Alexandre Bretel (Grenoble Alpes University) in conversation with Sinan Barış Yaşar (HGGS)
- What makes AI ethics distinct from other areas of ethics?
- What is required for the “responsible” use of AI?
- How can the philosophies of Hans Jonas, GüntherAnders, and Hannah Arendt provide guidance in addressing the challenges of AI?
In this episode, Alexandre Bretel from the Grenoble Alpes University and participant in the Marsilius-Kolleg Summer School 2025 “AI and Human Values” joins us to explore the intersection of AI ethics and responsibility through the perspectives of Hans Jonas, Günther Anders, and Hannah Arendt. Together, we reflect on the philosophical foundations of AI ethics, the meaning of responsibility, and the so-called “responsibility gap” in AI systems. The conversation also turns to broader questions—how AI challenges human autonomy, the difference between innovation and progress, and the fine line between utopian promise and dystopian risk. We further discuss the ethical dimensions of surveillance, the importance of individual responsibility, and what policy approaches might guide the development of truly responsible AI.
Timeline
(00:00) Intro
(00:24) Introducing Alexandre Bretel and His Research Focus
(03:11) Fundamentals of AI Ethics
(06:48) The Perspectives of Hans Jonas, Günther Anders, and Hannah Arendt on Responsibility
(09:18) Understanding the Concept of Responsibility in AI
(10:43) The Responsibility Gap in AI Systems
(13:09) Implications of AI on Human Autonomy
(15:52) Innovation vs. Progress in Technology
(19:36) Utopia, Anti-Utopia and Dystopia in the framework of AI Ethics
(21:32) Surveillance and AI: Ethical Implications
(24:35) Individual Responsibility in the Age of AI
(27:02) Policy Recommendations for Responsible AI
(29:13) The Blurring Lines between Private and Public Spheres
(31:22) Personal Reflection: Importance of Philosophical Wanderings
(33:36) Outro
Keywords
AI ethics, responsibility, Hans Jonas, Günther Anders, Hannah Arendt, technology, human autonomy, innovation, progress, surveillance, utopia, dystopia, anti-utopia, technology ethics, wandering, AI systems, environment, AI regulation, AI policy
PD Dr. Johannes Gerwien (Heidelberg University) in conversation with Sinan Barış Yaşar (HGGS)
What are the functions of “inner speech” within the framework of cognitive science?
What role does the linguistic relativism theory play in inner speech and the thinking process?
Is language-free cognition even possible?
In this episode, PD Dr. Johannes Gerwien discusses the intricate relationship between language, thought, and cognition. He explores various aspects of language production, including inner speech, self-monitoring, executive control, and the nature of language encoding. The conversation delves into linguistic relativity theory, the impact of language acquisition on cognitive processes, and the challenges of studying inner speech. PD Dr. Gerwien also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in cognitive science and the potential for overcoming language barriers through shared experiences and understanding the nature of these barriers.
Timeline
00:00 Intro
00:24 Introducing PD Dr. Johannes Gerwien
04:45 Understanding Language Production
09:02 Self-Monitoring and Executive Control in Language Production
12:24 Incremental Language Encoding
18:23 Linguistic Relativity Theory
23:41 Thinking for Speaking Yourself Hypothesis
25:58 Language Acquisition in Language and Thought
31:28 Difference between Verbal and Nonverbal Tasks
36:11 Methodological Challenges in Inner Speech Research
37:12 Is Language-Free Cognition Possible?
41:33 Generalizability Problem in Linguistic Research
46:18 When We Talk to Ourselves, Who Are We Really Addressing?
50:51 Overcoming Language Barriers
56:11 CAS Cognitive Science Program at Heidelberg University
01:01:24 Outro
Keywords
linguistics, language production, inner speech, linguistic relativity, cognitive science, cognition, language and thought, language acquisition, language production, language encoding, psycholinguistics, thinking for speaking, self-monitoring executive control, attention, language barriers
Maximilian Kathan (Heidelberg University of Jewish Studies) in conversation with Sinan Barış Yaşar (HGGS)
What is the impact of nationalism and antisemitism in the late Habsburg Monarchy?How did Karl Emil Franzos and Nathan Birnbaum contribute to the (re)construction of Jewish identity?What roles do language and literature play in defining national identity?
