Explorations in Dynamic Semiosis (Theory and History in the Human and Social Sciences)

This anthology is a manifold combining semiotics and psychology. Chapters in the book are authored by young scholars making sense of semiosis in irreversible time from a multitude of perspectives. The central focus on the dynamics of meaning-making comes together in a variety of topics that align in the core idea of dynamic nature of human making and use of signs. First, this book gives a comprehensive overview of relational dynamics of the sign. The overview is followed by a collection of chapters focusing on various topics relevant for humanities and social sciences, such as experience of time, (cultural) memory, musical signification, human-computer interactions, death and eternity, freedom and responsibility, authenticity, methods for practice and research in psychology, etc. This anthology contributes to the integration of the fields of semiotics and psychology, building on the classic traditions of the Tartu-Moscow School of Semiotics (established by Juri Lotman) and contemporary cultural psychology that has unified social sciences in the recent three decades. Examples of how new semiotic models are applied to various domains of human lives will be given, anticipating the future and addressing its past. As such, this book is a relevant read for everyone interested in the complex nature of meaning-making, and inclusion of dynamics in all expressions of life, including academic research. Series Editor’s Preface The Flow of Signs References Editorial Preface Contents Contributors Part I: A Model of Semiosis and the Relational Dynamics of the Sign 1.1 Introduction 1.2 References Semiosis and the Sign 1 Defining Semiosis 2 The Nature of the Sign 3 The Dynamism of Semiosis 4 Signification and Value 5 Relationality Over Materiality 6 Internal and External Relational Dynamics of the Sign 7 External Signification 8 Internal Valuation 9 (Un)limitedness 10 (In)stability and (Un)predictability 11 (In)completeness 12 In Sum: (Un)limitedness, (In)stability-(Un)predictability, (In)completeness 13 Trajectories, Ranges, Spatiotemporal Affordance 14 Two Scenarios of Semiosis 15 Experience and Knowledge 16 Trains of Thought 17 Chains and Trains 18 Spontaneity and Deliberation 19 Catalysis, Transitioning, and Termination of Semiosis 20 Arbitrariness and Motivation 21 (Im)mutability References Semiosis and Science 1 Conceptualization 2 Reconstruction 3 Forms, Levels, Elements, and Narratives 4 Reconstructing Semiosis: The “Justified Combination Approach” 5 “Formal-Objective” Versus “Informal-Subjective” Reconstructions 6 Scientificity 7 The Science of Semiosis 8 Semiology and Semiotic 9 Traditions of Semiotics 10 Research Gaps 11 In Search of Distinctive Features References Semiosis and Modelling 1 In Search of Limits 2 Validity and Integrity 3 “Paramodelic” Considerations 4 Modelling and Models 5 A Model of Semiosis 6 Influence 7 Conclusion Appendix I: Signification and Value in the Example of Language Appendix II: Notes on Psychology in Relation to Semiotics References Part II: Explorations in Dynamic Semiosis Modelling the Semiosphere on Thermodynamic Open Systems 1 Introduction 2 Methodology: Some Notes on Translation and Its Relevance 3 Energy and Language 4 The Semiosphere and the Thermodynamic Open System 5 Entropy and Self-Organisation 6 Semiosis and the Arrow of Time 7 Final Remarks References Semiogenesis: Naturalizing Semiosic Haecceity and Temporal Irreversibility 1 Framing Haecceity 1.1 Similar Repetitions 1.2 Generativity Via (Un)Translatability 1.3 The Affective Field 2 A Heuristic Model 2.1 Relevant Work 2.2 Complexity 3 Semiosic Haecceity and Temporal Irreversibility 3.1 Revisiting Framing Phenomena 3.2 Naturalizing Novel Dimensions 4 Significance of Haecceity and Irreversibility for Semiogenesis References From Mind to Memory: Bridging Charles Peirce and Endel Tulving Through Phenomenology of Time 1 The Peirce–Tulving Continuum 2 Semiosis as the Crossroads of Time 3 The Looking Glass of Memory 4 Conclusion References Interspecific Temporalities: Crafting Common Rhythms 1 Introduction 2 Four Types of Time 3 Moment of Punctuation, Punctuation of Moments? 