Public Sphere Research Articles

Is Delta-8-THC use associated with state-level cannabis policies? A content analysis from different jurisdictions in the United States.

The United States has seen a rapid increase in the use of Δ-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC), a psychoactive compound similar to Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC). This study aimed to explore themes in Δ8-THC related tweets from U.S. jurisdictions with varying cannabis regulations from 2020 to 2022. Tweets mentioning Δ8-THC were collected using search terms: D8, Delta-8, and Delta8 THC. The tweets were date-restricted from January 21, 2020, to May 31, 2022, resulting in 139,843 tweets. The final dataset included 61,800 U.S. tweets with complete location data. A subset of 1,000 tweets (n = 250 for each legal jurisdiction) was selected for content analysis. Three main themes related to Δ8-THC emerged across all jurisdictions: 'Sales and Advertising', 'Policy', and 'Personal Use'. In states where cannabis was legal for adult use, sales-themed tweets were most prevalent, promoting product sales and discounts. 'Policy' tweets were more common in medical CBD-only (34.5%) and fully illegal (24.8%) jurisdictions than in those with legalized medical (20.4%) and adult use (20.2%). Tweets about personal use appeared at similar rates in fully illegal (27.7%), medical (25.0%), medical CBD-only (24.5%), and fully legal jurisdictions (22.8%). Reports of adverse effects were frequent in tweets from fully illegal (28.9%), fully legal (27.7%), and medical (27.7%) jurisdictions, with the lowest frequency in medicinal CBD-only (15.6%) jurisdictions. The current study on the public discourse on Twitter indicates that discussions about the use and marketing of Δ8-THC are present in all U.S. jurisdictions, not just those without legal recreational cannabis markets.

Rethinking the theory of quiet politics: bad corporate behavior and the failure of quiet politics in the east coast gas crisis in Australia, 2022

Abstract The theory of quiet politics has two propositions; first, that business interests prefer to engage with governments in ‘quiet’ arenas shielded from the media and the day-to-day political fray, and second that business interests exert power over governments in quiet politics. We counter the second proposition, arguing that business generally exercises influence rather than power in quiet politics. One precondition for the successful exercise of influence is the acceptance by business of certain protocols of behavior in interactions with governments. In this paper we underline the importance of such protocols by exploring the dynamics of a conflict between the east coast gas industry and the federal government in Australia amidst steep rises in domestic gas prices and supply restrictions in 2022. The gas industry behaved badly in the economy and in politics and did not abide by the relevant protocols of engagement with the government. The government responded aggressively and quiet politics failed. The paper underlines the importance of the behavioral pre-conditions for business influence in quiet politics and what can go wrong if this fails.

Vertical Mobility and Mental Gap of Scheduled Caste Students in West Bengal

This study investigates the complex relationship between vertical mobility and the mental gap experienced by Scheduled Caste (SC) students in West Bengal. Vertical mobility refers to the process by which individuals or groups ascend the social hierarchy, while the mental gap represents psychological barriers that often impede SC students from realizing their full potential. This research aims to elucidate various aspects of vertical mobility, examine the factors contributing to the mental gap experienced by SC students in higher education, and explore strategies to address these challenges to promote both personal development and upward mobility. To accomplish this objective, we employed qualitative documentary analysis and conducted a comprehensive review of existing literature, policy documents, and relevant case studies to gain a deeper understanding of the socioeconomic realities and educational trajectories of SC students. Our findings indicate that vertical mobility encompasses multiple dimensions, including educational attainment, career progression, and diverse social perspectives. Furthermore, we identified key contributors to the mental gap, such as internalized biases, economic constraints, and the pervasive influence of caste consciousness. By elucidating these critical factors, this study sought to propose effective strategies for bridging mental gaps and enhancing upward mobility among SC students. Ultimately, this research aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse surrounding social equity and empowerment for marginalized communities, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted interventions that facilitate the full integration of SC students into mainstream educational and social spheres.

THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL FARMER MANAGEMENT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF PRIVATELY OWNED FORESTS: CASE STUDY IN CIAMIS REGENCY, WEST JAVA, INDONESIA

Privately owned forests (POF) play an important role in Indonesia’s social, economic, and environmental spheres. The success of optimizing their roles relies on the traditional management practices carried out by farmers. Therefore, this study aimed to explore POF traditional management by farmers, POF performance, and their influencing factors. Respondents included 170 farmers selected by simple random sampling and key informant. This study was conducted in three villages across Ciamis Regency, West Java, in 2022. Data was collected through structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and field observations. The collected data was tabulated, graphic, categorized, and descriptively analyzed. The results showed that although the knowledge about POF management was constantly developing, not all farmers applied their knowledge. POF management practices were found to be closely related to marital status, farming experience, land area, distance from home, number of parcels, and income. Furthermore, traditional management practices were reflected in POF performance; the higher the management level, the better the performance, and vice versa. Equitability and efficiency were high across all locations; productivity was low, while sustainability was only high in Kalijaya Village. The different conditions of each element of POF, show that although POF might not be optimal in terms of economic contribution, its sustainability provides environmental benefits. This study has many limitations as it only looks at factors within POF farmers that influence POF management and performance. Further research into external factors that can influence POF performance and encourage an increased economic role for POFs can be explored in more depth

Termination of Prosecution Based on Restorative Justice in Indonesia it is Associated with the Renewal Criminal Law

Criminal acts arise from various aspects of human activity, including the political, social and economic spheres. The success of law enforcement is traditionally measured by the ability to bring criminals to justice and impose appropriate penalties. However, in certain minor cases, such as theft, embezzlement, and fraud with minimal losses, the public questions the need for prosecution, as they believe that prosecution does not match the seriousness of the offense. The purpose of this study is to analyze the implications and effectiveness of prosecution discontinuation based on restorative justice in the Indonesian legal framework. Using a qualitative research approach, this study examines the regulatory structure and practical application of restorative justice in Indonesia. Data was collected through document analysis and interviews with legal practitioners to explore alignment of regulations with legal principles and community expectations. The research findings show that, although restorative justice offers a viable avenue to achieve peace between offenders and victims, its implementation in Indonesia is still limited, as it is not yet embedded in the broader criminal law system. Currently, peace agreements between the parties are only considered as a mitigating factor in the sentencing process. This research suggests that stronger legal legitimacy for restorative justice, such as the inclusion of restorative justice into the Draft Criminal Procedure Code is essential to adapt to the evolving legal culture and public expectations. The implications of this research highlight the need for comprehensive criminal law reform to ensure justice that aligns with societal values and contemporary legal standards.

Features of labour education of students in modern social and educational environments

Introduction. The article presents the results of investigating the problem of labor education in the context of current changes in the social and educational environments. The purpose of the article is to identify the features of labor education in modern social and educational spheres from the standpoint of continuity of the tasks of its implementation at various levels of education and consistency with the tasks of general education. Materials and Methods. The theoretical research methods include sources analysis and analysis of educational programs for different levels of education. Empirical research methods used in the study include exploration of teaching experience and a questionnaire. The survey involved: 8,850 preschool teachers from 53 regions of the Russian Federation; 317,166 parents (legal representatives) of preschool-age children from 87 regions of the country; 4,913 deputy directors of comprehensive schools, representing 61 regions; 190,080 parents of school-age students, representing 88 regions. Results. The conducted research revealed: insufficient formalization of theoretical provisions; disunity of existing individual practices of labor education, their insufficient continuity at different levels of education and consistency with the tasks of general education; low activity of parents in the implementation of tasks of labor education as the child develops, vagueness of parents’ ideas about the significance and content of labor education at different levels of education. Methodological bases and conditions for the implementation of labor education in modern social and educational environments are formulated. Conclusions. The identified features of labor education at the present stage reflect the insufficient development of theoretical and methodological foundations for organizing labor education of students and actualize the need for further study of the problem, as well as the development of a model of labor education taking into account continuity at various levels of education and consistency with the priority tasks of general, secondary vocational education and model (federal) educational programs.

Social Communication Triggered by Video Articles on Mega Sports Events: A Big Data Analysis of Comment Public Spheres

Social Communication Triggered by Video Articles on Mega Sports Events: A Big Data Analysis of Comment Public Spheres

A Multimodal Metaphorical Representation of Selected Political Cartoons in Nigeria

