The Evolution of the Jinn in Middle Eastern Culture and Literature from Pre-Islam to the Modern Age

The legends of the jinn, romanized as djinn and anglicized as genies, have long been a part of mystical story telling tradition. The modern-day genies of Western film are lovable and comedic tricksters who grant wishes to the master that uncovers them, but this depiction is a far cry from their origin point in the Ancient Middle Eastern region known as Mesopotamia. Here they began as powerful nature spirits inspiring poets, soothsayers, and philosophers by sharing messages of the unseen world. The modern Western depiction of the jinn is devoid of cultural and historical context. The very name “jinn” is an Arabic term, derived from the triliteral root جنن (j/n/n) which can roughly be translated to “to hide, cover, conceal or veil”.[1] Its cognates include مجنون (majnūn) translated as possessed, obsessed or insane, جَنَّة (jannah) which is the name of Paradise and the Garden of Eden, and جَنِين (janīn) an embryo or a hidden spirit.[2] The nature of the jinn has been altered considerably since their origin, as it evolved alongside the various civilizations that inhabited the region currently known as the Middle East through the centuries. How, then, did these creatures first come to light? More importantly, why have they changed so much from their original conception? Modern academic discussions of the Middle East have largely been dominated by Western political scientists who seek to examine the patterns of violence and social upheaval in the region. After the events of September 11, 2001[3], the West shifted towards unpacking the ideology of radical Islamist movements and the necessity of military intervention. In discussions of culture, however, the academic field has gone to great lengths in recent years to correct the stereotypes perpetuated by the work of the early Orientalists and return to a more accurate depiction of the peoples and cultures of the Middle East. Nonetheless, the re-centering of scholarship can only do so much when representations in the media are still dominated by problematic tropes that represent the region in an unflattering and fantastical light. Even now, as Europe struggles with an influx of immigrants fleeing conflict in the Middle East, fear based in generalizations and cultural differences, perpetuated by the media, has led to anti-immigrant violence, protests, and discrimination. These media tropes demonstrate a lack of consideration towards the history and traditions of the region. Of the many manipulations that exist, legends of the jinn are at the forefront, and serve as a placeholder for all things “Oriental”. We need look no further than Disney’s Genie in the 1992 and 2019 films Aladdin to see this representation. However, if we examine the history of the jinn and their evolution, it is possible to place them back into their appropriate context and establish that the modern genie trope is a product of the West rather than a reflection of the jinn as imagined in their root cultures of the Middle East. [1] A Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic (Arabic -English), 4th ed. Wehr, Hans (2001) “جنن” [2] Hans Wehr “جنين” [3] In which members of an Islamist Radical group, Al-Qa’eda, crashed planes into New York City’s twin towers

The Evolution of the Jinn in Middle Eastern Culture and Literature from Pre-Islam to the Modern Age

The legends of the jinn, romanized as djinn and anglicized as genies, have long been a part of mystical story telling tradition. The modern-day genies of Western film are lovable and comedic tricksters who grant wishes to the master that uncovers them, but this depiction is a far cry from their origin point in the Ancient Middle Eastern region known as Mesopotamia. Here they began as powerful nature spirits inspiring poets, soothsayers, and philosophers by sharing messages of the unseen world. The modern Western depiction of the jinn is devoid of cultural and historical context. The very name “jinn” is an Arabic term, derived from the triliteral root جنن (j/n/n) which can roughly be translated to “to hide, cover, conceal or veil”.[1] Its cognates include مجنون (majnūn) translated as possessed, obsessed or insane, جَنَّة (jannah) which is the name of Paradise and the Garden of Eden, and جَنِين (janīn) an embryo or a hidden spirit.[2] The nature of the jinn has been altered considerably since their origin, as it evolved alongside the various civilizations that inhabited the region currently known as the Middle East through the centuries. How, then, did these creatures first come to light? More importantly, why have they changed so much from their original conception? Modern academic discussions of the Middle East have largely been dominated by Western political scientists who seek to examine the patterns of violence and social upheaval in the region. After the events of September 11, 2001[3], the West shifted towards unpacking the ideology of radical Islamist movements and the necessity of military intervention. In discussions of culture, however, the academic field has gone to great lengths in recent years to correct the stereotypes perpetuated by the work of the early Orientalists and return to a more accurate depiction of the peoples and cultures of the Middle East. Nonetheless, the re-centering of scholarship can only do so much when representations in the media are still dominated by problematic tropes that represent the region in an unflattering and fantastical light. Even now, as Europe struggles with an influx of immigrants fleeing conflict in the Middle East, fear based in generalizations and cultural differences, perpetuated by the media, has led to anti-immigrant violence, protests, and discrimination. These media tropes demonstrate a lack of consideration towards the history and traditions of the region. Of the many manipulations that exist, legends of the jinn are at the forefront, and serve as a placeholder for all things “Oriental”. We need look no further than Disney’s Genie in the 1992 and 2019 films Aladdin to see this representation. However, if we examine the history of the jinn and their evolution, it is possible to place them back into their appropriate context and establish that the modern genie trope is a product of the West rather than a reflection of the jinn as imagined in their root cultures of the Middle East. [1] A Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic (Arabic -English), 4th ed. Wehr, Hans (2001) “جنن” [2] Hans Wehr “جنين” [3] In which members of an Islamist Radical group, Al-Qa’eda, crashed planes into New York City’s twin towers

