Postmodernism Problems

Jean-François Lyotard’s Anti-Humanist Agonistics: Communication and Conflict After the Human

Adam Lovasz — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0200

In The Differend, postmodern philosopher Jean-François Lyotard presents a communicative theory of conflict. Lyotard terms the element of conflict in society the differend. Here, I propose to approach this difficult concept via anti-humanism. In the first section of this article, I connect the concepts of the differend, language games, and anti-humanism. Lyotard's post-anthropocentric view of discourse as autonomous and self-organizing is the foundational premise of his social thought. In the second section of my article, I bridge the concepts of anti-humanism and the proposed extinction of philosophy, arguing that if anthropocentric critique is obsolete, then a new kind of politics is necessary. In the third section, I conceive of Lyotard’s communicative vision of society as one that accounts for the increasingly automated nature of social systems. In the concluding section, I apply Christian Baier's concepts of "epistemic spheres" and "epistemic differend" to analyze contemporary political polarization, while also engaging critically with Eric Goodfield's recent critique of Lyotard’s perceived liberalism.

Teleological Transition of the Child in the Community

Zdravko Angelov — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The article examines the teleological transition of the child in the community as an analytical framework for understanding socialization and the child`s participation as an active social agent. The aim is to analyze how the child interprets, adapts, and transforms social expectations in open (family, school, peers) and closed (institutionalized) communities. The study is conceptual and analytical, based on the sociology of childhood and classical theoretical approaches. The main categories (community, identity, and socialization) allow tracing a child`s participation in the social order and the construction of identity within normative constraints. The results show that the teleological transition is realized through bidirectional interaction: the child complies with social norms but also transforms them through everyday practices and adaptive strategies. The model highlights the importance of community context for the formation of identity and the child`s social action. Practical applications include opportunities for developing interventions and policies that support children`s social participation. The limitation is the conceptual nature of the study, with empirical validation remaining a task for future research.

Zero-clicks as a New Paradigm in the Media Environment: Transforming Audience Access and Business Models in the Digital Landscape

Georgi Lachezarov Minev — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The paper explores the fundamental shift in the digital media landscape, where clicks are progressively becoming less important as a crucial success metric. It follows the model's historical development from maximizing traffic to the advent of a new paradigm called zero-clicks, where users receive information immediately in their current surroundings without ever leaving the platform. The analysis identifies four major trends that are gradually altering the media's function: search engine algorithmic selection, social networks acting as information intermediaries, platform competition for audience retention, and, lastly, the emergence of artificial intelligence systems that can both produce and interpret content. Based on this, the paper makes the case that trust, context, competence, and long-lasting connections with the audience are now more important indicators of media success than visibility or clicks. Based on two primary criteria—control over distribution and the kind of value that the audience seeks—a conceptual framework containing four strategic models for the future growth of online media is given. Regardless of platform pressure, it is stressed that media that establish a distinct identity, specialized knowledge, or enduring direct connections with the audience will survive the zero-click world.

Social Fears in the Prime-Time News of bTV and Nova Television

Genka Shikerova — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The article examines the presence of social fears in the prime-time newscasts of bTV and Nova Television through an analysis of 374 news items. The findings show that both media outlets are dominated by news containing elements of threat and insecurity. The study concludes that social fears function as a key structuring element of the newscasts, shaping a media environment in which a sense of instability is consistently reinforced.

The Еuropean Creative Class: A Challenge for the European Capitals оf Culture

Ioan Vulpescu — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0200

This study examines the evolution of the concept of the creative class, beginning with R. Florida’s interpretations and questioning its role in shaping culture as a profit-generating factor within cities designated as European Capitals of Culture. The research presents a critical examination of the approaches various authors have taken in developing taxonomies of cultural capital, focusing exclusively on the social dynamics of the cultural class and its role in transforming cultural capital into economic capital. By closely examining the contexts in which the concept of “creative class” has been used either too restrictively, or conflated with that of the “cultural class” in an overly broad extension, I argue that these distinctions are fundamental to recovering and understanding the phenomenon of social inequality—manifested, on the one hand, between residents and the creative class per se, and on the other hand, among different creative communities within this class. Finally, the study identifies several defining features of the European cultural class and observes the priorities assumed by the European Capitals of Culture in fostering and supporting this social nucleus.

Teritorial Imbalance in Bulgarian Book Publishing

Georgi Alexandrov — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The article explores the impact of regional disparities in Bulgarian book publishing with a focus on its concentration in the capital city of Sofia. It presents and discusses statistical data and sociological surveys related to book production and reading practices. This paper not only examines the reasons for the territorial imbalance in book publishing but also identifies its economic and social consequences. The comparative analysis of statistical data leads to the conclusion that the discrepancies in quantitative parameters, such as the number of books and print-runs, could lead to considerable discrepancies in access to books and reading attitudes. Finally, the study foresees a further increase in the territorial imbalance in the Bulgarian book industry as a sustainable trend with long-term economic, social, and cultural effects.

