A corpus-based investigation of techno-optimism and propositional certainty in the National Intelligence Council’s ‘Future Global Trends Reports’ (2010–2035)

This article reports the findings from a study of discursive representations of the future role of technology in the work of the US National Intelligence Council (NIC). Specifically, it investigates the interplay of ‘techno-optimism’ (a form of ideological bias) and propositional certainty in the NIC’s ‘Future Global Trends Reports’. In doing so, it answers the following questions: To what extent was techno-optimism present in the discourse? What level of propositional certainty was expressed in the discourse? How did the discourse deal with the inherent uncertainty of the future? Overall, the discourse was pronouncedly techno-optimist in its stance towards the future role of technology: high-technological solutions were portrayed as solving a host of problems, despite the readily available presence of low-technology or no-technology solutions. In all, 75.1% of the representations were presented as future categorical certainties, meaning the future was predominantly presented as a known and closed inevitability. The discourse dealt with the inherent uncertainty of the subject matter, that is, the future, by projecting the past and present into the future. This was particularly the case in relation to the idea of technological military dominance as a guarantee of global peace, and the role of technology as an inevitable force free from societal censorship.

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The future role of the psychiatrist in Europe – a UEMS perspective

Die Psychiatrie ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1670734 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (01) ◽

pp. 35-42

Author(s):

M. Hermans

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Health Professionals ◽

General Interest ◽

Future Role ◽

Personal Opinion ◽

The Future ◽

The Subject ◽

The Many

SummaryThe author presents his personal opinion inviting to discussion on the possible future role of psychiatrists. His view is based upon the many contacts with psychiatrists all over Europe, academicians and everyday professionals, as well as the familiarity with the literature. The list of papers referred to is based upon (1) the general interest concerning the subject when representing ideas also worded elsewhere, (2) the accessibility to psychiatrists and mental health professionals in Germany, (3) being costless downloadable for non-subscribers and (4) for some geographic aspects (e.g. Belgium, Spain, Sweden) and the latest scientific issues, addressing some authors directly.

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The S&T Lecture: An Introduction to the 9th Congress of WSRM

Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1642624 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 34 (08) ◽

pp. 551-552

Author(s):

Geoffrey Hallock

Keyword(s):

Short Story ◽

World Society ◽

International Forum ◽

Future Role ◽

The Past ◽

The Future ◽

Reconstructive Microsurgery ◽

In The Beginning

AbstractJust what is the S&T lecture? In the beginning it appeared to be a dubious distinction, another task thrust upon me but different in that I had absolutely no idea what was wanted or would be appropriate. At the least, it seemed reasonable to recite a simple introductory story for what would be an extraordinary conclave. First, an appreciation was due to our dedicated leaders of World Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery (WSRM), who this year (2017) have put together the most extravagant meeting ever, intended to include not just the glamorous but the entire scope of rudimentary reconstructive microsurgery. We know we must acquire all this knowledge to succeed today and tomorrow, but also need not to overlook the struggles and sacrifices our predecessors had to overcome. Too often the past is forgotten, only to then inefficiently be repeated. Today then, this will be a short story, a story of our past that must never be cast aside. The WSRM here today is a great international forum where we can then mingle with all of our colleagues to help dictate the present, but also define the future role of all specialities here where the ultimate goal is to help those most in need. This S&T lecture will just be a history story, subject to your interpretation. Enjoy!

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Tactical Nuclear Weapons

Security and Human Rights ◽

10.1163/187502311798859600 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 399-409 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Andrei Zagorski

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Weapons ◽

Arms Control ◽

Delivery Systems ◽

Future Role ◽

The Past ◽

Active Service ◽

The Us ◽

Further Development ◽

Control Regime

AbstractRussia and the US have significantly reduced their tactical nuclear weapons over the past twenty years. The remaining weapons have been moved from active service and stored separate from their delivery systems. However, both still keep tactical nuclear weapons available for eventual deployment, and Moscow maintains not only a larger but also a much more diverse stockpile of such weapons than the US. The prospects for designing an arms control regime covering TNW are complicated by a series of factors. Technically, verifying any limitations or reductions of non-deployed weapons is an extremely sensitive and challenging task as it would require opening nuclear depots for inspection. Politically, the two countries differ in the assessment of a future role of nuclear arms. While the US anticipates that further development of its advanced conventional capabilities would lead to diminishing the role of nuclear weapons, it is exactly the weakness of its conventional forces which causes the Russian defence establishment to project a growing role for nuclear weapons. These two distinct trajectories largely explain the differences in the two countries' approaches to the TNW arms control and make any agreement less likely to materialize any time soon. They also explain why Moscow has become increasingly sceptical with regard to including TNW within an arms control regime.

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Is the Doomsday of International Law Looming Around in the Twenty-First Century?: A Response to the Sceptics of Efficacy of International Law

Nordic Journal of International Law ◽

10.1163/090273509x12448190941084 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 78 (3) ◽

pp. 293-308

Author(s):

Md. Rizwanul Islam

Keyword(s):

International Law ◽

Large Volume ◽

Functional Limitations ◽

First Century ◽

Foreseeable Future ◽

Future Role ◽

The Future ◽

The Subject ◽

Do So

AbstractThe question whether or not international law is really 'law' has haunted legal minds for ages and has been the subject of a large volume of academic works. This recurring question and the fairness of international law have been addressed in this article building on the existing literature. This article argues that despite all its structural and functional limitations, international law is 'real law' and 'fair'. This article also discusses the future role of international law in a uni-polar world. This article shows that contrary to the argument of waning of international law, it indeed is gaining prominence as it never has before and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

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THE ROLE OF THAI PEOPLE IN VIETNAM – LAO TRADITIONAL FRIENDSHIP

Tạp chí Nghiên cứu dân tộc ◽

10.25073/0866-773x/393 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Pham Van Loi

Keyword(s):

Ethnic Group ◽

Border Crossing ◽

The Past ◽

The Future ◽

Thai People ◽

Northwest Region ◽

Coherent Relationship ◽

National Borders

Vietnam - Laos has more than 2,000 km of common national borders. The coherent relationship between the two nations and the inhabitants of the two countries has been formed and fostered in history and especially developed over the past 7 decades. The Thai ethnic group in Vietnam has over one million people, residing permanently, concentrated in the Northwest region, the region consists of 8 provinces, of which 4 provinces have the Vietnam-Laos border crossing. This paper focuses on clarifying the practical basis for the Thai people to play a role in the traditional Vietnam-Laos friendship and propose some solutions to promote the role of Thai in maintaining, developing the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Laos, now and in the future.

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