The Shape of Community: On Ethical forms of Social Organization, From Physical to Municipal.: A Commentary on Shannon Vallor’s Technology and the Virtues

This paper was written as a commentary on Shannon Vallor’s Technology and the Virtues, and an investigation into ethical forms of organisation. Starting with a short overview of Vallor’s technosocial virtue ethics and related criteria of human flourishing, I investigate Vallor’s methodological triangulation of Aristotelian, Buddhist, and Confucian virtue traditions to argue that her focus on these ancient world frameworks imports assumptions of the shape of a community in which virtue ethics can function. To examine what shapes of community I would consider ethical forms of organisation, which are those which are conducive to a virtue framework and to human flourishing, I suggest some criteria which can be used to analyse the connections and relations that exist in different forms of organization involving humans, goods, and information. These criteria are compartmentalisation/(inter)connectedness, permanence/ephemerality, and bilateral/unilateral flow of information, which taken together specify a degree of hierarchization. I argue that ethical forms of organization tend towards a dense interconnection, relatively permanent and bilateral connections, with a low degree of hierarchization. Lastly, I suggest through analogy that there are parallels between digital and physical environments in the virtue ethics context, with a special focus on cities and some empirical work done by Strong Towns regarding the benefits of walkable neighborhoods for their inhabitants

Herakles and the Goblet of Fire

Many classical myths are alluded to throughout the Harry Potter series. Myths were important to ancient Greeks, because they “are the archaic way of interpreting the world and its meaning, in times before science” and, “talks about another level that exists alongside our world.” The most expansive comparison made to Greek mythology, in Johanne (J.K.) Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, is specifically confined to a competition Harry is involved in—the Triwizard Tournament. It is a modern novel that draws strong similarities to the labours of Hercules, explained by Pseudo-Apollodorus in Bibliotheca Book 2 Chapter 5. Hercules and Harry are drafted into undertaking difficult and dangerous tasks which culminate in their retrieval of important items. They face creatures with similar characteristics, as well as comparable monsters. There are equivalent characters and themes—like those who use transformation to hide their evil intentions—in both Pseudo-Apollodorus’ and Rowling’s stories.&nbsp

From Clay to Crop: Demystifying Agriculture in Northern Ontario

Northern Ontario’s Clay Belt has long endured the reputation of having poorly drained soil and a climate unsuitable for agriculture; its northern location has been characterized as remote and isolated, thus lacking in social and economic opportunities often sought by prospective farmers. These common conceptions have limited the expansion and retention of farms in the region as farmers turn away from the Clay Belt due to perceived challenges. While studies have dispelled the myths of soil and climate barriers to farming, social and economic stereotypes persist, and continue to deter growth in Northern Ontario’s agricultural sector. Despite increasing agricultural viability due to a warming climate, and affordable land prices, 4.4 million acres of the Clay Belt with high-quality soil remain largely underutilized. The Northern Agriculture project in partnership with Hearst University, the Province of Ontario, and OMAFRA seeks to identify the real and perceived barriers through research and knowledge mobilization, with the goal of encouraging and supporting diverse agricultural activities in the area to enhance local food security. The researchers have created toolkits for farmers, municipalities, and the province to provide resources and tips that boost agricultural viability and establish synergies between stakeholders. The project also published the ten “myths” of agriculture in Northern Ontario to inform stakeholders and prospective farmers of common misconceptions and to demonstrate the contrary by highlighting environmental, social, and economic assets in northern Ontario. These core documents will guide further Knowledge Translation and Transfer (KTT) activities on social media platforms (Twitter, LinkedIn), and organization websites (OMAFRA, Ontario Agri-food Innovation Alliance). Through knowledge-sharing on these platforms, the project aims to change the current discourse on agriculture in Northern Ontario to help establish it as a desirable region for agricultural development

Adaptabilité critique et collaboration : une réflexion étudiante sur la préparation à la bibliothéconomie en communication savante

The quickly changing landscape of the scholarly communication ecosystem necessitates critical reflection on the preparedness of students entering this area of librarianship. A literature review of common roles, skills, and competencies of scholarly communication librarians followed by a personal reflection on learning and development as a Masters of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) student reveals that collaboration and adaptability are required to succeed in this area.  L’évolution rapide de l’écosystème de la communication savante nécessite une réflexion critique sur la préparation des étudiants qui entrent dans ce domaine de la bibliothéconomie. Une revue de la littérature sur les rôles communs, les habiletés et les compétences des bibliothécaires responsables pour la communication savante, suivie d’une réflexion personnelle sur l’apprentissage et le développement d’une étudiante en bibliothéconomie et en sciences de l’information révèlent que la collaboration et l’adaptabilité sont requises pour réussir dans ce domaine

Suckle

Artwork Information: Suckle, 2023, 8 ft x 6.5 ft, free-hand spray paint on plywood