Of Thinkers and Tinkerers

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-138
Author(s):  
Eliseo Fernández ◽  
Cary Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Technological Innovation ◽  
Information Society ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Cognitive Styles ◽  
Technological Research ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Growing Network ◽  
Digital Computers

Abstract Cary Campbell (ed.): This paper is one of four that were approved for publication in this journal prior to Fernández’s passing in 2017. Many of these backlogged articles did not have abstracts, so I have had to create them based on Fernández 's own in-text summary.In this brief presentation a crucial technological innovation of the early twentieth century – the invention of the triode thermionic valve – is used as a springboard for a historically informed discussion of the complex interrelations of theory and praxis in the generation of technological novelty. This episode was chosen for its critical role in triggering a whole chain of developments that culminated in the growing network of technologies and economic infrastructures that underpin our so-called “information society” and the evolving role of “technoscience.” This represents a starting point in a broadening cascade of innovations that led to the rise of television, digital computers and the expanding web of artifacts that shape our daily existence today. In the present era of technoscience, scientific and technological research are so closely entangled that it is hard to discern their respective natures and interrelations. Nevertheless, it is possible to partially distinguish both their common characteristics and their contrasting differences (i.e. in goals, cognitive styles, methods, etc.). In this context, some reflections are put forward on the activity of “tinkering” as a cognitive instrument (a form of what Peirce called Abduction) in the generation of technological novelty.

scholarly journals Cultural Institutions as Formative Elements in the Work of Behrens, Utzon and Kahn

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark E.T. Horn ◽  
Peter R. Proudfoot
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Subsequent Treatment ◽  
Cultural Institutions ◽  
Cultural Activity ◽  
Architectural Form ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Human Institution

This paper is concerned with the role of human institutions as generators of architectural form, with reference to the writings and works of Peter Behrens, Jørn Utzon, and Louis Kahn. These architects were willing to regard human institutions as living cultural entities, which ought to have a determinative influence on the design of the buildings that were to house them. This may be contrasted with the naïve functionalism promoted by some of their contemporaries. The paper begins with a brief view of the theoretical background alluded to above, and then turns to the theatre as a primary cultural activity, and the prominent place it held in Behrens's thinking during the opening years of the twentieth century. Affinities are explored between Behrens's concept of the theatre and Utzon's subsequent treatment of the theatre as a central civic institution in his design for the Sydney Opera House (1956). A parallel is seen in Louis Kahn's insistence that the starting-point for an architectural project should lie in a vision of the human institution which the project is to serve. A critical role for cultural institutions as objects of architectural attention indeed was present in urban schemes produced from the early twentieth century, as exemplified by the work of Tony Garnier.

scholarly journals Study Circles in Online Learning Environment in the Spirit of Learning-Centered Approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Szilvia Simándi
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Information Society ◽  
Online Learning Environment ◽  
Community Learning ◽  
Study Circles ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Learning Centered

Abstract Introduction: In the era of information society and knowledge economy, learning in non-formal environments gets a highlighted role: it can supplement, replace or raise the knowledge and skills gained in the school system to a higher level (Forray & Juhász, 2008), as the so-called “valid” knowledge significantly changes due to the acceleration of development. With the appearance of information technology means and their booming development, the possibilities of gaining information have widened and, according to the forecasts, the role of learning communities will grow. Purpose: Our starting point is that today, with the involvement of community sites (e.g. Google+, Facebook etc.) there is a new possibility for inspiring learning communities: by utilizing the power of community and the possibilities of network-based learning (Ollé & Lévai, 2013). Methods: We intend to make a synthesis based on former research and literature focusing on the learning-centered approach, online learning environment, learning communities and study circles (Noesgaard & Ørngreen, 2015; Biggs & Tang, 2007; Kindström, 2010) Conclusions: The online learning environment can be well utilized for community learning. In the online learning environment, the process of learning is built on activity-oriented work for which active participation, and an intensive, initiative communication are necessary and cooperative and collaborative learning get an important role.

Language contact through translation

Target ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 420-455
Author(s):  
Shuangzi Pang ◽  
Kefei Wang
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Language Contact ◽  
Language Change ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Parallel Corpus ◽  
Source Language ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Sample Points ◽  
Chinese Texts

Abstract This article investigates the role of translations from English in language change in Chinese. It employs a new corpus, the Chinese Diachronic Composite Corpus (CDCC), which incorporates a parallel corpus and comparable corpus in three sampling periods in the twentieth century, and a refe­rence corpus as a starting point in the timeframe. We examine whether explicitness in English–Chinese translations has exerted an impact on the target language, focusing on adversative conjunctions as a measure of explicitness. The results of the study demonstrate that: (1) translated Chinese texts have changed in step with original Chinese texts in the frequency of adversative conjunctions; (2) translated Chinese texts and original Chinese texts are interrelated throughout the three periods, but the correlation between them has changed perceptibly over the three sample points; and (3) source language interference found in translated Chinese texts increases over the three periods.

