scholarly journals Abu Ghraib and the commemorative violence of war trophy photography

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joey Brooke Jakob ◽  
Paul S. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Racial Violence ◽  
Abu Ghraib ◽  
Cultural Significance ◽  
War Photography ◽  
Photo Sharing ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Sociology Of Emotion ◽  
Drone Warfare ◽  
Visual Record

The photographs from the Abu Ghraib scandal are horrific, but they are also understandable. Simply put, the Abu Ghraib photos are purposeful compositions that highlight victory over the enemy Other in war. The photos illustrate sexual and racial violence, founded upon postcolonial narratives, but this is only a starting point for their significance. I address how meaning is made for the U.S. military personnel who took photographs of naked Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib, by looking backward to soldiers’ photography from WWI and II, and by considering soldiers’ online sharing of photographs in the present, examining roughly fifty photos total. The relationships between photographic materiality, emotional and gestural communication, and the production of cultural memory, disseminated via networked circulation, all shape how soldiers’ wartime photographs come to be regarded. Employing an interdisciplinary approach, this research draws upon war photography; visual culture and communication; sociology of groups and ritual; sociology of emotion; combat histories; memory studies; and online photo sharing practices. In so considering, the Abu Ghraib photos are not unique, and are instead grouped within the greater concept of the “war trophy.” I expand on this concept by defining “war trophy photography” as the entwined practices of war photography and trophy collection, rooted in ritual and group solidification. Staged to depict the violent conquering of the enemy, I argue that war trophy photography recognizes war efforts through the construction of a visual record, one that reproduces relations of dominance and submission. I call this representation “commemorative violence,” a central concept I develop to define the war trophy photograph. In addition to grounding the Abu Ghraib photos historically, I review their visual semiotic, cultural significance, such as with the “Doing a Lynndie” meme, which features civilians gesturing in thumbs-up toward a downtrodden individual, copying the same gesture as often used in the images from Abu Ghraib, and the now defunct site “Now That’s Fucked Up,” which briefly allowed soldiers in 2005 to trade gruesome war trophy pictures for pornography. The conclusion reflects on war trophy photography with the topical consideration of drones, ultimately suggesting that drone warfare photos are expressionless because of the overt absence of people.

scholarly journals Abu Ghraib and the commemorative violence of war trophy photography

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joey Brooke Jakob ◽  
Paul S. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Racial Violence ◽  
Abu Ghraib ◽  
Cultural Significance ◽  
War Photography ◽  
Photo Sharing ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Sociology Of Emotion ◽  
Drone Warfare ◽  
Visual Record

The photographs from the Abu Ghraib scandal are horrific, but they are also understandable. Simply put, the Abu Ghraib photos are purposeful compositions that highlight victory over the enemy Other in war. The photos illustrate sexual and racial violence, founded upon postcolonial narratives, but this is only a starting point for their significance. I address how meaning is made for the U.S. military personnel who took photographs of naked Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib, by looking backward to soldiers’ photography from WWI and II, and by considering soldiers’ online sharing of photographs in the present, examining roughly fifty photos total. The relationships between photographic materiality, emotional and gestural communication, and the production of cultural memory, disseminated via networked circulation, all shape how soldiers’ wartime photographs come to be regarded. Employing an interdisciplinary approach, this research draws upon war photography; visual culture and communication; sociology of groups and ritual; sociology of emotion; combat histories; memory studies; and online photo sharing practices. In so considering, the Abu Ghraib photos are not unique, and are instead grouped within the greater concept of the “war trophy.” I expand on this concept by defining “war trophy photography” as the entwined practices of war photography and trophy collection, rooted in ritual and group solidification. Staged to depict the violent conquering of the enemy, I argue that war trophy photography recognizes war efforts through the construction of a visual record, one that reproduces relations of dominance and submission. I call this representation “commemorative violence,” a central concept I develop to define the war trophy photograph. In addition to grounding the Abu Ghraib photos historically, I review their visual semiotic, cultural significance, such as with the “Doing a Lynndie” meme, which features civilians gesturing in thumbs-up toward a downtrodden individual, copying the same gesture as often used in the images from Abu Ghraib, and the now defunct site “Now That’s Fucked Up,” which briefly allowed soldiers in 2005 to trade gruesome war trophy pictures for pornography. The conclusion reflects on war trophy photography with the topical consideration of drones, ultimately suggesting that drone warfare photos are expressionless because of the overt absence of people.