Smartphone Apps on the Mobile Web: An Exploratory Case Study of Business Models

The purpose of this research is to explore the business strategies of a firm seeking to develop and profitably market a mobile smartphone application to understand how small, digital entrepreneurships may build sustainable business models given substantial market barriers. Through a detailed examination of one firm’s process to try to commercialize their mobile app, we identify various business model decisions and marketing strategy approaches that hindered the company’s efforts. The case study describes two distinctly different business models adopted in succession, as well as the various adjustments the firm makes to its target market, distribution and pricing approach that led to their current strategy. This research looks closely at business-to-business-to-consumer distribution arrangement for mobile apps and in doing so challenges the rising positive bias that exists for the app store as the dominant actor in the mobile value chain. For practice, this paper suggests unanticipated hurdles small digital entrepreneurs may face if they rely heavily on mobile advertising and the app store to launch and sustain their business

Using stepped-care approaches within internet-based interventions for youth anxiety: Three case studies.

Background There are a lack of clear guidelines for the dissemination of Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) for childhood and adolescent anxiety in routine care. While self-guided ICBT has greater reach than therapist-guided ICBT, it is plagued by problems of low program adherence and many young people are not successfully treated. It is important that we identify models of ICBT that are accessible, but provide the right support, at the right time to those who need it. Stepped-care models of ICBT offer one potential solution. Objective This case study examined the application of stepped-care within an ICBT intervention for childhood and adolescent anxiety, in which young people were stepped up from self-guided to therapist-guided ICBT. Methods Three case studies are presented and include young males (aged 11–12 years) who participated in BRAVE Stepped-Care, a new ICBT program incorporating two treatment steps: Step 1 – five sessions of self-guided ICBT and Step 2 – five sessions of therapist-guided ICBT. Participants completed diagnostic assessments at pre- and post-treatment, along with a battery of self-report questionnaires. Step-up requirements were determined at a mid-treatment assessment. Treatment response was determined by change on diagnostic severity and presence of diagnosis and changes in self-reported anxiety symptoms (through T-scores and Reliable Change Indices). Results In-depth examination of the three case studies showed that decisions to step-up from Step 1 to Step 2 were complex and required consideration of program engagement and adherence, as well as changes on self-reported anxiety, behavioural indicators of anxiety and parent perspectives. Results showed that non-responders at mid-treatment who were stepped-up to therapist-guided ICBT after Step 1 were able to increase engagement and response to treatment in Step 2, such that they were free of their primary anxiety diagnosis at post-treatment. Conclusions The findings highlight the importance of early assessment of engagement and non-response within self-guided ICBT programs for youth anxiety and the positive changes that can subsequently occur when therapist-guidance is introduced mid-treatment for non-responders. The efficacy of stepped-care ICBT models needs to be confirmed in larger randomised controlled trials

A UKSeRP for SAIL: striking a balance

ABSTRACT Objectives Whilst the current expansion of health-related big data and data linkage research are exciting developments with great potential, they bring a major challenge. This is how to strike an appropriate balance between making the data accessible for beneficial uses, whilst respecting the rights of individuals, the duty of confidentiality and protecting the privacy of person-level data, without undue burden to research. Approach Using a case study approach, we describe how the UK Secure Research Platform (UKSeRP) for the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) databank addresses this challenge. We outline the principles, features and operating model of the SAIL UKSeRP, and how we are addressing the challenges of making health-related data safely accessible to increasing numbers of research users within a secure environment. Results The SAIL UKSeRP has four basic principles to ensure that it is able to meet the needs of the growing data user community, and these are to: A) operate a remote access system that provides secure data access to approved data users; B) host an environment that provides a powerful platform for data analysis activities; (C) have a robust mechanism for the safe transfer of approved files in and out of the system; and (D) ensure that the system is efficient and scalable to accommodate a growing data user base. Subject to independent Information Governance approval and within a robust, proportionate Governance framework, the SAIL UKSeRP provides data users with a familiar Windows interface and their usual toolsets to access anonymously-linked datasets for research and evaluation. Conclusion The SAIL UKSeRP represents a powerful analytical environment within a privacy-protecting safe haven and secure remote access system which has been designed to be scalable and adaptable to meet the needs of the rapidly growing data linkage community. Further challenges lie ahead as the landscape develops and emerging data types become more available. UKSeRP technology is available and customisable for other use cases within the UK and international jurisdictions, to operate within their respective governance frameworks

