Thinking Critically with Children of the Anthropocene

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 395-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Somerville

In her Deleuzean analysis of advanced capitalism, Braidotti notes that all previous emancipatory positions have been co-opted by the marketplace and that even our earth others – animals, seeds, plants, and the Earth as a whole – have been subsumed by advanced capitalism. This article addresses the need for a reconceptualised critical qualitative inquiry within the context of advanced capitalism and increasing recognition of human-induced changes in the planet's biosphere. Justice is understood in relation to the more-than-human world and its entangled children born into the 21st century. Stenger's recommendation of thinking with the more-than-human is adapted to thinking methodologically with children in an experiment designed to explore intra-action. The article concludes that following children in their playful encounters opens a space where matter and meaning, time and space, and the being of the adult researcher is reshaped into an entangled material world.

Author(s):  
Alexander P. Khomyakov

NOTE: This article was published in a former series of GEUS Bulletin. Please use the original series name when citing this article, for example: Khomyakov, A. P. (2001). The distribution of minerals in hyper-agpaitic rocks in terms of symmetry: evolution of views on the number and symmetry of minerals. Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin, 190, 73-82. https://doi.org/10.34194/ggub.v190.5176 _______________ Among the unique mineral localities of the Earth the complexes of nepheline syenites with hyper-agpaitic differentiates are of special interest due to their extreme diversity of mineral species. The four best studied complexes of this type – Khibina, Lovozero, Ilímaussaq and Mont Saint-Hilaire – have yielded more than 700 mineral species of which about 200 are new. The great mineral diversity is due to the combination of several factors, the most important of which is the extremely high alkalinity of agpaitic magmas, causing about half of the elements of the periodic table to be concentrated together. Minerals from hyper-agpaitic rocks are characterised by the predominance of highly ordered, low-symmetry crystal structures resulting, in particular, from the markedly extended temperature range of crystallisation. Generalisation of available data for unique mineral localities underpins the hypothesis that there is no natural limit to the number of mineral species. It is predicted that by the middle of the 21st century, the overall number of minerals recorded in nature will exceed 10 000, with the proportion of triclinic species increasing from the present 9% to 14.5%, and that of cubic species decreasing from 10% to 5%.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 160940692110258
Author(s):  
Constance Iloh

Memes are a prominent feature of global life in the 21st century. The author asserts that memes are significant to current and future qualitative research. In particular, the text establishes memes as: (a) part of everyday communication, expression, and explanation, thus useful in qualitative research; (b) valuable cultural units and symbols; (c) forms of rapport building and cultivating relational research; (d) approaches that bolster and sustain remote data collection; (e) methods that infuse agency, humor, and creativity into the research process. The author then showcases distinctive ways memes can be effectively incorporated in qualitative research pursuits and publications. The article concludes with the necessity of data collection and representation approaches that advance the meaningfulness and cultural-relevance of qualitative inquiry.


2021 ◽  
pp. 146879412199901
Author(s):  
Grit Höppner

In recent decades, postmodern, poststructuralist, and social constructivist theories, and the methodologies and methods they have informed, have been criticized for focusing primarily on human actors, discourses, and actions. Simultaneously, so-called posthuman theories have been developed that decentralize the human, reject an unquestioned use of the dualism of human/nonhuman, and emphasize the importance of the material world in the production of the social. A key concern for current qualitative inquiry is to develop methods that contribute to the critique of human-centered analysis. In this article, I explore what we learn about the material world when we do not use verbal methods or written data but image details of moveable formations, which are made into silhouettes using Karen Barad’s agential realism. After introducing posthuman methodology I perform a silhouettes analysis focusing on old age. The intention is to demonstrate that silhouettes analysis makes it possible to gain new insights into the features of materialities of old age in a way that classical image analysis would not allow. In addition, silhouettes analysis produces an alienation effect that disturbs practiced viewing habits and assumptions, and can thus serve as a research tool promoting reflection. I conclude with a discussion of the advantages and limitations of silhouettes analysis for gerontological and posthuman research.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (55) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Caio Lima-dos Santos ◽  
Osvaldo Girão

