Late 19th Century Research Articles

Образ России: «Записки о реформах Петра Великого» Кан Ювэя

The article presents a translation of part of the essay “An account of the Reforms of Peter the Great” by the Chinese philosopher and politician Kang Yu-wei (1858-1927), leader of the reform movement "One Hundred Days Reforms" in China in the late 19th century. The material in the article allows us to 1) to recall how the "Association for Strengthening the State" came into being; 2) to find out how the interaction between Kang Yu-wei and Emperor Zai Tian took place during the "Hundred Days of Reforms", analysing the evidence for the necessity of changes presented by the reformers; 3) to reveal the theoretical justification of the reforms presented by Kang Yu-wei; 4) to show the attitude towards the personality of Peter the Great as a model of a talented ruler and his activities as an example of successful reforms.

OSTRICHES AND GEOTOURISM: THE EVOLUTIONARY PATHWAY OF A SMALL TOWN TOURISM DESTINATION IN SOUTH AFRICA

Small towns are a critical tier in the settlement hierarchy. For many small towns tourism is a vital sector of local development. This paper contributes an historical perspective on small town destination development. Using archival sources the paper provides a window on the evolutionary development of one small town tourism destination in South Africa. The case study is Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape. During the late 19th century and early 20th century Oudtsthoorn experienced phases of economic boom and bust which linked to international fashion and the trade in ostrich feathers. The imprint of this era is manifest in the town’s landscape of ‘feather palaces’. In terms of early 20th century tourism growth it is demonstrate d geotourism was a critical driver with the asset of Cango Caves. In the period after the Second World War, the local tourism economy diversifies with the revival and reorientation of ostrich farming which incorporates ostriches as tourism attractions. The evolutionary pathway of this small town changes such that its local tourism economy is anchored on the dual foundations of its geotourism and ostrich attractions.

Acoustic emission failure detection and localisation in historic fibrous plaster ceiling

Fibrous plaster (FP) is a composite material that has been used for suspended decorative ceilings in historical buildings since the late 19th century. Such ceilings are susceptible to failures, particularly in hard-to-access structural hangers (‘wads’). Due to a limited understanding of structural behaviour of FP ceilings, maintenance and reconstruction decisions are based on visual and tactile inspections. Such inspections are costly, intrusive and ultimately subjective. Non-destructive techniques are needed to detect and localise failures in FP ceilings. An Acoustic Emission system was recently developed to detect and localise damage sources in FP ceilings. The method processes data from AE sensor clusters with one-dimensional convolutional neural networks(1D-CNNs) trained to account for wave propagation anisotropy. This paper presents a case study conducted at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) building in London (UK) to validate the method. The results confirm the ability of the method to localise failures under real site conditions in 450 mm-by-450 mm monitoring areas. The method may enable non-intrusive detection of failures from the underside of ceilings during periodic inspections. The possibility of conducting pre-training in laboratories and covering large monitoring areas up to 1500mm-by-1500mm is established and may facilitate practical applications in the future.

Происхождение политической эсхатологии в Европе: Французская революция как космическая борьба добрых и злых сил

Eschatology is a religious doctrine about the coming end of the world and the coming of a new age. Beginning in the late 18th century, eschatology acquired a political content and was used often by many European ideologies, especially nationalism and socialism, to explain the course of history. Revolutions often included an eschatological content. The French Revolution was the first major European revolution with a large eschatological content. This article examines the influence of eschatology on the course of this revolution. The eschatological tendencies, begun in the French and other revolutions, culminated in the Russian Revolution of 1917-1922. These tendencies included dividing people into categories of the saved and condemned, demonization of enemies, especially internal ones, conspiracy theories, compiling criteria for membership in a political or ethnic nation, determining norms of correct behavior for members of the nation, compiling criteria for the exclusion of people from the ranks of the nation. The article theme has a certain relevance to contemporary outbreaks of political and religious eschatology in different movements and ideologies.

