Strange Assemblage

This paper contends that the power of Deleuze & Guattari’s (1988) notion of assemblage as theorised in 1000 Plateaus can be normalised and reductive with reference to its application to any social-cultural context where an open system of dynamic and fluid elements are located. Rather than determining the assemblage in this way, this paper argues for an alternative conception of ‘strange assemblage’ that must be deliberately and consciously created through rigorous and focused intellectual, creative and philosophical work around what makes assemblages singular. The paper will proceed with examples of ‘strange assemblage’ taken from a film by Peter Greenaway (A Zed and 2 Noughts); the film ‘Performance’; educational research with Sudanese families in Australia; the book, Bomb Culture by Jeff Nuttall (1970); and the band Hawkwind. Fittingly, these elements are themselves chosen to demonstrate the concept of ‘strange assemblage’, and how it can be presented. How exactly the elements of a ‘strange assemblage’ come together and work in the world is unknown until they are specifically elaborated and created ‘in the moment’. Such spontaneous methodology reminds us of the 1960s ‘Happenings’, the Situationist International and Dada/Surrealism. The difference that will be opened up by this paper is that all elements of this ‘strange assemblage’ cohere in terms of a rendering of ‘the unacceptable.'

The Existential Passage Hypothesis

[Excerpt from “Section 1: Summary of the conclusions”] In Chapter 9, Stewart defends the thesis that if non-reductive physicalism is true, then, contrary to a widespread belief, death does not bring about eternal oblivion, a permanent cessation of the stream of consciousness at the moment of death. Stewart argues that the stream of consciousness continues after death—devoid of the body’s former memories and personality traits—and it does so as the stream of consciousness of new, freshly conscious bodies (other humans, animals, etc., that are conceived and develop consciousness). And so, any permanent cessation of the stream of consciousness at the moment of death is impossible as long as new, freshly conscious bodies come to exist. Consciousness is defined here as awareness, and is not limited to self-awareness (i.e., the recognition of one’s awareness). This general thesis does not specify when in the future those new, freshly conscious bodies must have come into being. This thesis has been independently defended by several authors

Low carbon development, poverty reduction and innovation system building

There is an apparent contradiction between inclusive development and low carbon development, as it seems that in order to give people access to electric energy, it is necessary to employ widely used 'old' technologies, instead of investing in innovations that may be less productive at first. However, the paper defends that there are synergies between pro-poor growth and low carbon technologies. In order for poor countries to benefit from the use of such technologies, it is essential for them to build capabilities and ensure an adequate level of absorptive capacity. This involves not only market mechanisms, but also policy interventions, public and private resources, as well as an active participation of local actors. Moreover, besides investing financial resources in innovative activities for low carbon development, it is necessary to invest adequate time for the outcomes to flourish. The authors criticize the current policies for LCD in developing countries. It is argued that an exaggerated emphasis is given to the hardware element, in detriment of the software element of innovations (socio-technologies, tacit knowledge). Moreover, the mechanism of CDM is largely employed, however it places emphasis in profiting from reducing carbon emissions, and therefore is not concerned with developing local capabilities and innovation systems. The paper presents the case of the introduction and development of SHS (Solar Home Systems) market in Kenya. In short, the first PV panels were introduced by a volunteer of the Peace Corps in his private home, in 1985. He had prior working experience in the solar energy industry in the USA. After the installation of another panel in a local school, locals became interested in having the solar technology in their homes. This lead to the foundation of Energy Alternatives Africa (EAA), a company that pioneered the development of solar technologies by using resources from donor agencies. This company became an important player in the local market. It was not until recently that the Kenyan government became interested in supporting this technology

CRIBs (Climate Relevant Innovation-system Builders): a powerful new focus for international climate technology policy

This briefing suggests some key ways in which the UNFCCC architecture could be extended in order to strengthen National Systems of Innovation (NISs) to achieve more transformative rates of climate technology transfer and development via the creation of “Climate Relevant Innovation-system Builders” (CRIBs). This policy briefing builds on an invited presentation by one of the authors at a workshop on NSIs convened by the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It identifies policy recommendations for consideration of the TEC. The intention is both to inform possible recommendations by the TEC to the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP) and to highlight potential areas for future work that the TEC could undertake on this issue

CRIBs (Climate Relevant Innovation-system Builders): an effective way forward for international climate technology policy

National systems of innovation (NSIs) provide the context within which all processes of technology development, transfer and uptake occur - they refer to the network of actors (e.g. firms, universities, research institutes, government departments, NGOs) within which innovation occurs, and the strength and nature of the relationships between them. Nurturing NSIs in relation to climate technologies provides a powerful new focus for international policy with potential to underpin more sustained and widespread development and transfer of climate technologies. This working paper builds on an invited presentation by one of the authors at a workshop on NSIs convened by the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It identifies policy recommendations for consideration of the TEC. The intention is both to inform possible recommendations by the TEC to the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP) and to highlight potential areas for future work that the TEC could undertake on this issue

CRIBs (Climate Relevant Innovation-system Builders): policy recommendations on fostering national systems of innovation under the UNFCCC

National systems of innovation (NSIs) provide the context within which all processes of technology development, transfer and uptake occur - they refer to the network of actors (e.g. firms, universities, research institutes, government departments, NGOs) within which innovation occurs, and the strength and nature of the relationships between them. Nurturing NSIs in relation to climate technologies provides a powerful new focus for international policy with potential to underpin more sustained and widespread development and transfer of climate technologies. This working paper builds on an invited presentation by one of the authors at a workshop on NSIs convened by the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It identifies policy recommendations for consideration of the TEC. The intention is both to inform possible recommendations by the TEC to the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP) and to highlight potential areas for future work that the TEC could undertake on this issue