Summer Reading

 Posted by on Fri, 11/18 at 2:23am  artifact networks & relationships  No Responses »
Nov 182016
 
  1. The artifact I have chosen is a summer reading list.
  2. The artifact can be classified as Education Literature.

Summer reading lists are selected texts that are approved by schools that the students must read over their break—the students must create connections with these texts and synthesize into projects. Cannon literature covered during the school year are also preselected texts, but they are often more homogenous and there is less choice and variety of what is to be read. Summer reading lists tend to cover more diverse authors and topics.

  1. In relation to cosplay, these individuals (students) are meant to share their interpretation of what is read and create a final products that is personalized. However, cosplay allows an individual to have freedom of what they wish to produce and something they have already found a connection to.
  2. Metaphor/Analogy.

You allow a friend to choose where to eat for lunch and they choose a vegan restaurant. You could probably benefit from a healthy meal, but it is not your first choice. You will remember how much you hated this experience and make excuses not to go out to eat with this friend if they are choosing the restaurant.

  1. How is your artifact characterized?

Teacher- A preselected list of approved literature that a student can choose from to do a project on. The product will introduce the teacher to the students’’ capabilities and self-efficacy to complete projects without direct intervention.

Student- Required homework during their break that they may find disinteresting, and cause a definite amount of animosity for reading. The list is a preview of the texts that they will be reading during their school year that may create preconceived notions.

Parent- A dreaded task to force them to go to a book store to purchase a book that their child may not even read and cause annoyance that their child isn’t offered the autonomy to choose something that may be interested in.

  1. Cultural Narrative.

Safe and approved literature that is grade level approved for students to read to gage a student’s placement and ability during the school year. The texts chosen are meant to engage students and challenge them to the correct degree.

  1. Assumptions/Sterotypes/Habits/Institution

Engaging list of relevant texts for students to select what they find most interesting, and will encourage students to choose something they may normally not read.

Homogenous lists that are slowly including more diverse choices and works—while schools are growing more diverse at a much faster rate.

A mandatory assignment when students are not even present at school to be properly directs. Students will burn up scramble to complete the task last minute, sometimes not even reading the text—or parents completing the project for them.

  1. Artifact affect culture, and culture your artifact.

Summer reading lists give students an idea of what texts actually matter in the western world today. The texts are also sculpting students ideas of race, gender role and can produce negative conceptions about their potential. The exclusion of less diverse works can leave students lacking in their awareness of other ideas, cultures and places.

Culture is slowly shaping what texts are appropriate to be read by the students. Example- Exclusion of Harry Potter. The importance of minority authors being included in summer reading lists. The misconception that reading is a miserable experience.

 

Hey, Kids! Comics!

 Posted by on Wed, 11/2 at 11:59am  artifact networks & relationships  No Responses »
Nov 022016
 

1. My chosen artifact is…

 

For my artifact, I have chosen the Superman comic books. The comic books are significant in that they have influenced peoples’ perception of the character, and in turn, the style and tone of the films. Additionally, each different era of comic books has its own fanbase, which often pride themselves on the comics of their era.

2. How do you classify your artifact? In what groups can you place your artifact? What connections can you make to other artifacts in the group?

The comic books can be classified as an ongoing chronicling of the character’s history. They can also be classified as societal studies, as many stories and issues reflected at least some part of the culture when they were released. For example, there is an issue that was written and drawn before, but released after JFK’s assassination in which Superman promotes the Presidential Fitness Test on behalf of the fallen president.

 

3. Identify points of similarity between your artifact and others. Then identify points of difference with other artifacts. How is it similar? How is it different?

 

The Superman comic books are like the Bible. Many parts of Superman’s story are taken to be absolute truths about the character, while other sections are more or less ignored either because they weren’t memorable, or horribly represented the character. The comic books are taken almost as seriously as a holy text for some people, with certain issues and stories being memorized or re-read on special occasions, almost as a ritualistic act (i.e. The Death of Superman is typically read in November in remembrance of the anniversary of the character’s brief death).

4. What metaphors or analogies suit your artifact? (Explain if needed)

The comic books act as a biography for Superman. Each issue threads together an ongoing narrative that details every aspect of his life from his birth on the planet Krypton to his arrival in Metropolis and beyond.

The comics, to readers, present “facts.” The content between the covers is taken to be factual about the character. However, continuity-altering events can change the facts to streamline the stories, in which case the changes are also taken as fact.

 

5. How is your artifact characterized? (How do people/media/groups characterize it?)

Most people are surprised that comic books are still in publication. Because the character originated in the comic books, my artifact is considered source material. However, outsiders looking into the world of comic books typically don’t understand the intricacies of the comics, and how some sections of stories are no longer cannon. Reality-altering events are over-looked, and stories from 40 years ago are thought to be cannon. To many outsiders, everything ever published for a character is cannon.

