title: “To dream of a wildness distant from ourselves”: Capitalism, colonialism, and the Robinsonade

authors: Pepperell, Nicole

subjects: Charles Mills

abstract: Daniel Defoe’s novel Robinson Crusoe holds an iconic position, not solely as a work of literature, but also for its influence in economic and social theory. This article reflects on this influence by mobilising Charles Mills’ concept of epistemologies of ignorance and Lorenzo Veracini’s work on psychological defence mechanisms in settler colonial societies. This theoretical framework motivates a close textual analysis of Robinson Crusoe that focuses particularly on four textual strategies: paired contrasts between Xury and Friday that frame enslavement as a sacrificial act; strategic use of “cosmopolitan” ideals; a theory of subjection as the foundation for legitimate power; and moral relativisms that rationalise Crusoe’s theft of Indigenous land. This analysis then provides the foundation for an original interpretation of Marx’s Capital as a critically inverted Robinsonade: one designed to demonstrate how global relations of colonial expropriation generate a crucible in which a particular imaginary of autonomous individuality is forged.

text: “To dream of a wildness distant from ourselves”: Capitalism, colonialism, and the Robinsonade Daniel Defoe’s novel Robinson Crusoe holds an iconic position, not solely as a work of literature, but also for its influence in economic and social theory. This article reflects on this influence by mobilising Charles Mills’ concept of epistemologies of ignorance and Lorenzo Veracini’s work on psychological defence mechanisms in settler colonial societies. This theoretical framework motivates a close textual analysis of Robinson Crusoe that focuses particularly on four textual strategies: paired contrasts between Xury and Friday that frame enslavement as a sacrificial act; strategic use of “cosmopolitan” ideals; a theory of subjection as the foundation for legitimate power; and moral relativisms that rationalise Crusoe’s theft of Indigenous land. This analysis then provides the foundation for an original interpretation of Marx’s Capital as a critically inverted Robinsonade: one designed to demonstrate how global relations of colonial expropriation generate a crucible in which a particular imaginary of autonomous individuality is forged.

year: 2023-09-06

title: Effect of intensive catchment and in-lake restoration procedures on phosphorus concentrations in a eutrophic lake

authors: Özkundakci, Deniz

subjects: eutrophication

abstract: Lake Okaro is a small, warm monomictic lake in central North Island, New Zealand, which progressed from oligotrophic to eutrophic through the 1960s. Trends in phosphorus (P) concentrations in the lake are linked to multiple restoration efforts over a 5-year period (2003–2008). The restoration procedures include a 2.3 ha constructed wetland established in February 2006 and riparian margin protection to reduce external loading, as well as an Alum application in December 2003 and sediment capping using modified zeolite in September 2008 to reduce internal loading. The annual average total phosphorus (TP) concentration in the lake decreased by 41% from 2004–2005 to 2007–2008. Two predictive models based on external P loading data generally underestimated the measured TP concentrations in the water column due to internal P loading. The relatively rapid response of TP concentrations after reduction of the internal loading using modified zeolite suggests that this technique can effect a rapid decrease in lake water TP concentrations though the trophic state of Lake Okaro showed high resilience to the reduced P loading. It is concluded that the combined effect of all restoration procedures resulted in a relatively rapid decrease in TP concentrations in Lake Okaro, which may be prolonged by continued external load reduction.

text: Effect of intensive catchment and in-lake restoration procedures on phosphorus concentrations in a eutrophic lake Lake Okaro is a small, warm monomictic lake in central North Island, New Zealand, which progressed from oligotrophic to eutrophic through the 1960s. Trends in phosphorus (P) concentrations in the lake are linked to multiple restoration efforts over a 5-year period (2003–2008). The restoration procedures include a 2.3 ha constructed wetland established in February 2006 and riparian margin protection to reduce external loading, as well as an Alum application in December 2003 and sediment capping using modified zeolite in September 2008 to reduce internal loading. The annual average total phosphorus (TP) concentration in the lake decreased by 41% from 2004–2005 to 2007–2008. Two predictive models based on external P loading data generally underestimated the measured TP concentrations in the water column due to internal P loading. The relatively rapid response of TP concentrations after reduction of the internal loading using modified zeolite suggests that this technique can effect a rapid decrease in lake water TP concentrations though the trophic state of Lake Okaro showed high resilience to the reduced P loading. It is concluded that the combined effect of all restoration procedures resulted in a relatively rapid decrease in TP concentrations in Lake Okaro, which may be prolonged by continued external load reduction.

year: 2010

title: Mā hea (which way)? Mō te aha (what for)? Too many questions, not enough answers, for Māori on the march

authors: Te Awekotuku, Ngahuia

subjects: Aotearoa/New Zealand

abstract: This presentation will be in four sections. The first section introduces two major issues: mana motuhake, and mana tāngata, then we will consider some proposed legislation: the Foreshore and Seabed Bill and the Civil Union Bill. Then I will look at strategic Māori responses to political pressure over the last three decades and note two recent and dramatic examples – the Hīkoi Takutai Moana, April 2004, and the Enough is Enough Rally, August 2004. The final section considers the implications for psychologies and psychologists working today in Aotearoa.

text: Mā hea (which way)? Mō te aha (what for)? Too many questions, not enough answers, for Māori on the march This presentation will be in four sections. The first section introduces two major issues: mana motuhake, and mana tāngata, then we will consider some proposed legislation: the Foreshore and Seabed Bill and the Civil Union Bill. Then I will look at strategic Māori responses to political pressure over the last three decades and note two recent and dramatic examples – the Hīkoi Takutai Moana, April 2004, and the Enough is Enough Rally, August 2004. The final section considers the implications for psychologies and psychologists working today in Aotearoa.

year: 2012