JQCO, Ph.D. [in training]

Commentary from a communications perspective

Order now on Amazon

OWN THE LIBS

POLITICS IS THE NEW PERSONALITY


An intersectional exploration of a socio-psychological phenomenon – trading personality for ideology – featuring interviews with thought leaders in communication and political psychology






The technology is in our pockets, on our desks, and on end tables in our homes. Information is widely available and, for the most part, free, but the truth seems more elusive than ever. We have worked tirelessly to put ourselves in a position where we can know better — because we realize that we should know better.

Yet here we are, none the wiser.”

LATEST ARTICLES

  • Foucault on Contestivism: A dialogue on power and meaning

    Foucault on Contestivism: A dialogue on power and meaning

    Contestivism emphasizes the constant interplay of meaning, power, and existence, proposing that social life is driven by ongoing contestation. It examines the interrelated domains of power, highlighting their instability and potential for resistance. By scrutinizing how truth regimes shape individual and social identities, contestivism encourages continuous critical inquiry into power dynamics. Read more

  • Contestivism at the 2nd European Congress on Disinformation

    Contestivism at the 2nd European Congress on Disinformation

    Exciting news! I have been accepted to present contestivism at the 2nd European Congress on Disinformation and Fact-Checking on October 29-30, 2025. At the conference, I will be going over the theoretical framework, its reconceptualization of disinformation and post-truth as products of an innate human meaning-making process, and key principles for designing contestivist solutions to Read more

  • Why political debates remain unresolved: A contestivist explanation

    Why political debates remain unresolved: A contestivist explanation

    Political debates often fail because participants operate under different value systems and understandings of reality rather than simply lacking information. Contestivism emphasizes that these discussions are not just about facts but deeply tied to human existence and meaning. Recognizing this complexity can lead to more meaningful engagement rather than seeking resolution. Read more

  • What contestivism reveals about the post-truth era

    What contestivism reveals about the post-truth era

    What is perceived as a post-truth era is not a breakdown but an exposure of ongoing meaning contests within society. Contestivism reveals that individuals assert their truths in a digital landscape, amplifying existing tensions in understanding reality. This situation reflects the human struggle for existential recognition rather than a collapse of shared truths. Read more

  • Contestivism: A Paradigm of Meaning, Power, and Being for Understanding Social Reality

    Contestivism: A Paradigm of Meaning, Power, and Being for Understanding Social Reality

    Stuck between a rock and a hard place. This particular phrase probably encapsulates the post-truth condition more than it should, yet here we are. On one hand, many still subscribe to the idea of a singular, objective reality that can be accessed with the right epistemological tools. On the other hand, a pluralistic approach that Read more

  • Canada’s productivity problem: A problem for who, exactly?

    Canada’s productivity problem: A problem for who, exactly?

    “Canada has a productivity problem. It’s a problem for us.” But ask yourself—who’s the “us” in this statement? Because if you’re working class, this so-called problem isn’t yours. It hasn’t been for decades. Read more