architecture

The relationship between tradition and modernity significantly influences society, culture, and architectural discourse. This philosophy offers a framework for exploring the impact of traditional architecture on contemporary Iranian architecture from different perspectives and approaches. Various viewpoints exist on whether historical architecture can be a defining characteristic of contemporary architectural discourse. Through an in-depth review of analysis-centred architectural literature, a unique method was chosen for analysing contemporary architecture and gaining insight into its creation. The main goal of this study is to establish a productive relationship between past-oriented architecture, innovative architectural concepts, and contemporary thought. This article examines three critical viewpoints, tradition as imitation, transmission, and transformation, alongside analysing their influential components on architectural form to gain insight into productively connecting with historical achievements and show that the role of history is to add new values to architecture-conscious needs that have changed during history. Ultimately, the challenge lies in finding a suitable path among diverse perspectives and reinterpretations and establishing a productive relationship with history and contemporary thought.

‘Patience, persistence and proportionality’: Probation officer's perspectives of desistance in practice

Desistance from crime is a priority for criminal justice policy and practice yet the term carries varying definitions across research literature. Contemporary discourses promote a refocusing from desistance's representation as an individual's personal journey, to understanding desistance more akin to a social movement. Research has predominantly focused on the lived experience of those striving to achieve desistance, with practitioner perspectives remaining under researched. This study, conducted post COVID-19, aimed to explore and evaluate how probation officers operationalise desistance in practice. Outcomes evidence that whilst practitioners acknowledge the diverse conceptualisations of desistance, it remains a priority in practice, even where the focus is predominantly risk management. Key practice features emerging as essential to promoting desistance include identifying and cultivating a motivation to change, approaches to forming the supervisory relationship and how practitioner's respond when risks increase. A supporting organisational ethos is critical but challenged in the complex post COVID-19 context.

Aspects of Ecosystem Approach in Governing a Tourism Destination

This theoretical study offers an extensive exploration of the ecosystem approach to tourism destination management. Ecosystems have gained prominence in contemporary discourse across various domains, including business and the academic world. The study examines tourism destinations through the lens of a business ecosystem, shedding light on the intricate interplay of elements within such ecosystems. For this purpose, first, the concept of a business ecosystem is defined and delimitated, laying the foundation for its application to the unique context of tourism destinations. Ecosystems, both in biology and in business, are complex and spontaneous structures, which raises profound questions about the feasibility of managing an ecosystem, the responsible entities, and the methods entailed. This paper argues that rather than a traditional management approach, it is plausible to adopt a governance perspective when dealing with the tourism destination ecosystem. By synthesizing existing bibliographical data on the characteristics of the ecosystem, the roles and functions of actors in it, as well as unique attributes of tourism enriching the understanding of the ecosystem approach, the research concludes on the important aspects that could be used for successful governance. This study serves as the initial phase of a broader research endeavor, which overarching goal is to contribute to the socio-economic understanding of tourism management, casting it through the prism of business ecosystems by expanding on these foundational insights and conducting further empirical investigations on particular types of tourism.

ت تطبيقات القواعد الفقهية على الجراحة التجميلية ـــ قاعدتي "درء المفاسد مقدم على جلب المصالح" و"الضرورات تبيح المحظورات" أنموذجا ـــ

This research addresses a significant contemporary discourse surrounding the influence of jurisprudence on medical matters, particularly those about accidents and, more specifically, medical interventions on the human body. While such interventions are not novel to our era, tracing their roots back to ancient practices such as nose and teeth implants, advancements in science have enabled a considerable enhancement in altering, removing, or correcting organ structures, commonly referred to as plastic surgeries. This study seeks to elucidate the application of certain legal principles to plastic surgeries, specifically those encapsulated in the doctrines of "preventing mischiefs is better than bringing benefits" and "necessities overrule prohibitions." It aims to underscore the execution of these principles in the realm of plastic surgeries, delineating their impact and benefits, and emphasizing the imperative consideration of these principles by medical practitioners and their clientele before undertaking such procedures.