Complementing studies on the representation of political cartoons which apply metaphorical representation in the portrayal of societal ills, this study explores a multimodal metaphorical representation of selected political cartoons in Nigeria to investigate how cartoonists employed metaphors to represent the current political situation in the country. In the face of the ongoing election petitions and handover of office to the President, among other activities within the political domain in Nigeria, a number of political cartoonists have flooded the online platform with cartoons depicting visual metaphorical representations of happenings within the nation. Such metaphorical representations are semiotically showcased via such cartoons as Go to Court, the Scape Goat, Buhari’s Pet, Corruption, and Original Wahala Received by Me in the portrayal of reality that Nigeria faces today. Given the foregoing, this study combines linguistic and visual modes to form a multimodal representation of the metaphors used in the selected political cartoons. The study adopts a qualitative analysis of 10 political cartoons in Nigeria. It uses Kress and van Leeuwen’s (2006, 2020) approach to multimodality and Forceville’s (1996, 2016) view of visual realisations of conceptual metaphor in constructing meaning to investigate how visual images are constructed to cue conceptual metaphors. The results of the study suggest that Nigerian political cartoons rely mainly on visual metaphors as a means of communicating their messages. In addition, the metaphors used often rely on comic, exaggerated and simplistic depictions to convey their meaning effectively and to stir a strong emotional reaction from the readers. Furthermore, the findings of the study emphasise the importance of metaphorical representation in political cartoons and its implications for public discourse. The results reveal ways to improve the power of the metaphorical messages and the impact of the cartoons on public opinion. The study contributes to the multimodal metaphor research field and reveals the Nigerian public’s underlying beliefs and ideologies.

Territorial re-organisation of administrative units in Pakistan: the demand for new provinces in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh

ABSTRACT The 18th Amendment ushered a public discourse on a novel ethnofederal experiment with both federal and ethnic elites advocating territorial reorganisation of existing provinces, however, this has not resulted in the creation of new units. I argue that this has to do with three inter-related dynamics: first, selective and instrumental political incentives guide the behaviour of federal political elites, combined with the securitisation of the ethnic question. Second, non-dominant ethnic elites are electorally weak and divided among themselves. Third, the rigidity of the constitutional procedure makes non-dominant ethnic elites acutely dependent on the preferences of the provincial majority ethnic group. The paper outlines discourses of the dominant and non-dominant ethnic elites as well as the National Assembly's Report of the Commission for Creation of New Province (s) in the Province of the Punjab, 2013 in order to make sense of the gap between the talk on ethnofederalism and its non-realisation.

Exploring the Limits of Transgression and Violence within the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

ABSTRACT Transgression and violence, when intertwined, challenge societal norms and provoke moral dilemmas within democratic frameworks. This is particularly evident in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a significant case study for this research. Transgression, breaking or exceeding societal norms, can manifest through civil disobedience or defiant behavior to challenge oppressive systems. Violence, conversely, refers to the deliberate use of physical force or authority to cause harm or destruction. The escalation from transgression to violence occurs when individuals or groups resort to aggression to restore order or assert power. This shift is particularly evident in protests or riots triggered by social injustices or political oppression. Such events can intensify due to radical democratic possibilities and the influence of technology. Digital platforms, with their crucial role in shaping public opinion, mobilizing individuals, and strengthening collective fears about social change, significantly contribute to the escalation of conflict. They also facilitate the production of panic and misinformation, complicating the landscape of public discourse and protest. In the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, deep-rooted historical and political complexities mark the intersection of transgression and violence. Territorial disputes and competing national narratives drive both Israeli and Palestinian actions. Resistance to the Israeli occupation often involves transgressive acts such as protests or violent resistance, while Israeli security measures, perceived as transgressions by Palestinians, exacerbate tensions and contribute to ongoing violence.

More than just consumers? Alternative representations of students when higher education becomes ‘free’

ABSTRACT The introduction of market mechanisms into higher education (HE) systems has profoundly reshaped the sector. One prominent aspect of such reforms has been the conceptualisation of the student as a consumer, ostensibly empowered by choice and seeking value for money from their tuition fees. In this article, we report the findings of an empirical study of student representations when HE becomes ‘free’, after four decades of marketisation. The analysis was conducted in Chile, where the HE sector has undergone a controversial reform that removed tuition fees for low and middle income undergraduate students known as Gratuidad. Considering the importance of the student-consumer subjectivity invoked by proponents of marketisation, how are HE students discursively constructed in a context of fee removal? Based on a discourse analysis of news media, we present three representations of undergraduate students during public discussion of Gratuidad that were common in their negative portrayal: students as (1) egocentric, (2) victims of discrimination, and (3) marionettes. Our work thus indicates that in a culture of marketisation, policy efforts designed to democratise can be overshadowed by strong media discourses opposing government efforts to publicly fund HE.

