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Tourism and Hospitality for Sustainable Development: Volume Two: Emerging Trends and Global Issues
by Kaitano Dube Emmanuel Ndhlovu Catherine Muyama KifworoThe tourism and hospitality industry is rapidly undergoing a disruptive transformation owing to advances in information and communications technology. This book aims to highlight how the unfolding digital transformation trends help the industry attain sustainable development by taking full account of its current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts and addressing the needs of tourists, the industry, the environment, and destinations. With the advent of digital technologies following the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), there has been a rapid change in how customers and businesses interact regarding the timeliness and relevance of communication. Although the positive effects of digital transformation have received sustained scholarly interest, its adverse effects, as well as how the digitisation of tourism operations can enable the achievement of sustainable development, have attracted limited academic focus. The book comprises contributions that generate theoretical insights, empirical findings, and evidence-based recommendations by focusing on emerging and forecasted technologies used in the tourism and hospitality industry, such as blockchains, robots, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, big data, and analytics. The book could be helpful for future research to focus on the impact of different forms of digital technology by examining their sociocultural and environmental effects. Building on prior research, the chapters in this volume extrapolate current studies on digital development to provide more links to tourism and hospitality.
Natural Language Processing and Information Systems: 29th International Conference on Applications of Natural Language to Information Systems, NLDB 2024, Turin, Italy, June 25–27, 2024, Proceedings, Part II (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #14763)
by Farid Meziane Vijayan Sugumaran Amon Rapp Luigi Di CaroThe two-volume proceedings set LNCS 14762 and 14763 constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 29th International Conference on Applications of Natural Language to Information Systems, NLDB 2024, held in Turin, Italy, in June 25–27, 2024. The 35 full papers, 26 short papers, 3 demo papers and 8 industry track papers included in these books were carefully reviewed and selected from 141 submissions. They focus on advancements and support studies related to languages previously underrepresented, such as Arabic, Romanian, Italian and Japanese languages.
Sustainable Action in Economy and Society: Orientation for Change
by Reiner Manstetten Malte Faber Marc Frick Marco Rudolf Mi-Yong BeckerClimate change, species extinction, energy and raw material shortages are global challenges that are directly linked to our economic activity. They affect our very existence and jeopardize our ability to lead a good life today and in the future, both as a society and as individuals. The range of questions for which we need answers seems limitless and finding the "right" path for global change increasingly utopian. How do we maintain an overview in the face of highly complex interrelationships and interactions? How can we distinguish the essential from the non-essential? What fundamental relationships in nature do we need to take into account? What kind of economy is appropriate? What is just? And under what conditions are people willing to change? This book offers orientation. It deals with concepts from the natural sciences, economics and philosophy - including time, thermodynamics, scarcity, responsibility and justice - which enable an understanding of the upcoming transformation to sustainability from different perspectives. Ideally, they serve as guidelines for effective decisions and show how change is possible despite immense challenges. The book is aimed at anyone who wants to contribute to the transformation towards sustainability - whether in politics, business, administration or civil society.
The Philosophy of Leopold Blaustein: Descriptive Psychology, Phenomenology, and Aesthetics (Primary Sources in Phenomenology)
by Witold PłotkaThis is an open-access book which is devoted to rediscovering the early history of phenomenology in confrontation with the legacy of Franz Brentano by discussing Leopold Blaustein’s philosophy. It offers a unique perspective on the history of the phenomenological movement by presenting the development of Blaustein’s theory. Blaustein was a philosopher educated by Kazimierz Twardowski in Lvov, but he also held research stays in Freiburg im Breisgau (where he studied under Edmund Husserl) and in Berlin (where he met Carl Stumpf). Blaustein’s work is usually classified as phenomenology yet some scholars question this by claiming that Blaustein was radically critical of Husserl’s phenomenology. This text addresses these divergent opinions by claiming that Blaustein was both a descriptive psychologist and a phenomenologist. Moreover, the book shows that these two motives were intertwined in Blaustein’s writings and require a reference to other traditions such as the Gestalt theory of Stumpf, and the humanistic psychology of Dilthey. This volume examines sources, context, and applications of the methods used by Blaustein in his original philosophy. It appeals to philosophers, especially phenomenologists, epistemologies, and historians. The more specialized chapters are also relevant to historians of the phenomenological movement and the Brentanian tradition.