Visualizing Voices: Exploring the Use of Architectural Visualization to Present Complex Qualitative Findings

In this paper, I discuss the promising use of visual architectural drawings to present findings of qualitative studies, particularly when dealing with a complex, multidimensional human experience. I examine an interdisciplinary integration between qualitative research and architecture that embraces visual elements. I propose using visual drawings borrowed from architecture as a tool to present deep meanings of human experience within a social phenomenon and make the findings visually transparent. The architectural drawings offer distinct views: one provides an overall view of the building, while the other exposes its hidden layers. I employ this visual means to highlight deep meanings obtained from two salient metaphors in the participants’ stories concerning normative identity conflict. This new practice of the importance of using visual means to present findings is consistent with contemporary discussions in sociology about how qualitative findings can be made more transparent and visible to diverse audiences. While this unique use of visual architecture means is still rare, I suggest that their implementation can contribute to innovation and contemporaneity in presenting qualitative findings. The insights of the present paper invite qualitative researchers to utilize visual interdisciplinary means to present findings that engage diverse audiences and enrich qualitative methodological discourse.

Trust, artificial intelligence and software practitioners: an interdisciplinary agenda

AbstractTrust and trustworthiness are central concepts in contemporary discussions about the ethics of and qualities associated with artificial intelligence (AI) and the relationships between people, organisations and AI. In this article we develop an interdisciplinary approach, using socio-technical software engineering and design anthropological approaches, to investigate how trust and trustworthiness concepts are articulated and performed by AI software practitioners. We examine how trust and trustworthiness are defined in relation to AI across these disciplines, and investigate how AI, trust and trustworthiness are conceptualised and experienced through an ethnographic study of the work practices of nine practitioners in the software industry. We present key implications of our findings for the generation of trust and trustworthiness and for the training and education of future software practitioners.

Counter-Discourses of Lower-Caste Intellectuals in Colonial and Postcolonial India: Mainstream Hindu Discourses and the Phule-Ambedkar Ideology

This study examines the nature of discourse formation in the Dalit movement by analysing two different historical stages: 1) the nineteenth-century upper-caste discourse on Aryan race theory and the counter-discourse advocated by Phule; and 2) the early twentieth-century mainstream nationalist discourse and the counter-discourse proposed by B. R. Ambedkar. However, the ideologies of Phule and Ambedkar, which have often been combined and called the ‘Phule-Ambedkar ideology’, contain heterogeneous and conflicting elements, especially concerning lower-caste identity and perceptions of the upper castes. Counter-discourses have been produced through interaction with and responses to the contemporary mainstream discourse in different times and contexts

Forms and functions of the use of figurative systems in modern Kazakh prose (cognitive aspect and comparative aspect with European literature)

Relevance. The relevance of this research is due to the study of the forms and functions of the use of figurative systems in modern Kazakh prose, considering the cognitive aspect of these systems next to the comparative aspect in European literature, and the consideration of classifications and typologies of the figurative system of modern prose in a narrowly innovative literary direction. Purpose. The study purpose is to identify the forms and functions using the figurative systems in the prose of modern Kazakhstan, to compile a classification and designation of the typology of the figurative system in the cognitive aspect of the innovative literary direction based on the works of writers Ilya Odegov and Yuri Serebryansky. Methodology. Various research methods including comparison, analysis, synthesis, analogy, deduction, induction, generalization, analytical generalization, classification, and abstraction to comprehensively investigate the topic, its properties, and the stylistic elements of writers' expression were used in this study. Results. The study identifies various forms and functions of figurative systems employed in modern Kazakh prose, focusing on their cognitive aspects and comparing them with European literature. It highlights the classification and typology of these systems within the context of innovative literary directions, particularly through the works of writers Ilya Odegov and Yuri Serebryansky. The research utilizes analytical methods to delve into the properties and stylistic expressions of figurative systems, offering insights into their role in contemporary literary discourse. Conclusions. The findings underscore the significance of figurative systems as essential tools for conveying meaning and aesthetic value in modern Kazakh prose. By exploring cognitive and comparative aspects alongside innovative literary directions, the study enriches our understanding of how these systems shape narrative styles and contribute to cultural dialogue. This research serves as a valuable resource for scholars, educators, practitioners interested in the intersection of literature, cognition, cultural exchange. Keywords: concepts; image concepts; national concept; cognitive models of the image of the author, hero; features of the organization of artistic space and time