scholarly journals Variety and vocal art in the context of development mass culture

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Bobul
Keyword(s):  
Mass Culture ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Pop Art ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Pop Music ◽  
Cultural Significance ◽  
Popular Art ◽  
Cultural Life ◽  
Show Business ◽  
Vocal Art

The aim of the work is to study pop and vocal art in the context of the development of mass culture, which is genetically determined and mediated by a number of its characteristics and traits. The research methodology involves recourse to an interdisciplinary approach, as well as the use of comparative, historical and logical methods of analysis and culturological approach in the study of these issues. The scientific novelty lies in the expansion of information on the development of pop and vocal art in the context of mass culture and the mediation of its main characteristics by the formats of mass art. Conclusions. The study found that the modern system of pop art, combined with the show business, reflects the state, trends and prospects of pop music, which can be improved by understanding the socio-cultural significance of mass culture and popular art, as well as a developed sense of responsibility the creators of mass culture. The development of musical variety should be based on the generalization of previous creative experience and inherited compositional and performing traditions. The current realities of socio-cultural life determine the fact that the substantive and professional components of pop music should be based on both traditional artistic and aesthetic ideas and the search for new views on art, relevant to modern trends, tendencies and spiritual needs of society. The intensification of the musical-performing process leads to the discovery of new horizons of mastering the artistic and creative space, which, in turn, will help update the paradigm of pop art, focusing on modern pop music as an important phenomenon of socio-cultural life.

scholarly journals Preface by Editor-in-Chief

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (10) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Ingrida Baranauskiene
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Social Welfare ◽  
Disability Studies ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Fair Value ◽  
The State ◽  
Scientific Concept ◽  
Social Challenges ◽  
Starting Point

<p>Dear authors, members of the editorial board, and readers of the scientific interdisciplinary journal <em>Social Welfare: Interdisciplinary Approach</em>. We present to you one more issue of the journal. As in previous issues, in the present issue, an interdisciplinary approach to social welfare in a national and intercultural context is important to us. In this issue, we present to your attention the works of scientists from three countries in one way or another related to social welfare, the concept of which is constructed and presented in three chapters: <em>Social Challenges</em>, <em>The Development of Professional Competences</em> and <em>Disability Studies</em>. Going deeper into the presented scientific works, it can be seen that in many of them we can name social justice as the main idea. This scientific concept and the starting point of the formation of the concept of life has reached us from ancient times. All of us know Plato, Socrates’ disciple, and his ontological concept of justice related to a virtue of the soul. Justice for Plato is one of the major virtues that encompasses both state governance and human life in general. It can be argued that he saw the benefits of justice in the life of the state and the individual, including the idea that justice unites society (Plato, 2000<a title="" href="#_ftn1">[1]</a>). Aristotle gives justice the meaning of redistribution and sharing. On the other hand, although Aristotle’s justice is restricted to Greek citizens, in any case, the idea of sharing, redistributing, offsetting was spread thanks to Aristotle (Aristotle, 1990<a title="" href="#_ftn2">[2]</a>). Thomas Aquinas not only linked the Christian tradition to the teaching of Aristotle, but also further developed the idea of justice and emphasized the importance of transposing the idea into law (Aquinas, 2015<a title="" href="#_ftn3">[3]</a>). Immanuel Kant developed a moral theory which, in the context of our days, is, in my view, an important duty as the strongest pillar of morality (Kant, 1987<a title="" href="#_ftn4">[4]</a>). Without going into polemic about how much Immanuel Kant’s philosophy influenced John Rawls’ theory of social justice, I will quote the principles of justice defined by him: “a) each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive scheme of equal basic liberties compatible with a similar scheme of liberties for others; and in this scheme the equal political liberties, and only those liberties, are to be guaranteed their fair value. b) Social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are both: (a) to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged, consistent with the just savings principle, and (b) attached to offices and positions open to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity” (Rawls, 2002, p. 61<a title="" href="#_ftn5">[5]</a>). It can be said that Rawls’ idea that we will not achieve social welfare in the state until justice, including social justice, is ensured, has laid the foundations for a modern understanding of social justice. The dialectic of the concept of justice is also reflected in the works of our authors as the emphasis on justice as a value (Arūnas Acus, Liutauras Kraniauskas; Ilona Dobrovolskytė), the disclosure of the meaning of sharing (Jurgita Lenkauskaitė; Olga Kuprieieva, Tetiana Traverse, Liudmyla Serdiuk, Olena Chykhantsova, Oleksandr Shamych), the construct of the concept of law (Daiva Malinauskienė, Aistė Igorytė; Ingrida Baranauskienė, Alla Kovalenko, Inna Leonova), the understanding of a theory of civic morality, a duty that is a pillar of morality (Svitlana Kravchuk; Elena Kuftyak; Asta Volbikienė, Remigijus Bubnys; Simas Garbenis, Renata Geležinienė, Greta Šiaučiulytė). And it does not matter at all whether this is analyzed in the context of social challenges, disability studies or professional competences. It can be stated that the idea of social justice is the driving force behind the scientific works of this journal.</p><p>Wishing everyone to stay healthy, both physically and spiritually, I place social justice as a fundamental value in these turbulent times of a global pandemic. But life does not stand still, so we look forward to your new research works. There will be no us without you.</p><div><br clear="all" /><hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" /></div>

scholarly journals A Concept for Club Information Systems (CIS) - An Example for Applied Sports Informatics

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-122
Author(s):  
Thomas Blobel ◽  
Martin Lames
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Business Intelligence ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
General Concept ◽  
Sports Clubs ◽  
Sports Science ◽  
It Systems ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Practice Models

AbstractIn professional sports clubs, the growing number of individual IT-systems increases the need for central information systems. Various solutions from different suppliers lead to a fragmented situation in sports. Therefore, a standardized and independent general concept for a club information systems (CIS) is necessary. Due to the different areas involved, an interdisciplinary approach is required, which can be provided by sports informatics. The purpose of this paper is the development of a general and sports informatics driven concept for a CIS, using methods and models of existing areas, especially business intelligence (BI). Software engineering provides general methods and models. Business intelligence addresses similar problems in industry. Therefore, existing best practice models are examined and adapted for sport. From sports science, especially training systems and information systems in sports are considered. Practical relevance is illustrated by an example of Liverpool FC. Based on these areas, the requirements for a CIS are derived, and an architectural concept with its different components is designed and explained. To better understand the practical challenges, a participatory observation was conducted during years of working in sports clubs. This paper provides a new sports informatics approach to the general design and architecture of a CIS using best practice models from BI. It illustrates the complexity of this interdisciplinary topic and the relevance of a sports informatics approach. This paper is meant as a conceptional starting point and shows the need for further work in this field.

scholarly journals Recording and Evaluating the Tangible and Intangible Cultural Assets of a Place through a Multicriteria Decision-Making System

Heritage ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1483-1495
Author(s):  
Eleni Linaki ◽  
Konstantinos Serraos
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Multicriteria Decision Making ◽  
Direct Analysis ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Intangible Asset ◽  
Cultural Significance ◽  
Multicriteria Decision ◽  
Cultural Assets ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
State Actor

The starting point of this paper is the fact that multicriteria decision-making systems have not had the greatest impact on cultural studies, and few researchers have addressed this problem. The paper focuses on the analysis of the main object of an ongoing Doctoral thesis. More specifically, it examines the proposal of a new multicriteria evaluation based on a decision-making method. The paper intends to relate culture with multicriteria decision-making methods. This systematic review provides the direct analysis and assessment of the existing bibliographic references, and addresses a gap of knowledge in the intangible research field, identifying trends in the broader cultural heritage sector. The two basic principles of the paper are the recording and the evaluation of the cultural significance of the intangible and tangible heritage assets of a place. More specifically, the paper seeks to address a new scientific tool that initially records and—in the process—evaluates, using quantitative and qualitative criteria, specific cultural assets. Moreover, the paper outlines a new approach to the calibration—from optimal to worse—of the heritage of a place according to its significance. The purpose of the record and the evaluation is to create a ranking list of the most culturally significant tangible and intangible asset of places, in order to manage them. The design of the multicriteria method is based on a system that can be constantly updated diachronically, and can be fulfilled with new cultural assets and then re-evaluated. The explanation of the system is given through a step-by-step guide to the data analysis process, ensuring that the system has elements that are easy to access, to understand, and to use by each state actor (institution, individual, company, etc.).