Advances in Network-Based Information Systems: The 27th International Conference on Network-Based Information Systems (NBiS-2024) (Lecture Notes on Data Engineering and Communications Technologies #224)
by Leonard BarolliThe networks and information systems of today are evolving rapidly. There are new trends and applications in information networking such as wireless sensor networks, ad hoc networks, peer-to-peer systems, vehicular networks, opportunistic networks, grid and cloud computing, pervasive and ubiquitous computing, multimedia systems, security, multi-agent systems, high-speed networks, and web-based systems. These kinds of networks need to manage the increasing number of users, provide support for different services, guarantee the QoS, and optimize the network resources. For these networks, there are many research issues and challenges that should be considered and find solutions. The aim of the volume “Advances in Network-Based Information Systems” is to provide latest research findings, innovative research results, methods and development techniques from both theoretical and practical perspectives related to the emerging areas of information networking and their applications.
Equity and Sustainability (Approaches to Global Sustainability, Markets, and Governance)
by David Crowther Shahla SeifiThis book delves into the multifaceted concept of sustainability, placing a particular emphasis on the social dimension and its intersection with economic and environmental considerations. It examines how individuals, corporations, and institutions can adapt their behaviors to align with sustainable practices. Through a global perspective, the book explores various aspects of behavior changes required for sustainability, highlighting diverse approaches adopted in different regions around the world. One of the central themes explored in this book is the notion of equity in sustainability. While it is acknowledged that complete equality is unattainable, the book argues that achieving fairness in outcomes is essential for the stability and longevity of sustainable practices. Without equity, there is a risk of social unrest and instability, which could undermine the sustainability agenda. Drawing on contributions from scholars representing diverse international backgrounds, the book offers fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the challenges of sustainability. Rooted in the tradition of the Social Responsibility Research Network (SRRNet), this book embodies the network's ethos of promoting dialogue, sharing best practices, and seeking relevant solutions. It aims to inspire new thinking and action toward a more sustainable and equitable future for all, presenting a blend of academic rigor and practical insights. Through its exploration of sustainability from a social perspective, this book contributes to the ongoing discourse on how to address the pressing global challenges of our time.
Living on a Time Bomb: Local Negotiations of Oil Extraction in a Mexican Community (Environmental Anthropology and Ethnobiology #30)
by Svenja SchöneichProviding a holistic understanding of extensive oil extraction in rural Mexico, this book focuses on a campesino community, where oil extraction is deeply inscribed into the daily lives of the community members. The book shows how oil shapes the space where it is extracted in every aspect and produces multiple uncertainties. The community members express these uncertainties using the metaphor of the time bomb. The book shows how they find ways to "live off the time bomb" by using mechanisms of short-term coping and long-term adaptation and thus, developing the capability to determine their lives despite the ever-changing challenges.
Can Academics Change the World?: An Israeli Anthropologist's Testimony on the Rise and Fall of a Protest Movement on Campus (EASA Series #39)
by Moshe ShokeidMoshe Shokeid narrates his experiences as a member of AD KAN (NO MORE), a protest movement of Israeli academics at Tel Aviv University, who fought against the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, founded during the first Palestinian Intifada (1987-1993). However, since the assassination of Prime Minister Rabin and the later obliteration of the Oslo accord, public manifestations of dissent on Israeli campuses have been remarkably mute. This chronicle of AD KAN is explored in view of the ongoing theoretical discourse on the role of the intellectual in society and is compared with other account of academic involvement in different countries during periods of acute political conflict.