<p>A teoria geossistêmica está fortemente inserida na geográfica física, sobretudo no campo da pesquisa geomorfológica. Essa teoria busca realizar suas analises através da relação de causa e efeitos dos elementos que compõe o sistema terrestre, bem como tenta explicar como esses elementos se materializam no tempo e no espaço. Este artigo tem por objetivo realizar uma discussão teórica e conceitual sobre a teoria geossistêmica e seu desenvolvimento dentro da pesquisa geomorfológica, fazendo assim uma reflexão sobre o potencial e as fragilidades apresentadas por essa teoria. Destaca-se, portanto, a importância dessa teoria para orientar a ocupação territorial, considerando os atributos físico-ambientais e sua dinâmica, com intuito estabelecer uma ação humana menos onerosa à natureza e a sociedade que faz uso desses espaços.</p><p>THE GEOSYSTEMIC THEORY IN GEOMORPHOLOGICAL RESEARCH: A THEORETICAL-CONCEPTUAL APPROACH</p><p><strong>ABSTRACT</strong><br /> The geosystemic theory is strongly embedded in Physical Geography, especially in the field of geomorphological research. This theory seeks to accomplish its analysis through the cause-effect relation of the elements that compose the Earth system, and it also attempts to explain how these elements are materialized in time and space. This article aims at making a theoretical and conceptual discussion on geosystemic theory and its development within the geomorphological research, thus making a reflection on the potential and weaknesses presented by this theory. We emphasize; however, the importance of this theory to guide land occupation considering the physical and environmental attributes and its dynamics in order to establish a less onerous nature and human society action that use these spaces.</p><p><span><br /></span></p>


Author(s):  
Yuri P. Perevedentsev ◽  
Konstantin M. Shantalinskii ◽  
Boris G. Sherstukov ◽  
Alexander A. Nikolaev

Long-term changes in air temperature on the territory of the Republic of Tatarstan in the 20th–21st centuries are considered. The periods of unambiguous changes in the surface air temperature are determined. It is established that the average winter temperature from the 1970s to 2017, increased in the Kazan region by more than 3 °C and the average summer temperature increased by about 2 °C over the same period. The contribution of global scale processes to the variability of the temperature of the Kazan region is shown: it was 37 % in winter, 23 % in summer. The correlation analysis of the anomalies of average annual air temperature in Kazan and the series of air temperature anomalies in each node over the continents, as well as the ocean surface temperature in each coordinate node on Earth for 1880 –2017, was performed. Long-distance communications were detected in the temperature field between Kazan and remote regions of the Earth. It is noted that long-period climate fluctuations in Kazan occur synchronously with fluctuations in the high latitudes of Asia and North America, with fluctuations in ocean surface temperature in the Arctic ocean, with fluctuations in air temperature in the Far East, and with fluctuations in ocean surface temperature in the Southern hemisphere in the Indian and Pacific oceans, as well as air temperature in southern Australia. It is suggested that there is a global mechanism that regulates long-term climate fluctuations throughout the Earth in the considered interval of 200 years of observations. According to the CMIP5 project, climatic scenarios were built for Kazan until the end of the 21st century.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 60
Author(s):  
Recep Dogan

Human beings express their emotions through the language of art; it is therefore both the spirit of progress and one of the most important means of developing emotions. Consequently, those who cannot make use of this means are incomplete in their maturation. Ideas and other products of the imagination can be given tangible form with the magical key of art. By means of art, humanity can exceed the limits of the earth and reach feelings beyond time and space. Beauty in the realm of existence can be recognized through art. Moreover, the great abilities inherent in human nature can be understood and witnessed in works of art. However, from an Islamic point of view, there are some restrictions on certain fields such as sculpture and painting. It is therefore imperative to analyse the notion of art in Islam and its philosophy and then reflect upon the need of the spirit to connect to God through the language of art while meeting some religious obstacles on the way.