Cultural Differences in Mulan between Chinese Version and Disney Version

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1332
Author(s):  
Lei Wang ◽  
Bing Han ◽  
Guofei Xu
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Differences ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Cultural Significance ◽  
Chinese Film ◽  
The Enlightenment ◽  
Cultural Research ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Cross Cultural Research ◽  
The Face ◽  
Different Cultures

This article puts Chinese Mulan and Disney Mulan's plots as the starting point, analyzes of the adaptation of the plots to show the different cultural significance given by different nationalities. The purpose of this paper is to research the cultural differences reflected in the films made by Hua Mulan in different countries. In this era of globalization, and in the face of different cultures, only by taking its essence and its dross will produce masterpieces that attract worldwide attention. There are indeed many cultural differences between the Chinese film Mulan and the American film Mulan. After analyzing the reasons for the differences, this study summarizes the enlightenment of these differences to cross-cultural research and shows some views.

scholarly journals DEVELOPMENT OF AUGMENTED REALITY TECHNOLOGIES FOR ACADEMIC LIBRARIES AS AN EXPERIENCE OF SYNERGETIC LEARNING

2021 ◽  
pp. 116-135
Author(s):  
Tetiana Luhova
Keyword(s):  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Library Science ◽  
Practical Training ◽  
Lecture Material ◽  
Starting Point

The purpose of the study is to identify the features of the use of augmented reality technologies in the training of specialists in information, library and archival studies, who can solve specialized problems in the professional field, characterized by the complexity and uncertainty of the conditions and provide for the application of the provisions and methods of information, library and archival affairs. Work in project student groups to develop library augmented reality is a synergistic educational model that combines different pedagogical strategy: problem-based (PBL), innovative learning (IBL), project-based (PjBL), active learning (AL), deeper learning and game-based learning (GBL). The study proposes an interdisciplinary approach to teaching student librarians: a combination of applied augmented reality research for academic libraries and problem-oriented student learning, learning in the development process for innovations. The method of infographics comparative analysis was used. The article raises the issues of convergence of traditional forms of theoretical and practical training and the organization of innovative activities of students in the space of the academic library on the example of the development of AR-technologies. Peculiarities of development and implementation of augmented reality information technologies in work with documentary funds of academic libraries in the process of problem-based learning focused on innovations are determined. AR-marker technology has been intuitive for humanities students and facilitates the annotation and indexing of library documents. AR-technologies allow playfully to delve into documentary and library science aspects of creating the content of an AR document to master the skills of compiling thematic references. In the concepts of PBL and IBL, the primary emphasis is placed on the applied solution of problems and implementing innovations that meet the needs of a particular organization. This undermines the value of fundamental theoretical learning. We show the value of theoretical lecture material, on the example of the development of augmented reality for academic libraries by student librarians. We prove the importance of correlating lecture material as a starting point for student innovations to the actual needs of the academic library. The results of the research will be an impetus for implementing PBL & IBL in higher education in developing innovations by students in new learning environments (internships, information industry), such as academic libraries. Also initiate the work on implementing AR information technologies in the activities of university libraries. AR is a significant addition to the tools that university and libraries can use to engage their audiences to information literacy training. This should promote the librarianship and increase the status of the university. The students’ work with AR library technology is characterized by complexity, interdisciplinary nature, the collaboration of students of humanities and technical profiles. All this develops in students important competencies: creativity, ability to apply theory, work in a team, learn, developer responsibility, systematic thinking, involvement, focusing on innovation. The paper proposes to consider AR information technologies not only in the perspective of programming but also as a tool for PBL-AL-PjBL-GBL-IBL of student librarians, and as a subject of library and document researches (new tools of documentation). We emphasize fundamental learning and its constant testing in practice. The starting point in the development of innovations by students is the educational material, not the needs of the organization for which the innovations are developed. Because the process of innovation is a learning experience designed to show the applied power of theoretical knowledge. A multifactor model for evaluating student innovations is proposed.