Ecological Migrants: The Relocation of China's Ewenki Reindeer Herders
by Yuanyuan XieReindeer-herding Ewenki hunters have lived in the forests of China’s Greater Khingan Range for over three hundred years. They have sustained their livelihoods by collecting plants and herbs, hunting animals and herding reindeer. This ethnography details changing Ewenki ways of life brought first by China’s modernization and development policies and more recently by ecological policies that aim to preserve and restore the badly damaged ecologies of western China. Xie reflects on modernization and urbanization in China through this study of ecological migration policies and their effects on relocated Aoluguya Ewenki hunters.
Nourishing Life: Foodways and Humanity in an African Town (Food, Nutrition, and Culture #7)
by Arianna HuhnIn this accessible ethnography of a small town in northern Mozambique, everyday cultural knowledge and behaviors about food, cooking, and eating reveal the deeply human pursuit of a nourishing life. This emerges less through the consumption of specific nutrients than it does in the affective experience of alimentation in contexts that support vitality, compassion, and generative relations. Embedded within central themes in the study of Africa south of the Sahara, the volume combines insights from philosophy and food studies to find textured layers of meaning in a seemingly simple cuisine.
The Poverty of Economics: The Philosophical Anatomy of an Empty Rationality (Ethical Economy #69)
by Manuel Sanchis i MarcoThis book improves the alignment of economics with the idea of justice, the first virtue of any social institution, according to Rawls. To this aim, it provides the analytical framework necessary to ensure a just economy. While today’s notion of economics favours the economics of extortion, this book proposes a model that transcends Lionel Robbins’ canonical relationship between ends and means, as it proposes a broader notion of rationality incorporating the range of human attributes. In contrast to Robbins' economic rationality, economic choices must be based on adequate and good reasons, as Rescher claims, because both the means and the ends require rational deliberation. As a result, the book challenges Robbins’ hope of turning general concepts like scarcity, costs, etc. into universal economic principles guiding human behavior in a vacuum. It disputes the idea that, through the application of the abstract formulation of economic statements unconnected to reality, economics can be rationalized in a morally neutral space, based on empty rationality. By contrasting the three rival versions of economics —formalism (axiomatic), empiricism (technocratic-consequential), and institutionalism (axio-ideological)— the book shows that it is not possible to switch between them as they refer to segmented mental universes of abstraction.
Medien und Gesundheit (Medienwissen kompakt)
by Doreen ReifegersteDer Band befasst sich mit der Darstellung und Rezeption von Gesundheitsthemen in den Medien und gesundheitsrelevanter medialer Kommunikation im Allgemeinen. Sowohl die Medienlandschaft und das alltägliche Informations- und Kommunikationshandeln als auch der Umgang mit Gesundheit und Krankheit befinden sich im Wandel. Mit den veränderten Rollenanforderungen an Gesundheitsexperten ebenso wie an Laien bzw. Patienten geht eine steigende Bedeutung medialer Kommunikation für gesundheitsrelevante Vorstellungen und Verhaltensweisen einher. Daher liegt es nahe zu fragen, inwieweit sich die Entwicklungen dieser beiden Bereiche gegenseitig beeinflussen und welche Rolle die Medien für die Gesundheit spielen. Dieses Buch gibt einen leicht verständlichen Überblick über die vielfältigen Zusammenhänge zwischen beiden Feldern und erläutert die zunehmende Bedeutung der Medien für den Bereich Gesundheit.Für die zweite Auflage wurden neben Aktualisierungen die Themenfelder neue Technologien (algorithmusbasierte Kommunikation, DiGAs, elektronische Patientenakte), Coronalearnings, das Thema FakeNews/Informationsqualität und interkulturelle Aspekte der Gesundheitskommunikation aufgenommen.