2002 ◽  
Vol 38 (12) ◽  
pp. 34-1-34-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. F. Pruski ◽  
M. A. Nearing
Keyword(s):  

Religions ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Whiting ◽  
Leonidas Konstantakos

With the notion of advancing a modern Stoic environmental ethical framework, we explore the philosophy’s call to “living according to Nature”, as derived from ancient Stoic theology. We do this by evaluating the orthodox (ancient) viewpoint and the contemporary criticisms levelled against it. We reflect on the atheistic interpretations of Stoicism and their associated call to “live according to the facts”. We consider the limitations that this call has when applied to societal, and particularly non-human matters. We do not undertake this research with the aim of determining which view of Stoic theology is right or wrong. However, we contest one of the assumptions of the heterodox approach, namely that the Stoic worldview is incompatible with modern scientific thinking. Indeed, we demonstrate how Stoic theology, far from being outdated or irrelevant, is actually refreshingly contemporary in that it provides the tools, scope and urgency with which to deliver a far more considerate ethical framework for the 21st century. Finally, we suggest where Stoic theology can help practitioners to reframe and respond to environmental challenges, which we argue forms part of their cosmopolitan obligation to take care of themselves, others and the Earth as a whole.


The Geologist ◽  
1858 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-29
Author(s):  
S. J. Mackie

In a magazine devoted especially to the propagation of Geological knowledge, it seems no infringement of its space, no deterioration of its value, tha t some pains should be taken to aid the student in his early efforts, and to disperse broadcast some useful elementary information, which may prove to the mass at once a source of instruction and of enjoyment, and so, by clearing the road to future and higher studies, may foster a dawning taste, and ultimately prove the means of adding many volunteers, and not unlikely even some brilliant master-minds to the ranks of Geologists, that otherwise, deterred at the outset, might perhaps have turned their attention and talents to some more accessible, if not more congenial study.Who does not feel some interest in the past history of this beautiful world—the scene of our labours and of our loves—of our successes and of our failures—the stage of our existence and the tomb of our dust ? If the animated creations of the past were dumb brute animals, still the earth was green and gay with trees, and plants and flowers—the hu m of insects vibrated on the summer's air, and the snows of winter covered the ancient lands with their hyemal mantle—the tides of ocean rose and fell, and the world went rolling on through time and space, through years and seasons. There were earthquakes the n and blazing volcanos—and winds and storms—great waves and merry dancing ripples on the sea.


2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Søren Faurby ◽  
Jens-Christian Svenning

Aim: To assess the extent to which humans have reshaped Earth's biodiversity, by estimating natural ranges of all late Quaternary mammalian species, and to compare diversity patterns based on these with diversity patterns based on current distributions. Location: Globally Methods: We estimated species, functional and phylogenetic diversity patterns based on natural ranges of all mammalian species (n=5747 species) as they could have been today in the complete absence of human influence through time. Following this we compared macroecological analyses of current and natural diversity patterns to assess if human-induced range changes bias for evolutionary and ecological analyses based on current diversity patterns. Results: We find that current diversity patterns have been drastically modified by humans, mostly due to global extinctions and regional to local extirpations. Current and natural diversities exhibit marked deviations virtually everywhere outside sub-Saharan Africa. These differences are strongest for terrestrial megafauna, but also important for all mammals combined. The human-induced changes led to biases in estimates of environmental diversity drivers, especially for terrestrial megafauna, but also for all mammals combined. Main conclusions: Our results show that fundamental diversity patterns have been reshaped by human-driven extinctions and extirpations, highlighting humans as a major force in the Earth system. We thereby emphasize that estimating natural distributions and diversities is important to improve our understanding of the evolutionary and ecologically drivers of diversity as well as for providing a benchmark for conservation.


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