4 (A)synchronous Turn-Taking 5 Overlaps, Alignments, Assemblages 6 Conclusion References Beyond Structure and Chance: Listener and Irreversible Time in Musical Signification 1 Introduction 2 Structure and Listener 3 A Flight from Structure 3.1 Nattiez’s Synthesis 4 Toward a Dynamic Musical Semiosis 4.1 Musical Interpretation in Irreversible Time 5 Final Remarks References A Note: Semiosis and Subjective Time in the Afterlife Based on St. Augustine 1 Introduction 2 A First Attempt: Proving the Existence of Semiosis by Proving the Existence of Subjective Time 2.1 Death 2.2 Body 2.3 Activity 2.4 Eternity 3 A Second Attempt: Proving the Existence of Subjective Time by Proving the Existence of Semiosis 3.1 Human-to-Human Relations in the Supposed Afterlife 3.2 God and Humans as Objects in Semiotic Relations 3.3 Pure Awareness 3.4 Belief as Codex and Syntax in our Communication with God 3.5 Time References Analysis of Communication in Virtual Meetings 1 Introduction 2 Virtual, Physical and Mental Space in Virtual Communication 3 Barrier 4 Interactions with Different Spaces and Intentionality 4.1 Intentionality 5 Noise, Interruption, Distraction and Misunderstanding 6 Comparison of Face-to-Face and Virtual Communication 7 Discussion and Conclusions References Semiosis in Artificial Intelligence-Mediated Environments: Exploring the Signs of Social Media Burnout 1 Introduction 2 Digital Environments 2.1 Platfosphere and Semiosphere: The Role of AI Recommendations 2.2 From Syntax of Social Media to Semantics and Pragmatics for Their Users 3 AI Recommendations Categorisation and Users’ Umwelten 3.1 Affordances of AI Recommendations Within Social Media 3.2 Scaffolding Process 4 Digital Burnout as an Example 4.1 How Human–Computer Interactions Are Studied Today 4.2 HCI Methods to Address Users’ Behaviour 4.3 Addressing Digital Burnout: Between Neuroscience and Biosemiotics 4.3.1 Adopting and Fitting into an Environment with Incomplete Knowledge About It 4.3.2 Multitasking and Presence in Multiple Environments at the Same Time 4.3.3 Categorisation as a Syntactic Element of the Environment Which Does Not Provide Affordances for Full Expression to Effectively Communicate 4.3.4 Perception of Others in Social Media 4.3.5 Feeling of Control and Stress Anticipation 5 Future Directions toward Methodology 6 Conclusions References A Method for Deriving Brand Innovation: Example of Meta 1 Introduction 2 Theoretical Framework 2.1 A Method for Deriving Brand Innovation 2.2 A Coordinate Space of Choice and Time 2.3 A Map of Choice 3 A Case Study: Meta 3.1 Overview of the Company 3.2 The First Stage: The Background System 3.3 The Second Stage: The Market Segments Relations to Product Services 3.4 The Third Stage: Aspect of Innovation 3.5 Computing Meta’s Innovation in Logic 4 Conclusion References The Illusionary World of K-Pop 1 Introduction 2 K-Pop as a Spectacle 3 Subjective Positions and Bidirectional Relationship 4 Identity of Performers 5 Identity of Fans 6 Conclusion References Symmetry-Asymmetry in Semiosphere of Culture: The Case of Authenticity/Inauthenticity Opposition 1 Introduction 2 Mirror Symmetry, Enantiomorphism, Dissymmetry 2.1 Symmetry/Asymmetry in Culture 2.2 Symmetry/Asymmetry in Contemporary Science 3 Authenticity/Inauthenticity Opposition and Cultural Universals 3.1 Universal Non-universals 4 Conclusion References Blood Gilded Time – Reflections on the Sublogical Bearings Between Passion, Possession, and Perish 1 Introduction and the Project of Modal Semiotics 2 Body Ground ‘Red’ 2.1 The Signifying Body 2.2 For the Body, Exterior and Interior ‘Things’ Are Positive(-Neutral-)Negative 2.2.1 All ‘Things’ Within and Without of the Body 2.2.2 The Body’s Operative Dimensions 2.2.3 Stereomeion 2.3 The Sublogical Tie Between ‘Red::Blood::Emotion’ 3 Dual Consciousness of Space and Time 3.1 Just Because It Has a ‘Beginning’ Doesn’t Mean It Has to ‘End’ 3.2 Solid Light ‘Gold’ and ‘Red’ 3.3 The Never-Setting Sun 3.4 Golden Sun of Life 4 The Valorization, Axiologization, and Subsequent Ideologization of ‘Gold’ 5 Conclusion References Beyond Ghosts and Castles: Possession, a Cultural Tool for Transition 1 Possession 1.1 The Blood-Possession Controversy 1.2 Conditions to Possess 1.3 Our Blood, a Possession-Reality Diversion? 2 The Elixir of Life 2.1 Blood as a Symbol of Salvation 2.2 Blood as a Family Symbol 2.3 Value of Blood and Its Role in I-Positioning 2.4 Construction of Blood by the Dialogical Self Theory 3 When Possession Loses Its Sense 3.1 Possession as Opinion 4 Transplantation and Motherhood (Milk) 5 Possession: A Mirror for Human Transition Ability References Emergent Imputative Symbols: In One Word 1 Introduction 2 Semiotic Scaffolding and Imputations of Power 3 “In One Word, What Is the One Value in Your Life that Holds the Most Power?”: Hyper-generalized Sign Field of Power as a Value 4 Symbolic Relations of Scaffolded Value 5 “If You Were to Draw Power, What Would It Look Like?”: Visual Representation for the Imputation of Power 6 Moving Forward References Phantasmagoria 1 Phantasmagoria, Imagination, and Fantasy 1.1 Imagination 1.2 Fantasy 2 Types and Divisions of Phantasmagoria 2.1 Types of Phantasmagoria 2.2 Division of (Un)realistic Phantasmagoria 2.2.1 Division According to the Age of Those Who Create (Childish/Adolescent/Adult Phantasmagoria) 2.2.2 Division According to the Emotions(Love/Dark/Tragic) 2.2.3 System According to Other Surreal Modeling Systems (Sources Like Memory, Literature, Etc.) 2.2.4 Division According to the Time of the Day (Day/Night Phantasmagoria) 3 Characters of Phantasmagoria 3.1 Categorization of Characters According to the Main Factors 3.2 Categorization According to the Roles and Functions of Characters 3.3 Categorization According to the Habitation in Phantasmagoria 3.4 Categorization According to Character Relations 4 Phantasmagoria Plot 4.1 According to the Ending 4.2 According to Character Relations 5 Conclusion References Reframing Free Will in the Semiotic Hierarchy of Grief 1 Introduction 2 Free Will Lose Between Religion and Science 3 Grief 3.1 Stages of Grief 3.2 Connecting Free Will and Grief Through the Semiotic Hierarchy 4 Grieving Free Will: The Case of Tom 5 Discussion References Breaking the Status Quo: A Third Vision on the Relations of Numeric System and Psychological Measurement 1 Introduction 2 Numeric System Tailored for the Psyche 3 Quasi-linear Open System 4 Open and Closed Systems 5 The Utopian Nature of Psychological Measurement 6 Quasi-linearity in Human Minds 7 Why Quasi-linear? 8 The Sign-Mediation Process and Its Complexity 9 Making Psychology Person-Oriented 10 Interconnection of Information and Translation 11 The Many Faces of Probabilistic Perspectives 12 Assignment of Numbers Is Construction of Signs 13 Conclusion References Index