Practical Guide to Simulation in Delivery Room Emergencies
by Antonio Malvasi Gilda Cinnella Renata BeckIn this book the use of hybrid simulation in delivery room emergencies is described and shown. The use of a patient actor combined with a task trainer within the same session substantially improve the training for practical management of intrapartum emergencies in real life, reducing the risk of failure of operative vaginal delivery and of related adverse events, including perinatal or maternal complications. Furthermore, simulation with high reality computerized mannequin and scenography of emergency situation can improve technical and manual skills of the participants. For this book and the related videos, a new generation of mannequins suitable for both clinical manoeuvres and ultrasound examination is used to simulate all clinical scenarios of emergency that can happen in the delivery room for both the mother and the child. This unique book is a useful tool for medical students, residents, practicing pediatricians, anesthetists, obstetricians and all health care professionals working in the delivery room in their ability to deal with critical and emergency situations with safety and good medical practice.
Machine Learning and Intelligent Communication: 8th EAI International Conference, MLICOM 2023, Beijing, China, December 17, 2023, Proceedings (Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering #518)
by Weng Yu Liu XuanThis book constitutes the refereed post-conference proceedings of the 8th EAI International Conference on Machine Learning and Intelligent Communication, MLICOM 2023, which was held in Beijing, China, during December 17, 2023. The 18 full papers were carefully reviewed and selected from 44 submissions. They were categorized under the topical sections as follows: Machine Learning and Information Processing, Intelligent Communications Technology, Emerging Artificial Intelligence Application.
Natural Language Processing and Information Systems: 29th International Conference on Applications of Natural Language to Information Systems, NLDB 2024, Turin, Italy, June 25–27, 2024, Proceedings, Part I (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #14762)
by Farid Meziane Vijayan Sugumaran Amon Rapp Luigi Di CaroThe two-volume proceedings set LNCS 14762 and 14763 constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 29th International Conference on Applications of Natural Language to Information Systems, NLDB 2024, held in Turin, Italy, in June 25–27, 2024. The 35 full papers, 26 short papers, 3 demo papers and 8 industry track papers included in these books were carefully reviewed and selected from 141 submissions. They focus on advancements and support studies related to languages previously underrepresented, such as Arabic, Romanian, Italian and Japanese languages.
Lawinen: Entstehung, Auswirkungen und Vorkehrungen
by Peter HöllerTauche ein in die umfassende Welt der Lawinenkunde, untermauert und veranschaulicht von eindrucksvollen Fotos und Abbildungen. Das vorliegende Buch spannt den Bogen von den für die Lawinenbildung maßgeblichen Bedingungen in der Schneedecke bis hin zu Präventionsmaßnahmen und Sicherheitsvorkehrungen. Es bietet unverzichtbare Informationen für alle Bergliebhaber und Skitourengeher, die ihre Touren sorgfältig planen möchten. Es spricht eine breite Zielgruppe an, darunter Profis wie Mitglieder von Lawinenkommissionen, Bergretter und Bergführer, ebenso wie Studierende der Geographie und Geowissenschaften. Auch Bergsportbegeisterte, seien es Alpinisten oder Wintersportler, finden hier wertvolle Informationen zur Beurteilung der Lawinengefahr, Gefahreneinschätzung im Gelände sowie Maßnahmen nach einer Lawinenverschüttung. Für Experten und Profis wird dieses Buch zu einem unverzichtbaren Nachschlagewerk, insbesondere mit den Kapiteln zu temporären Maßnahmen, lokaler Lawinenprognose unddem Verhalten im winterlichen Gelände. Studierende erhalten einen kompakten Überblick über das gesamte Fachgebiet, von den Prozessen in der Schneedecke über die Lawinenbildung bis zu den Schutzmaßnahmen. Ein umfangreiches, aktualisiertes Literaturverzeichnis nach jedem Abschnitt ermöglicht es, schnell relevante Arbeiten zu finden.