THE IMPULSES OF MODERNJADIDISM AND THE ROLEOF PRINTING

Jadidism, a reform movement among Muslims of the Russian Empire in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, played a key role in cultural and educational evolution. One of the main factors that contributed to its development began to be distributed in the form of newspapers, magazines, fiction books, scientific manuals, etc. The purpose of this study is to analyze the role of the press in the development and spread of Jadidism.The scientific originality of the work lies in deepening the understanding of the processes of the cultural revolution among the Turkic-Muslim peoples living on the territory of the Russia n Empire, and the role of the press in these processes. Practical originality lies in the possibility of using the data obtained to develop modern traditions of cultural and educational development of the Turkic peoples.The article uses historical analysis as well as descriptive and sociocultural methods to determine the relationships between technological advances in printing and ideological changes in Jadidism, using print methods such as a literacy measurement tool, the promotion of secular education, and the formation of modern Turkic identity.The study showed that print media are a central mechanism in disseminating Jadidist idea s and establishing the positions of reformers. The analysis found that the use of printed materials significantly accelerated economic development and led to profound changes in socia l development.The results of the study can be used to develop strategies for supporting and developing cultural and educational initiatives , as well as to study contemporary media in the field of socia l movement and progressive trends in other cultural contexts.

PRIORITY DIRECTIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL ARCHITECTURE IN KAZAKHSTAN IN THE 21ST CENTURY

The article offers an in-depth analysis of the key directions in the development of regional architecture in Kazakhstan in the 21st century. Modern architecture evolves under various factors, including environmental conditions, technological advancements, socio-economic realities, and cultural-historical contexts. The late 20th and early 21st centuries have also brought global challenges such as globalisation, environmental crises, technological and anthropogenic disasters, and military conflicts. This research, with its comprehensive approach, plays a crucial role in identifying the factors influencing contemporary architecture in Kazakhstan and determining the future directions for its development. The methodology included comparative analysis, systematisation of information from literary sources, project modelling, and surveys, ensuring the robustness and reliability of the findings. The primary data sources were the works of leading architecture specialists, complemented by an analysis of governmental policy documents, which provided insights into the main state policy directions in architecture. The study identified several critical directions in the development of architecture in Kazakhstan: sustainable development and “green” architecture, the digitalisation of the architectural and construction sector, the adaptive reuse and repurposing of existing buildings, participatory design, and the strengthening of architectural identity, which is crucial in the context of growing globalism. The findings of this research can serve as a foundation for developing new theoretical concepts in regional architecture and can be integrated into architectural educational programmes. These results will also benefit projects related to preserving and restoring architectural monuments, conserving cultural heritage, and adapting it to contemporary needs, enhancing both these objects’ functional appeal and economic value.

Оценка взаимосвязи брачно-миграционных характеристик населения Белгородской области в динамике за 130 лет

Background: The importance of studying the dynamics of the population-demographic structure of the population of the south of Central Russia over several generations dictates the need to conduct this study. The aim of the study: Assessment of the relationship between marriage and migration characteristics of the population of the Belgorod region over 130 years. Materials and methods: The object of the study is the Belgorod region (Belgorod, Grayvoronsky, Korochansky, Novooskolsky, Starooskolsky, Valuysky, Krasnogvardeysky and Alekseevsky (formerly Biryuchansky) districts (uezds). The dynamics of population-demographic indicators (migration parameters, isolation by Maleko distance, marriageable age, nationality of spouses) were studied over the past 130 years in the context of 5 time periods. The material was the data of 39,130 marriage records of acts of church and parish books of the Civil Registry Office Archive of the Belgorod Region of the late 19th century and civil status acts of the regional Civil Registry Office archive. In order to assess the relationship between the isolation parameters, Maleko distance and other population-demographic indicators, a correlation analysis (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient) was carried out. Results: Marriage and migration indicators are characterized by pronounced interrelated dynamics. Over the 130-year period, there was an increase in the proportion of heterolocal marriages (by 11 times), the level of local inbreeding (by 2 times), and the root-mean-square distances between the places of birth of spouses, taking into account long-distance migrations (by 6.9 times) and without them (by 13.3 times), effective migration pressure (1.5 times), age of marriage for men (from 24.12 to 30.98 years) and women (from 20.5 to 28.71 years), expansion of the national composition. The root-mean-square distances between the places of birth of spouses, taking into account long-distance migrations, were positively correlated with the proportion of men of other nationalities (r=0.90) and women of Ukrainian nationality (r=0.90), and the root-mean-square distances between the places of birth of spouses without taking into account long-distance migrations were negative correlations with the proportion of men (r= -0.90) and women (r=0.90) of Russian nationality and positive correlations with the proportion of women of other nationalities (r=0.90). Conclusion: In the Belgorod region, over the past 130 years, an increase in the root-mean-square distances between the places of birth of spouses, taking into account long-distance migrations, led to an increase in the proportion of men of other (except Russian and Ukrainian) nationalities and the share of women of Ukrainian nationality, and an increase in the root-mean-square distances between the places of birth of spouses without taking into account longdistance migrations led to a decrease in the share of men and women of Russian nationality and an increase in the share of women of other nationalities.

