Exhausted Replenishment: Experimental Fiction and the Decomposition of Literature

Author(s): Ivan Callus / Language(s): English Issue: 01/2014

This paper provides a series of reflections on experimental fiction and the decomposition of literature through selective close reference to work by the American writer Lydia Davis. Incidental reference is also made to digital culture, as well as to the work of Edgar Allan Poe, Jorge Luis Borges, John Williams and Jim Crace, these last two being particularly crucial in cueing the essay’s conclusion on the congruence between the act of experiment and acts of literature. The essay first considers the plausibility of the kind of critical narrative that recounts literature’s supposed precariousness within contemporary culture, moving on to consider the difficulties posed by routines of postmodernist commentary that are themselves, arguably, a little sclerotic. The suggestion, then, is that the “literature of replenishment” may itself be spent in its attempts to revive the “literature of exhaustion”, and that this enervation affects literary criticism too. The paper then focuses on four short stories by Lydia Davis, chosen because their experiments with brevity and grammar prompt findings that seem to give the lie to the idea that literature’s resources for self-renewal are exhausted. The Conclusion reflects on perceptions of terminality in literature and literary criticism and considers their tenability in the present.

The Houellebecq Cure: All Malady Will End in the Neohuman

Author(s): David Vella / Language(s): English Issue: 01/2014

Michel Houellebecq’s novels evoke a contemporary society obsessed with dying. Most of its behaviour is determined by this constant dread. Houellebecq often alludes to three principal human enterprises designed to escape this predicament: hedonism, love, and scientific knowledge, all of which are founded on denial. This article explores the distinct relationship that these worldviews possess with the awareness of death. It will focus extensively on the scientific worldview through the futuristic neohuman community described by Atomised and The Possibility of an Island. The neohuman is seen to be science’s success in creating a being that does not grow old and die. I will argue, however, that this achievement is limited to the physical aspect of death. The neohuman ultimately still finds itself suffering from an awareness of death. Like the other two worldviews, science here also fails to solve the existential experience of senescence. For Houellebecq, science is conceived as leading one towards, rather than away from, the malady it was designed to cure.

Hyper-constrained: Translating Nick Montfort’s Textual Generators

Author(s): Piotr Marecki,Aleksandra Małecka / Language(s): English Issue: 01/2014

Analysing Nick Montfort’s poetry generators, the authors discuss the place of digital literature in the field of contemporary experimental writing. Drawing on the terminology of expressive processing developed by Noah Wardrip-Fruin, they read the generators by examining the input, the process and the output. Montfort's generators are contextualized as the newest type of constrained literature. Montfort is presented as a central figure of the second generation of digital writers, who publish small-sized work independently online. The status of such works is discussed through aspects of gift economy, open access, appropriation, and remix culture. The authors provide a case study of three works, which they discuss from the perspective of the English language, and also in translation. A significant part of the article is devoted to a discussion of the issue of translating digital literature, which is presented as in-depth reading, involving input, process and output.

‘Keep It New’: A (Re-)Introduction

Author(s): Laurent Milesi,Julia Jordan / Language(s): English Issue: 01/2014

‘Novel’ Reality Calling and Telepathy in Nicholas Royle’s Quilt

Author(s): Arleen Ionescu / Language(s): English Issue: 01/2014

In The Uncanny Nicholas Royle defined Freud’s Unheimlichkeit and the experience of an “unreal reality” as “another thinking of beginning”. But if we are to take him at his word, “the beginning is already haunted” and we may wish to interpret his debut novel Quilt as spectrally haunted by the critic’s earlier theory. The essay, which is structured telephonically, since it refers both to Royle’s view of literature as telepathy (i.e. another form of ‘tele-’) and the beginning of the novel, reads Quilt from its “Afterward”, to unveil two main ghosts haunting Royle’s novel: that of Jacques Derrida and that of James Joyce. Quilt revisits his critical works in order to construct an alternative literary reality, in an experiment in which “spectrality cohabits with writing” (“Clipping”) and which Royle’s “Afterward” to the novel called for in the name of “reality literature”. As part of the author’s uncanny strategies of defamiliarization, which ultimately inform the question “what is the responsibility of ‘novel’ literature in today’s world and its sense of the urgency of the ‘real’?”, is an attempt to “strive for English to appear […] as a foreign language”. I will therefore also endeavour to show how Royle “makes trouble in and with language” as a disorienting move to plunge the reader into a spectral, virtual, telepathic world ̶ instanced by the narrator-protagonist’s increasing obsession with building an aquarium for the stingrays, whose bony spines are as serrated as Royle’s razor-sharp novelistic techniques.

