Situating Our Rhetorical Practice

As the writing consultants and Assistant Director have demonstrated, kairos is a core concept that we can use productively to situate and reflect on our rhetorical practice. The idea of “right timing,” the “opportune moment,” and the “embodiment of carpe diem” will further help us push past the false dualism of either directive or nondirective tutoring (Hawhee 20) . As the reflections above show, enacting kairotic thinking in the writing center can move us beyond that either-or choice and perhaps move us towards a stronger both-and philosophy. Since consultants are creative individuals who make important decisions on the spot when working with complicated individuals, this core concept invites us to reflect on our practices and our principles. Hill describes kairos as a “habit of mind, one that expresses itself in a kind of time that is living and creative” (212). The creativity of writing consultants brings to life the possibilities explored in Geller’s discussion of “epochal time” and coheres with the call put forth by the authors of The Everyday Writing Center that “[a]t the very heart of what we five have come to understand as we’ve talked about time is our belief that writing centers should be most focused on time that is relational” (33). Tutoring with kairos in mind provides a way to conceptualize that relational model of writing center practice.University Writing Cente

Past Visions of Artificial Futures: One Hundred and Fifty Years under the Spectre of Evolving Machines

The influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Artificial Life (ALife) technologies upon society, and their potential to fundamentally shape the future evolution of humankind, are topics very much at the forefront of current scientific, governmental and public debate. While these might seem like very modern concerns, they have a long history that is often disregarded in contemporary discourse. Insofar as current debates do acknowledge the history of these ideas, they rarely look back further than the origin of the modern digital computer age in the 1940s-50s. In this paper we explore the earlier history of these concepts. We focus in particular on the idea of self-reproducing and evolving machines, and potential implications for our own species. We show that discussion of these topics arose in the 1860s, within a decade of the publication of Darwin's The Origin of Species, and attracted increasing interest from scientists, novelists and the general public in the early 1900s. After introducing the relevant work from this period, we categorise the various visions presented by these authors of the future implications of evolving machines for humanity. We suggest that current debates on the co-evolution of society and technology can be enriched by a proper appreciation of the long history of the ideas involved.Comment: To appear in Proceedings of the Artificial Life Conference 2018 (ALIFE 2018), MIT Pres

Valuation of Marine Ecosystem Threshold Effects : Application of Choice Experiments to Value Algal Bloom in the Black Sea Coast of Bulgaria

Algal bloom arises in part from anthropogenic emissions of nutrients into the coastal zone. Increased interest in water quality in coastal and marine areas stemming from the Water Framework Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive leads to important questions in terms of policies to address nutrient loadings. This paper presents the results from a choice experiment for the valuation of algal blooms in Varna Bay, Bulgaria. Varna Bay is an important tourist destination and a large port city on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria. Algal bloom events have been experienced frequently in this area. A choice experiment questionnaire was developed to be applied in Varna Bay. The key attributes used were visibility, duration of bloom and the amount of congestion on the beach. The amount of bloom is found to be important - respondents are willing to pay for a program that entails 1 week of algal bloom about 33 Leva (s.e. 8.09) when there is high visibility; 21 Leva (s.e. 5.75) with medium visibility and 9 Leva (s.e. 3.48) with low visibility. Respondents are willing to pay more for programs that offer shorter duration of algal bloom. The marginal price for one metre of extra space between the respondent and the nearest person is equal to 0.38 Leva.threshold effects; marine ecosystem

Digital Genesis: Computers, Evolution and Artificial Life

The application of evolution in the digital realm, with the goal of creating artificial intelligence and artificial life, has a history as long as that of the digital computer itself. We illustrate the intertwined history of these ideas, starting with the early theoretical work of John von Neumann and the pioneering experimental work of Nils Aall Barricelli. We argue that evolutionary thinking and artificial life will continue to play an integral role in the future development of the digital world.Comment: Extended abstract of talk presented at the 7th Munich-Sydney-Tilburg Philosophy of Science Conference: Evolutionary Thinking, University of Sydney, 20-22 March 2014. Presentation slides from talk available at http://www.tim-taylor.com/papers/digital-genesis-presentation.pd

Australia's energy options: policy choice not economic inevitability

Executive summary A reliable and affordable supply of energy is a fundamental component to a vibrant economy. As a major source of commodities, including significant known reserves of low carbon emission energy sources, Australia is well positioned to supply the world’s future energy needs. In order for that to occur, Australia needs to examine all its energy options. The Government released a Draft Energy White paper in November 2011. CEDA considers this an opportunity that the Government should not miss in ensuring that Australia not only develops its energy resources for national economic gain but also to guarantee access to reasonably priced energy for Australian consumers. CEDA determined it would contribute to this significant debate by undertaking a year-long research project that examined Australia’s future energy options. As part of this research project CEDA published three policy perspectives that addressed Australia’s nuclear, renewables and efficiency and unconventional energy options. Recommendations in each of these perspectives were made with the specific aim of providing policy-makers with evidence-based research on the various energy sources either currently available or being actively explored and researched, often funded through the public purse. Fundamental governance decisions underpinned by strong economic policy arguments were at the centre of these recommendations. This final research report canvasses one of the more significant current debates associated with the availability of energy – the Australian electricity market. It puts forward a series of recommendations designed to enhance this element of the energy sector’s efficiency, security and effectiveness by placing consumers at the centre of the energy market and a reform agenda is proposed. Related identifier: ISBN 0 85801 284

Re: Recognition and management of psychosis and schizophrenia in children and young people : summary of NICE guidance.

The publication of NICE guidelines relating to the Recognition and management of Psychosis and Schizophrenia in children and young people 1 is to be welcomed given the lack of published guidance in this area, especially concerning the management of young people deemed to be at high risk of psychosis 2,3. However, we feel that the working group may have missed an opportunity to incorporate the views of current adolescent service users. The guideline development process included service-user representation at all stages. However, there was a dearth of published literature in relation to the experiences and treatment preferences of child and adolescent service users with psychosis to draw on 4 although we note the guidelines did not reference our recently published study in this area 5. Indeed, this is a patient group rarely consulted, possibly due to a perception that young people may find it difficult to articulate hallucinatory experiences or have inaccurate recall of events 6,7. However, there is a growing acceptance that eliciting and learning from service users' views is an important means of improving the quality of future health care and research within the NHS 8,9. Indeed, where the evidence base is uncertain, as in the present case, patient preferences may play a more significant role in treatment selection 10. In response to our concerns we are working with our local Early Intervention in Psychosis service to address this issue by offering information to young people describing possible therapeutic options and asking them to state their preferences