월성북고분군의 변천과 마립간기 6부의 내부 조직

This paper aims to trace the 6 bu organization of the Maripgan Period. For this purpose, a comprehensive interpretation was derived by comparing and analyzing the the Wol-seong North Ancient Tombs with the Geumcheok-ri Ancient Tombs and the central tombs constructed in the time period before and after the Wolseong North Ancient Tombs. The formation process of Wolseong North Ancient Tombs cluster consisted of the es-tablishment of the A-1 group, in which the high mounded tombs were built continuously nearby the pre-existing wooden chamber burials to the north, and the establishment of the B and C groups, in which new high mounded tombs were built along the outer wetland boundary, where there was no pre-existing burial ground. Groups A-1, B, and C are con-sidered to correspond to the three initial bu (Tak (喙), Pi (彼), Hangi (漢岐)). Before the divi-sion into 6 bu around the middle to late 4th century, the initial 3 bu were gathered togeth-er in the area of the Wolseong North Ancient Tombs. Subsequently, the A-2 group (centered around Hwangnamdaechong Tomb), which mainly consists of the super-large tombs of Group 1 and Group 2 and the large tombs of Group 3, came to be separated. The reason for this is likely the establishment of a separate burial ground for Gan (干支) status individuals in the center of the capital city. Moving forward to the 5th century, the 6 bu divisions of Tak (喙), Satak (沙喙), Motak (岑喙), Bonpi (本彼), Seupbi (斯彼), and Hangi (漢岐) were completed amid the power struggle between the Maripgan groups. The tomb of King Galmun, the head of Satak-bu, was continuously built in the A-2 burial ground. It is inferred that although the tombs of Motak-bu (the Geumcheok-ri Anceint Tombs) continued to be built at the group’s original burial ground, it followed the arrangement principle pursued by the tombs of Tak-bu and Satak-bu. During the reign of Nulji Maripgan (417-458), the ousted Silseong Maripgan faction separated to form A-3 burial ground (in the area of Tomb No. 119), and at the same time, the foundations for the principle of father to son succession for the Silla throne were estab-lished. Throughout the reign of the three major Maripgans ranging from Nulji to Jabi-Soji, A-4-burial ground (in the area of Bonghwangdae) was seperated to form the burial grounds of the Maripgan clan.

Disavowing history

If the secession of formerly colonized countries from large imperial units is a story of political hope, the central actors in Quinn Slobodian’s story perceive the opportunities provided by the proliferation of new jurisdictions following decolonization very differently. According to the “market radicals” of the late 20th and 21st centuries, the break-up of empire is not a story of the potential for the democratization of politics and history-writing. Their ideas do however offer critiques of modernity. In this commentary, I convene critics of modernity – anticolonial leaders, historians of decolonization and the aftermath of empire, Indigenous and tribal peoples and their historians, and decolonial thinkers – in conversation with the capitalist adventurers of Slobodian’s tale, via an exploration of the limits and possibilities of history-writing and the politics of historicist discourse.