Automatic Detection of Electric Power Troubles (ADEPT)

Automatic Detection of Electric Power Troubles (A DEPT) is an expert system that integrates knowledge from three different suppliers to offer an advanced fault-detection system. It is designed for two modes of operation: real time fault isolation and simulated modeling. Real time fault isolation of components is accomplished on a power system breadboard through the Fault Isolation Expert System (FIES II) interface with a rule system developed in-house. Faults are quickly detected and displayed and the rules and chain of reasoning optionally provided on a laser printer. This system consists of a simulated space station power module using direct-current power supplies for solar arrays on three power buses. For tests of the system's ablilty to locate faults inserted via switches, loads are configured by an INTEL microcomputer and the Symbolics artificial intelligence development system. As these loads are resistive in nature, Ohm's Law is used as the basis for rules by which faults are located. The three-bus system can correct faults automatically where there is a surplus of power available on any of the three buses. Techniques developed and used can be applied readily to other control systems requiring rapid intelligent decisions. Simulated modeling, used for theoretical studies, is implemented using a modified version of Kennedy Space Center's KATE (Knowledge-Based Automatic Test Equipment), FIES II windowing, and an ADEPT knowledge base

Automatic Detection of Electric Power Troubles (ADEPT)

ADEPT is an expert system that integrates knowledge from three different suppliers to offer an advanced fault-detection system, and is designed for two modes of operation: real-time fault isolation and simulated modeling. Real time fault isolation of components is accomplished on a power system breadboard through the Fault Isolation Expert System (FIES II) interface with a rule system developed in-house. Faults are quickly detected and displayed and the rules and chain of reasoning optionally provided on a Laser printer. This system consists of a simulated Space Station power module using direct-current power supplies for Solar arrays on three power busses. For tests of the system's ability to locate faults inserted via switches, loads are configured by an INTEL microcomputer and the Symbolics artificial intelligence development system. As these loads are resistive in nature, Ohm's Law is used as the basis for rules by which faults are located. The three-bus system can correct faults automatically where there is a surplus of power available on any of the three busses. Techniques developed and used can be applied readily to other control systems requiring rapid intelligent decisions. Simulated modelling, used for theoretical studies, is implemented using a modified version of Kennedy Space Center's KATE (Knowledge-Based Automatic Test Equipment), FIES II windowing, and an ADEPT knowledge base. A load scheduler and a fault recovery system are currently under development to support both modes of operation

Metabolic effects of a high-fat diet post-weaning after low maternal dietary folate during pregnancy and lactation

Scope Investigate the influence of low-folate supply during pregnancy and lactation on obesity and markers of the metabolic syndrome in offspring, and how provision of a high-fat diet post weaning may exacerbate the resultant phenotype. Methods and results Female C57Bl/6 mice were randomized to low or normal folate diets (0.4 or 2 mg folic acid/kg diet) prior to and during pregnancy and lactation. At 4 wk of age, offspring were randomized to high- or low-fat diets, weighed weekly and food intake assessed at 9 and 18 wk old. Adiposity was measured at 3 and 6 months. Plasma glucose and triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations were measured at 6 months. Maternal folate supply did not influence adult offspring body weight or adiposity. High-fat feeding post weaning increased body weight and adiposity at 3 and 6 months (p > 0.001). Maternal low folate lowered plasma glucose (p = 0.010) but increased plasma TAG (p = 0.048). High-fat feeding post weaning increased plasma glucose and TAG (p = 0.023, p = 0.049 respectively). Offspring from folate-depleted (but not folate-adequate) dams had 30% higher TAG concentration when fed the high-fat diet from weaning (p = 0.005 for interaction). Conclusion Inadequate maternal folate intake has long-term effects on offspring metabolism, manifested as increased circulating TAG, particularly in offspring with high-fat intake post weaning