Big Data, ubiquitous exploitation, and targeted advertising:: new facets of the cultural industry

The emergence of the so-called digital culture from the development of new information and communication technologies led to criticisms of the concept of cultural industry, elaborated by Horkheimer and Adorno in the 1940s, defining the new configuration based on interactivity, open communication and greater freedom among users. However, to a critical view, the new configuration is even more totalitarian than the previous one. All the actions of users in the digital environment generate information that can be compiled and organized according to mathematical algorithms, configuring the so-called Big Data; such information includes personal preferences, political trends, gender, and even personality profiles, and leads to ubiquitous surveillance and manipulation through targeted advertising, being politically and economically far more effective than in the age of the cultural industry described by Adorno. The update of the critical theory of society implies understanding this new configuration, its pretensions and its contradictions. Therefore, the present article aims both to update the concept of cultural industry denouncing, thus, the new forms of manipulation, and to criticize the idea that freedom is immanent to the Digital Culture, present in its defenders.A emergência da cultura digital a partir do desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias de informação e comunicação levou a críticas ao conceito de indústria cultural elaborado por Horkheimer e Adorno nos anos 1940, definindo a nova configuração a partir da interatividade, comunicação aberta e maior liberdade entre usuários. Entretanto, a um olhar crítico, a nova configuração se revela mais totalitária que a anterior. Todas as ações dos usuários no ambiente digital geram informações que podem ser compiladas e organizadas de acordo com algoritmos matemáticos, configurando o chamado Big Data; essas informações incluem dados sobre preferências, tendências políticas, gênero e perfis de personalidade, e levam a tentativas de vigilância ubíqua e manipulação por meio de propaganda dirigida, sendo política e economicamente muito mais eficaz do que na era da indústria cultural descrita por Adorno. A atualização da teoria crítica da sociedade implica compreender essa nova configuração, suas pretensões e contradições. Nesse sentido, este artigo objetiva tanto atualizar o conceito de indústria cultural, denunciando, assim, as novas formas de manipulação, quanto criticar a ideia de que a liberdade é imanente à Cultura Digital, presente em seus defensores

Appointments on Ethics and Individuality Based on Minima Moralia

O artigo reflete sobre os conceitos de ética e de individualidade a partir da Mínima Moralia de T. W. Adorno para pensar as dimensões ética e normativa da Psicologia. Para isso recupera alguns elementos históricos do conceito de ética segundo Aristóteles, Hobbes, Rousseau e Kant para esclarecer a reflexão adorniana. A partir desta faz-se uma crítica as no­ ções de individualidade e de autonomia no âmbito da Psicologia.This article reflects upon the concepts of ethics and individuality of Minima M oralia by T.W. Adorno, to consider the normative and ethic dimensions of Psychology. For this, historical elements o f Ethics according to Aristóteles, Hobbes, Rousseau and Kant were rescued in order to clarify the reflections of Adorno. From this, a criticism is made based on the notions of individuality and autonomy in ambit of Psychology

O Indivíduo na Era do Espetáculo Digital: : alvo, matéria prima e potencial crítico

O texto, elaborado sob a forma de um ensaio, procura esboçar uma constelação histórica em que as contradições da individualidade são continuamente redefinidas tanto por mudanças econômicas como por novos dispositivos sociotécnicos que reconfiguram o sensório, a cognição e os desejos. Percorre o texto o argumento de que a individualidade depende da reflexão crítica, da produção de experiências intelectuais, e que o entendimento das contradições em tela depende tanto de um olhar para o todo, para o capitalismo e suas mutações, como para os dispositivos, instituições e tecnologias em que as relações entre saber e poder tomam formas concretas em sítios próximos aos indivíduos. O texto finaliza ressaltando ainda a relevância da arte para o desenvolvimento de uma subjetividade afeita ao pensamento crítico.El texto, elaborado en forma de ensayo, busca esbozar una constelación histórica en la que las contradicciones de la individualidad se redefinen continuamente tanto por los cambios económicos como por los nuevos dispositivos sociotécnicos que reconfiguran el sensorio, la cognición y los deseos. A lo largo del texto recorre el argumento de que la individualidad depende de la reflexión crítica, de la producción de experiencias intelectuales, y que la comprensión de las contradicciones en cuestión depende tanto de una mirada al conjunto, al capitalismo y sus mutaciones, como a los dispositivos, instituciones y tecnologías en las que las relaciones entre saber y poder toman formas concretas en lugares cercanos a los individuos. El texto finaliza destacando la relevancia del arte para el desarrollo de una subjetividad acostumbrada al pensamiento crítico.This essay seeks to sketch a historical constellation in which the contradictions of individuality are continually redefined both by economic changes and by new sociotechnical devices that reconfigure the sensorium, cognition and desires. The argument runs through the text that individuality depends on critical reflection, on the production of intellectual experiences, and that the understanding of the contradictions in question depends as much on a look at the whole, at capitalism and its mutations as at the devices, institutions and technologies in which the relations between knowledge and power take concrete forms in places close to individuals. The text ends by emphasizing the relevance of art for the development of a subjectivity used to critical thinkin

O tempo e a gestão na educação: elementos de uma análise a partir da teoria crítica

Apesar da existência de um vasto campo de estudos sobre a gestão na educação a dimensão temporal praticamente não tem sido discutida, embora seja uma característica pervasiva de qualquer processo pedagógico e uma força organizativa fundamental para a reprodução da sociedade. O objetivo deste artigo é utilizar conceitos elaborados por autores que têm discutido a temporalidade para apontar alguns problemas ainda pouco analisados pelas pesquisas educacionais sob uma perspectiva temporal. A existência de processos de sincronização e dessincronização no cotidiano escolar geram dúvidas e dificuldades que demandam ações de gestão. A análise temporal apresenta desafios tanto ao gestor, que precisa produzir processos de desaceleração significativos, quanto ao educador, que opera no tempo lento e ritualizado das aprendizagens significativas

