Wikipedia and archival problems : A Derridean impression

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A Digital Indigenous Knowledge Preservation Framework: The 7C Model-Repositioning IK Holders in the Digitization of IK

Indigenous Knowledge (IK) preservation and management has been taken up as a serious endeavor by various governments who have realized the value of IK as well as the opportunities given by emerging technologies. Considering the various phases and activities of indigenous knowledge management which need to be supported through adequate designs and technologies, we propose an integrative framework: the 7C model. The aim is to guide design and implementation efforts as well as to identify and rectify any possible gaps in current implementation plans. The model comprises seven major phases within the indigenous knowledge digitization process, namely, codesign, conceptualization, collection, correction, curation, circulation, and creation of knowledge. We exemplify the application of the model with technologies currently developed under an indigenous knowledge holder’s toolkit promoting the agency of digitalizing indigenous knowledge across the phases

A model for the digital preservation of indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants in Namibia via an e-learning platform

Abstract in EnglishThe number of studies focused on the digital preservation of indigenous knowledge has been growing steadily over the years. Despite the growth in this area of research, there is still a lack of information technology tools that preserve and disseminate indigenous knowledge. Indigenous knowledge has been highlighted as an area that can advance sustainable development, and its preservation is therefore of the utmost importance. Indigenous knowledge is mostly present within older generations, and if it is not preserved, this knowledge will die with its custodians. African communities rely heavily on indigenous medicine. A digital platform needs to be explored that can preserve practices relating to these medicines for future generations. Since indigenous knowledge is dynamic and is constantly evolving, there is a need to explore a digital tool that can highlight this dynamic nature. Current methods of preserving indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants were found to be less than effective and marred by constraints such as space and time. The main objective of this study was therefore to develop a model that could be used to guide the design of a new e-learning system aimed at facilitating the preservation of indigenous knowledge of Namibia’s medicinal plants. In this study, e-learning technology was used to determine the requirements for presenting indigenous knowledge of Namibia’s medicinal plants in such a way as to ensure that individuals can internalise and preserve this knowledge. An interpretivist qualitative approach was followed. Data was collected by conducting a literature review and carrying out a survey. A prototype e-learning system was developed and evaluated based on the collected data. It was found that preserving indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants through e-learning would require, among other things, engagement with the relevant knowledge custodians, leveraging multimedia, and offering content in indigenous languages.School of ComputingM.Sc. (Computing

'Mah LOLthesis let me show u it': The (re)making and circulation of participatory culture: memes, creativity and networks

Internet memes have become ubiquitous in our everyday experiences, both online and offline, permeating a variety of fields; not only are they prevalent in our communications among friends and strangers, they are also present in our political, commercial and cultural experiences. Memes are collective exercises in meaning making and creativity made both inter-personally and globally through sharing, which is built into the craft-like ethos of internet philosophy. Alternative 20th century strategies (e.g. collage, détournement, culture jamming) underlie much of current online interaction, embodying collaborative cultural practices - currently enabled by the accessibility to remix technology - that echo previous movements (e.g. punk, craft, Situationists International). Online memes are the intersection between participatory culture, remixing and intercreativity. Whilst literacy of formal aspects might lead to exclusivity, the low level of literacy required to engage with memes makes global access possible. However, this democratic potential might be threatened by the recuperation process that inhibits memes’ ability to perform counter-cultural roles, as wide circulation of memes has led to re-appropriations by politicians and commercial advertising. This thesis maps out meme use in a multitude of arenas including: politics (online debate and in protests), commerce (merchandise, use in advertising), and other cultural spaces (from LOLcat art to Lolita subculture). Additionally it follows the unfolding of the Doge meme closely across these spheres, providing insight into phenomena such as Dogecoin tipping and mass charitable actions performed under this meme. Ultimately, memes are successfully used across various groups and types of relationships (although at times met with some resistance), as their elasticity is able to accommodate the incarnations that place value upon spreadable meaning on a global scale

