#academic discourse

[bellemorte79]

The Abject in A Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones.

The abject status of Tyrion Lannister in his relationship with his father and sister (Cersei and Tywin).

His physical appearance is frequently used by his family to belittle and humiliate him. Tywin, in particular, is disdainful of Tyrion's physical disability and sees him as a stain on the Lannister family's reputation and his own personal curse.  He blames him for the death of his mother in childbirth, even though Tyrion is the only one that is completely blameless.  He did not ask to be brought into the world.  In one scene in A Clash of Kings, Tywin tells Tyrion, "You are an ill-made, spiteful little creature full of envy, lust, and low cunning." This shows how Tyrion's abject status is linked to his physical deformity, as well as his position within the Lannister family.

Cersei also uses Tyrion's abject status to undermine him, portraying him as weak and powerless. In A Storm of Swords, Cersei says of Tyrion, "He is a dwarf, a stunted twisted little monkey who's no fit consort for a queen." Cersei's use of animalistic language here further emphasizes Tyrion's abject status, as she portrays him as subhuman and less than fully human by representing him as a monkey.  This is similar to her father’s treatment of Tyrion in calling him a “creature.”  

Despite his family's efforts to marginalize and exclude him, Tyrion is a character who refuses to be defined by his abject status. He is highly intelligent and resourceful, and often uses his wit and cunning to outmaneuver his enemies. In A Clash of Kings, and on the show Game of Thrones in the Battle of the Blackwater, for example, he manages to repel an attack on King's Landing by using a hidden cache of wildfire to destroy a large portion of Stannis Baratheon's fleet.

By representing Tyrion as abject, Martin is able to highlight the often cruel and arbitrary nature of social hierarchies. Tyrion's exclusion from society is not based on anything he has done, but rather on factors outside of his control, such as his physical appearance and his family background. This serves as a critique of the unjust nature of social systems and the way in which they marginalize and exclude certain groups of people.

By portraying Tyrion as both abject and heroic, Martin is able to challenge the dominant narratives of heroism and villainy in fantasy literature. Instead of being a typical hero who embodies strength and perfection, Tyrion is a flawed and vulnerable character who is forced to navigate a hostile world in order to survive. Through his character, Martin is able to explore the complexities of power, politics, and identity, and to challenge readers' assumptions about what it means to be a hero or a villain.

Further Reading:

Young, J. R. (2021). Useful little men: George R. R. Martin's dwarfs as grotesque realists. Mythlore, 39(137), 77-95,77A

Felluga, D. (2011) "Modules on Kristeva: On the Abject." Introductory Guide to Critical Theory.  Purdue U.

[frank-olivier]

The Observational Spectrum: From Empiricism to Embodiment in UAP Studies

The study of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) stands at a critical juncture, confronting the complexities of merging diverse methodologies to comprehend a phenomenon that resists straightforward categorization. Recent scholarly discussions, notably Maya Owen's lecture and supplementary examinations of eyewitness testimony, scientific observation, and embodied experiences in UAP research, underscore the imperative of an interdisciplinary approach. This necessitates a nuanced exploration of the disciplinary divide, the pivotal role of embodied experiences, and the transformative potential of bridging methodologies to enhance our understanding of UAP.

The dichotomy between "nuts and bolts" (emphasizing physical evidence and material issues, grounded in hard sciences) and "embodied" (encompassing experiential, spiritual, and religious aspects, aligning with social sciences and humanities) approaches in UAP studies poses a significant challenge. While empirical validation is crucial, overlooking the profound personal and existential implications of UAP encounters can result in an incomplete understanding. Conversely, an "embodied" focus, without scientific rigor, risks lacking credibility. This dichotomy is not insurmountable; rather, it presents an opportunity for scholarly innovation.

Embodied experiences are indispensable in UAP research, offering first-hand accounts that can inform scientific investigation and highlighting the complex, often transformative, nature of UAP encounters. The integration of these experiences challenges traditional methodologies, necessitating an adaptation that accommodates subjective, yet potentially revelatory, aspects of human experience. Concepts like "Uncanny Science" and "Flip" provide a theoretical framework for reconciling the scientific with the experiential, suggesting that the intersection of science and spirituality can be a fertile ground for understanding UAP. This reconciliation is not about diminishing scientific rigor but about enhancing it with the depth and complexity of human experience.

A holistic approach to UAP studies, one that synergistically combines the empirical with the experiential, is the most promising path forward. This can be facilitated through the adoption of frameworks like Cyborg Anthropology, which recognizes the interplay between human experiencers, technology, and the sensory extensions afforded by instruments. Moreover, the development of standardized methodologies for collecting and analyzing experiential data can significantly enhance the credibility and utility of embodied accounts in scientific research. Encouraging cross-disciplinary dialogue and collaboration is equally crucial, fostering a more comprehensive understanding of UAP that addresses both its material and experiential dimensions.