Handbuch Globale Kompetenz: Grundlagen - Herausforderungen - Krisen
by Petia GenkovaZiel des Handbuches ist es, den wissenschaftlichen Forschungsstand zum Thema ‚Globale Kompetenz‘ praxisorientiert darzustellen. Globale Kompetenz beschreibt die Fähigkeit einer Person, weltweit effektiv und positiv mit seinen Mitmenschen umgehen sowie Krisen und Herausforderungen bewältigen zu können. Global kompetente Personen sind offen gegenüber kulturellen Normen und akzeptieren hierdurch geprägte Erwartungen, zum Beispiel hinsichtlich der Sprache, Gestik, Verhaltens- und Umgangsformen, Höflichkeit und Werten. Die Themen orientieren sich an den drei Säulen der Globalen Kompetenz: Nachhaltigkeit, interkulturelle Kompetenz und soziale Verantwortung in einer multi- und interdisziplinären Perspektive aus Psychologie, Soziologie, Politikwissenschaft und den Wirtschaftswissenschaften.
Reachability Problems: 18th International Conference, RP 2024, Vienna, Austria, September 25–27, 2024, Proceedings (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #15050)
by Ana Sokolova Laura KovácsThis book constitutes the proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Reachability Problems, RP 2024, which took place in Vienna, Austria, during September 25–27, 2024. The 13 full papers included in these proceedings were carefully reviewed and selected from 37 submissions. The book also contains two invited talks in full paper length. The contributions in these proceedings cover topics from computability and reachability; automata and complexity; linear systems and recurrences; and games and abstractions.
Optimization of Dynamical Systems with Impulse Controls and Shocks (Systems & Control: Foundations & Applications)
by Boris Miller Evgeny RubinovichThis text explores the state-of-the-art in the rapidly developing theory of impulse control and introduces the theory of singular space-time transformations, a new method for studying shock mechanical systems. Two approaches in the theory of impulse control are presented: The first, more traditional approach defines the impulsive action as a discontinuity of phase coordinates depending on the current time, the state preceding the action, and its magnitude. The second requires the use of modern methods for describing dynamical systems - differential equations with measures. The impulse is treated as an idealization of a very short action of high magnitude, which produces an almost abrupt change of phase coordinates. The relation between these two approaches is also discussed, and several applications, both traditional and emerging, are considered. This text is intended for graduate students and researchers in control engineering and optimal control theory for dynamical systems. Readers are assumed to be familiar with the theory of ODEs, optimal control, and functional analysis, though an appendix is included that covers many of the necessary mathematical concepts.
Eine kritische Theorie für das Anthropozän
by Nathanaël WallenhorstDieser Band, der in biogeophysikalischen Studien verwurzelt ist, befasst sich mit Konzepten des politischen Handelns im Anthropozän und der Spannung zwischen dem Wunsch, das prometheische Projekt der Moderne zu vollenden, und einem post-prometheischen Ansatz. Diese Arbeit untersucht die Idee einer anthropologischen Mutation der politischen Konsolidierung von einem "postprometheanischen Miteinander" zur Schaffung der Fähigkeit zum gemeinsamen Handeln. Das von Hannah Arendt entwickelte politische Denken über die conditio humana ist hier als Ressource für das Denken über die Menschheit im Sinne des menschlichen Abenteuers wichtig. Dieses hat drei Dimensionen: Hybris, Welt und Koexistenz, die sich jeweils auf die Logik des Profits des homo oeconomicus, die Logik der Verantwortung des homo collectivus und die Logik der Gastfreundschaft des homo religatus beziehen.. Die in diesem Buch skizzierte intellektuelle und politische Haltung ist eine Erweiterungder kritischen Theorie: Das Werk übt auch Kritik an dem, was in unserer Beziehung zur Welt ein Problem darstellt, und schlägt vor, wie es überwunden werden kann, wobei das Endziel die soziale Transformation ist. Der Autor schlägt einen Aufstand und eine anthropologische Konsolidierung der Politik vor, die auf der Wiederbelebung beruht, die durch das Teilen einer Konvivialität sowohl zwischen den Menschen als auch mit dem Nicht-Menschlichen hervorgerufen wird. Die Identifizierung der Konvivialität als ein Bildungsparadigma, um das Anthropozän zu überleben, gibt uns trotz dieses Erbes des Anthropozäns den dringend benötigten Grund zur Hoffnung. Neben dem Arendt'schen Denken stützt sich diese kritische Theorie für das Anthropozän auf das politische Denken mehrerer zeitgenössischer Autoren, darunter Maurice Bellet, Hartmut Rosa, Andreas Weber, Dominique Bourg und Christian Arnsperger. Dieser Band ist für Forscher des Anthropozäns von Interesse.