The Multiple Aspects of the Given—Ontological Remarks on Ernst Mach’s Empiricism

Philosophers often rely on sciences of their own time. This is especially true for scientists writing philosophical works. In the case of Ernst Mach, the scientific references are mainly to physics, physiology, evolutionary biology and—in a somewhat different manner—the new discipline of psychology. Like so many authors in the late 19th century, Mach had extreme confidence in the methods of the natural sciences. However, this trait, often called scientism or positivism, can easily be used in polemical accounts that obscure other aspects of Mach’s thought. Mach is well-known for both his analysis of sensations and his evolutionary conception of perception and knowledge. The tension between the ambition to clarify the empirical basis of perception on the one hand and the focus on the natural origins of human perception on the other hand is, however, considerable. A comparison of these two perspectives can contribute to an ontological understanding of experience that sheds new light on the much-discussed topic of sense data and at the same time clarifies the difference between experience and observation and the role of experimental science in this context. In some respects, Mach seems closer to William James than to his followers in the Vienna circle. The accusation of idealism made by Lenin in his influential critique of positivism overlooks the implications of this naturalist approach but offers the occasion to dwell on the ontological implications of something that can be called natural historicity. Comparisons with Aristotle, Bacon, Descartes and Kant situate the empiricist theory of perception.

NATIVE EXPERIENCE OF NATIONAL PATRIOTIC EDUCATION IN THE MILITARY SPHERE OF THE STUDIED PERIOD (END OF XX – BEGINNING OF XXI CENTURY)

In the modern conditions of full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war, the problem of national-patriotic education of future officers in military institutions of higher education of Ukraine emerges with all urgency. The priority of the formation of patriotic qualities in the officers of military institutions of higher education plays a key role in the readiness for conscious defense of the Motherland, which is the main task assigned to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the conditions of hostilities with the enemy. The level of formation of patriotic qualities in future officers depends on the effectiveness of education of relevant properties in the personnel of military units and units, which determines their ability to selflessly fulfill the constitutional duty to consciously protect the Motherland. The basis of the formation of national self-awareness is the education of a conscientious officer, citizen, and patriot. National self-awareness is not an innate quality, it is formed during the life of an individual. At the current stage of Ukraine’s development, when the threat of losing state independence and the country’s integrity has increased, national-patriotic education in the military sphere has a priority role. The main aspect is the education of national-patriotic feeling in young officers, devotion to the defense of the state, on a national scale. The purpose of this article is to analyze the domestic experience of national-patriotic education in the military sphere of the late 20th – early 21st centuries. An integral part of the national-patriotic education of officers and personnel of the military forces is the formation of readiness to defend the Motherland. In the conditions of a full-scale war, education as a social phenomenon needs rethinking, development of new approaches and strategies in the development of a system of education of national-patriotic qualities in young officers and personnel in representatives of power structures. The external attributes of the army were also of great importance for the establishment of the national-patriotic upbringing of young officers: firstly, the development of new models of military uniforms and insignia; secondly, the approval of the provisions on military awards; thirdly, honorary names of military units that had a national historical origin. Thus, an important aspect of the investigated problem is the tendency to change the system of national-patriotic education in military institutions of higher education in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. This happened both at the legislative level and by filling the system of national-patriotic education with new content. The activities of the collectives of military institutions of higher education are aimed at: first, the formation of the national-patriotic consciousness of cadets; secondly, the awakening of national pride for the Ukrainian people; thirdly, hardening of patriotic consciousness; fourthly, training cadets to protect the independence of Ukraine, its state sovereignty. High results of educational work with cadets of institutions of higher education are ensured thanks to the inseparability of goals, the purpose of education in the conditions of both classroom and extra-auditory activities of the teaching staff of military higher education institutions. Turning to the historical experience of implementing the implementation of the national idea strengthens the search for ways to implement the national idea in the national-patriotic education of future officers in military institutions of higher education of Ukraine. Since effective educational work can be carried out under the conditions of a close combination of the achievements of cadets during educational and practical classes in military institutions of higher education of Ukraine with combat achievements of graduates of military institutions of higher education while protecting the territorial integrity of Ukraine, it is worth considering the possibilities of wider use of the potential of participants in hostilities for the formation of a patriotic consciousness and patriotic feelings. Today, the problem of national-patriotic education of young officers is becoming particularly acute, since the future of Ukraine as an independent, sovereign state depends on its solution.