RAZÃO INSTRUMENTAL E EDUCAÇÃO: REFLEXÕES SOBRE A ESCOLA E AS NOVAS TECNOLOGIAS

Critical Theory of Society's reflections on instrumental reason are the heart of critical analyzes of the 20th century catastrophes represented by Auschwitz. The ethical imperative expressed by Adorno for education, that Auschwiz not be repeated, remains important insofar the historical changes that took place in the 21st century did not alter the fundamental characteristics of instrumental reason. The current tendency to propose the adjustment of the school to the demands created by digital technologies is pointed out in this article as a symptom of the persistence of the predominance of instrumental reason in education. The objective of this article is to criticize the way in which the insertion of new technologies in the school has been proposed for failing to consider both the ethical dimension of education and the relationship between form and content in the new apparatus. It is concluded that the criticism made to the concept of instrumental reason continues to be fundamental for the recovery of the ethical discussion in education.Las reflexiones de la Teoría Crítica de la Sociedad sobre la razón instrumental están en el centro de los análisis críticos de las catástrofes del siglo XX representadas por Auschwitz. El imperativo ético expresado por Adorno para la educación, que no se repita Auschwiz, sigue siendo importante en la medida en que los cambios históricos que se produjeron en el siglo XXI no alteraron las características fundamentales de la razón instrumental. La tendencia actual a plantear la adecuación de la escuela a las exigencias creadas por las tecnologías digitales se señala en este artículo como síntoma de la persistencia del predominio de la razón instrumental en la educación. El objetivo de este artículo es criticar la forma en que se ha planteado la inserción de las nuevas tecnologías en la escuela por no considerar tanto la dimensión ética de la educación como la relación entre forma y contenido en el nuevo aparato. Se concluye que la crítica realizada al concepto de razón instrumental continúa siendo fundamental para la recuperación de la discusión ética en la educación.As reflexões da Teoria Crítica da Sociedade sobre a razão instrumental estão no cerne das análises críticas às catástrofes do século XX, representadas por Auschwitz. O imperativo ético expresso por Adorno para a educação, de que Auschwiz não se repita, segue sendo importante na medida em que as mudanças históricas ocorridas no século XXI não alteraram as características fundamentais da razão instrumental. A atual tendência de propor o ajustamento da escola às demandas criadas pelas tecnologias digitais é apontada neste artigo como um sintoma da persistência do predomínio da razão instrumental na educação. O objetivo deste artigo é criticar a forma como vem sendo proposta a inserção de novas tecnologias na escola por deixar de considerar tanto a dimensão ética da educação como as relações entre forma e conteúdo nos novos aparatos. Conclui-se que a crítica realizada ao conceito de razão instrumental continua sendo fundamental para a recuperação da discussão ética na educação

Analysis of sexually related subjects on an adolescent internet site

 Este estudo teve o objetivo de analisar o tema da sexualidade em um site destinado à população adolescente como um importante veículo promotor de orientação sexual. Destaca-se aqui a importância de analisar criticamente os conteúdos informativos sobre sexualidade disponíveis em um meio de comunicação como a Internet, atualmente muito difundido entre a população jovem. Para analisar o site, selecionou-se 25 matérias que versavam sobre diferentes temas da sexualidade. Os resultados mostram que os assuntos sobre sexualidade são, em geral, apresentados de forma superficial, não promovem a reflexão e não informam com precisão. Além disso, apresentam uma visão distorcida e preconceituosa, reforçando estereótipos e concepções sexuais vigentes. Conclui-se que é fundamental o posicionamento crítico da Psicologia em relação aos veículos de orientação sexual para que estes possam, de fato, garantir o esclarecimento e a orientação ética e não meramente reproduzir padrões sociais. Palavras-chave: internet; sexualidade; adolescência. This study aims at analyzing the sexual subjects on an internet site, intended for an adolescent population, and as a promoter of resources for sexual guidance. It is of importance to analyze critically the context of such resources in communication media such as the internet, which nowadays is available to the young on a worldwide basis. In order to analyze this internet site, 25 sexually orientated subjects were selected. Results show that the sexual subjects are generally presented in a shallow manner and do not inform precisely. Furthermore, they tended to show a distorted vision, full of prejudice, strengthening stereotypes and outdated sexual concepts. It is concluded that a critic psychological positioning is essential for sexually-related guidance resources, which warrants explanation of content and ethical orientation. Keywords: internet; sexuality; adolescence

Fluoride in the Serra Geral Aquifer System: Source Evaluation Using Stable Isotopes and Principal Component Analysis

Groundwater with anomalous fluoride content and water mixture patterns were studied in the fractured Serra Geral Aquifer System, a basaltic to rhyolitic geological unit, using a principal component analysis interpretation of groundwater chemical data from 309 deep wells distributed in the Rio Grande do Sul State, Southern Brazil. A four-component model that explains 81% of the total variance in the Principal Component Analysis is suggested. Six hydrochemical groups were identified. δ18O and δ2H were analyzed in 28 Serra Geral Aquifer System samples in order to identify stable isotopes patterns and make comparisons with data from the Guarani Aquifer System and meteoric waters. The results demonstrated a complex water mixture between the Serra Geral Aquifer System and the Guarani Aquifer System, with meteoric recharge and ascending water infiltration through an intensive tectonic fracturing

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear un derstanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5–7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8–11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world’s most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepre sented in biodiversity databases.13–15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazon’s biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological com munities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple or ganism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region’s vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most ne glected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lostinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio