Wie kann man vom 'Deutschen' leben? Zur Paxisrelevanz der interkulturellen Germanistik

In vielen Teilen der Welt ist die akademische Beschäftigung mit der deutschen Sprache, Literatur und Kultur in Bedrängnis geraten. Während mancherorts die Absolventen der (interkulturellen) Germanistik noch ohne Schwierigkeiten eine Anstellung finden, für die sie ausgebildet wurden, wird andernorts ein Studium der Germanistik mangels einschlägiger Berufsaussichten erst gar nicht mehr aufgenommen. Daher stellt sich die Frage, was im Fache und von seinen Repräsentanten getan werden kann, um die Praxisrelevanz der (interkulturellen) Germanistik zu begründen bzw. zu steigern und die Absolventen in die Lage zu versetzen, (wieder) ‘vom Deutschen’ leben zu können. Die internationale Germanistik mit ihren je eigenen, oft regional und gar lokal geprägten Fachidentitäten ist stark an der Ausbildung von komparativen, multiperspektivischen und interkulturellen Betrachtungs- und Zugangsweisen interessiert, die den methodologischen Unilateralismus überwinden. Gerade die ‘Auslandsgermanistiken’ könnten sich so als Schnittstellendisziplinen profilieren und zugleich konsolidieren.

Rendering Falling Leaves on Graphics Hardware

There is a growing interest in simulating natural phenomena in computer graphics applications. Animating natural scenes in real time is one of the most challenging problems due to the inherent complexity of their structure, formed by millions of geometric entities, and the interactions that happen within. An example of natural scenario that is needed for games or simulation programs are forests. Forests are difficult to render because the huge amount of geometric entities and the large amount of detail to be represented. Moreover, the interactions between the objects (grass, leaves) and external forces such as wind are complex to model. In this paper we concentrate in the rendering of falling leaves at low cost. We present a technique that exploits graphics hardware in order to render thousands of leaves with different falling paths in real time and low memory requirements.

Cut Out By The Middle Man: The Free Speech Implications Of Social Network Blocking and Banning In The EU

This article examines social network users’ legal defences against content removal under the EU and ECHR frameworks, and their implications for the effective exercise of free speech online. A review of the Terms of Use and content moderation policies of two major social network services, Facebook and Twitter, shows that end users are unlikely to have a contractual defence against content removal. Under the EU and ECHR frameworks, they may demand the observance of free speech principles in state-issued blocking orders and their implementation by intermediaries, but cannot invoke this ‘fair balance’ test against the voluntary removal decisions by the social network service. Drawing on practical examples, this article explores the threat to free speech created by this lack of accountability: Firstly, a shift from legislative regulation and formal injunctions to public-private collaborations allows state authorities to influence these ostensibly voluntary policies, thereby circumventing constitutional safeguards. Secondly, even absent state interference, the commercial incentives of social media cannot be guaranteed to coincide with democratic ideals. In light of the blurring of public and private functions in the regulation of social media expression, this article calls for the increased accountability of the social media services towards end users regarding the observance of free speech principles