In this episode, Maximilian Kathan from Heidelberg University of Jewish Studies discusses his research on Jewish identity constructions within the Habsburg Monarchy, focusing on the interplay of history, literature, and Jewish studies. He explores the impact of nationalism and antisemitism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the Habsburg Monarchy, in light of the diverse perspectives of Jewish writers Karl Emil Franzos and Nathan Birnbaum. The conversation delves into the complexities of identity, language, and cultural tensions in a rapidly changing empire, as well as the methodological challenges faced in historical literary studies.
Timeline
00:00 Intro
00:24 Introducing Maximilian Kathan and His Research Topics
03:12 Interdisciplinary Approaches in Historical Research
05:04 Exploring the late Habsburg Monarchy: A Time of Change
06:42 Comparative Analysis of Jewish Writers: Franzos and Birnbaum
14:43 Nationalism and Its Impact on the Habsburg Empire
20:17 Relationship between Language and National Identity in the Habsburg Empire
21:11 Antisemitism and Its Effects on Jewish Writers
23:58 Cultural Tensions: The Dichotomy of East and West
26:07 Methodological Challenges in Historical Research
29:44 Recommended Works of Franzos and Birnbaum
31:52 Personal Reflections and Future Plans
34:20 Outro
Keywords
Jewish identity, Habsburg monarchy, nationalism, antisemitism, literary analysis, interdisciplinary research, historical context, cultural tensions, language, Jewish studies
Nadja Samira Fraenkel (Heidelberg University) in conversation with Sinan Barış Yaşar (HGGS)
How does the travel motif shape narratives in third-generation Jewish literature?
What are the differences between physical and metaphorical journeys?
Can language serve as a space for belonging and identity?
In this conversation, Nadja Samira Fraenkel from Heidelberg University discusses her PhD research on comparative perspectives of literary travel motifs in contemporary Jewish literature from Germany, Israel, and the USA. She explores the complexities of identity, the role of travel in shaping experiences, and the search for belonging and utopia within these narratives. The discussion also highlights the significance of language, the challenges faced by third-generation Jewish authors, and the political dimensions of art and literature.
Timeline
00:00 Intro
00:28 Introducing Nadja Samira Fraenkel and Her Research
05:29 Exploring the Concept of Travel in Literature
08:51 Travel Motif and Identity Politics in Jewish Literature
13:56 The Search for Utopia in Travel Narratives
18:10 The Third Generation of Jewish Authors
27:19 Methodology in Comparative Literary Studies
31:17 Language as a Space for Belonging
37:45 The Role of Social Challanges and Counter Narratives in Jewish Literature
51:53 Art, Identity, and the Political Nature of Creativity
59:11 Outro
Keywords
Jewish literature, travel motives, identity politics, comparative literature, contemporary authors, diaspora, utopia, third generation, literary analysis, cultural studies
Conversation with Vanessa Márquez Vargas, Debby Avendaño Sánchez, and Adrián Navia Segovia (University of Los Andes, Venezuela)
Language of the Episode: Spanish
In this episode, Vanessa Márquez Vargas, Debby Avendaño Sánchez, and Adrián Navia Segovia, all from the University of Los Andes, Venezuela, present a hybrid theme combining text and image, with the goal of showing, from their perspective and experiences, how objects, walls, absences, and design shape social and spatial realities. For this, the cultural, urban, and architectural dimensions of belonging have been taken into consideration in order to foster a dialogue about the ‘Us’ & ‘Them’ dichotomy through three brief sections:
1) The Shoe as a Semiotic Object;
2) The Absence of Feet: The Uninhabited Space;
3) "Walking in Someone Else's Shoes": The Architect and the Community.
Description of the Theme by the Presenters
“For us, what we have been saying and observing here just scratches the surface of the complex dynamics of belonging and alterity in everyday life, dynamics we believe deserve greater attention. Within these often-overlooked details, assumed as normalized, there is fertile ground for reflection and social action. The shoe, as a semiotic object, encodes status and identity, and in doing so, exposes social fractures. The absence of feet in urban spaces signals alienation, compelling us to reclaim the city as a shared place. In architecture, empathy transforms design into a collaborative act, creating spaces that resonate with community aspirations. These narratives challenge us to inhabit with intention, to bridge distances, tear down walls, and to walk, both literally and metaphorically, in the shoes of the other, forging a more inclusive, participatory, and meaningful world. Yet the question persists: Can we truly feel what the other feels, or will there always be an insurmountable distance? Each of us must arrive at our own answer, one that may spark dialogue, internal monologue, or, better yet, conscious action toward those we label as 'other' and normalize as 'them' in the continuous present.”