Contemporary Surfiction: Wideman, Kaufman, and Maddin

Author(s): Patrick Keller / Language(s): English Issue: 01/2014

The term “Surfiction” is usually associated with the writings of a small group of Vietnam War-era writers, including Raymond Federman, Ron Sukenick, Steve Katz, Clarence Major, and Gilbert Sorrentino, but it is actually applicable to a wider variety of pseudo-autobiographical short stories, novels, and even films. This article suggests three definitive criteria for considering a work surfictional — the centrality of the author’s own experiences, ambiguity of autobiographical fact and fabrication, and eventual cancellation of dramatized scenes — and explores these features in John Edgar Wideman’s tribute story “Surfiction” and the contemporary films Adaptation. by Charlie Kaufman and Brand Upon The Brain! by Guy Maddin.

Patiesības pieredzes iespējamība sv. Akvīnas Toma esamības valodā

Author(s): Māra Kiope / Language(s): Latvian Issue: 1/2004

Only with the discovery of the being of language in philosophy of the 20th century, especially in the Heidegger-Gadamer tradition, it is possible to see the language of being in philosophy of St. Thomas. Although it has to be admitted that this trend was recognized already by the opponents of St. Thomas within the school of Franciscans, especially by D. Scot. And moreover, it was recognized by the authors of the 15th century, classics of Thomism philosophy – Kaetan and Ferrera – in their impressive studies about the role of analogy in defining the world as the unity of experience in philosophy of St. Thomas. in the 20th century the problem of analogy has been actualized in the works by R.M. McInnerney and other authors; nevertheless the bibliographies of Thomism still lack the works emphasizing the placement of analogy within the context of the language of being. In the contemporary situation of philosophy the question of truth is closely related to language, thus opening the possibility to involve in the deep study of the discourse of truth the mutual reflection of two approaches: St. Thomas's language of being and being of language of hermeneutics.

Agrīnie Martina Heidegera filosofiskie meklējumi un viduslaiku mistika. Prolegomeni neatrisinātam jautājumam

Author(s): Raivis Bičevskis / Language(s): Latvian Issue: 1/2004

Der Aufsatz thematisiert der Problemkreis, der mit der Beziehungen der Philosophie Martin Heideggers zur mittelalterlichen Mystik (v. a. Meister Eckhart) zusammenhängt. Im Aufsatz wird betont, dass die Analyse keineswegs ohne Nachdenken über der frühesten Phase des heideggerschen Denkens möglich ist. Der philosophische Werdegang des jungen und des frühen Heidegger zeigt, dass universalontologische Frage nach dem Sein, die Heidegger ständig erörtert, eng mit der Frage nach dem Ort der religiös-mystischen Erfahrung und religiösen Erneuerung im theologisch-philosophischen Denken einhergeht. Heideggers Destruktion der Metaphysik ist im Lichte der Bestrebungen der mittelalterlichen deutschen Dominikanerschule zu sehen eine neue Metaphysik in der Auseinandersetzung mit Aristoteles und christlicher Erbe zu erörtern. Diese Aspekte sind dann im Kontext eines Denkens zu verstehen, das die Metaphysik transformieren und fortsetzen imstande ist. Also um die Beziehungen Heidegger-mittelalterliche Mystik zu analysieren, ist es notwendig zuerst eine gebührende Problemniveau zu erreichen – nämlich, das Problemfeld der Transformation der Metaphysik im Laufe der europäischen Denkgeschichte. Der Aufsatz ist deswegen nur “Prolegomena” zur Frage “Heidegger und mittelalterliche Mystik”.

