This thesis studies the connection between suffering and sentience in Karel Capek’s R.U.R. (1921) and the first season of Westworld (HBO, 2016). Both R.U.R. and Westworld present suffering as a...Show moreThis thesis studies the connection between suffering and sentience in Karel Capek’s R.U.R. (1921) and the first season of Westworld (HBO, 2016). Both R.U.R. and Westworld present suffering as a catalyst for the emergence of a human form of consciousness in artificial people. Initially, however, organic human characters in both texts are convinced that artificial people feel no pain and are unable to suffer. The organic human characters use this supposed inability to justify the inhumane treatment of the artificial characters. This thesis demonstrates how R.U.R. and Westworld reflect on the ways that theories about differences in sensitivity to pain were and continue to be used to justify the mistreatment of Others in real life. Additionally, the thesis shows how R.U.R. and Westworld offer illustrations of the philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas, in which one’s suffering in response to the Other’s suffering is the foundation of becoming a fully human subject. The thesis shows how R.U.R. and Westworld interweave these opposite ways of responding to the suffering Other, and thereby contribute to a better understanding of the role of suffering in the ongoing negation of what it means to be human.Show less
Otuke is an extinct Bororoan language that was once spoken in the east of Bolivia. It has likely become extinct in the early 19th century, and the only documentation is a vocabulary of 299 words...Show moreOtuke is an extinct Bororoan language that was once spoken in the east of Bolivia. It has likely become extinct in the early 19th century, and the only documentation is a vocabulary of 299 words collected by French scientist Alcide d’Orbigny in the 1830s. This vocabulary remained unpublished until Georges de Créqui-Montfort and Paul Rivet presented it in an article in 1912, followed by a comparative analysis with extant sister language Bororo in 1913. This thesis reviews previous claims made about the Otuke phonology and morphology and aims at generating new knowledge on the Otuke language and its position within the linguistic landscape. This is done by comparing all words in the Otuke vocabulary to related Bororo words that were described in the dictionary by Cesár Albisetti and Ângelo Venturelli in 1962. Phonological and morphological patterns described in Bororo can often be recognized in Otuke as well. The comparative analysis supports some of the claims made by earlier linguists, but also contests some claims and provides new explanations. The output is an overview of phonological and morphological processes present in Otuke. This increase in knowledge on Otuke could be valuable for future research. The reconstruction of Proto-Bororoan could be adjusted, as it is mainly based on sister languages Bororo and Umutina. This could in turn aid in the understanding of the overarching Macro-Jê stock, and the question whether Bororoan should be included or not.Show less
Research master thesis | Literary Studies (research) (MA)
open access
This study examines de Digitale Stad, or the Digital City, a pioneering virtual community in the Netherlands (1994-2001), as a metaphorical urban space. Drawing from urban theory, play theory and...Show moreThis study examines de Digitale Stad, or the Digital City, a pioneering virtual community in the Netherlands (1994-2001), as a metaphorical urban space. Drawing from urban theory, play theory and media theory, this thesis analyzes how users navigated and positioned themselves in the virtual realm. By focusing on DDS and the early Web, it sheds light on the Digital City's significance as an experimental space reflecting and influencing the evolving Dutch internet landscape.Show less
Research master thesis | Literary Studies (research) (MA)
open access
This study examines de Digitale Stad, or the Digital City, a pioneering virtual community in the Netherlands (1994-2001), as a metaphorical urban space. Drawing from urban theory, play theory and...Show moreThis study examines de Digitale Stad, or the Digital City, a pioneering virtual community in the Netherlands (1994-2001), as a metaphorical urban space. Drawing from urban theory, play theory and media theory, this thesis analyzes how users navigated and positioned themselves in the virtual realm. By focusing on DDS and the early Web, it sheds light on the Digital City's significance as an experimental space reflecting and influencing the evolving Dutch internet landscape.Show less
Slang is a nonstandard informal vocabulary peculiar to a group. In this digital age, the reproduction and evolution of slang words has become faster due to the digital platforms that they are often...Show moreSlang is a nonstandard informal vocabulary peculiar to a group. In this digital age, the reproduction and evolution of slang words has become faster due to the digital platforms that they are often used in. Research has been done on the lexical aspects of slang and slang in general (Sornig (1981); Metcalf (2002)), and on forms of digital slang (McCulloch (2019)), but none view slang as a mode of translation and applied it to to other types of text besides messages on social media. This thesis will address where digital slang terms come from, and if their origins can help explain how likely they are to be understood by someone who speaks regular English. To do so I will annotate a slang translation of Harry Potter, and research the etymological origins of the slang to try to discover - using Metcalf’s (2002) FUDGE theory - which slang terms are more likely to be understood. I expect to find that the slang terms that more closely resemble regular English words are more likely to be understood.Show less