LÍNEA DEL TIEMPO
00:00 Intro
00:23 Presentación de Vanessa Márquez Vargas, Debby Avendaño Sánchez y Adrián Navia Segovia por Sinan Barış Yaşar
03:18 Presentación del tema en español por Vanessa Márquez Vargas “¿Dónde están los pies?” Narrativas de pertenencia y alteridad
04:47 Parte 1: “El Zapato como objeto semiótico” por Vanessa Márquez Vargas
09:39 Parte 2: “La ausencia de los pies: los espacios deshabitados” por Adrián Navia Segovia
21:43 Parte 3: “Caminando con los zapatos del otro: el Arquitecto y la Comunidad” por Debby Avendaño Sánchez
32:11 Reflexión integradora: dimensiones articuladas en un continuum semiótico
34:33 Cierre del tema, agradecimiento y despedida
TIMELINE
00:00 Intro
00:23 Presentation of Vanessa Márquez Vargas, Debby Avendaño Sánchez, and Adrián Navia Segovia by Sinan Barış Yaşar
03:18 Topic introduction in Spanish by Vanessa Márquez Vargas: “Where Are the Feet?” Narratives of Belonging and Alterity
04:47 Part 1: “The Shoe as a Semiotic Object” by Vanessa Márquez Vargas
09:39 Part 2: “The Absence of Feet: The Uninhabited Space” by Adrián Navia Segovia
21:43 Part 3: “Walking in Someone Else’s Shoes: The Architect and the Community” by Debby Avendaño Sánchez
32:11 Integrative Reflection: Dimensions Articulated in a Semiotic Continuum
34:33 Closing of the Topic, Thanks, and Farewell
Marco Del Din (Heidelberg University and Ca' Foscari University of Venice) in conversation with Laura Herges (HGGS)
Diamonds Are Forever is not only the title of a James Bond film, but also the name of a drag show in Kyoto. In today's episode, Marco Del Din, PhD candidate at Heidelberg University and Ca' Foscari University in Venice talks to us about drag queens that transform into monsters, aliens, animals, and freaks. How do the performers of the oldest and longest-running drag show in Japan construct identities that connect their gender and sexual identities and their art? Find out more by listening to Laura's interview with Marco.
Timeline
(00:00) Intro
(00:21) Introducing Marco Del Din and His Research Focus
(03:16) Which Language Is Easier to Learn: Japanese or German?
(06:04) Discovering Drag Culture in Kyoto
(11:25) The Fascination with Drag Performance
(13:26) RuPaul’s Drag Race
(15:11) Comparing Japanese and American Drag
(18:56) The Cultural Context of Drag in Japan
(22:55) The Evolution of Drag Costumes
(26:52) Inclusivity in Drag Performance
(30:13) The Current State of Research on Japanese Drag
(33:46) Conducting Research in an Unexplored Field
(35:01) Challenging Societal Norms through Drag
(36:46) Favorite Costume in Drag
(40:24) Future Aspirations and Academic Goals
(45:37) Outro
Keywords
drag culture, Japanese drag, LGBTQ+, performance art, cultural studies, transcultural studies, gender identity, academic research, gender studies, queer studies, inclusivity, societal norms, Diamonds Are Forever, Kyoto, Japan, inclusivity, drag show, Asian studies, Japanese culture, drag costumes
Florence Wieder-Kinne (Heidelberg University) in conversation with Laura Herges (HGGS)
In child protection, "Us and Them“ manifests itself in different ways: Social workers and families often encounter each other with different expectations, shaped by institutional structures, biographical experiences, societal narratives and cultural influences. One of the greatest challenges in this context is the encounter with the cultural other. Social workers often interact with families whose cultural backgrounds, norms and value systems are very different from their own. How can cultural expectations be overcome? In this interview, social anthropologist Florence Wieder-Kinne talks to us about her life as a social worker, her PhD project and how lived experience and theoretical research go hand in hand.
