Eon, vol. 6, nr. 3 / 2025 

AI-Slop and Political Propaganda: The Role of AI-Generated Content in Memes and Influence Campaigns

ABSTRACT: This paper examines the phenomenon of "AI-slop" – a term denoting the mass proliferation of low-quality, AI-generated content – and its role in contemporary digital culture and political propaganda. We trace the conceptual emergence of AI-slop and analyze its epistemic, aesthetic, and socio-political implications, focusing particularly on memes as carriers of ideology. Through a media-theoretical and historical lens, we compare memes with political cartoons, highlighting how both serve as vehicles for persuasion, but noting memes' capacity for rapid diffusion, anonymity, and heightened polarizing effects. Using the 2024 -25 Romanian elections as a case study, we show how candidates strategically deployed AI-generated memes and crude visuals to cultivate authenticity, amplify nationalist narratives, and bypass traditional media scrutiny. We argue that AI-slop not only undermines knowledge infrastructures but also reconfigures political communication, blurring the boundaries between entertainment, misinformation, and propaganda. Ultimately, AI-slop represents a critical frontier for digital literacy, democratic resilience, and information integrity.

Digital Colonialism and Epistemic Dependence. A Postcolonial Critique of Power and Knowledge

ABSTRACT: This research sheds light on the troubling relationship between power and knowledge in the context of digital transformations, via a postcolonial reading of how digitization is performing epistemic dependencies. It starts from the hypothesis that digital decentralization hides behind it a new Western centrality that reinforces the soft control of epistemic dependency in the form of knowledge production and circulation. The research investigates the contention of the authors that colonial logic remains evident in the digital space, by employing concepts from philosophers like Foucault, Deleuze, Jaspers, and Morin - and utilizing a critical analytical lens. The findings of the study suggest liberation is no longer confined to the free of political or military liberation, but an epistemic and cultural liberation, and that what is being passed off as opportunities for digital participation and openness it is an illusion that will entrench epistemic dependency largely controlled by big corporations or large Western research centers. The study results conclude that the challenge of digital colonialism requires developing local epistemic strategies that are independent, which can repatriate knowledge, liberated episteme from the cultural space of Western centrality.

Între descentralizare politicăși critică profetică. Peisajul politic și religios din Sfântul Imperiu Roman de Națiune Germană 
în zorii Reformei

TITLE: "Between Political Decentralization and Prophetic Critique: The Political and Religious Landscape of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation at the Dawn of the Reformation"

ABSTRACT: At the dawn of the Protestant Reformation, the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation was characterized by a decentralized structure and a collegial system of governance. In the context of fragmented imperial authority, local entities enjoying relative autonomy, were able to implement independent religious reform initiatives. The Catholic Church exercised significant influence within the Empire, particularly in the German-speaking territories, and was marked by a symbiosis between the spiritual and the secular, manifested in the simultaneous exercise of ecclesiastical and secular authority – a dynamic that often led to dysfunctions and abuses within ecclesial life. In this setting, prophecies – situated at the intersection of transcendence and socio-political reality – functioned as instruments of critique toward the religious and political order, as well as expressions of the collective spiritual expectations. This complex politico-religious landscape provided a favorable framework for the spread of reformist ideas and actions, offering fertile ground and, at times, local political support. The present paper, focused on the context in which Martin Luther would carry out his activity. It is the first of a trilogy of studies aimed at understanding the reforming phenomenon in Ernestine Saxony, with Martin Luther as its central figure.