Handbook of disaster ritual : multidisciplinary perspectives, cases and themes

The Handbook of Disaster Ritual presents an overview of relevant literature, perspectives, methods, concepts, as well as a selection of topical themes in relation to current disaster rituals. The handbook has been compiled from multi-disciplinary and geographically diverse perspectives and works with broad definitions of the concepts of both disaster and ritual. A disaster is defined as an event or situation that causes a significant disruption of a society or a group and evokes a collective and/or an individual reaction with expression of mourning, compassion, indignation, protest, call for justice, recovery, reconciliation, and consolation. In this working definition, it is clear that the impact of a disaster is 'translated ritually'. Disasters bring forth a variety of ritual practices. The Handbook of Disaster Ritual consists of three parts. After an extensive conceptual and historiographical introduction, Part I presents several perspectives on the study of disasters and disaster rituals. In Part II, a team of international scholars presents nineteen case studies of various disasters and disaster rituals. Part III addresses various themes from the case studies that can be seen as key elements in disaster rituals. Introduction -- Introduction. Some conceptual and historiographical explorations on ritual, disaster and disaster ritual / Paul Post. Part I -- General Perspectives -- 1. Disaster studies. Perspectives between nature and ritual / Georg Frerks & Dorothea Hilhorst -- 2. Even, contingency and unexpectedness in social philosophy / Sanem Yazicioğlu -- 3. A victimology of corona. The disaster of our times / Antony Pemberton -- 4. Grief, trauma and meaning making after disaster / Joanna Wojtkowiak -- 5. Death studies and disasters. Ritualizing and numbering numbing realities / Douglas Davies -- 6. Restoring a negative destination image. The case of Palestine / Rami Isaac & Merel Sijm -- 7. "Groaning inwardly while waiting for the redemption of our bodies". Toward a theology of trauma / Erik Borgman. Part II -- Case Studies -- 8. Coping with suffering in a memorial ceremony after the 2011 tsunami in Japan / Yu Fukuda -- 9. The Pacific islands. Encounters with disaster and ritualized responses / Andrew J. Strathern Pamela J. Stewart -- 10. The great Wenchuan earthquake of 2008. Dark tourism, seismic memorials, and disaster rituals / Ken Foote Tang Yong -- 11. Ke garne? (What can one do?). How people 'on the ground' perceived the incomplete improvised mortuary rituals at Pashupatinath after the earthquake in Nepal, 2015 / Albertina Nugteren, Hans Hadders Rojisha Poudel -- 12. German central commemoriation of the Germanwings air crash 2015 / Brigitte Benz -- 13. When paradise became hell. The 2002 Bali bombings and their post-disaster ritual practices and repertoires / Herman L. Beck -- 14. School shootings and rituals. The case of Parkland, Florida in 2018 / Birgit Pfeifer André Mulder -- 15. Ritualizing after the terror attacks in Norway on 22 July 2011 / Lars Johan Danbolt Hans Stifoss-Hanssen -- 'Refugee ritual'. Ritual practices in connection with the Mediterranean refugee crisis / Paul Post -- 17. Walking the Marš Mira. War, tourism and ritual practices in Bosnia and Herzegovina / Siri Driessen -- 18. Genocide commemoration in Rwanda. Remembrance of the dead and the performance of missed funeral rituals / Célestin Nsengimana -- 19. The Armenian genocide commemoration. A dynamic demand of memory / Rima Nasrallah -- 20. Blood Brothers. The Armenian genocide commemorated in art projects / Martin J.M. Hoondert Sam van Alebeek -- 21. The glory of disaster. The Herero Flag Marches / Walter van Beek Jan-Bart Gewald -- 22. Commemorating the struggle against colonialism in Freedom Park, Pretoria / Marcel Barnard Cas Wpener -- 23. Making a space for ritual. Regime loyalists after the end of the German Democratic Republic / David Clarke -- 24. #MeToo as a ritual resonse to the slow-moving disaster of sexual violence / Heleen E. Zorgdrager -- 25. Ritualization in the context of the global food crisis / Mirella Klomp Marcel Barnard -- 26. How could Baptism cleanse us with polluted water? / Ernst M. Conradie -- 27. Ritualizing the COVID-19 pandemic. Global impressions / Sébastien P. Boret Yu Fukuda; David Clarke; Albertina Nugteren; Pamela J. Stewart Andrew Strathern; Cas Wepener; Joanna Wojtkowiak; Hans Stifoss-Hanssen Lars Johan Danbolt. Part III -- Selected Themes -- 28. State apology. The simultaneously hegemonic and brittle ritual / Tom Bentley -- 29. Relics. The ritual role of traces and remnants / Paul Post -- 30. Disaster theater. Play when thigs go awry / Kees de Groot -- 31. Shocked in more ways than one. Media (re)presentation of improvised funerary activities after the 2015 earthquake in Nepal / Albertina Nugteren -- 32. E-rituals in the coronavirus context / Paul Post -- 33. The mobile witness. Mobile media affective witnessing during disasters / Larissa Hjorth & Kathleen M. Cumiskey -- 34. 'You'll die of old age. I'll die of climate change!' Children and disaster rituals / Suzanne van der Beek