Timeline
00:00 Intro
00:19 Introducing Florence Wieder-Kinne and Her Research Focus
03:03 Exploring Mannheim's Social Challenges
05:05 The Impact of Cultural Expectations in Social Work
08:33 Academic Literature and Research Methods on Social Work
10:21 Navigating Dual Roles: Social Worker and Researcher
14:23 Cultural and Institutional Expectations in Child Protection
19:22 The Role of Children’s Preferences in Child Protection
21:04 Intergenerational Trauma and Its Effects
22:52 Overcoming Expectations in Social Work
27:15 Success Stories in Social Work
29:25 Objectivity and Subjectivity in Social and Academic Work
33:33 Future Aspirations Beyond Academia
35:22 Outro
Keywords
social work, cultural expectations, cultural difference, child protection, Mannheim, ethnology, qualitative research, dual roles, intergenerational trauma, academia, social workers, migration, family education, qualitative research methods, transparency, success stories, empathy
Alberto Carballo Soca (University of Havana) in conversation with Sinan Barış Yaşar (HGGS)
Group Cohesion, Digital Education, and AI Literacy: three distinct topics that come together in this episode through the lens of the „Us and Them“ dichotomy. Having dedicated his academic life to these fields, Alberto Carballo Soca from the Faculty of Psychology, University of Havana shares insights from his research and personal experiences, both within the Cuban context and on a global scale. Moving between individual and societal perspectives, this episode of the Podcast Series ‘Us and Them’ explores the challenges and opportunities in the fields of group cohesion, digital education, and AI literacy.
Timeline
00:00 Intro
00:21 Introducing Alberto Carballo Soca
04:39 Group Dynamics and Inclusive Education
08:25 Methods and Challenges in Group Cohesion
10:35 The Importance of Individual Competencies in Group Building
14:47 Factors Influencing the Sense of Belonging to a Group
16:50 Is There an Ideal Group Type?
17:20 The Transition to Digital Education
24:41 Psychological Challenges in Developing Digital Education Competencies
27:11 Understanding the Essential Skills for AI Literacy
31:34 Bibliometric Analysis and Findings on Cross-Country and Cross-Language Differences in AI Literacy
35:38 Policy Recommendations for the Future of AI Literacy in Education
37:26 Personal Reflection: The Benefits of Running for Academic Life
39:19 Outro
Keywords
group cohesion, educational inclusion, digital education, AI literacy, psychology, social dynamics, teaching methods, technology in education, interdisciplinary research, educational psychology, bibliometric analysis, AI competencies, AI skills
Isabella Gomez O’Keefe (University of Cambridge) in conversation with Laura Herges (HGGS)
Polarization in the United States did not start when Donald Trump was elected President for the second time in 2024 – but it might be more visible now than ever, largely due to social media: the ‘enemy within,’ the un-American enemy image, has become a common denominator for right-wing politicians and alt-right influencers on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. In this interview, Isabella Gomez O’Keefe (University of Cambridge) explains how foreigners, academia, “woke” activists and left-wing politicians are turned into enemy images in contemporary political debates and on social media. Tune in if you want to learn more about the banning of books in American schools, the difference between the United States and other countries with regards to political polarization, and the alt-right’s fear of progressive women.
Timeline
(00:00) Intro
(00:21) Introducing Isabella Gomez O’Keefe and Her Research Focus
(03:48) Research Methodology and Scope of the Study
(07:08) The Role of Religion in Political Identity
(09:00) Is There Hostility toward the Researcher?
(11:05) Influencers and the Framing of Domestic Enemies
(15:50) Political Narratives on the ‘Collaboration’ of Enemies
(17:54) Cultural Aspects of the US
(21:08) The Impact of Social Media on Political Narratives and Individual Opinions
(24:45) Are Women Becoming Enemy Images?
(28:12) Are Social Media Prohibitions Effective Policy Measures?
