Communications. Media. Design

Mcluhan VS Castells: Two Paradigms of Media Communication Analysis in the Digital Age

Valentina A. Shilova, Alexandra K. Avivova — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0300

This article compares Marshall McLuhan's concept of the "global village" with Manuel Castells' theory of the "network society." The study is timely, as it addresses the evolving nature of communication in the digital age. The goal is to uncover the similarities, differences, and explanatory strengths of these two perspectives. The analysis uses a comparative framework, evaluating nine criteria: the nature of communication, temporal context, and the role of the individual and identity (McLuhan, 2003; Castells, 2004). While McLuhan focuses on cultural and perceptual dimensions, Castells emphasizes structural and institutional aspects. Interestingly, when combined, these theories offer a more comprehensive understanding of digital media's impact. Castells' approach operationalizes McLuhan's insights, while McLuhan's perspective remains valuable for exploring the perceptual effects of digital technologies. In conclusion, integrating these theories is essential for advancing research on modern media communications.

Russia’s Digital Public Diplomacy under Sanctions: Transformation of Discourse and Communicative Practices after 2022

David Orgovsky — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0300

This article examines the transformation of Russia’s digital public diplomacy under sanctions pressure and restricted access to major global platforms after 2022. The study aims to identify changes in communication channels, formats, and discursive frames used by Russian foreign-policy institutions online. Methodologically, the study combines qualitative frame analysis and discourse analysis: open thematic coding was followed by frame identification using Entman’s model; lexical and rhetorical indicators of framing, including legitimization/delegitimization cues and evaluative language, were recorded. The analysis also accounts for shifts in communicative practices and formats, including visual and memetic elements. The empirical basis comprises complete archives of 16 official and state-affiliated Telegram channels (the Russian MFA, diplomatic missions, officials, and Rossotrudnichestvo – about 202,000 posts), the Russian MFA account on X, RT and Sputnik publications, and video materials on YouTube, VKontakte, and RuTube for 2020–2025, compared across two periods (before and after 22 February 2022). The findings indicate a move from a Western-oriented, multi-platform communication model toward a configuration centered on Telegram and Russian platforms. This shift entails a narrowing of communicative opportunities in the «Global North» and a reorientation toward Global South audiences. Post-2022 communication is dominated by frames of unjust pressure, multipolarity, and historical-cultural legitimization, while hybrid formats increase channel resilience but contribute to stronger rhetorical one-sidedness.

Media Coverage of Savings Products: A Comparative Analysis of Business Narratives in 2023-2024

Daniil D. Sytor — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0300

This article examines how Russian business media covered savings products in 2023–2024, against the backdrop of the Bank of Russia raising its key rate. The study seeks to uncover disparities in the narratives presented by traditional and new media, while also evaluating their impact on audience decisions. The research is grounded in publications from leading business media and popular Telegram channels focused on economic topics, along with survey data from the Russian population. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the study includes quantitative and qualitative content analysis, sentiment evaluation, and a large-scale survey. The findings reveal that traditional business media tend to portray savings products favorably, highlighting their profitability. In contrast, new media increasingly focus on the risks and comparatively lower returns on deposits compared to alternative investment options. Surveys indicate that these publications have only an indirect influence on Russian decisions, serving more as a means of confirming pre-existing intentions. The study concludes that business media play a crucial role in shaping the savings landscape during periods of tight monetary policy.

Regarding the Issue of Implementing Metanarrative in Video Games

Daniil A. Lapin, Vsevolod Yu. Kovbas — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0300

This article explores how meta-narrative functions in video games as a tool for reflecting on fictionality and interactivity. With the increasing complexity of game storytelling, there is a need for a cohesive theoretical framework to describe these self-reflexive narrative practices. The paper's objective is to trace the development of meta-narrative in the humanities and identify its key techniques in video games. The theoretical section builds on the ideas of J.-F. Lyotard, R. Alter, G. Genette, L. Hutcheon, and W. Wolf, as well as the distinction between metanarration and metafiction proposed by B. Neumann and A. Nünning. The empirical part employs close reading and structural analysis of game texts. A dedicated section examines the experimental study by H. Berger and E. Granqvist, which investigates how combining indexical storytelling with meta-narrative affects players' immersion, narrative interpretation, and self-reflection. The paper argues that integrating meta-narrative into game mechanics enriches the traditional narratological toolkit, deepens the reflective and emotional potential of video games, and complicates rather than disrupts the experience of immersion.