The Application of Dewey Decimal System in Traditional Libraries

The Dewey Decimal System, created by Melvil Dewey in the late 19th century, has been a linchpin of traditional library classification systems for well over a century. This abstract provides a concise overview of the historical significance, principles, and enduring relevance of the Dewey Decimal System in traditional library settings. The Dewey Decimal System revolutionized the way libraries organized their collections, simplifying the process of locating and accessing books and materials. This paper traces the historical development of the Dewey Decimal System and its profound impact on traditional library cataloging and information retrieval. Key principles, such as the use of decimal notation and hierarchical classification, are explored in detail, highlighting their pivotal role in enhancing library management efficiency. Despite its enduring utility, this abstract also acknowledges the system's limitations. Traditional libraries have faced significant challenges in adapting the Dewey Decimal System to accommodate digital resources, multimedia materials, and non - traditional formats. Furthermore, questions have arisen regarding the system's cultural biases and its ability to adequately represent the diversity of knowledge and perspectives. In today's digital age, traditional libraries confront a unique set of challenges, necessitating a reevaluation of the Dewey Decimal System's role and adaptability. This abstract underscores the ongoing dialogue surrounding the system's relevance and its capacity to meet the evolving needs of modern libraries and information seekers. In conclusion, the Dewey Decimal System remains a cornerstone of traditional library organization, albeit with notable adaptational challenges. This abstract serves as a foundation for understanding the historical and contemporary significance of the Dewey Decimal System within the context of traditional libraries, setting the stage for a more comprehensive examination of its impact and future prospects in the full paper.

THE HISTORY OF SOCIOLOGY: MARXISM AND POPULISM

The article examines the main provisions of Marxism and populism, their impact on the development of Russian public thought and practice, and also provides a critical analysis of their applicability in modern society. The analysis of these two approaches makes it possible to better understand the different ways of understanding social changes and their impact on the formation of political and economic models. The article shows that the historical perspective of the study of Marxism and populism makes it possible to understand the basic principles and ideas underlying each of these areas of public thought in Russia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and analyze their impact on society. The historical context in which these ideologies arose is also investigated, and their development in subsequent years is considered.

Global Fight against Malaria: Goals and Achievements 1900–2022

This article examines the historical and ongoing efforts to fight malaria, a parasitic disease caused by Plasmodium species and transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. Despite over a century of control efforts, malaria remains a major global health issue. In 2022, there were an estimated 249 million cases across 85 countries, leading to approximately 600,000 deaths. In the recently published Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016–2030, the World Health Organization (WHO) has prioritized malaria eradication. The main goals are to reduce malaria incidence and mortality by 90% by 2030 compared to 2015 levels. However, as of 2022, progress has been limited, with only a 2% reduction in incidence and a 6% reduction in mortality. This review traces the historical context of malaria, highlighting its ancient origins and the pivotal scientific discoveries in the late 19th century that paved the way for modern control measures. The Global Malaria Eradication Programme launched by the WHO in 1955 initially showed promise, largely due to the insecticide DDT, but ultimately failed to achieve its goals mainly due to logistical problems, vector resistance to DDT, and inadequate funding. Despite significant advances in the early 21st century, including the Roll Back Malaria initiative and increased international funding, malaria eradication remains a distant goal. Persistent challenges, such as weak healthcare systems, parasite and vector resistance to drugs and insecticides, and inadequate funding, continue to hamper global efforts. Therefore, this article underscores the need for a deeper understanding of malaria’s history and recent evolution to inform future strategies for eradication.