(30:08) Future Research Directions and Academic Aspirations
(32:11) Outro
Keywords
sociology, political discourse, enemy images, social media, research methodology, political identity, influencers, domestic enemies, academic research, feminism, progressive women, socio-cognitive framing, political narratives, political polarization, political debates, critical thinking, TikTok, Instagram, enemy within, religious influences, interview, survey, US politics, American Politics, rhetoric, echo chambers, filter bubble
Tetyana Kasima (University of Tartu) in conversation with Sinan Barış Yaşar (HGGS)
As human beings, we are all embedded in time and space—but how does the space we inhabit shape our perspectives and experiences? Drawing on her research into Clarice Lispector’s The Besieged City and Virginia Woolf’s Solid Objects, Tetyana Kasima (University of Tartu) joins Sinan from HGGS to explore how literature reflects and reimagines urban life. The conversation touches on the concept of magical urbanism in literature and examines how philosophical concepts intersect with fictional worlds. Tetyana investigates the meaning of city life and the influence of urban environments on individuals, as portrayed in literary texts. Join us for Episode 5 of the HGGS Podcast Series Us and Them to discover how literature reshapes our understanding of the spaces we live in.
Timeline
00:00 Introducing Tetyana Kasima and Her Academic Work
01:38 Literary Urban Studies
03:53 Exploring Heterotopic Moments of Being
07:10 Moments of Being/Not Being and the Question: “What is a City?”
09:15 Perspectives: Where Do We Have to Stand to See the “City?”
12:13 Contradictions in Urban Life and Magical Urbanism
16:24 The Role of Dichotomies in Urban Space
17:34 Visibility and Anonymity in Cities
19:42 Interactions between Different Art Forms
23:28 Personal Reflection: Which City Best Reflects Magical Urbanism?
25:08 Recommendations for Urban Exploration
27:18 Conclusion
Keywords
Literary urban studies, magical urbanism, heterotopic moments, urban studies, literature, Clarice Lispector, Virginia Woolf, city experiences, perspectives, interdisciplinary research, city life, urban life, Michel Foucault, heterotopia, fiction, The Besieged City, literary studies, Solid Objects, moments of being
Dr. Tatiana Tereshchenko (Moscow) and Dr. Pavel Brunssen (Heidelberg University) in conversation with Jiacheng Mo (HGGS)
What do ancient and medieval visual arts have in common with modern Antigypsyism in German pop culture? At first glance, these topics seem entirely unrelated — one rooted in the distant past, and the other in urgent contemporary concerns. Yet, in our 4th podcast episode, Dr. Tatiana Tereshchenko (Moscow) and Dr. Pavel Brunssen (Heidelberg University), in conversation with Jiacheng Mo (HGGS), open up a surprising conversation between two very different fields of study. Even though their research topics differ widely in time period and subject matter, both scholars explore how visual culture reflects and reinforces the ways societies define and exclude “the Other”. Our discussion raises compelling questions about the power of images — whether ancient or modern — to shape public perception, transmit social values, and sometimes determine who belongs and who doesn’t. Join us for a thought-provoking exchange that bridges disciplines, histories and media forms. You might find that the gap between past and present isn’t quite as wide as it first appears.
Timeline
00:00 Introducing Dr. Tereshchenko, Dr. Brunssen and Their Research Themes
02:25 Research Approaches and Methods
05:54 The Role of Visual Arts in Cultural Representation
10:02 Modern vs. Historical Visual Expressions
16:27 Stereotypes and Anti-Gypsyism in Society
20:28 Visual Arts and the Construction of Stereotypes
25:08 Conclusion
Keywords
Antigypsyism, visual arts, ethnic studies, art history, German popular culture, cultural representation, stereotypes, research methods, contemporary art, historical art, ancient art, medieval art, minority, subjectivity, marginalized groups, otherness, media, image and text, propaganda
Dr. Liudmyla Pidkuimukha (University of Giessen) in conversation with Laura Herges (HGGS)
When Russia attacked Ukraine in 2022, the world was left in shock. In times of war, the dichotomy between ‘Us’ and ‘Them’ becomes clearer than ever; and one specific medium in which this is illustrated are war posters. Dr. Liudmyla Pidkuimukha has analyzed more than 2,000 Ukrainian war posters with a special focus on the interplay of visual and verbal elements. In this episode, she talks with Laura from HGGS about the role these posters play to the Ukrainian people, how they function in different media and what differentiates them from posters in other wars. How do war posters portray the enemy? And how have they changed since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014? Listen to find out in episode 3 of Us and Them.