Energie und Entropie - was ist das wirklich?: Ein Überblick über die Definitionen in der Thermodynamik (essentials)
by Klaus StierstadtDieses essential beschreibt zwei der wichtigsten physikalischen Begriffe, die Energie und die Entropie. Die innere und die äußere Energie von Materie und Feldern wird definiert und an Beispielen erläutert. Die Energie kann in vielerlei Formen existieren, die zum Teil ineinander umgewandelt werden können. Ob das möglich ist oder nicht, das beschreiben der Zweite Hauptsatz der Thermodynamik und die Entropie. Diese kann auf zweierlei Weise definiert werden, auf thermodynamischer und auf statistischer Grundlage. Der weitgehend geheimnisvolle Begriff der Entropie wird erläutert und seine Missdeutungen werden beschrieben.
Handbook of Psychopathology in Intellectual Disability: Research, Practice, and Policy (Autism and Child Psychopathology Series)
by Johnny L. MatsonThe Second Edition of the handbook reflects the diversity of this complex subject matter, addressing its prevalence and presentation, testing methods, and treatment options. In addition to focusing on specific psychopathologies as they affect the course of intellectual disability (ID), several new chapters and significantly updated coverage span the field from in-depth analyses of psychosocial aspects of ID to promising new findings in genetics and the ongoing challenges of tailoring personalized care to meet individual client needs. Expert contributors bridge gaps between the evidence base and best practices for treating clients with ID across disciplines and discuss improved policy for maximum utility. Key areas of coverage include: Core etiological approaches in psychopathology and ID, including neuroimaging, behavioral phenotypes and genetic syndromes, psychological and social factors, and epilepsy. Comorbid psychopathologies (e.g., mood, anxiety, bipolar and personality disorders). Common clinical conditions (e.g., ADHD, autism, and behavior problems). Medical and psychological interventions (e.g., psychopharmacology) as well as community and inpatient services. The Handbook of Psychopathology in Intellectual Disability, Second Edition, is an essential reference for researchers, professors, and graduate students as well as clinicians, therapists, and other scientist-practitioners in developmental, school, and clinical child psychology, psychiatry, social work, rehabilitation medicine, public health, neuropsychology, and all related disciplines.
2nd International Workshop on the Use of Biomaterials in Pavements: Workshop Biomaterials 2024 (RILEM Bookseries #58)
by Emmanuel Chailleux Davide Lo Presti Kamilla Vasconcelos Ana Jiménez del Barco CarriónThis volume highlights the latest advances, innovations, and applications in biomaterials for road pavements, as presented by leading international researchers and engineers at the 2nd International Workshop on the Use of Biomaterials in Pavements, held in São Paulo, Brazil on September 23-24, 2024. It covers a diverse range of topics concerning the roadmap for biomaterial integration in road materials, including: bio-based binders and additives, recycled biomass and waste materials, environmental impact and sustainability assessment, recyclability and circular economy, testing methods and performance evaluation. The contributions, which were selected by means of a rigorous international peer-review process, present a wealth of exciting ideas that will open novel research directions and foster new multidisciplinary collaborations.
