“The end of The Dreyfus affair”: (Post)Heideggerian meditations on man, machine and meaning

In this paper, the possibility of developing a Heideggerian solution to the Schizophrenia Problem associated with cognitive technologies is investigated. This problem arises as a result of the computer bracketing emotion from cognition during human-computer interaction and results in human psychic self-amputation. It is argued that in order to solve the Schizophrenia Problem, it is necessary to first solve the 'hard problem' of consciousness since emotion is at least partially experiential. Heidegger's thought, particularly as interpreted by Hubert Dreyfus, appears relevant in this regard since it ostensibly provides the basis for solving the 'hard problem' via the construction of artificial systems capable of the emergent generation of conscious experience. However, it will be shown that Heidegger's commitment to a non-experiential conception of nature renders this whole approach problematic, thereby necessitating consideration of alternative, post-Heideggerian approaches to solving the Schizophrenia Problem

Periodic and Quasiperiodic Motion of an Elongated Microswimmer in Poiseuille Flow

We study the dynamics of a prolate spheroidal microswimmer in Poiseuille flow for different flow geometries. When moving between two parallel plates or in a cylindrical microchannel, the swimmer performs either periodic swinging or periodic tumbling motion. Although the trajectories of spherical and elongated swimmers are qualitatively similar, the swinging and tumbling frequency strongly depends on the aspect ratio of the swimmer. In channels with reduced symmetry the swimmers perform quasiperiodic motion which we demonstrate explicitely for swimming in a channel with elliptical cross section

Sporting embodiment: sports studies and the (continuing) promise of phenomenology

Whilst in recent years sports studies have addressed the calls ‘to bring the body back in’ to theorisations of sport and physical activity, the ‘promise of phenomenology’ remains largely under-realised with regard to sporting embodiment. Relatively few accounts are grounded in the ‘flesh’ of the lived sporting body, and phenomenology offers a powerful framework for such analysis. A wide-ranging, multi-stranded, and interpretatively contested perspective, phenomenology in general has been taken up and utilised in very different ways within different disciplinary fields. The purpose of this article is to consider some selected phenomenological threads, key qualities of the phenomenological method, and the potential for existentialist phenomenology in particular to contribute fresh perspectives to the sociological study of embodiment in sport and exercise. It offers one way to convey the ‘essences’, corporeal immediacy and textured sensuosity of the lived sporting body. The use of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) is also critically addressed. Key words: phenomenology; existentialist phenomenology; interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA); sporting embodiment; the lived-body; Merleau-Pont

MOLECULAR ION DETECTION BY A LASER INDUCED CHANGE IN MOBILITY

Nous présentons une détection optogalvanique d'ions moléculaires (N+2, CO+) par changement de mobilité des ions induit par laser. Cette technique liée à la différence de déplacement dû aux collisions entre des ions dans un état excité et des ions dans un état fondamental, fournit une méthode très sensible de détection des ions au voisinage de la cathode dans des décharges lumineuses.We report the optogalvanic detection of molecular ions (N+2, CO+) via a laser induced change in ion mobility. The technique relies on a difference in collision limited transport of excited vs. ground state ions, and provides a uniquely sensitive probe of ions in the cathode sheath region of glow discharges

LASER-INDUCED FLUORESCENCE STUDY OF C2 FROM LASER SPUTTERING OF GRAPHITE AND POLYMERS

Pulsed laser irradiation of graphite surfaces has been known for some time to lead to the ejection of C, C2, C3, etc. neutrals as well as related ions. Since most relevant thermodynamic quantities are known, graphite represents an ideal system for further study. The objectives of this work are two-fold : (1) to compare graphite laser etching results to simple thermal vaporization concepts, and (2) to compare the UV etching of polymers to the results from graphite. We observe that surface morphology and etching rates for graphite indicate a peak surface temperature of ~ 4000K and, hence, can be viewed as a classical vaporization process. The first objective then becomes a question of understanding the energies of molecules, e.g. C2, in the etch plume in terms of an ~ 4000K surface temperature. The second investigation addresses the question of the specific mechanism facilitating far UV etching of polymers. Both photochemical (electronic rearrangement) and thermal degradation have been suggested in various studies

STUDIES OF SAPPHIRE PHOTOABLATION BY LASER-INDUCED FLUORESCENCE AND PHOTOTHERMAL DEFORMATION MEASUREMENTS

Crystalline sapphire displays a low, 0.6 J/CM2, threshold for etching with 193 nm excimer pulses. Understanding this low-threshold etching involves knowledge of the pathways by which laser energy gives rise to material removal. An accurate knowledge of surface temperature during irradiation appears sufficient to differentiate between classical thermal vaporization and electronic, I.E. photochemical mechanisms for etching

Hubble, trouble, toil and space rubble: The management history of an object in space

This article tells the saga of the Hubble Space Telescope, and how the attempt to overcome the restrictions Earths atmosphere imposes upon astronomy, came to dominate the existence of NASA in the later part of the 20th century.This biography of an object is told over four stages fundamental to the order of management; development, failure, recovery and completion.With a failed mirror, what became hidden and forgotten, was once more revealed.With the wild and uncertain dimension of Hubble’s assemblage disclosing itself through malfunction, management was able to rescue through repair its prior unavailability. Eventually management has contended with Hubble’s demise as it fades out of view during the process of completion. Running in counterpart to the four stages of Hubble’s life will be an explication of the events using the work of Martin Heidegger, particularly his work and concepts of Being and Time (Heidegger, 1962)