The study of UAP is poised to redefine the boundaries of scientific inquiry and our understanding of human experience. By embracing an interdisciplinary approach that values empirical evidence, embodied experiences, and the transformative potential of their integration, UAP research can transcend current disciplinary limitations. This integration promises not only a deeper grasp of UAP phenomena but also contributes to a broader shift in understanding the interconnectedness of human experience, technology, and the unknown, thereby enriching the scholarly landscape.

Maya Cowan: Observatories and Experiencers (The Society For UAP Studies, Annual Summer Conference 2024, Varieties and Trajectories of Contemporary UAP Studies, August 2024)

Sunday, February 9, 2025

[theonethatyoudreamof]

Speaking my truth:

APA is the most egregious, ugly, useless, and incompetent citation style and it should rot in a very deep dark dirt filled hole

[townpostin]

ARKA JAIN University Hosts Series of Prestigious Conferences

ARKA JAIN University becomes a hub for intellectual discourse with upcoming conferences across various departments, focusing on groundbreaking ideas and discussions. ARKA JAIN University is set to host a series of conferences, bringing together scholars, researchers, and industry experts for stimulating discussions on diverse topics. JAMSHEDPUR – ARKA JAIN University is abuzz with intellectual…

[victusinveritas]

[dicksoutforapollo]

In a class about drugs and intoxication in the ancient world, and yes sure, I can believe that ancient Greeks and Romans did more than just wine, they gotta have done some hallucinogenics, that’s how humans work, we love to fuck up our brains! But using artistic depictions on ceramic vessels and frescos and comparing them to LSD art is such weak evidence!! Sorry that y’all aren’t creative and so when someone is creative the answer must be “DRUGS!”

Can’t believe that weak “how HIGH are you XD” responses are in the academic world too, albeit more wordy. there was even a reading from an author that claimed that adults COMPLETLEY lack lateral thinking and need alcohol in order to be creative at all. Sounds like a skill issue?

[spriggswritings]

Just read Moretti’s article on Frankenstein and Dracula (http://knarf.english.upenn.edu/Articles/moretti.html for anyone who wants to read it) and. I mean its an interesting take but I think he truly reaches too far to make all monsters be capitalism. Like sure monsters are capitalism but first of all Frankenstein’s creature isn’t, as he says, a black-and-white evil, but rather a creature scarred by its own creation, and he also bases part of his argument on “Shelley not intending for her work to ne horror” which is fully wrong as can be seen in her diaries from when she was writing it.

It brings up interesting points but dooms itself to mediocrity by its all-encompassing ambition; if you have an interesting reading for parts of a story, don’t call it the end-all authorial intent.

Anyway academic smack talk over. Still, it brings up some interesting stuff about capitalism being the horrifying other embodied in the text, so if that’s what you’re into its good.

[stressedbeetle]

the more academic discourse I read the more I realize the line separating academic and tumblr discourse is mostly just the amount of fancy words used

[phoenix-joy]

Content Warning: The Smithsonian Magazine article contains minor details regarding the deceased individual's skin that may distress certain readers. I have tried to avoid anything I deemed unnecessary in the extracts I have chosen to replicate.

Note: I'll definitely need to revisit this when I have more time to investigate the details. I can't find an English translation of the book in question. I'm curious, though, as Harvard Library describes it as 'a meditation on the soul and life after death'. 

anthropodermic bibliopegy - the practice of creating book bindings from human skin.

Note: The article briefly explains some background information on this practice. I have not copied any of that for this blog post, so if you are curious then be sure to click the link for the full write-up.

Author: Sarah Kuta Publication: Smithsonian Magazine Timestamp: April 16, 2024

Extract:

Des Destinées de L’Âme, or Destinies of the Soul [was] written by French author Arsène Houssaye in 1879. [A Harvard alum] John B. Stetson Jr. lent it to the university in 1934, and [...] his widow officially donated it in 1954.

[The book's] original owner was Ludovic Bouland, a French physician who received the book directly from the author. Bouland bound the book with human skin taken, without consent, from the body of a woman who died at a French psychiatric hospital where he worked, according to [Harvard University].

[...]

Harvard—and many other institutions, including the Smithsonian—have been reviewing their collections amid a growing outcry about their possession and treatment of human remains.

[...]

“The core problem with the volume’s creation was a doctor who didn’t see a whole person in front of him and carried out an odious act of removing a piece of skin from a deceased patient, almost certainly without consent, and used it in a book binding that has been handled by many for more than a century,” says [Tom] Hyry [Associate University Librarian for Archives and Special Collections].

/end of extract

Extract from Harvard Library's statement (bold in the second paragraph is from the original text):

The removal of the human skin from Des destinées de l’âme follows a review by Houghton Library of the book’s stewardship, prompted by the recommendations of the Report of the Harvard University Steering Committee on Human Remains in University Museum Collections issued in fall 2022.

[...]

[...]  In 2014, following the scientific analysis that confirmed the book to be bound in human skin, the library published posts on the Houghton blog that utilized a sensationalistic, morbid, and humorous tone that fueled similar international media coverage.

Harvard Library acknowledges past failures in its stewardship of the book that further objectified and compromised the dignity of the human being whose remains were used for its binding. We apologize to those adversely affected by these actions. 