Spatial variation in current and historical management of Arabica coffee across forests in its indigenous distribution

Societal Impact StatementArabica coffee grows in the forests and woodlands of Ethiopia. These Arabica coffee populations contain a reservoir of the highest genetic variation of this species, which is extremely valuable from a biodiversity conservation and coffee breeding point of view. Knowledge about the distribution of these populations, including how and to what extent they have been managed by local communities now and in the past, is limited. We reveal insights into the history, distribution, and management of Arabica coffee populations in the remaining forests of Ethiopia, which is essential for developing effective conservation policies for this globally important resource.Summary To guide conservation of forest biodiversity in a broad sense, we need to understand the landscape‐level variation in current and historical management practices of agroforestry systems. We collected data on coffee management practices across a large forested landscape in Ethiopia within Arabica coffee's indigenous distribution, using interviews in 11 villages and field surveys and interviews at 78 coffee sites in the forest. There was a gradient in coffee density (higher), liana cover (lower), and canopy cover (lower) from sites with high management intensity to sites without management. Recently, management intensity has increased in the forest edges. Interviews suggest that substantial areas of currently unmanaged coffee forests are a legacy of reforestation of abandoned (semi‐) open landscapes in the late 19th century. Despite a dynamic history of coffee cultivation across these areas, the conservation of forest biodiversity, including unmanaged populations of genetically diverse Arabica coffee, should be a priority, given the few such remaining areas in Ethiopia and elsewhere in the world.

THE DEVELOPMENT PARADIGM OF EDGAR ALLAN POE'S NOVELS IN CHINA

The purpose of this study is to examine the history and process of the reception of Edgar Allan Poe's prose works in China, whose work from the late 19th century until now has been the object of close interest and attention from translators, literary critics and critics, which emphasizes the relevance of the topic of this study. The objective and subjective factors of those phenomena related to the fact that in the middle of the 20th century Edgar Allan Poe's novels became more popular in China, some texts were introduced into the program of academic disciplines, became an important material for training specialists, a subject for scientific research are studied. The processes of transformation of his novels for cinema, television and theater have been studied. their influence on the sphere of culture and entertainment and their multifaceted impact on Chinese literature have been revealed.The history of perception, and interpretation of E. Poe's novels, where the genre-stylistic features of the famous novelist's prose, his original style, and manner of narration are considered. These phenomena expand the research area of literary studies, promote intercultural exchange, development of philological education and science, and are a valuable contribution to the culture of China. The carried out problem analysis of scientific and critical literature on the works of the representative of Americanliterature shows that the distribution, perception and study of Edgar Allan Poe's works in China has many aspects and levels. The results and conclusions of the article have practical significance, productive thoughts. as it considers the history and specificity of the reception of foreign-language literature, the place and significance of artistic translation as a moderator of intercultural communication.

Internal CSR and the decline of organised labour: a possible elective affinity?

Purpose This paper aims to explore the potential relationship between internal corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the decline of organised labour in countries of the global North. Given the opposing trends since the late 20th century and the widespread adherence of internationally recognised labour standards in CSR codes, standards, and reporting frameworks, questions arise about the disparity between CSR rhetoric and practice regarding the collective rights of in-house employees. The paper further explores the tendency in CSR scholarship to overlook violations of collective rights for in-house employees in the global North. Design/methodology/approach To examine whether there is an elective affinity between the rise of CSR and the decline of organised labour, the paper uses a discursive institutionalism approach, providing a meta-theoretical analysis of academic literature on internal CSR. A scoping review methodology was used to identify relevant literature and compile it into an empirical corpus for a metatheoretical analysis. The empirical corpus, consisting of 38 articles, was generated through a Google Scholar (GS) search guided by the following questions: (1) What are the dominant conceptual framings of internal CSR? (2) What are the dominant roles and practical aspects of internal CSR? Findings The paper identifies two key disparities in the literature: (1) between rhetoric and practice regarding the collective rights of in-house employees in the global North and (2) between the extensive CSR research on violations of collective rights of value chain workers and the limited attention to in-house employees’ collective rights. The analysis highlights two factors contributing to these disparities: the integration of internal CSR into the corporate managerial toolbox and the distinction in CSR discourse between core labour standards and workplace issues. The analysis shows that internal CSR has an elective affinity with the decline of organised labour. Research limitations/implications While scoping reviews are often standalone studies, this paper used the methodology for its stated purpose. Limitations include the broad span of internal CSR across various academic fields and reliance solely on GS. Measures taken to enhance inclusivity were unlimited review period, refined inclusion criteria and keywords during the selection process and cross-checks of cited articles. Social implications Considering the implications of the decline of organised labour on workers’ collective voice, poverty and the distribution gap in wealth and income, this paper suggests that for CSR to play a significant role in advancing sustainable social justice, scholars and practitioners should look at ways to reduce the disparity between rhetoric and practice regarding employees’ voice and collective rights. Originality/value The paper lays the foundation for a better understanding of the potential links between internal CSR and the decline of organised labour. It addresses a gap in the literature on the interrelations between CSR and organised labour in the global North and proposes root causes of this gap. This contribution enriches the scarce literature exploring the potential elective affinity between CSR and transformations in the global economy and labour markets since the late 1980s. Finally, the paper deepens the understanding of the implications of CSR for employees’ collective rights and voice as well as for organised labour.