In the world’s quest for a greener and more sustainable future, lithium has emerged as a critical metal. In fact, the majority of the world’s lithium resources could be found in the so-called ...Show moreIn the world’s quest for a greener and more sustainable future, lithium has emerged as a critical metal. In fact, the majority of the world’s lithium resources could be found in the so-called ‘Lithium Triangle’ region – comprising Argentina, Chile and Bolivia. Consequently, this region’s role in facilitating global sustainable growth becomes increasingly pivotal, especially in the (near) future. It is therefore of crucial importance for all stakeholders involved in the global supply chain of lithium-ion batteries to understand what drives and shapes lithium governance in the ‘Lithium Triangle’ countries. To achieve the latter, this thesis argues that an explanation of a country’s approach to lithium governance should go beyond a narrow focus on its relationship with commodity prices. Instead, it should engage with a wide range of ideological, cultural, social, historical and economic factors too. By taking such a holistic approach, this thesis seeksto explain differences in lithium governance and, subsequently, the attitude towards transnational lithium companies (TLCs) among the ‘Lithium Triangle’ countries observed over the past fifteen years. As a result, this thesis not only contributes to an increased understanding of lithium governance within the ‘Lithium Triangle’ region. More generally, it also sheds light on what factors influence a country’s natural resource governance, placing it somewhere on the continuum between resource nationalism and resource liberalism.Show less
Using hitherto unexplored archival materials, this study explores the extended negotiations leading to the 1972 Dutch-Sino joint communique in which the exchange of embassies was settled. It...Show moreUsing hitherto unexplored archival materials, this study explores the extended negotiations leading to the 1972 Dutch-Sino joint communique in which the exchange of embassies was settled. It identifies two accelerators and hurdles in the process. Richard Nixon's 1971 visit announcement initiated talks between the Netherlands and the PRC, while the PRC’s admission to the UN removed an important difficulty in their bilateral ties. Hurdles arose during discussions on how to communicate the elevation of bilateral ties to the ambassadorial level and on the formal language regarding Taiwan in the joint communique. The addition of the 'anti-Brezhnev doctrine' showcased the Netherlands' departure from the Brezhnev Doctrine, emphasizing peaceful coexistence. Beyond the negotiation intricacies, the study highlights the agency of smaller states. The Netherlands intentionally deviated from U.S. foreign policy in the UN-vote on Chinese representation and included discussions with Romania on European security and limiting superpower actions in its negotiations with China.Show less
Er is onderzoek gedaan naar de rol die bestaande beelden over deepfakes in de Nederlandse media speelden in berichtgeving over een specifieke casus die zich afspeelde in april 2021. Hierbij deed...Show moreEr is onderzoek gedaan naar de rol die bestaande beelden over deepfakes in de Nederlandse media speelden in berichtgeving over een specifieke casus die zich afspeelde in april 2021. Hierbij deed een lid van een Russisch bedriegersduo zich voor als de Russische oppositiepoliticus Leonid Volkov en sprak met de Vaste Kamercommissie voor buitenlandse zaken. Eerst rapporteerde de berichtgeving over deze casus dat de bedrieger gebruik maakte van deepfaketechnologie, maar dit bleek later niet zo te zijn. Deze scriptie onderzoekt hoe deze fout tot stand gekomen is en welke factoren daa r een rol bij hebben gespeeld aan de hand van drie stappen. In de eerste stap is er een frameanalyse uitgevoerd over de Nederlandse berichtgeving over deepfakes in de periode 23 november 2020 tot 23 april 2021, waaruit bleek dat de framing van deepfakes in deze periode grotendeels negatief was. In de tweede en derde stap is een reconstructie van de berichtgeving over de casus uitgevoerd, respectievelijk door middel van een analyse van de berichtgeving zelf en door interviews met twee journalisten die over d e casus schreven. Hieruit bleek dat meerdere factoren een rol speelden in het ontstaan van de fout, inclusief de bestaande hype over deepfaketechnologie, maar ook gebrek aan beeldmateriaal van de bedrieger en de tijdsdruk die in het algemeen binnen het journalistieke vak bestaat.Show less
This thesis analyses how, if at all, the Israeli claim to Jerusalem has evolved since 1948. To answer this question, it compares discourse in The Early Years (1948-1967) and The Post Six-Day War...Show moreThis thesis analyses how, if at all, the Israeli claim to Jerusalem has evolved since 1948. To answer this question, it compares discourse in The Early Years (1948-1967) and The Post Six-Day War Era (1967-2018) periods within three key areas – political, cultural and legal developments. The results show a surface-level evolution of the claim in certain aspects such as the growth of messianism and fundamental legal changes. However, amidst this superficial evolution, a profound substantive consistency prevails across both periods in political and cultural discourse, where the essence remains unchanged, particularly evidenced in the enduring national consensus on the issue and conceptualisation of Jerusalem in the national identity. The implications of this reinforce the notion of a united Jerusalem as a symbolic bedrock of Israel’s existence, historical legitimacy and foundational narrative.Show less
