Common Slots of Bilinear and Quadratic Pfister Forms

We show that over any field $F$ of $\operatorname{char}(F)=2$ and 2-rank $n$, there exist $2^n$ bilinear $n$-fold Pfister forms that have no slot in common. This answers a question of Becher's in the negative. We provide an analogous result also for quadratic Pfister forms

The origins of a public voice for marginalised workers in French India, 1935-37

This article examines how far indigenous communications contributed towards the origins of anti-colonialism in French India, as an empowering voice. They are seen as an example of a politicising move from private to public sphere via print communications. The years 1935-7 reveal a saga of severe economic exploitation, violence and political struggle - a trajectory of social conflict in the public sphere. Local archives, including print publications such as the workers’ Tamil paper Swandanthiram are used as a prism for the analysis of a forgotten episode in the history of a neglected corner of French empire. This article traces the development of the workers’ public voice and characterises this as a form of advocacy journalism, compatible with John Downing’s categorisation of ‘lateral’ and ‘vertical’ campaigning in ‘radical alternative’ publications (1984; 2001,p.x). The way that the move from private to public spheres happened, it is argued, reflects the roots of anti-colonialism communication - at a time when the Left in France was more receptive to anti-fascism as a campaigning tool

Comparative media history, an introduction: 1789 to the present

This book aims to give a greater insight into the modern history of the media by considering influences on developments within a framework that uses a comparative approach to weigh up continuity versu change. This is a study of a selected number of countries and media industries, not cultural or social theory applied to history. As such, the aim is to encourage a broader understanding of cause and effect using the comparative method. Rather than providing a continuous narrative of media development in each country and industry, the study looks at the basic concepts behind the origins of various trends that reveal aspects both of previous developments and of new ones that start to emerge. To this extent it is influenced by the history of political thought, political economy, and economic and social history, as well as communication studies and some media theory. While it is difficult to do justice to all of these disciplines, the reader can borrow from them in order to gain greater insights into the thinking behind major developments, an appreciation of the issues of the past, and the extent to which they remain with us today

Re-Coopering anti-psychiatry: David Cooper, revolutionary critic of psychiatry

This article offers an introduction to David Cooper (1931–86), who coined the term ‘anti-psychiatry’, and, it is argued here, has not so far received the scholarly attention that he deserves. The first section presents his life in context. The second section presents his work in detail. There follows a section on the critical reception of Cooper, and, finally, a conclusion that sets out ways in which he might be interesting and useful today

Issues in contemporary documentary

Documentary is fast changing: with the digital revolution and the enormous increase in Internet usage, the range of information and outlets for distribution continues to become more diverse. In this context, are the traditional themes and frequently irreconcilable critical positions of study still valid - or are they changing, and if so, how? In short, what are the issues for documentary studies now