Alexandria French
Exploring the Ethics of Archives, Memory, and the Philosophies of Silence, Power, and Resistance
Current Research Focus:
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Folklore as moral and cultural memory
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Community archives and counter-archive theory
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Oral tradition, belief, and vernacular storytelling
My early research into algorithms and digital archives marked the beginning of my fascination with the relationship between technology and moral authority. By exploring how digital systems preserve, distort, or erase cultural memory, I began developing an ethical framework for understanding algorithmic power. These inquiries laid the groundwork for my current pursuit of archival philosophy and the ethics of memory.
Power, Memory, and The Archive
These studies underpin my continuing exploration of how systems - digital or institutional - govern whose memories are preserved and whose are erased.
Algorithms and the Construction of Collective Memory: A Foucauldian Perspective
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Abstract: This essay examines the role of digital archives in shaping collective memory through the lens of Michel Foucault’s concept of the archive. It explores how algorithms curate and control information, reinforcing existing inequalities by amplifying dominant perspectives. By prioritizing engagement-driven content over accuracy, inclusivity, or diversity, algorithms serve as arbiters of digital discourse, with significant ethical and philosophical implications. The analysis connects Foucault’s ideas about power and knowledge to contemporary concerns about algorithmic bias, corporate influence, and the erosion of truth in the digital age.
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Moral Influence in the Digital Age: Social Media’s Role as a Moral Architect
Abstract: Social media platforms wield immense power in shaping modern moral perspectives, often without users' awareness. By applying Michel Foucault’s concept of surveillance and Social Contract Theory, this paper examines how algorithmic curation influences behavior, reinforces societal biases, and contributes to the formation of echo chambers. Through a utilitarian lens, the study evaluates the potential harms (such as polarization and misinformation) and benefits of these algorithms, ultimately advocating for ethical guidelines that foster balanced content representation and a more inclusive digital moral environment.
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Silence, Resistance, and the Ethics of Remembering
This work shaped my ongoing interest in silence as both a moral act and a form of resistance, themes I intend to develop further through archival and philosophical research.
Subverting Silence: Resistance and Identity in On the Miseries of Ireland
Abstract: Geoffrey Keating’s On the Miseries of Ireland stands as a testament to Irish resistance against English colonialism during a time of cultural suppression and identity erasure. By employing historiographical methods that integrate mythology, historical narrative, and Catholic morality, Keating reframes Irish suffering as purposeful and redemptive, offering a counter-narrative to colonial domination. Through the lens of Michel Foucault’s concept of power and knowledge, this paper analyzes how Keating’s work subverts the colonial archive, reclaiming narratives of oppression to inspire cultural endurance and unity. The study underscores the enduring significance of On the Miseries of Ireland as both a historical record and a philosophical act of defiance.
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Moral Vigilance and the Banality of Evil: The Enduring Legacy of Primo Levi and Hannah Arendt​
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Abstract: This essay explores the enduring relevance of the Holocaust as reflected in the seminal works of Primo Levi and Hannah Arendt. By examining themes of dehumanization, the banality of evil, and moral responsibility, it underscores the lessons these works offer for addressing modern moral and ethical challenges.
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Gender, Representation, and Cultural Myth
These analyses sparked my broader engagement with cultural narratives that define, constrain, or liberate identity, a focus that continues to guide my writing and philosophical inquiry.
Painting Eastern Women: How 20th Century American Cinema Has Contributed to the Perpetuation of False, Orientalist Images of Middle Eastern Women
Abstract: Representations of Middle Eastern women in 20th-century American cinema have been dominated by Orientalist stereotypes that emphasize exoticism, submission, and victimization. These portrayals, shaped by Western narratives, reduce complex cultural identities into simplistic tropes that perpetuate public misconceptions. This paper analyzes key cinematic examples to reveal how subliminal messaging in film reinforces these false images and their broader political and cultural implications. By exploring the intersection of film, politics, and gender, the research uncovers how these portrayals contribute to a sense of “otherness” that marginalizes Muslim women and legitimizes Western intervention. The study highlights the lasting impact of these stereotypes on modern perceptions and global discourse surrounding Muslim women and their agency.
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Bridging Art and Reality through Selfhood in "Vagabond" and "Persona": Exploring the Connection between the Screen and Life
Abstract: Film uniquely translates abstract philosophical questions into emotional narratives, as seen in Vagabond and Persona. These films challenge conventional perceptions of selfhood and existence, utilizing distinct narrative styles and visual techniques. Vagabond portrays societal marginalization and individual autonomy, while Persona delves into the fluidity of identity and interpersonal connections. By analyzing these films through existentialist and phenomenological frameworks, this paper reveals how cinema not only reflects reality but also shapes our understanding of it. The study emphasizes the films' role in bridging art and life, fostering a deeper comprehension of human identity and the existential dilemmas of modernity.
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