"Pareizā" un "nepareizā" reliģija

Author(s): Haralds Biezais / Language(s): Latvian Issue: 1/2004

The presently published article by the Latvian religious scholar, professor, Haralds Biezais is one of his last works. He wrote it in February, 1995, and he died in May of the same year. In the end of 80-s H. Biezais was interested in the life, culture and religion of native Americans, especially in speeches of the chiefs of different tribes that didn't exhibit hate towards the white conquerors, but rather the view the white person doesn't understand them. The author concludes that even the so called high, universal religions – Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and others – haven't escaped the war of religions in spite of the fact that their theoretical teaching and practicing stress the high ethical principles. It is thought that has interested thinkers for thousands of years. Also Latvians starting with the beginnings of Christianization have experienced this woe and they are experiencing it presently as well.

Latviešu izceļošana uz Brazīliju: cēloņi un ideoloģija

Author(s): Valdis Tēraudkalns / Language(s): Latvian Issue: 1/2004

Latvian emigration to Brazil is the most documented and well-known emigration of inhabitants of Latvia that is dominated by religious motives. At the beginning of 20-ies of 20th century more then 2500 persons left Latvia to start new life in Latin America. Most but not all of them were Baptists. This fact damaged public image of Baptist movement and weakened many local churches. Author of this article has analyzed the following causes of emigration: (1) economical and political factors linked with post-war crisis and instability; (2) personal interests of some of emigration leaders like Jānis Iņkis; (3) religious motives – thrive for emigration developed out of the most radical wing of revivalist movement which spread among Baptist churches in Latvia shortly after the First World War. In general emigration to Brazil forms an interesting part of the history of Latvia, which so far is not well researched because of dominance of traditional historicism interested in historical ‘grand canons.’ Eschatological problematic closely associated with such emigration movements is continuing to produce variety of responses among theologians but because of anxiety and alienation in society always will exist need for utopian dreams of “promised land.”

Kalistrata Žakova Rīgas arhīvs

Author(s): Svetlana Kovaļčuka / Language(s): Latvian Issue: 1/2004

Kalistrat Zhakov (1866-1926) – Russian philosopher, poet, writer during the last years of his life was related to the Baltic – Latvia and Estonia. He was brought to Latvia by the passionate love and here he was to experience the adoration of his admirers and disapproval, even contempt from the side of the official science. Sadly, his name is almost forgotten in Latvia, therefore the decision to re-bury remains in his homeland – Sivtivkar, the republic of Komi – was conclusive and right. Professor K. Zhakov returned to his homeland, to his people, to the context of zirjan culture (previous name of komi people), in the world of his beloved harsh northern nature.

Raiņa nostāja reliģijas jautājumā

Author(s): Alberts Freijs / Language(s): Latvian Issue: 1/2004

In the present issue we publish the second part of the study. In there the author continues considering Rainis' thoughts on fate, death and immortality. Besides, A. Freijs analyses Rainis' attitude towards such concepts, both philosophical and theological, as soul and spirit. In this case A. Freijs places grater attention to Rainis' dramaturgy.

Reliģisko minoritāšu ietekme uz jaunas daudzkultūru identitātes veidošanos (Latvijas un Ukrainas piemēri)

Author(s): Solveiga Krūmiņa-Koņkova,Nikandrs Gills / Language(s): Latvian Issue: 1/2004

In the present article the authors consider possible developments of the question weather one's belonging to the new religious minority leads to the crisis of his or her national and traditional cultural identity and further to the diffusion of this identity? Authors also analyze how the local cultural traditions are actualized and transformed under one's belonging to the new religious minority. The results let to draw some definite conclusions concerning possible diffusions in the cultural identity of the most respondents.

Wdrażanie zrównoważonego rozwoju w gminach śląskich

Author(s): Agnieszka Sobol,Elżbieta Lorek / Language(s): Polish Issue: 229/2011

The paper deals with the issues of theory and practice of local sustainable development. It shows the crucial aspects of this multidimensional process indicating the key role of social factors stressing social capital. The process of local development should Wdrażanie zrównoważonego rozwoju w gminach śląskich 73 be realized on the basis of multistakeholder partnership with a direct dialog between local authorities and local community. The authors present outcomes of the survey in the field of local sustainability conducted in 2010 in the Silesian municipalities.