Ibn Khaldun and the Idea of the Ummah. A Study of the Conditions of Social Cohesion and Civilizational Decline

ABSTRACT: This research investigates the concept of the "Ummah" in Ibn Khaldun's thought by performing a careful reading of his famous Muqaddimah, and one of the fundamental pillars of historical sociology that modern social scientists rely on. In particular, the research seeks to identify the conditions of social cohesion that Ibn Khaldun considered important for the emergence of states and the viability of civilizations, with the respect to the concepts of asabiyyah (social solidarity), religion, and justice as essential cornerstones of human society. Additionally, the research evaluates the causes of civilizational decline, such as isintegration of social cohesion, unjust actions, and excessive indulgence to describe the cyclical process of emergence and decline that Ibn Khaldun assigned to a meaning-making framework. Lastly, the study will extend the discussion into a contemporary context pointing to the salience of thinkers such as Ibn Khaldun, with respect to understanding the structural crises emerging within modern Arab societies. Overall, our final remarks state that Ibn Khaldun remains a key and critical theoretical reference point for making sense of social and political issues in a contemporary context.

Semnificația noțiunii de "eros"în gândirea lui Christos Yannaras

https://doi.org/10.56177/eon.6.3.2025.art.5  

TITLE: "The Meaning of the Notion of «Eros» in the Thought of Christos Yannaras"

ABSTRACT: This article examines the concept of "eros" in the thought of the Greek theologian Christos Yannaras, while emphasizing its personal, ontological, and ecclesial characteristics. The study demonstrates how eros transcends its biological function and becomes a constitutive movement of life, which unifies creation and orients it toward God. This is based on the idea that the beauty of the world is a call to communion. Patristic reflections, especially those of Saint Maximus the Confessor and Saint Dionysius the Areopagite, highlight eros's capacity to overcome individualism and participate in the life of the Church. In this way, eros is both an expression of personal freedom and a path toward deification, while at the same time preserving the triadic structure of divine love within the created world.

Valențele "te iubesc-ului"

TITLE: "The Valences of 'I love you' " 
ABSTRACT: This paper seeks to explore the multiple manifestations of "I love you" as they emerge at distinct moments, are felt in singular experiences, and are conveyed through linguistic, metaphysical, and even phenomenological modes - almost invariably. "I love you" can have certain valences, and it is precisely this aspect that will be addressed in this paper. We will examine how exactly these facets of love exist and, possibly, why, as well as what they signify, using as a philosophical aid the chapter dedicated to the apophatic discourse of love, from the volume The Visible and the Revealed, written by Jean-Luc Marion. Do I love you like the morning dew, appearing upon flowers whose petals are drunk with abundance? Or do I love you as I love the sky - untouchable, even if I wished to reach it? Or perhaps my love runs so deep that my eyes already speak what my lips cannot, rendering words unnecessary?

Idealul estetic feminin în Roma antică

TITLE: "The Feminine Aesthetic Ideal in Ancient Rome"  
ABSTRACT: Through the lens of Roman society, beauty can be defined as a multifaceted concept shaped by the aesthetic, social, cultural, and philosophical values of the time. Within such a framework, physical perfection was regarded not merely as an external and superficial trait, but as an expression of harmony, proportion, inner balance, and the virtues emblematic of ancient Rome. From this starting point, the present study unfolds an incursion into the philosophical and literary sphere of Greco-Roman Antiquity, where the art of writing is harmoniously complemented by artistic associations, through which the symbolism and cultural impact of the "ideal" are articulated along three complementary axes. First, the relationship between soma and psyche is examined according to ancient philosophical theories – Platonic dualism, Aristotelian psychosomatic functions, and Socratic affirmation – each emphasizing the notion of bodily beauty as a reflection of moral virtue. Subsequently, the concepts of proportion, symmetry, and bodily harmony – central themes in art, literature, and philosophical thought – are analyzed, revealing the profound Hellenic influence on Roman aesthetic standards. Finally, the established norms of monumental art – whether literary or sculptural – are shown to have deeply permeated the structure of Roman society, where in feminine beauty became not only an aesthetic ideal but also a symbol of hierarchical status, epitomized by the figure of the goddess Venus. The exploration of her mythological virtues serves as a culminating illustration of the study's objective. Thus, this research presents an interdisciplinary reading of ancient aesthetic perfection as applied to the female form, offering a refined synthesis of aesthetics and ethics.