Responsivity and Responsibility in Responsive Environments: Art and Interactivity on a Rupturing Planet

Abstract The late 20th Century artform Responsive Environments comprised interrelations between artist, artwork and audience, wherein responsivity and responsibility to an other, be it the social and/or physical environment of the artwork, could be tangibly evoked. Currently, such self-other understanding has become existentially critical, as the ecological and climate crisis collide with a new dearth of understanding concerning human-ecology and human-human responsivities and responsibilities. This article considers how Responsive Environments offered a unique means for exploring responsivity and responsibility between artist, artwork and audience, and considers what the debates it once evoked might contribute to self-other relations in an age of human-induced planetary rupture, climate crisis, and mass extinction.

Nonanthropocentric climate ethics

AbstractAnthropogenic climate change poses increasingly severe long‐term threats to living things worldwide. It may even contribute to a mass extinction that would leave biodiversity depleted for millions of years—quite possibly longer than the duration of the human species. Such effects are obviously of ethical concern, but because traditional ethical theories have focused on the relatively short‐term interests of human beings, they offer little guidance. In the late 20th century, a growing number of ethical activists and theorists sought to expand moral consideration to nonhuman animals and to the diverse life forms and habitats of wild nature. Simultaneously and at first independently, others began to develop long‐term (sometimes called “intergenerational”) ethics, which extends moral consideration into the distant future. Concerns about future climate change quickly became a central focus of this work. But only in this century have there been concerted efforts to integrate these lines of thought into far‐sighted nonanthropocentric climate ethics. These efforts are the subject of this review.This article is categorized under: Climate, Nature, and Ethics > Ethics and Climate Change Integrated Assessment of Climate Change > Assessing Climate Change in the Context of Other Issues Climate, Nature, and Ethics > Comparative Environmental Values

From Sound to Meaning: Navigating Wernicke's Area in Language Processing.

Wernicke's area, a critical brain region associated with language comprehension, was first identified by Carl Wernicke in the late 19th century. Situated in the left hemisphere's posterior superior temporal gyrus, this area is essential for processing auditory and visual language inputs. It integrates semantic and syntactic information, playing a key role in meaningful communication. The development of Wernicke's area during infancy and childhood is marked by rapid growth and refinement influenced by early language exposure and environmental stimuli. Neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize and adapt, is crucial for recovery from language impairments such as Wernicke's aphasia. This capacity for reorganization includes synaptic plasticity and axonal sprouting, which facilitate recovery through targeted rehabilitation and enriched environments. Recent research utilizing advanced neuroimaging and neuroanatomical tracing techniques has elucidated the connectivity of Wernicke's area with other language-related regions, such as Broca's area. Functional studies have revealed its specialized roles in processing different aspects of language, including phonological, semantic, and syntactic features. Moreover, investigations into language disorders and potential therapeutic interventions underscore the importance of harnessing neuroplasticity for effective treatment. Emerging technologies, such as non-invasive brain stimulation and multimodal imaging, offer promising avenues for further exploration of Wernicke's area and its role in language functions. These innovations hold the potential to enhance our understanding of language processing and improve therapeutic strategies for language impairments. In conclusion, Wernicke's area is central to language comprehension, and genetic and environmental factors influence its development. Understanding neuroplasticity and leveraging advanced research technologies can significantly advance our ability to address language-related disorders and enhance patient outcomes.