Between Economic Necessity and Social Distance: Integrating Third-Country Nationals in Bulgaria

Kamelia Petkova — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The integration of third-country nationals has become one of the key social and economic issues in contemporary Europe. In the context of demographic decline, an ageing population, and structural labour shortages, Bulgaria – until recently predominantly a country of emigration – has gradually transformed into a host destination for migrants. This transformation generates a number of challenges related not only to the labour market, but also to public attitudes, institutional mechanisms, and the cultural boundaries of acceptance.
The question of integration thus appears dual in nature: on the one hand, it is driven by the economic necessity to compensate for labour deficits; on the other hand, it is constrained by social distance and collective stereotypes toward the “other.” The present article examines precisely this tension between the pragmatic needs of the economy and the socio-cultural barriers to the integration of third-country nationals in Bulgaria. The analysis is based on empirical data from a survey conducted by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, carried out in 2025 among employers from various economic sectors. In addition, an analysis of in-depth interviews with employers was conducted in order to trace both the actual needs of businesses and the attitudes that shape the social climate of acceptance. Theoretically, the text draws upon the concepts of postmodern society and mobility developed by Bauman (2000, 2007), Beck (2002), and Giddens (1991), as well as on the global migration models proposed by Castles, de Haas, and Miller (2014). It also incorporates Bourdieu’s (1998) perspective on social inequalities and capitals, allowing integration to be understood not as a one-directional process of inclusion, but as a dynamic and mutual adaptation between locals and newcomers. The results reveal an ambivalent picture: employers simultaneously acknowledge the economic necessity of hiring migrants and display a degree of reservation rooted in cultural differences, lack of trust, and administrative obstacles. Economic rationality and social distance appear deeply intertwined – the labour market functions as a space of pragmatic inclusion but not of full social acceptance. Thus, the integration of third-country nationals in Bulgaria emerges as a process of negotiation between need and fear, between openness and the boundaries of social imagination.

“People Captivated by Akita”: Affective Governance in the Representation of Rural Revitalization in Japan

Tsvetomira Ivanova — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0200

This article analyzes Akita Prefecture's role in rural revitalization through affective and visual strategies, concentrating on the exhibition "People Captivated by Akita" (秋田にハマった人々展) and its corresponding website www.a-iju.jp. Utilizing Actor–Network Theory (ANT), visual ethnography, and discourse analysis, the study conceptualizes these media not solely as promotional instruments but as performative infrastructures that convert demographic policy into emotional experiences. Through direct field observation of the exhibition at JR Akita Station (December 2024–January 2025) and qualitative analysis of eight highlighted migrant profiles, the paper delineates the collaboration of governmental entities, digital platforms, and emotional narratives in the creation of an “ideal migrant assemblage.” Akita's campaign exemplifies affective governance by integrating digital and physical representations to evoke emotion, imagery, and storytelling, thereby making migration appealing. But this visibility also hides structural weaknesses like aging, gendered labor, and inequality between regions. By examining the interaction of both visible and invisible entities, such as policy institutions, technologies, migrants, and affective publics, the article elucidates how rural revitalization in Japan functions as both a cultural spectacle and an administrative network. The research enhances a symmetrical sociology of rural policy, positing that revitalization should be perceived not merely as demographic intervention but as a continuous negotiation of emotion, representation, and agency that influences modern conceptions of rural belonging in Japan.

Analysis of a Narrative Reality: Testimonials of Children About School During The Pandemic

Valentina Marinescu, Anda Anca Rodideal — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0200

This article explores the advantages and risks of online schooling through a rapid overview of existing research and an empirical study conducted with students from a Bucharest secondary school. International data reveal that while online education ensured learning continuity during the pandemic, it also generated multiple challenges. Reported negative effects include cognitive issues (reduced attention and memory), socio-emotional difficulties (isolation, anxiety, cyberbullying, Internet addiction), and physical problems (sedentary behaviour, obesity, eye strain, headaches). Educational disparities, limited access to technology, and the need for parental assistance further deepened inequalities. Children with special educational needs were particularly affected by the suspension of support services during confinement periods. A key conclusion of the literature review is the limited representation of children’s perspectives, as most studies rely on adults’ views or restrictive survey instruments. To address this gap, a qualitative study conducted in March 2025 gathered the opinions of 53 students (grades 5–7) regarding the perceived effects of online schooling. Findings confirm many of the global concerns – declines in physical health, emotional well-being, and learning motivation – while also highlighting children’s resilience, adaptability, and creative engagement with digital tools. The study emphasizes the importance of including children’s voices in educational research and policymaking and calls for measures that balance protection from online risks with opportunities for digital participation and development.

Leadership Paradigms and Quality of Life in the Digital Age

Yordanka Stoilova Koycheva — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Digital transformation is changing the way leaders interact with their teams, creating new challenges for maintaining a high quality of life and mental well-being among employees. In the conditions of a rapidly changing digital era and global challenges, traditional hierarchical models based on authority and control are giving way to new approaches that emphasize emotional intelligence, collaboration, and sustainable development. These new paradigms seek to integrate individual and organizational efforts to achieve common goals, placing emphasis on the well-being of people and communities. In this context, leadership is no longer perceived only as the exercise of power, but as a process of inspiration, support and creating an environment in which all members of the organization can develop and contribute to the achievement of common goals. By taking into account the needs of employees, technology can be an ally in enhancing individual well-being, if accompanied by effective leadership practices. As a result, leadership becomes a significant factor in improving the quality of life of every employee in a company and its overall results.