Short Form in Narrative structure of In Situ Performances

Ivan M. Nikadimov — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0300

The article examines the narrative structure of in situ and promenade performances. Its goal is to determine how interface logic shapes these narratives and how media extensions are woven into a complex theatrical fabric. Theatrical dramaturgy merges narrative and literary elements, blending expressive techniques for a captivating experience. The research methodology combines ludonarrative analysis with theater studies. By examining three performances—"Red Tungsten," "BDT – Hermitage," and "Touching the Earth Lightly"—the study identifies the structural principles of in situ performances. The findings reveal that these performances follow navigational map logic, transforming space into a modular narrative. Each performance is divided into points with concentrated meaning, and the short form allows for a palimpsest effect. The study concludes that in situ performances are characterized by short forms and modular structures based on the principle of metabole. The potential of short forms in museum promenades lies in their ability to deeply immerse the viewer, enhancing the overall theatrical experience.

Listening as a Spatial Practice: Sound and the Affective Architecture of Exhibitions

Polina A. Stolbova — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 23:24:49 +0300

This article examines listening as a spatial practice, shaping the emotional atmosphere of modern exhibitions. It focuses on generative sound environments, which act not merely as background elements but as active agents influencing visitors' movement, attention, and emotional responses. Sound is seen as a procedural and atmospheric force, creating spatial tonalities and guiding body orientation. Generative audio systems are analyzed as dynamic tools, forming adaptive acoustic fields that respond to both audience behavior and architectural nuances. The case study reveals that these systems enhance curatorial possibilities, transforming exhibition spaces into dynamic, interactive, and multi-layered environments. The article underscores the importance of considering sound as a crucial element of set design. It can evoke emotions, direct attention, and create conditions for deep, embodied engagement in the museum experience.

Game Against the Canon: The Medialogical Paradox of Transmitting the Traditional Cultural Code in Black Myth: Wukong

Denis M. Turunov — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0300

This article addresses the contradiction between the state's aim to transmit national heritage through video games and the computational nature of the medium itself. The topic is timely because the gaming industry has become an instrument of China's soft power, while the global success of Black Myth: Wukong (2024) makes this a telling case. The study's novelty lies in rejecting two extremes: a naive techno-optimism that sees the game as a seamless translation of tradition, and a radical techno-determinism that posits the erasure of original meanings. The proposed structural-mediological position treats the medium as an active deconstructing agent that does not destroy tradition but reconfigures its operational logic. The aim of the work is to show how computational form transforms the transmitted cultural code. The methodology draws on Régis Debray's mediology, Lev Manovich's theory of transcoding, and a procedural-ludological analysis of specific gameplay mechanics — the transformation system and character progression. The analysis shows that the metaphysical categories of the Daoist-Buddhist tradition undergo semiotic extraction and procedural quantification, flattening into measurable game metrics. The authors conclude that the state strategy gains a global audience but loses control over the fixation of meaning: the myth is preserved as a content of memory, yet the manner of its storage and transmission is rewritten by the carrier itself. The findings are applicable to studies of the digital representation of cultural heritage, media philosophy, and cultural policy.

How Serial Culture in Modern China Shapes Ideology

Darya I. Boldyreva — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0300

This article delves into the evolution of Chinese television dramas within their historical, cultural, economic, and political contexts. The author seeks to uncover how the ideological function of these series transformed from the tumultuous era of the Cultural Revolution to the era of economic reforms and contemporary post-socialist society. The piece examines the distinctive features of the "socialist drama" genre that emerged during Maoism, tracing its replacement by the "main melody" dramas during the modernization period. It highlights the new techniques and aesthetics of "main melody" dramas, noting their subtle ideological influence in contrast to the overt propaganda of "red" series. As an exemplar of modern dramas incorporating "main melody" elements, the article analyzes the 2022 series "Journey of a Lifetime." The author concludes that the characters in this series embody the core values of the Chinese political regime, with the drama itself drawing parallels between the construction of the Zhou family and the socialist state. The article also observes the increasing commercial success and global appeal of Chinese TV series, which serve as a facet of China's "soft power." Modern Chinese television dramas have become more visually stunning and diverse in genre and subject matter. Nevertheless, they retain their ideological function, which manifests non-linearly, blending and reconciling Confucian, socialist, and neoliberal values.

Acoustic Space, Community and Virtual Soundscapes

Truax Barry — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0300

Sound is an integral part of our world, profoundly influencing our perceptions, emotions, and behavior. Soundscapes include both natural sounds (wind, birdsong, and running water) and anthropogenic sounds (traffic noise, human voices, and the sounds of technology) that shape our environment and determine our interactions with it. Recent decades have seen growing interest in the study and use of sound in various fields, from science and art to architecture and ecology. This translation of a scientific article attempts to analyze how sound shapes our perception of the world. It examines the concept of "dual processing" in the human auditory system, provides a detailed description of how people extract different types of information from auditory events, and provides examples from everyday life related to sounds, speech, and audio technology, illustrating the complexity of auditory perception. The results obtained are of great importance for understanding auditory perception in both natural and technological contexts, opening new horizons in understanding how our brain processes sound.