Rolul muzicii în construcția identitǎților etnice-culturale. Tinariwen și blues-ul tuaregilor din deșertul saharian

TITLE: "The Role of Music in the Construction of Ethnic-Cultural Identities. Tinariwen and Tuareg Desert Blues"
ABSTRACT: The strategies of world music have facilitated intercultural exchanges within the global music market and have broadened access to the diversity of musical experiences worldwide, by valorizing the cultural and ethnic specificity of the music. New world music fusions and new cultural identities have been constructed through the specific strategies and narratives of world music. We aim to deconstruct these highly mediated narratives, which have drawn attention to an exotic and little-known region of the world. We focus on the exemplary case of the group Tinariwen, which has contributed, through music, to shaping a new identity for the Tuareg people. We follow several investigation paths: How is the ethnic-cultural identity of the Tuaregs constructed through the music promoted by Tinariwen, in the context of post-colonialism and globalization? How have Tinariwen become the emblematic figure of resistance through music, of the struggle for autonomy and freedom of the Tuaregs in the context of political and cultural repression, under the exile pressure, and prohibitions on making music? We try to understand how Tinariwen have managed, through music to capture the attention of the entire world on the destiny of a people.

The Reflection of Shamanism in South Korean Television Series

ABSTRACT: This study explores the representation of Korean shamanism in South Korean television series (K-dramas) and examines how these productions contribute to the preservation and promotion of shamanic traditions in the context of globalization. The research is based on the hypothesis that Korean shamanism has survived not only through those who still practice traditional rituals but also through mass media and new technologies, particularly K-dramas and online platforms, which have made these practices accessible to a global audience. To address the research questions, 40 South Korean dramas and films produced between 2010 and 2023 were selected and analyzed using thematic content analysis. The selection was based on the full viewing of each production, during which recurring scenes and themes related to Korean shamanism were identified. The findings reveal that shamanism is consistently and faithfully represented across a wide range of genres—including action, comedy, historical drama, fantasy, and family narratives. Regardless of release year, these series regularly depict traditional elements such as healing and funerary rituals, talismans, spirit interpretation, and exorcisms. As such, K-dramas play a significant role in preserving and popularizing Korean shamanic traditions for both domestic and international audiences.

Sociology of Linguistic Transformations in the Digital Space. An Approach in the Context of Algerian Society

ABSTRACT: This article proposes a sociological approach to analyze language transformations in Algeria's digital space. It views language as both a social construct and a key system of communication, especially in the context of evolving digital interactions. Through examples from online linguistic practices, the article highlights the emergence of new forms of expression shaped by individual interactions. In Algeria, hybrid languages and widespread use of dialects are increasingly common. These shifts reflect a dilution of standard language norms on social media. The study also points to a gradual decline in the symbolic dominance of Classical Arabic.

Statutul construcțiilor incidente în limba română contemporană

TITLE: "The status of incidental construction in contemporary Romanian language"
ABSTRACT: Through this article, we propose a synthesis of the main studies on incidental construction in Romanian language, revealing the convergent or divergent perspectives adopted by traditional and modern grammar, as well as by the specialized literature. At the same time, relying on arguments and facts of language itself (especially the problem of incidental constructions as parenthetical language facts), we include incidental constructions, generally considered a matter of syntax, in an interdisciplinary sphere of concerns, engaging at least two complementary directions: linguistics and semantics, respectively. Transversally, we debate the consistency of the theories that claim that these constructions are an additional communication within a basic communication to which they are not syntactically linked and which they interrupt, and we emphasize a much more plausible point of view, namely the conception of these constructions as being especially important within the organization of the statement viewed as an object of discourse, as a materialization of any type of human communication.

Disco Elysium: Voices and Thoughts. A brief overview of Skill Voices and The Thought Cabinet

ABSTRACT: The article aims to investigate the use of internal voices of the skills as a means of constructing and conveying identity. By analyzing the narrative mechanisms and player interactions, this study explores the roles of the voices as narrative agents influencing character development and the player's perception alongside the role of the Thought Cabinet.