/end of extract

Extracts from Harvard Library's 'Ask a Librarian' entry regarding Des destinées de l’âme:

 A handwritten note by Bouland inserted into the volume states that “a book about the human soul deserved to have a human covering.”

[...]

A memo accompanying the book written by John Stetson, which has since been lost, [the] skin [belonged to] an unknown deceased woman patient from a French psychiatric hospital.

[...]

The human remains will be given a respectful disposition that seeks to restore dignity to the woman whose skin was used. The Library is now in the process of conducting additional biographical and provenance research into the anonymous female patient, the book, and Bouland, as well as consulting with proper authorities in France and at the University to help determine how best to carry this out. We expect this process to take months, and perhaps longer, to come to completion.

/end of extract

Harvard Library

Ludovic Bouland - Carlos Garcia Pozo, El Mundo

Arsène Houssaye - Getty Images

John B. Stetson Jr. - Wikidpedia

[bellemorte79]

I have never heard this term POV trap before coming to Tumblr.  You are supposed to empathize with the point of view character in some way it is an exercise in building emotional intelligence.  Look into Reader Response Theory (The theory maintains that textual meaning occurs within the reader in response to text and recognizes that each reader is situated in a particular manner that includes factors such as ability, culture, gender, and overall experiences.)  This is a natural reader response and there is no such thing as a POV trap, people are just uncomfortable with their own reactions to the text...

I think we (humans) in general need to get used to the idea that sometimes life is uncomfortable, ugly and imperfect (most of the time) and that everything is not on it's face good or evil. WE are not reading to find the good guys. We are reading to open ourselves up to new experiences, all of them not necessarily positive, so that we train our brains both emotionally and intellectually for the life we are living.

I think most people just get deceived by the "pov trap" so they think Tyrion is some underdog poor boi "he was in AGOT" but actually he is very dark inside, and honestly one of the most disgusting and disturbing pov characters, his behaviour towards Sansa is just.... Also the fact he wants to rape Cersei so badly like yeah i love his character but compares to other povs ? He is so misgonystic to the point of violence and sexual abuse. I think Cersei gets so much hate when her actions are NOT that different from Tyrion's.

yeah, the fact that tyrion has literally legions of fans, while cersei is so reviled, is definitely a prominent example of sexism clouding people's judgments. tyrion not only fantasizes about raping cersei in ADWD, but he also has frequent sexual thoughts in relation to her throughout the books - he often looks at her breasts, remarks on her beauty, one time he tells her something to the extent that if she fucks one brother she should also fuck the other etc there's an interesting but fucked up dynamic at play here, as tyrion is also jealous of jaime and really craves his family's affection, whichever shape it might take

this is v funny bc fans tend to separate tyrion from his siblings as "the good lannister" whereas i have the feeling that he would have been over the moon if cersei fawned over him and gave him the jaime treatment. lannisters truly are obsessed with each other.

tyrion/cersei is a much less analysed ship but here's another pairing for you freaks out there (affectionate) you're welcome

[poetryintheraw]

This. If I could fill my entire dashboard with just academic discourse, I would. Academic drama is the only thing that makes academics worth it some days

the semester hasnt even officially started yet and im already going insane over department drama. apparently the new department head has been using department funds to order himself designer satchel bags (while also trying to cut a very popular astronomy lab class due to "costs"), and told one of the secretaries that because she is the person primarily organizing the department picnic that SHE'S NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK TO ANYONE AT THE PICNIC?? BECAUSE SHE'S TECHNICALLY WORKING??? like absolutely going feral can you imagine how this man treats service workers. anyways my friends and i are gonna go hang out with that secretary for the entire picnic bc we already liked her and enjoyed interacting with her and if new department head has a problem with it im gonna roast his silly little $300 designer leather satchel bags that he bought on department dime

[headful-of-worms]

“I’ve decenter the male gaze in my life”

Really? You’ve decided to stop objecting women in your art? I didn’t realize that was such a big part of your life. I’m glad you’ve figured out a better way to depict women.

Oh, you just mean you’re taking about your dislike of men more often? You’re just using the new phrase you’ve heard on tik tok?

Well I guess I’m happy for you or whatever

[anguilliforme]

one thing that really shits me about the whole james somerton thing is he has a degree*. he went through higher education. there is literally no way he doesn't know what plagiarism is. you can't attend a university or college without being told repeatedly how to properly cite sources and the consequences for not doing so.

there is simply no way he hasn't had the "don't you fucking dare" talk every lecturer gives their first year students. there is no way he didn't know at a bare minimum the severity of what he did. you can't convince me otherwise.

*or at the very least spent some time in higher ed

[scarefox]

[my-deer-friend]

This is supposed to be the queer weirdos website and yet the standard of proof on here for whether a historical figure was queer is higher than in most academic contexts.

[ava-is-up-to-something]

The ancient Egyptians: And they were dualistic counterparts Herman te Velde, writing papers about Set in the 1960s: Oh my god they were dualistic counterparts