scholarly journals E-textiles: An interdisciplinary approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kari Saasen Strand ◽  
Peter Haakonsen ◽  
Laila Belinda Fauske
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Continuing Education ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Educational Context ◽  
Art And Design ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Shed Light

This article aims to shed light on e-textiles as a fusion of different skills. The empirical starting point is a workshop on e-textiles offered to a group of teachers attending a continuing education course in art and design. The study adopts self-ethnography. Using anonymous reflection notes from the workshop, the article discusses e-textiles as an arena to enhance problem solving through practical explorational work. This involves interdisciplinarity, crafting skills and computational thinking. Focusing on two categories, namely I) material knowledge and sustainability and II) electronics knowledge and interdisciplinarity, this study shows that time is an important factor when exploring e-textiles in an educational context. In e-textiles, crafting, circuitry, programming and sustainable thinking can be combined in an interdisciplinary and productive mash-up encouraging problem solving.

scholarly journals Responsible Water Reuse Needs an Interdisciplinary Approach to Balance Risks and Benefits

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1264
Author(s):  
Milou Dingemans ◽  
Patrick Smeets ◽  
Gertjan Medema ◽  
Jos Frijns ◽  
Klaasjan Raat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Reuse ◽  
Wastewater Reuse ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Span Of Control ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Codes Of Practice ◽  
Agriculture Industry ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Precious Resource ◽  
Proposed Regulation

Freshwater is a precious resource, and shortages can lead to water stress, impacting agriculture, industry, and other sectors. Wastewater reuse is increasingly considered as an opportunity to meet the freshwater demand. Legislative frameworks are under development to support the responsible reuse of wastewater, i.e., to balance benefits and risks. In an evaluation of the proposed European regulation for water reuse, we concluded that the proposed regulation is not practically feasible, as the water provider alone is responsible for the risk assessment and management, even beyond their span of control. The required knowledge and resources are extensive. Therefore, without clear guidance for implementation, the regulation would hinder implementation of reuse programs. As a consequence, the current practice of uncontrolled, unintentional, and indirect reuse continues, including related risks and inefficiency. Therefore, we provide an outline of the interdisciplinary approach required to design and achieve safe, responsible water reuse. Responsible water reuse requires knowledge of water demand and availability, quality and health, technology, and governance for the various types of application. Through this paper we want to provide a starting point for an interdisciplinary agenda to compile and generate knowledge (databases), approaches, guidelines, case examples, codes of practice, and legislation to help bring responsible water reuse into practice.

scholarly journals When Culture Materializes: Societal Dynamics in Resilience of Social-Ecological Systems in the Case of Conch Management on Abaco, The Bahamas

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Bomhauer-Beins ◽  
Corinna de Guttry ◽  
Beate Ratter
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Resilience ◽  
Cultural Significance ◽  
The Bahamas ◽  
Scientific Discussion ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Resilience Process ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Societal Dynamics

The concept of resilience has greatly contributed to the scientific discussion on human–nature interactions by analysing the dynamics, relationships and feedbacks between society and the natural environment at different levels. In this paper, we analyse how culture and societal dynamics influence those connections and, at the same time, have the potential to eventually hinder or foster social-ecological resilience. In order to do so, we take the example of a natural element which is also a cultural icon: the Conch (pronounced ‘konk’). Conch is a marine mollusc with significant social and cultural value for the islands’ society of The Bahamas. In the last decade, a decline in several Conch stocks has been documented, calling for an urgent sustainable management strategy. Nevertheless, only little efforts are happening. This case study offers an innovative understanding of resilience by introducing an aspect which is too often overseen: the role of culture in shaping social-ecological resilience. In this case study, the role of culture proved to be crucial as the cultural significance and embeddedness of Conch has made the management process challenging. But at the same time, culture can be used as a positive impulse towards adaptive management and as a starting point for sustainability. When culture materializes, it affects not only societal dynamics but also the vulnerability and the resilience process of the entire social-ecological system.

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