HACIDA is the acronym for "humour and conflict in the digital age", which is what will be discussed on 29-30 November at the University of Ghent in Belgium.
The scientific research network ENLIGHT of Ghent University is hosting a number of presentations as part of a two-day conference in Ghent (Belgium).
The HACIDA conference will focus on the intersection of two complicated issues: the nature and interpretative difficulties presented by humour across different media, such as memes, cartoons and stand-up comedy; and how the digital revolution has exacerbated these already difficult interpretative manifestations, often through the decontextualised circulation of humorous images and statements outside their original national and linguistic boundaries.
The organisers believe that the digital revolution has given impetus to two forms of conflict:
- Interpretative conflict: i.e., the ambiguity inherent in humorous forms of discourse, which often presuppose at least two levels of meaning: the surface, intended meaning of, for example, an ironic statement or image; and
- Social and societal conflict: that is, when different and relative cultural norms, standards, customs and sensibilities have been directly or accidentally challenged by humorous works that have circulated online, often outside of local contexts and frequently across the borderless world of the Internet.
It will range from theoretical analyses to case studies of specific past or ongoing controversies and how the world's increasing interconnectedness has fuelled misunderstandings in interpreting these works and, especially, cultural conflicts.
Although this conference will focus on many negative conflicts, humour is also understood as a potentially positive force in internet discourse.
Thus, HACIDA believes that humour can be a vehicle for intercultural or community understanding (i.e. a way of bringing people together in communal laughter); and a tool of resistance or a means of challenging power. Thus, humour can provoke positive conflict that spreads through digital media.
Confirmed speakers are Chi-Hé Elder (University of East Anglia) and Eleni Kapogianni (University of Kent); Giselinde Kuipers (Catholic University of Leuven); and Raúl Pérez (University of La Verne). The conference will also feature a public panel discussion with humour professionals, including comedian Shazia Mirza, writer and producer Annie Julia Wyman (co-creator of The Chair on Netflix and Welcome to Chippendales on Hulu), cartoonist Tjeerd Royaards and Mike Gillis (editor-in-chief of the popular satirical website The Onion).
You have all the information on their website. I reproduce the full programme of presentations because I find it very interesting and as a reminder to try to follow the conference, if it is broadcast in streaming.
Continued with the programme on page 2