Wdrażanie instrumentów zrównoważonego rozwoju obszarów wiejskich ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem programów rolno- -środowiskowych

Author(s): Karol Kociszewski / Language(s): Polish Issue: 229/2011

The goal of the paper is the presentation of the conditions of agri-environmental measures implementation as the key instrument for sustainable agricultural and rural development in Poland. In that context, they should be led as widely as it is possible in the conditions of EU membership. It would enable to stimulate both development of organic farming and conventional agriculture ecologization. In the first period of participation in CAP financial sources, the appropriation for the measure and its share in total utilized agricultural areas were much smaller than in other member states. Such a situation was influenced by the mistakes made in the way in which domestic agricultural policy was carried out. It especially refers to the process of EU funds absorption. In the second period of financing, the policy was improved which created an opportunity for the use of huge potential of the instrument implementation. Consequently, it should help to conserve a part of environmental and cultural values of Polish countryside.

Realizacja zasad zrównoważonego rozwoju w gminach uzdrowiskowych Dolnego Śląska – wnioski z analizy

Author(s): Stanisław Czaja / Language(s): Polish Issue: 229/2011

The article presents sustainable development strategies prepared in health resort communities of Lower Silesia. The natural and healing values of health resort communities were discussed. Factors influencing health resort communities were shown too. The opinions of the realization of the principles of sustainable development in all health resort communities of Lower Silesia were alsoassessed.

Przedsiębiorstwa uzdrowiskowe w strategiach władz samorządowych – operacjonalizacja koncepcji zrównoważonego rozwoju

Author(s): Bogusław Stankiewicz / Language(s): Polish Issue: 229/2011

The article is an attempt to confront the theoretical assumptions of the concept of sustainable development with the practice of creating sustainable development plans at local level (municipalities, cities). The review of the theoretical layer was made of the knowledge resources for exploration of recommendations to assist in creating development strategies at the micro level, taking into account the three pillars of sustainable development: social, economic and environmental. Interdisciplinary analysis of English-language literature on the concept of sustainable development (SD) indicates on one hand, the huge divergence of views on how to operationalize the concept, whose source is the controversy and debate over the definition of sustainable development and iunctum exploration between the ‘development‘ and ‘stability’. At the same time – on the other hand − in theory, there is almost an unanimous agreement that, first of all, at the local level it is possible to implement sustainable development strategy, as outlined in the first part. The main part of the article is devoted to the release of cooperation of municipalities (towns) and West Pomeranian wellness businesses in creating local development strategies, with the principle of participation of local communities components essential to sustainable development − case studies examining the co-operation of spas and city authorities Kołobrzeg−Świnoujście.

Testy konsumenckie jako instrument realizacji zrównoważonej konsumpcji

Author(s): Sabina Zaremba-Warnke / Language(s): Polish Issue: 229/2011

The article shows sustainable consumer behaviours and the main barriers connected with buying products which support sustainable consumption. The article proves that product tests reduce sustainable consumption barriers. The paper also contains characteristics of the German ÖKO-TEST and the Polish PRO-TEST.

Zrównoważony rozwój morskiej energetyki wiatrowej

Author(s): Alicja Graczyk / Language(s): Polish Issue: 229/2011

The aim of the article is the analysis and assessment of the offshore wind power development in order to fulfill sustainable development principles. The paper is divided on seven parts, in which sustainable development principles are analyzed and discussed. The authoress focuses on the leading pillars (principles) of sustainable development significantly influencing the introduction and the suitable formation of desirable sustainable development of wind power. Offshore wind power has not been implemented in Poland yet. It plays a key role in the EU and has enough potential for meeting ambitious energetic and climate policy targets. The main conclusion of the paper is that offshore wind power is compatible with sustainable development rules.

Problemy zrównoważonego rozwoju gospodarki wodnej Dolnego Śląska

Author(s): Teresa Szczerba / Language(s): Polish Issue: 229/2011

The aim of this article is a general analysis of the state of implementing the principle of balanced development in the water management of Lower Silesia. The specifics and conditioning of the region’s water management were introduced in the first part of this article. On the basis of the analysis of the degree of task execution by the Regional Board of Water Management in Wrocław, an attempt to identify the elementary barriers limiting the development of water management in the region was made. The directions of expected actions necessary to overcome the barriers were pointed out. Furthermore, the assumptions and the aims of the first programme promoting the principal of the balanced development of water management in Poland were presented in the ‘Programme for the Oder River 2006’. In the final evaluation it was claimed that the full execution of the concept of the balanced development of water management met series of limitations. A thesis that the lack of overcoming of shown restrictions can cause that the water management would become the barrier of the economic and social development of the region.