Timeline
(00:00) Introducing Dr. Liudmyla Pidkuimukha and Her Research Focus
(01:11) Post-Soviet Cultural Transformation
(02:15) Project “The Vision Ukraїne: Education Language Migration”
(04:59) Analyzing Ukrainian War Posters
(06:33) Functional Theory and Critical Discourse Analysis
(08:15) Enemy Images in Posters
(10:06) The Role of Social Media in Poster Distribution
(13:04) Timeliness and Artistic Freedom in Contemporary Posters
(15:48) The Production Process of Posters
(17:10) Shifts in Poster Themes Over Time
(20:19) Personal Connection to Research and Objectivity
(23:01) The Significance of Taras Shevchenko in Ukraine
(28:19) The Meaning and Impact of Posters on Ukrainian Society
(31:18) Future Plans and Ongoing Projects
(34:03) Conclusion
Keywords
sociolinguistics, Ukrainian culture, war posters, language ideology, cultural transformation, Vision Ukraine, digitalization, Taras Shevchenko, research methodology, Russo-Ukrainian war, post-Soviet culture, digital platforms, war messages, national identity, critical discourse analysis, functional theory, artistic freedom
Professor Richard Caplan (University of Oxford) in conversation with Sinan Barış Yaşar (HGGS)
In the second episode, we welcome Prof. Dr. Richard Caplan, Professor of International Relations at the University of Oxford. Sinan Barış Yaşar (Law) from the HGGS interviews Professor Caplan, who reflects on the question: Has the Responsibility to Protect, particularly in the context of United Nations peacekeeping operations, amounted to a ‘false promise’? The conversation explores the historical evolution of the UN’s peacekeeping mandate, the enduring challenges in the execution of peacekeeping operations—including the so-called “Intervention Dilemma” articulated by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan—as well as the rising global influence of nationalist movements on the politics of the UN and the changing role of regional organizations in global peacekeeping efforts. How might international peacekeeping be reimagined for the future? We sincerely thank Professor Caplan for delivering the keynote lecture at the HGGS Summer Forum “Us and Them” on June 27, and for sharing his expertise and reflections in this podcast episode.
Timeline
(00:00) Introducing Professor Richard Caplan
(06:24) The Evolution of UN Peacekeeping Operations
(13:06) The “Exception Proves the Rule” Problem
(15:20) The Dilemma of Humanitarian Intervention
(21:20) The Role of the UN in Preventing Unseen Mass Atrocities
(29:25) Current Challenges Facing the UN
(35:44) The Role of Regional Organizations in Peacekeeping
(41:27) Conclusion
Keywords
UN peacekeeping, United Nations, humanitarian intervention, Richard Caplan, Oxford University, international relations, conflict management, responsibility to protect, global governance, peacebuilding, atrocities prevention, regional organizations, state responsibility, geopolitical tensions, monitoring, global challenges, multilateral cooperation, need for reform, protecting populations, humanitarian intervention dilemma
Laura Herges (Heidelberg University) in conversation with Sinan Barış Yaşar (HGGS)
Our first episode introduces our theme “Us and Them” and opens the series with an interview between Sinan Barış Yaşar and Laura Herges (Heidelberg University): The traumatized war hero has become a well-known film trope. But how does the image of the suffering veteran influence our opinions on wars that happened in real life? Laura, who writes her thesis in American studies, discusses two movies about the War on Terror: Zero Dark Thirty (2012), which justifies the CIA’s torture of prisoners, and American Sniper (2014), which turns a controversial Navy SEAL into a patriotic martyr-icon. How strongly do films influence our judgement and moral values? Find out in the first episode of “Us and Them.“
Timeline
(00:00) Introduction to the “Us and Them” Podcast
(05:14) Motivation for Research on Military–Entertainment Complex and “War on Terror”
(10:05) Motifs in American Sniper and Zero Dark Thirty
(15:08) Critical Analysis of American Sniper
(20:25) The Impact of American Sniper and Zero Dark Thirty on Public Perception
(25:20) Shifts in the Portrayal of PTSD and War Crimes
(32:04) Researcher’s Perspectives on Controversial Topics
(35:01) Changes in the Public Discourse of “War on Terror” in the USA
(37:18) Future Interests and Closing Thoughts
Keywords
Us and Them, Zero Dark Thirty, American Sniper, Chris Kyle, PTSD, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, war on terror, identity politics, film analysis, cultural studies, literary studies, propaganda, public perception, historical narratives, film narratives, military entertainment complex