Data-Driven Maintaining: The Role of the Party and Data Maintenance in the US Context

Political campaigning in the US is unique in the global context for its lack of attention to the role of the party, largely due to the centrality and power of campaigns. In the US context, successful data-driven campaigning (DDC) has often been covered by the press and analyzed by US scholars as an innovative campaign creating new tools and new tactics (and earning more media coverage for them). This research investigates the oft-ignored role of party organizations in DDC in the US, and in doing so, highlights the invisible work of data maintenance that is their purview. Methodologically, it brings together interviews with staffers from both party organizations and campaigns with thematic analysis of news coverage to answer questions about how the data-driven practices of parties versus campaigns differ, how parties’ data work is (and is not) covered, and what, in staffers’ views, contributes to such coverage. Ultimately, this research highlights how a lack of attention to party organizations’ work has gone hand in hand with a lack of attention to maintenance work in both academic and public discussions of DDC.

Cycles: using storytelling to co-design a positive future for menstrual health and wellbeing in public spaces

Despite the ubiquity of menstruation, the area is under-researched and stigmatized. The burden of ‘managing’ periods lies with the people who menstruate (PWM). Some etiquettes and cultures ask that periods disappear/are hidden from the public sphere, however despite this, PWM continue to experience symptoms within these public spaces (pain, nausea, discomfort etc.). This paper describes a design research study in two parts: Cycles is a design project that firstly uncovers what it means to menstruate in ‘public’ and secondly explores how we can collaboratively generate conceptual solutions to contribute towards a positive future for menstrual health and well-being. Through a series of participatory and inclusive design research methods, based on storytelling the diverse experiences of a group of PWM were gathered. Subsequent analysis of the data identified a number of shared and individual stories that were re-enacted in an urban context (using Limerick City as a test bed). This research served to highlight that whilst everyone’s story with their period is individual, there is a collective lack of infrastructural, product and social support for PWM. Cycles surfaced a requirement for inclusive and equitable solutions that support PWM at the point of need whilst also raising awareness and building understanding and sympathy.

The Domestication of Women in Stunting Mitigation Programs in Sidoarjo Regency

One of the challenges in realizing the vision of Golden Indonesia 2045 in Sidoarjo Regency is stunting. The stunting treatment program implemented by the government puts women in a central position. This study seeks to explore the domestication efforts of women in the stunting treatment program in Sidoarjo Regency. A qualitative approach with primary and secondary data was chosen to explore the research objectives. The data obtained through interviews were then analyzed using Walby's theory. The results of the study show that the implementation of the stunting treatment program in Sidoarjo Regency has encouraged the domestication of women. They are placed as parties who must be responsible for stunting treatment. Patriarchal practices occur in the implementation of stunting prevention programs, both in the public sphere and even more so in the private sphere. The government needs to reorient the implementation of the program. Considering that in its implementation, the government even justifies and perpetuates gender inequality.Keywords : domestication of women; gender; patriarchy; stunting

Posting the nation: Australia’s apprenticeship in letter writing

A national postal service is an essential nation-building institution; it integrates distant regions into a national community and fosters the extension of the public sphere. But in the first decades of colonial Australia, the material conditions of sending letters were precarious and uncertain, the rhythm of exchange was slow and the cost expensive. Australia had to learn how to write letters and how to send them; by the 1890s, it had completed its apprenticeship. Using postmaster-generals’ reports on one hand, and autobiographical sources on the other, I explore the experience and difficulties of epistolary exchanges in the nineteenth century.

The Digital Voice of Students: Analysing Emerging Themes in a Corpus of University Reviews

For higher educational institutions, reviews on Google Maps offer a free and easily accessible platform for students to express their needs and voice their concerns voluntarily. Such a platform can be valuable for capturing a wide range of academic and non-academic aspects that may not be manifested via traditional feedback instruments such as surveys. Accordingly, this study explores the themes that emerge in a corpus of online reviews collected from Google Maps of 29 Saudi public universities while also highlighting how such reviews form a public discourse shaped by the medium itself. To this end, this research employed an NLP advanced technique, namely BERT, to categorise the reviews into themes based on their semantic similarity. Then, a thematic analysis was conducted to reveal six main recurrent themes in the corpus: location and accessibility, facilities and infrastructure, academic quality and teaching, student support services, religious sentiment and gratitude, and community and social environment. The findings indicate that while Google Maps reviews capture a number of cultural and social aspects of university life, they inherently foreground physical (e.g., amenities) and logistical (e.g., location) dimensions. The paper also demonstrates how online reviews provide students with a platform to raise issues related to both micro-level (e.g., specific courses, amenities) and macro-level concerns (e.g., inclusivity), hence their potential value in contributing to the evaluative discourse on higher education institutions. These results suggest the need for a systematic engagement with online feedback platforms to promote continuous institutional improvement and cultivate an inclusive, student-centred educational environment.

