Subverting the dominant structure through graphic narratives: from the dissenting printed comics to the subcultural noise of webcomics

Author(s):  
Debanjana Nayek
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-108
Author(s):  
Masdar Hilmy

This article attempts to provide a breakthrough which I call mode of production theory. This theory will be employed to analyze the contemporary phenomenon of radical Islamism. The mode of production theory is meant to bridge the two clashing theoretical paradigms in social sciences and humanities, i.e., Weberian and Marxian. Despite its bridging nature, the paper argues that the two cannot be merged within one single thread. This is because each paradigm has its own epistemological basis which is irreconcilable to one another. Mostly adapted from Marx’s theory, the current theory of the mode of production covers five interrelated aspects, namely social, political, economic, cultural, and symbolic structures. If Marx’s mode of production theory heavily relies on a material and economic basis, the theory used in this paper accommodates cultural and symbolic structures that are Weberian in nature. Although the two paradigms can operate together, the strength of structure (Marxian) overpowers the strength of culture (Weberian). This paper further argues that such cultural-based aspects as ideology, norms, and values play as mobilizing factors under a big schematic dominant structure in the rise and development of the radical Islamist groups.


1998 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 761-769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roland Krämer ◽  
Arno F. Münster

We describe a method of stabilizing the dominant structure in a chaotic reaction-diffusion system, where the underlying nonlinear dynamics needs not to be known. The dominant mode is identified by the Karhunen-Loeve decomposition, also known as orthogonal decomposition. Using a ionic version of the Brusselator model in a spatially one-dimensional system, our control strategy is based on perturbations derived from the amplitude function of the dominant spatial mode. The perturbation is used in two different ways: A global perturbation is realized by forcing an electric current through the one-dimensional system, whereas the local perturbation is performed by modulating concentrations of the autocatalyst at the boundaries. Only the global method enhances the contribution of the dominant mode to the total fluctuation energy. On the other hand, the local method leads to simple bulk oscillation of the entire system.


1994 ◽  
Vol 131 (4) ◽  
pp. 519-537 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. I. Alsop

AbstractThe gross geometries exhibited by crustal-scale fold nappes are considered a consequence of both original stratigraphic relationships associated with sub-basin configuration, coupled with the nature of the structural regime and tectonic processes involved in the generation of the nappe pile. The Neo-Proterozoic Dalradian metasediments of northwestern Ireland provide a well-constrained and correlatable stratigraphy which defines a sequence of sub-reclined, tight-isoclinal Caledonian (c. 460 Ma) fold nappes. Within this fold complex, the dominant structure is the crustal-scale Ballybofey Nappe, which may be traced for 40 km along strike and is responsible for a regional (500 km2) stratigraphie inversion. The gentle, NE-plunging attitude of this fold results in a complete spectrum of tectonic levels and deformation gradients being exposed. Relatively low strains in the upper fold limb gradually increase down through the nappe, resulting in the generation of composite foliations and lineations and the development of a 10 km thick shear zone which culminates in a high strain basal detachment with underlying pre-Caledonian basement. The Ballybofey Nappe nucleated and propagated along a major zone of lateral sedimentary facies variation, coincident with the margin of a major Dalradian sub-basin. The large amplitude of the nappe is strongly influenced by the lateral heterogeneity within the metasedimentary sequence, and is associated with a minimum of 25–30 km ESE-directed translation concentrated within the overturned limb. Additional significant displacement is also focused along the basal décollement. Generation of the nappe complex resulted in significant crustal thickening and amphibolite facies metamorphism consistent with 15–18 km of burial, induced by a sequence of nappes propagating in the direction of overshear. The ESE-directed translation of the major fold nappes is away from the Caledonian foreland and a gravity-driven mechanism of nappe emplacement is suggested. Rigorous structural analysis within the cohesive stratigraphie framework enables relationships between the tectonic evolution and stratigraphic patterns to be distinguished, thus allowing models of fold nappe generation and mid-crustal deformation to be evaluated.


Author(s):  
Jason Tougaw

This chapter examines a small number of recent graphic brain narratives that experiment with novel methods of visualizing the brain—including David B.’s Epileptic, Ellen Forney’s Marbles, and Matteo Farinella and Hana Ros’s Neurocomic. Tougaw argues that these narratives both draw from and challenge cultural responses to high-profile neuroimaging techniques, including PET and fMRI. Graphic narratives are a subcultural genre celebrated for their rebellious aesthetics and emphasis on narratives that challenge mainstream social and political assumptions. Brain scanning technologies are highly specialized tools that have revolutionized brain research and gained considerable mainstream attention. The mainstreaming of these technologies oversimplifies the images they produce, creating a widely held sense that they offer direct access to the brains they visualize. By contrast, graphic narratives put heavy emphasis on the aesthetic process involved in their making of brain images. While careful not to minimize these differences, the chapter argues that key similarities between neurocomics and neuroimaging techniques can be a means for clarifying the roles played by the sciences and the humanities in the cultural laboratory of contemporary neuromania.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-183
Author(s):  
Huaxing Meng ◽  
Zhiwu Chen ◽  
Zhenya Lu ◽  
Xin Wang ◽  
Xiaoyi Fu

Monodispersed tetragonal barium titanate (BaTiO3) nanopowders were synthesized by a convenient hydrothermal route at a low temperature of 200?C in only 24 h. The key point of this method is to promote the generation of ultrafine titanium hydroxide precipitation precursors with the help of absolute ethyl alcohol and ammonia solution during the hydrolysis of Ti(OC4H9)4. The results of X-ray diffraction and Raman spectra show that the as-prepared BaTiO3 nanopowders possess tetragonal-dominant structure. The synthesized tetragonal BaTiO3 nanopowders exhibit relatively uniform size and good dispersity, with the average particle size of 96.1 nm and a tetragonality of 1.0073, which enable broad application prospects in the field of multilayer ceramic capacitors.


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