The Generation and Transfer of the “Sweet” Category in Calligraphy Appreciation

Ancient Chinese calligraphy theories often “discuss calligraphy by taste”. “Taste” is an essential category of classical Chinese aesthetics, and is a concrete expression of the spirit of Chinese art. In contemporary calligraphic critical discourse, outside of the audiovisual norms, the Chinese calligraphic tradition of “discussing calligraphy by taste” is undoubtedly an ideological resource that cannot be ignored. “Gan”. In English is called “pleasant” and was originally one of the five flavors, and in the Eastern Han Dynasty, it slowly developed the meaning of “Tian” (sweet) to describe the taste. “Sweet”, as an aesthetic category, appeared in a large number of poetry, calligraphy, and painting theories in the Ming and Qing dynasties and beyond. Since the Tang Dynasty, “Sweet” has been combined with “Vulgar”. The word “Sweet” was formally introduced into the realm of painting and calligraphy appreciation. This article utilizes the theory of aesthetics and combines it with physiology, psychology, and other disciplines to explain discussing calligraphy by “Sweet”. An analysis of the generation and transfer of the category of “Sweet” in the appreciation of calligraphy reveals the mutual borrowing and influence of art theories. After sorting and analyzing, it can be seen that “Sweet” refers to works that are overly modified, not chewable, and have no flavor outside the taste. Or works with too much “craftsmanship”, too much skill, too much ink, and works that are opposite to the beauty of “clumsiness” and “lightness” appreciated by ancient calligraphers.

Navigating Sustainability: Exploring Multidisciplinary Insights and Innovations in the Asia-Pacific Region

We are pleased to introduce the Special Issue on Sustainability in Asia-Pacific: Multidisciplinary Insights and Innovations, a collaboration between Diversitas Journal, the Asia-Pacific Consortium of Research and Educators, Inc. (APCORE), and Alagoas State University. In the face of increasing environmental challenges, this special issue explores the nuanced complexities of sustainability in the Asia-Pacific region. It offers a comprehensive exploration of insights and innovative solutions in education, science and technology, humanities, and social sciences. Sustainability, a fundamental concept in contemporary discourse, extends beyond conventional boundaries to encompass various interconnected aspects: environmental, economic, social, and cultural. Amid rapid urbanization, population growth, and climate change, the Asia-Pacific region is a focal point for examining the intricate dynamics between development and sustainability. Under the guidance of Diversitas Journal's Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. José Crisólogo, this special issue presents a diverse collection of scholarship covering a wide range of thematic areas. The research themes covered in this special issue include alternative approaches to education in the new normal, organizational culture in higher education institutions, the COVID-19 pandemic, gender and development, and sustainable practices. These studies provide valuable insights into contemporary issues in education, healthcare, technology, ethics, and sustainable development. They contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the multidisciplinary challenges and opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region. As we embark on this intellectual journey, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Odilon Máximo, Rector of Alagoas State University, Prof. Dr. Crisólogo, and all those who have shown unwavering dedication and commitment to fostering knowledge exchange and driving positive change through this special issue.

“One Does Not Do That to a Human Being”: Reading A Man of Good Hope (2015) as a Testimonio of Human Rights

Human rights are central to South Africa’s nationalist struggle and imaginings of a democratic dispensation. Amongst other institutions, the Human Rights Commission, the South African Constitution, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Freedom Charter have historically been tasked with enshrining human rights in processes, relationships and moralities defining South African democracy. However, over the years, conceptions of who is entitled to human rights and protection have continued to shift, especially in the wake of increasing numbers of migrants seeking different forms of refuge in South Africa. This article turns to literature as a site to encounter contemporary discourse on migrant human rights in the country. Using Jonny Steinberg’s biography A Man of Good Hope (2015), the article explores how the biography’s styling as a testimonio allows it to critically engage the question of human rights and (in)justice in relation to migrants. Focusing on the protagonist’s witnessing of migrants’ violated lives and themes of victimhood, suffering and dehumanisation, the article examines the ethics of human rights and justice in A Man of Good Hope.