Social Work with Populations Vulnerable to Neglected Tropical Diseases: Evidence and Insights from India (SpringerBriefs in Social Work)
by Muhammed Jabir Anoop C. ChoolayilThis book discusses the need to establish social work for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) with an emphasis on the emerging role of effective and sustainable social interventions for the control and elimination of NTDs. NTDs are a group of infectious diseases prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, causing significant morbidity and mortality to the world's poorest populations but receiving relatively lesser attention. They significantly affect communities with poor financial resources, inadequate sanitation and limited healthcare facilities, indicating their social dimension. Addressing NTDs requires multifaceted strategies that consider environmental, social, and economic factors, with socioeconomic factors emerging as a critical determinant. The global battle against NTDs has seen significant progress, yet social workers’ involvement remains limited, particularly in high-prevalence regions like India. This stems from undefined roles and a lack of focus within existing NTD frameworks. Integrating social work into NTD intervention is crucial for addressing the diverse challenges associated with these diseases, especially the social dimensions. Social workers, by advocating for health equity, engaging communities, addressing social determinants, and collaborating with healthcare professionals, can contribute significantly to the broader efforts in mitigating the impact of NTDs on vulnerable populations. This book builds on the social nature of NTDs to argue for the case of NTD social work. Establishing NTD social work requires efforts in training, standardising practices, research, advocacy, infrastructure development, and partnerships. Among the topics covered: Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Brief Introduction to the Global Scenario Neglected Tropical Diseases and the Social Dimension of Illness in India Social Work for the Control and Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases Towards Sustainable Impact: Future Directions in Social Work for NTD Control and Elimination Social Work with Populations Vulnerable to Neglected Tropical Diseases helps readers to understand the intersectional nature of health inequities and effectively work towards the control and elimination of diseases of poverty, specifically NTDs. The book is useful reading for health social workers, social work educators, healthcare professionals, medical and public health educators, and public policy and health policy researchers.
Engineers and the Two Taiwans: The Abnormal Club (Synthesis Lectures on Global Engineering)
by Gary Lee Downey Kuo-Hui Chang Bono Po-Jen ShihThe identity of Taiwan is a matter of intense local and international debate. This book shows how engineers helped produce two distinct visions of the land of Taiwan and its people, elevating the value of engineering as a career path in the process. The book describes how the technical work of engineers, which typically avoids partisan politics, can actually contribute to partisan differences and conflict. In most countries, the rise of engineering is about the emergence of a single dominant vision of the country. In Taiwan, two distinct visions of the land and its people emerged, owing to the presence of two distinct geographical identities—islanders and mainlanders. The distributed mode of production in the electronics industry proved to be transformative and created an “abnormal boys’ club” of engineers, as one group called themselves. Because the two communities were influenced by contrasting geographical identities, they felt as though they were working for different Taiwans. "What a book. Engineers and the Two Taiwans traces how engineers creatively crafted professional identities and pathways in the cracks of multiple, shifting empires – and in so doing helped create Taiwan as a thing-unto-itself. In showing how engineers shaped and were shaped by geopolitics and the birth of a new electronics industry, the book opens up fresh perspectives on longstanding questions about who engineers are, how they are trained, where they ought to work, and ultimately what engineering is for. These engineers did politics through their material commitments even as they avoided partisan politics." Jessica M. Smith, Editor-in-chief, Engineering Studies, Professor, Engineering, Design, and Society Department, Colorado School of Mines "This book explores Taiwan’s dynamic industrial evolution over the past century through the lens of different engineers’ social dynamics, identity, values, and compelling narratives. It offers insights into Taiwanese own perceptions in the electronics industry and prompts reflection on how countries navigate domestic and international technology policies and social progress. You will come to appreciate how engineers in Taiwan today bear continuing responsibilities to connect their technical work to its land and people, even when their own commitments differ from one another." Minn-Tsong Lin, Deputy Minister, National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan, Distinguished Professor, Department of Physics, National Taiwan University