This thesis, concerned with ecological transitions, is more specifically set in the debate of sustainable agricultural practices in India. The chosen approach is a comparative study of two...Show moreThis thesis, concerned with ecological transitions, is more specifically set in the debate of sustainable agricultural practices in India. The chosen approach is a comparative study of two organizations providing seeds to farmers in India: on one side Bayer CropScience Ltd. (India), which promotes the use of hybrid, genetically modified (GM) crops and chemical pesticides; and on the other side Navdanya, which turns to the preservation and development of traditional seeds and practices. The primary aim of this research is to establish a clear link between belief systems and economic ecological practices. From this link, this research proposes a comparison of the values that have a significant effect on Navdanya’s inner workings and economic endeavors to values ruling over Bayer India in order to inform societal transitions towards sustainable economic models. This thesis concludes that Bayer’s episteme is characterized by its definition of progress as growth, and its co-dependence in equilibrium between shareholders and consumers that are more widely set in the Modern episteme’s anthropocentrism and objectification of the ‘other’. Navdanya’s episteme is characterized by a sacred understanding of biodiversity and an attempt to recenter economies towards women and nature in the idea that their creations is merely unpaid work upon which the growth paradigm relies. The two organizations are set in a polarizing tension rooted in the core beliefs of both paradigms.Show less
This thesis examines the paintings of Henry Scott Tuke (1858-1929) against the backdrop of late Victorian and Edwardian Britain, exploring how his depictions of naked youths at the British seaside...Show moreThis thesis examines the paintings of Henry Scott Tuke (1858-1929) against the backdrop of late Victorian and Edwardian Britain, exploring how his depictions of naked youths at the British seaside navigated and subverted dominant cultural narratives of gender and sexuality. The study employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating the lens of “the queer gaze,” multiple social-historical contexts in relation to the seaside, and critical reception. The first chapter delves into Tuke's portrayal of naked youths, revealing layers of homoerotic desire and voyeurism. Through visual analysis, Tuke's paintings are shown to evoke both childhood innocence and charged intimacy, inviting viewers to question and interpret the subtle sensuality within them. The second chapter examines the significance of the British seaside in Tuke's work, highlighting its idealized portrayal as a utopia of leisure and a masculine homosocial space. The final chapter explores the reception of Tuke's paintings during his lifetime and in current perspectives, revealing a nuanced tension between tradition and innovation in both style and subject. Tuke's depictions of naked youths at the beach occupy a liminal space between convention and novelty, both accepted by the critics of his time as well as the Royal Academy and celebrated by queer fringe groups. Overall, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of Tuke's work while shedding light on broader discussions surrounding the representation of gender and sexuality in art history.Show less
Op 12 februari 2022 verschijnt op de website van The Guardian niet voor het eerst een liveblog over de spanningen in Oekraïne. Dit liveblog zou het eerste blijken in een reeks dagelijkse liveblogs...Show moreOp 12 februari 2022 verschijnt op de website van The Guardian niet voor het eerst een liveblog over de spanningen in Oekraïne. Dit liveblog zou het eerste blijken in een reeks dagelijkse liveblogs die tot op heden onafgebroken is. Net als The Guardian maken talloze nieuwsmedia in de berichtgeving over de Russische invasie gebruik van het langlopende liveblog, ook wel slowblog genoemd. Een slowblog heeft alle kenmerken van een liveblog, maar er zijn ook verschillen. In de wetenschappelijke literatuur wordt nog geen onderscheid gemaakt tussen live- en slowblogs; er wordt enkel gesproken over liveblogs. In dit exploratieve onderzoek worden door middel van een kwalitatieve inhoudsanalyse volgens de methode van Biber & Conrad (2019) antwoord gegeven op de vraag: wat zijn verschillen tussen liveblogs en slowblogs in register, genre en stijl? Twee samengestelde slowblogs worden vergeleken met een samengesteld liveblog, waarbij verschillen worden aangetroffen op het gebied van fragmentatie, bronverwijzing, en het gebruik van werkwoordstijden, die worden verklaard aan de hand van de communicatieve doelen die de twee soorten liveblogs dienen. Dit onderzoek kan worden gebruikt als leidraad voor meer vergelijkend onderzoek, en kan door middel van interviews worden getoetst aan de journalistieke praktijk.Show less
In recent years, a discussion has emerged about the persistence of the Nordic model of welfare. A small but growing body of literature argues financialisation and related processes of marketisation...Show moreIn recent years, a discussion has emerged about the persistence of the Nordic model of welfare. A small but growing body of literature argues financialisation and related processes of marketisation and neoliberalisation to be at the core of the decline - or even the end - of the model. This thesis looks at the cases of Denmark and Norway between 2008 and 2021 in order to determine the extent to which we can still speak of a Nordic model of welfare. A set of indicators is introduced for each of three defining features of the model: universalism, decommodification and government commitment to full employment. Findings indicate that, though the system has weakened in some parts, it would be undue to speak of a strong decline of the Nordic model for the given period of time, let alone the end of it.Show less
