Holographic probabilities in eternal inflation

In the global description of eternal inflation, probabilities for vacua are notoriously ambiguous. The local point of view is preferred by holography and naturally picks out a simple probability measure. It is insensitive to large expansion factors or lifetimes, and so resolves a recently noted paradox. Any cosmological measure must be complemented with the probability for observers to emerge in a given vacuum. In lieu of anthropic criteria, I propose to estimate this by the entropy that can be produced in a local patch. This allows for prior-free predictions.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures. v4: published version, misprints corrected (mu -> eta

On higher rank instantons & the monopole cobordism program

Witten's conjecture suggests that the polynomial invariants of Donaldson are expressible in terms of the Seiberg-Witten invariants if the underlying four-manifold is of simple type. A higher rank version of the Donaldson invariants was introduced by Kronheimer. Before even having been defined, the physicists Mari\~no and Moore had already suggested that there should be a generalisation of Witten's conjecture to this type of invariants. We study a generalisation of the classical cobordism program to the higher rank situation and obtain vanishing results which gives evidence that the generalisation of Witten's conjecture should hold.Comment: This manuscript fusions the two previous manuscripts "What to expect from U(n) monopoles" and "PU(N) monopoles, higher rank instantons, and the monopole invariants". Furthermore, one of the vanishing arguments is made more precise. 29 page

On multidimensional consistent systems of asymmetric quad-equations

Multidimensional Consistency becomes more and more important in the theory of discrete integrable systems. Recently, we gave a classification of all 3D consistent 6-tuples of equations with the tetrahedron property, where several novel asymmetric systems have been found. In the present paper we discuss higher-dimensional consistency for 3D consistent systems coming up with this classification. In addition, we will give a classification of certain 4D consistent systems of quad-equations. The results of this paper allow for a proof of the Bianchi permutability among other applications.Comment: 16 pages, 17 figure

The ‘Autonomous Nationalists’: new developments and contradictions in the German neo-Nazi movement

This article examines the action repertoires, symbolism and political ideology of the ‘Autonomous Nationalists’ (Autonome Nationalisten in German) that have emerged as a sub-cultural youth trend within the German extreme right. Agitating within a landscape of networked, extra-parliamentary neo-Nazi organisations, Autonomous Nationalist activism forms a specific subsection within the German extreme right that copies the styles, codes and militancy of anarchist and radical left activists. A political analysis of its texts and slogans reveals a self- definition as ‘anti-capitalist’ and ‘national socialist’. A particular mobilisation potential beyond the traditional and party-political forms of extreme nationalism is fuelled by an openly displayed confrontational militancy, mostly directed at anti-fascist and left-wing groups and individuals, and by strong counter-cultural aspects. The article analyses how this emphasis on individual forms of expressions and rebellion appears to stand in contradiction with fascist understandings of organisation and has put the movement at odds with the established neo-Nazi scene in Germany

‘A Very Hell of Horrors’? The Haitian Revolution and the Early Transatlantic Haitian Gothic

This article explores the Gothicisation of the Haitian Revolution in the transatlantic discourse during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. As it argues, the Gothic mode has to be understood as a reaction to the profound challenges that the Haitian Revolution posed to a transatlantic world built on the slave economy. Pro-slavery and pro-colonialist authors demonised this successful slave revolution and one of the first anti-colonial revolutions in modern history by resorting frequently to the ‘hegemonic Haitian Gothic.’ By contrast, early Haitian leaders and some British radicals appropriated this mode, turning it into the ideologically contrary ‘radical Haitian Gothic.