AI and cybersecurity: a risk society perspective

IntroductionThe rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has introduced transformative potential across various sectors, while simultaneously posing significant cybersecurity risks.MethodsThe aim of this paper is to examine the debates on AI-related cybersecurity risks through the lens of Beck’s theory of the risk society. Utilizing thematic content analysis, we explored public discourse on AI and cybersecurity as presented in articles published by WIRED.ResultsOur analysis identified several key themes: the global nature of AI risks, their pervasive influence across multiple sectors, the alteration of public trust, the individualization of risk, and the uneven distribution of AI risks and benefits.DiscussionThe editorial choices in WIRED predominantly favor a functionalist and solutionist perspective on AI cybersecurity risks, often marginalizing the opinions of ordinary individuals and non-Western voices. This editorial bias tends to limit diversity and underrepresent key opposing viewpoints, potentially hindering a more comprehensive and nuanced debate on AI and cybersecurity issues.

Challenges and Techniques in Multilingual Fake News Detection

The spread of false information across language and cultural barriers poses a significant threat to global societies. This study investigates the obstacles in detecting misinformation in various languages, including linguistic diversity, limited datasets, cultural nuances, and the ever- changing strategies of disinformation propagators. These complex issues require advanced methods to effectively identify and combat false information across multiple languages. The research evaluates several prominent machine learning approaches, such as Support Vector Machines (SVM), Random Forest, K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Logistic Regression, Decision Trees, and Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques. By examining their effectiveness in multilingual contexts, this study sheds light on the advantages and drawbacks of each method. It underscores the need for continuous innovation and collaborative efforts in developing robust detection systems that can adapt to the ever-changing landscape of misinformation. These initiatives aim to promote informed public discourse and improve information integrity across diverse cultural contexts. Key Words: Multilingual Fake News Detection, Machine Learning, Machine Learning algorithms, Natural Language Processing, Misinformation.

How sector fluidity (knowledge-intensiveness and innovation) shapes startups’ resilience during crises

In the context of the crises, this study sheds light on the varying impact of crises on startups in different sectors and outlines the specific resilience practices utilized in response, recovery, and growth phases. The research team conducted qualitative analysis on 18 public discussion interviews featuring key stakeholders in the Indian startup ecosystem, which included 51 chief executive officers, founders, cofounders, and venture capitalists who reflected on COVID-19. The study found that high-fluidity sectors (highly knowledge-intensive and innovative) leverage their agility through resourcefulness and customer value creation. In contrast, low-fluidity sectors (low in knowledge intensiveness) primarily focus on operational adjustments. As the transition goes from response to recovery, high-fluidity sectors prioritize digital transformation and strategic shifts, while low-fluidity sectors continue to cope. In the growth phase, high-fluidity startups exhibit growth aspirations, while low-fluidity ones emphasize business model innovation. This research provides valuable sector-specific insights into resilience and highlights the evolution of these strategies throughout a crisis, thereby enhancing our understanding of startup resilience in the context of the crisis.

The evolution of ACEs: From coping behaviors to epigenetics as explanatory frameworks for the biology of adverse childhood experiences

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have become a topic of public and scientific attention. ACEs denote a range of negative experiences in early life, from sexual abuse to emotional neglect, that are thought to impact health over the life course. The term was coined in the CDC-Kaiser ACE Study, an epidemiological study that surveyed 17,421 adults about ACEs and correlated the responses with participants’ current health records. Shortly after the study was published in 1998, the US CDC deemed ACEs an important public health target; however, it is only recently that ACEs feature prominently in scientific and public discourses. We contend that this rise in popularity is linked to the adoption of epigenetic explanations for how ACEs affect health. Based on a literature analysis, we trace the evolution of explanatory frameworks for ACEs—from coping behaviors to allostatic load to epigenetics—and analyze how each of these explanations not only reconsiders the mechanisms by which ACEs affect health, but also who should be held responsible for addressing ACEs and how. Epigenetics provides distinctly different discursive possibilities than previous frameworks: firstly, it offers one distinct molecular mechanism for how ACEs work, lending “molecular credibility” to epidemiological findings; secondly, it raises the possibility of reversing the negative effects of ACEs on the biological level. This epigenetic articulation makes ACEs attractive for new actors in science and society. Particularly, it facilitates novel interdisciplinary collaborations and attracts actors in health advocacy who are interested in non-deterministic readings of ACEs that counteract stigma and support positive health interventions and healing.