The Fate of Social Character in an Age of Uncertainty

This paper develops the longstanding sociological tradition of ‘character studies’ (Riesman, 1969 [1950]), arguing that the accelerated change and associated uncertainties central to late modern life have been accompanied by a new opportunity-directed form of individuality. Engaging with Sayer’s (2019) agenda-setting return to the subject, we acknowledge the ideological uses to which the promotion of this characterological form may be put, but argue that its core qualities can help suitably situated persons negotiate radical uncertainty via a reflexive, future-oriented commitment to agency. Despite the advantages of this orientation in the contemporary era, however, we conclude by suggesting that opportunity-directedness is associated with certain ‘pathologies’, involving psychological costs and social inequalities, that raise questions about its desirability and sustainability

Adaptive strategies of African horse sickness virus to facilitate vector transmission

African horse sickness virus (AHSV) is an orbivirus that is usually transmitted between its equid hosts by adult Culicoides midges. In this article, we review the ways in which AHSV may have adapted to this mode of transmission. The AHSV particle can be modified by the pH or proteolytic enzymes of its immediate environment, altering its ability to infect different cell types. The degree of pathogenesis in the host and vector may also represent adaptations maximising the likelihood of successful vectorial transmission. However, speculation upon several adaptations for vectorial transmission is based upon research on related viruses such as bluetongue virus (BTV), and further direct studies of AHSV are required in order to improve our understanding of this important virus

Edgework, Uncertainty and Social Character

This paper proposes a novel conceptual understanding of ‘edgework’ – a term denoting the voluntary embrace of risk - by drawing on the longstanding sociological tradition of character studies. In so doing, it addresses the paradox that while first-generation research into high-risk leisure suggested that these activities provided identity-affirming escapes from bureaucratized capitalism, second-generation writings argued that edgework exists in harmony with the norms of ‘risk societies’, raising questions about its continuing appeal. Developing a new analytical perspective with which to assess these views, we argue that the former studies should be understood in the context of challenges to ‘other-directed’ characterological forms prominent within the post-War era, while the latter signal the embodiment of edgework within emergent ‘opportunity-directed’ modalities of social character. This interpretation explains the enduring attractions of edgework alongside its changed social role, and also signals its utility as a prism through which to observe broader characterological changes

Arbitrage, uncertainty and the new ethos of capitalism

This paper examines the arbitrageur as a figure who both embodies the new ethos of uncertainty central to ‘financialised’ capitalism, and exemplifies the issues of ethics and innovation raised by those who now personify what Weber called the ‘devotion to the calling of making money’. We begin by providing a brief background to financial ‘abstraction’ in the economy, and the issues of dissimulation with which this has been associated, before suggesting that engaging creatively with Weber’s writings can help us identify uncertainty as key to the character of contemporary financial decision-making. It is against this background that we analyse the arbitrageur as an ideal-type personality who embodies a newly abstract approach to capitalism. This approach is frequently portrayed as unethical, but we suggest it can be associated with an ethics of managing the unknown through an innovative commitment to overcoming limits that has consequences for human life in general

Where Does Bluetongue Virus Sleep in the Winter?

Bluetongue recently spread to northern Europe for the first time. Outbreaks in temperate regions are often interrupted by cold weather, but may reappear months later. Where, then, might bluetongue virus sleep in the winter

Veterinarsko značenje komarčića roda Culicoides (Ceratopogonidae) u nekim podruèjima Saudijske Arabije.

Despite reports of severe outbreaks of arboviral diseases in domestic animals in Saudi Arabia, very little effort has been made to study the potential local vectors of these diseases. Diseases such as bluetongue and African horse sickness were reported in Saudi Arabia. Such diseases are internationally known to be vectored by Culicoides midges. The present study was undertaken at three localities in Saudi Arabia where arboviral activity had previously been reported. Results revealed the presence of four Culicoides species in the three localities. Two of these species were confirmed as vectors of arboviruses of domestic animals in neighbouring countries. The results were discussed in relation to the epidemiology of arboviral diseases in Saudi Arabia.Usprkos pojave teških arbovirusnih zaraza u domaćih životinja u Saudijskoj Arabiji, vrlo malo pozornosti posvećuje se istraživanjima mogućih vektora. U Saudijskoj Arabiji javljaju se bolesti kao što su bolest plavog jezika i konjska kuga. Poznato je da njih prenose komarčići roda Culicoides. Istraživanje je poduzeto na trima područjima u Saudijskoj Arabiji na kojima je već prethodno dokazana aktivnost arbovirusa. Dokazane su četiri vrste komarčića. Potvrđeno je da dvije od tih vrsta služe kao vektori arbovirusa u domaćih životinja. Rezultati su razmatrani u sklopu epizootiologije arbovirusnih bolesti u Saudijskoj Arabiji