Humanist Discussion Group, Vol. 39, No. 193.
Department of Digital Humanities, University of Cologne
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[1] From: Alfred Nordmann <nordmann@PHIL.TU-DARMSTADT.DE>
Subject: CfP Technology and Language - Machine Learning for Learning Machines (106)
[2] From: Hashagen, Ulf <U.Hashagen@deutsches-museum.de>
Subject: A new book on the influence of the computer on the sciences (18)
--[1]------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2025-10-29 08:36:54+00:00
From: Alfred Nordmann <nordmann@PHIL.TU-DARMSTADT.DE>
Subject: CfP Technology and Language - Machine Learning for Learning Machines
Another issue of "Technology and Language" has appeared, and with it a
new call for contributions that appeals to historians and philosophers
of technology, historians and theorists of pedagogy, (multi)linguists as
well as researchers in science, technology, and cultural studies.
https://soctech.spbstu.ru/en/issue/20/
www.philosophie.tu-darmstadt.de/T_and_L
The latest issue features 11 papers on the Language and Poetics of
Machines, guest edited by DENG Pan and Kevin Liggieri: The
intelligibility of mechanical processes lends a peculiar expressive
power to the machine. This collection of papers explores how machines
speak to us, often in a gendered language, sometimes through the
phantasm of automation, and in avantgarde moments through the
integration of technology and art. Restoration practices recognize
machines as part of our polytechnic heritage and the poet-philosopher
Lars Gustafsson traces our very own machine nature to 17th century
hoists and pulleys: Spirit-writing meets Marx's analysis of machines as
allies and enemies of the working class. The special issue thus exhibits
a complex spectrum of power, desire, and meaning. – In addition, two
contibuted papers address divergent issues regarding the measurement of
digital competence and the effectiveness of political speech in the
Enlightenment tradition.
There is a new CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS (deadline July 5, 2026) „Machine
Learning for Learning Machines“: In the age of AI, readers and writers,
students and teachers are confronted with new questions: When any text
can be generated or translated automatically, why learn languages at
all? When machines can train humans, is this the future of pedagogy? –
These questions revolve around the polyvalent concept of the "learning
machine," a term which now resonates on multiple levels: it refers to
AI-powered systems like large language models; to human cognition
itself, that is to our biologically endowed faculty to acquire knowledge
and harness skills; as well as to AI-driven educational assistants
designed to augment human learning. All these interpretations are
compelling—for their promises, their problems, and their impact on
multilingual forms of life. They evoke the age-old dream of
computational devices that elucidate language, generate new ideas, and
lay the foundation for universal communication. Many seek to bracket
semantics, raising the question of whether linguistic coordination
requires machine-learnable syntax and pragmatics without appeals to
meaning. We invite philosophers of technology and language, historians
and theorists of pedagogy, (multi)linguists and language teachers, and
researchers in science, technology, and cultural studies to contribute
to this special issue, guest edited by Andrey Baykov and Nguyen Ngoc Vu.
Inquiries are welcome and can be sent to soctech@spbstu.ru,
a.baykov@inno.mgimo.ru, or nordmann@phil.tu-darmstadt.de.
Other open calls (shortened)
„Technology and Tragedy“ (if interested, please contact us as soon
possible) — Prometheus, Daedalus and Icarus, Faust and Frankenstein are
tragic characters. In the Anthropocene and the age of climate change,
many pin their hopes on new technologies – as they confront the tragic
end of the modern technological world. There is the shipwreck of the
Titanic, the fiery destruction of the Hindenburg airship, the Bridge of
San Luis Rey - they are framed as „tragedies“ and thus they receive a
narrrative form which is a social technology in itself. This form
enables us to observe, derive meaning, and create sense of events. This
offers a space for self-reflection: what narratives do we use, and how
do they shape our understanding of technology? (guest editors: Anonymous
and Oliver Schlaudt) For an extended version of the call, see
https://soctech.spbstu.ru/en/news/
„Technological Modernization: Western and Non-Western Accounts“
(Deadline: January 5, 2026) — For a long time- it went without saying:
Modernization is firmly a Western affair, if only because of its origins
in modern science, capitalism, industrialization, and the formation of
liberal societies. In the contemporary multi-polar world and an age of
technoscience, this view has been challenged. China and Russia, India
and Brazil have been exploring non-Western models of modernization. How
credible are these attempts? We invite narratives and counter-narratives
of technological modernization from history and philosophy of
technology, political theory, cultural studies, global TA and
comparative governance, environmental and sustainability research, as
well as the microsociological study of technological development. (Guest
editors: Carl Mitcham, YAN Ping, and YE Luyang)
„Voices“ (deadline April 5, 2026) – Pen and paper, printing press,
typewriter and word processor are but some of the technologies of and
for written language. But language is voiced in poetry and prose, in
conversation and song, at the lectern and on stage, in cries of pain and
moans of pleasure. To find and have a voice is fundamental to human
existence, requiring technologies of the self but also coaching or
speech-therapy. To have one‘s voice heard is fundamental to human
sociability, it is a matter not just of politics but also of megaphones
and media platforms. And yet the technologies of voice reach even more
deeply into our daily lives. 1) Voices themselves are tunable
instruments that can be used strategically. 2) Voices are subject to
technical change not only in the age of AI when the human voice might be
displaced. 3) Human and machinic voices serve as an interface to
technology as we are interrogated by and speak to devices. (Guest
editors: Hardy Frehe, Anna Shcherbak, and María José Ríos)
Beyond these calls for special topics, submitted papers and
interdisciplinary explorations at the interface of technology and
language are always welcome. The next deadline for submitted papers in
English or Russian is January 10, 2026.
“Technology and Language” is a quarterly journal: international, peer
reviewed, Scopus listed, online, open access, academic (no fees).
Queries, suggestions, and submissions can be addressed to
soctech@spbstu.ru or to Daria Bylieva (bylieva_ds@spbstu.ru) and Alfred
Nordmann (nordmann@phil.tu-darmstadt.de).
--[2]------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2025-10-29 08:35:54+00:00
From: Hashagen, Ulf <U.Hashagen@deutsches-museum.de>
Subject: A new book on the influence of the computer on the sciences
A book that Rudolf Seising and I edited and just published by Springer
may be of interest to some of you: "Algorithmische Wissenskulturen: Der
Einfluss des Computers auf die Wissenschaftsentwicklung"
(https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-658-35560-9).
Ulf Hashagen
----
PD Dr. Ulf Hashagen
Leitung / Head
Forschungsinstitut für Technik- und Wissenschaftsgeschichte / The
Research Institute for the History of Science and Technology
Deutsches Museum
Museumsinsel 1
80538 München / Munich
Germany
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