The Dynamics of Media Landscape and Media Policy in Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vidi Sukmayadi
Keyword(s):  
Media Literacy ◽  
Information Society ◽  
Literacy Skill ◽  
Media Policy ◽  
Media Industry ◽  
Media Technology ◽  
Media Consolidation ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Media

Democratization in communication is the starting point for mass media in achieving a prosperous information society. However, building an ideal democratic role of media is not trouble free. The incredible pace of the development of media industry in Indonesia in the last two decades poses at least two main threats to media consumers. First, the growth of the media industry in Indonesia has been driven by capital interests that lead to media oligopoly. Second, the integration of conventional media and the internet and social media technology place our society information flow on a stranglehold. The media consolidation gives the audience an illusion of information choice without realizing that actually they are losing their rights for reliable information. Hence, an upgrade of media literacy skill and a proper media policy are needed to cope with the current fast-paced world.

A History of Bodies

2018 ◽  
pp. 237-250
Author(s):  
Annette Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Mexican American ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Mexican American Women ◽  
Pedagogical Choices ◽  
History Of ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Continuum

This chapter explores the development of pedagogical choices and historical practice via familial and professional mentorship. Rodríguez argues for the critical role of mentorship for the development of women in the historical profession. Naming her work “a history of the gaps,” she discusses widening the definition of historical actors as well as subjects of historical analysis. As an example, the chapter points to the continuum of women acting against racist violence, documenting, analyzing, and historicizing racist violence—against previously masculinist narratives. Demonstrating a “history of the gaps,” Rodríguez’s chapter concludes with the testimonies of Mexican and Mexican American women whose X marks confirmed anti-Mexican murders at the turn of the twentieth century.

A Theoretical Conceptualization of the Hidden Curriculum in the Second Half of the Twentieth Century

2019 ◽  
pp. 23-40
Author(s):  
Dejan Hozjan
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Social System ◽  
Hidden Curriculum ◽  
Educational Practice ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Norms And Values ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Theoretical Conceptualization

The chapter is based on the presentation of an understanding of the hidden curriculum in the twentieth century. In this period, four theoretical concepts existed: functionalism, criticism, liberalism, and postmodernism. The starting point for the concept of the hidden curriculum was that of the functionalists. Their understanding of the hidden curriculum was based on the transfer of social norms and values to students. Representatives of criticism, for example, Michael Apple, Michael Young, carried the knowledge of functionalists to the concrete social environment and sought the reasons for social inequality and the role of the hidden curriculum in this. Also, liberal authors, such as John Dewey and Phillip Jackson, dealt with practical issues, being, however, interested in the impact of the hidden curriculum in educational practice. With postmodernists, like Michael Foucault, a critical view of the presented concepts is shown and a warning that the hidden curriculum takes place in a complex social system. This chapter explores a theoretical conceptualization of the hidden curriculum in the second half of the twentieth century.

Sustainable Economic Growth and the Role of Natural Capital

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dieter Helm
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Growth Path ◽  
Capital Maintenance ◽  
Balance Sheets ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Sustainable Economic Growth ◽  
Microeconomic Foundations

The conventional economic approaches to economic growth have focused on macroeconomic aggregates and on neoclassical microeconomic foundations; on flows rather than stocks; and on utility rather than capabilities. This chapter presents an alternative asset-based approach, focused on balance sheets and capital maintenance. The starting point is the assets necessary to provide the capability for consumers and businesses to participate in the economy. Many of these are infrastructures and public goods, and among these natural capital plays a central role. The depletion of natural capital in the twentieth century, notably the atmosphere and biodiversity, has overstated economic growth and left a legacy of capital maintenance and enhancement. The chapter defines the rules for a sustainable economic growth path, incorporating natural capital.

Transforming the guest–host relationship: a convivial tourism approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 1069-1088
Author(s):  
Xinran Lehto ◽  
Dori Davari ◽  
Soona Park
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Economic Experience ◽  
Market Communication ◽  
Fresh Perspective ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to provide a fresh perspective toward understanding the forces that exist in the guest-host dynamic and thereby contribute to the guest–host relationship literature. Design/methodology/approach This study examines guest–host relationship via the philosophical lens of convivialism. Findings This study conceptualizes conviviality in the guest–host relationship. A convivial guest–host relationship is characterized by well-being mutuality and hospitality mutuality. Such a relation can be built when the guest and the host form a tri-party of coalitions, namely, economic, experience and hospitality. While an economic coalition represents the pragmatic value in a guest–host relationship, an experience coalition represents an experiential value in a guest–host relationship. A hospitality coalition then represents the spiritual alliance in such a relationship. Practical implications This paper suggests that tourism development should be guided by a conviviality vision. Health and well-being of both the visitors and the destination community should be a goal priority. This paper suggests that the starting point of experience planning is the residents, not the visitors. The critical role of hospitality in formulating market communication strategies is emphasized. Social implications This study contributes to the larger conversation of diversity and sustainability. Originality/value This study proposes a convivial tourism model – a form of tourism that is oriented toward mutuality of hospitality and well-being of both visitors and destination communities.

scholarly journals The role of technikons in research

1989 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-36
Author(s):  
H. Koen
Keyword(s):  
Industrial Development ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Technological Research ◽  
Training Research ◽  
And Task

It is accepted that technikons have a research responsibility and task which stems from the vocational directed character of its training. Research at technikons should result in implementation in practice. Such research does not necessarily culminate in publications and is therefore difficult to measure. In view of increasing disinvestment, the potential of technological research at technikons can play a critical role in industrial development.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document