Further still, many people believe comic books to be nothing more than stacks of paper for overweight, balding, middle-aged men. Either that, or for children. There is no middle ground for a lot of people. In reality, a wide array of people read comics.

6. What cultural narratives govern your artifact?

Right vs. wrong. Social perceptions and notions (although Superman has always fought for equality and morality).

7. What assumptions, stereotypes, habits, social practices, and institutions frame your artifact?

People collect comic books. People who read comics collect them. People who think that a particular issue will increase in value collect them. Some people think all comics are inherently valuable, and buy everything, particularly variant covers.

Comics are traded, sold, and bought. There are community clubs at comic stores dedicated to discussing comic books. Longboxes and protective sleeves are essential tools for comic book collecting and preservation.

Even further, there are some comic readers who exhibit a sense of elitism to those new to comics (though many comic fans heavily dislike those elitists).

8. What doctrines or practices affect your artifact? (Or, what doctrines or practices you’re your artifact affect?) Political parties and platforms? Religious? Ideological? Which ones? Are there cultural “rules” and practices? Which?

Comic books don’t particularly affect political parties or platforms, though a lot of publishers tend to publish books focusing on more diversity (sometimes well-done, other times, heavy-handed and forced). Comic books were almost destroyed in 1954 after Dr. Frederic Wertham published a book entitled Seduction of the Innocent in which he claimed that comic books were responsible for the rise in delinquent behavior and health problems. Comics were thrown away or destroyed. This led to the creation of the Comics Code Authority as a means of self-censorship.

Several Superman stories were delayed by the US Government during WWII because, in their science fiction storytelling, the writers had developed tales featuring atomic weapons. DC had to postpone the stories because the Government didn’t want their development of the atomic bomb. The writers had no idea about the development of the atomic bomb when writing their stories.

9. How does your artifact affect culture? How does culture affect your artifact?

Superman comic books affect the way that he is portrayed in the media. When Man of Steel was released, the comic books featured a younger, more brash Superman who was new to the job of saving the world. The film reflected that. The New 52 Superman doubted himself and questioned his place in the world, and the current DC films have reflected that. In the 70s and 80s, Superman was written as a bright, cheerful character and the Christopher Reeve films adopted that style.

Culture affects the comic books in that the notions and ideas held in society are mirrored in the stories. In the 40s, the covers for the Superman comics featured Superman taking down Nazis. In the 80s, there were several stories both cannon and imaginary focusing on the Cold War. After 9/11, stories were written that focused on the repercussions. When comics became ultra-violent in the 90s and early 2000s, Superman writers wrote stories that proved Superman’s way of solving problems was the best way (see Action Comics #775).

Photo What?

 Posted by on Wed, 11/2 at 11:49am  artifact networks & relationships  No Responses »
Nov 022016
 
  1. My Chosen Artifact is…

The photo editing software known as Photoshop.

2. How do you classify your artifact? In what groups can you place your artifact? What connections can you make to other artifacts in the group?

I would classify my artifact as part of technology, media, photography, marketing, business and the beauty/fashion industry

Connections:

1. Other Photographic apps like Snapchat and Instagram (you can edit in these     apps)

2. Make-up (covers imperfections)

3.Spanx (molds body into different size)

4.Filters (enhance photographs, not real)

3. Identify points of similarity between your artifact and others. Then identify points of difference with other artifacts. How is it similar? How is it different?

1. Other photographic apps like Instagram and Snapchat. Both of these apps are used to take photographs and save them on a profile. When a          picture is taken the user has the option to edit the photograph to enhance its features like photoshop does. Instagram does not only allow you to     add filters to the photograph but you can switch up/down the brightness, contrast, sharpness, fade, highlights, shadows, tilt shift. It is not as     complex as Photoshop but you can do a lot of editing unlike Snapchat. Instagram is free unlike Photoshop which makes its community much     bigger.

2. Make-up. Make up is also used by people to mask certain imperfections that they might have or may not be happy with. People argue that using     make-up is like wearing everyday photoshop. Most of the time you can  tell when someone is wearing make-up. Photoshop editors have become     so good at there job that most of the time we cant tell if a photograph has been manipulated. With both make-up and Photoshop the user can     chose to apply very minimal or pack it on.

3. Spanx. People wear Spanx to help mold their body. In the fashion industry Photoshop is used to mold the models body into certain sizes. There have been mishaps while altering a models body through Photoshop. Sometimes an arm is longer or knees have been cutoff and the body proportions are way off.

4. Filters. People use filters everyday when taking selfies or other types of photographs. These filters are used to enhance the photograph by     changing the color and even face proportion. Snapchat has a filter that when applied makes your eyes bigger and your face slimmer. It is not an     easy filter to distinguish between real and unreal  just like photoshop.

4. What metaphors or analogies suit your artifact? (Explain if needed)

The most common one is that Photoshop is art. People can create the most imaginative and crazy photographies using Photoshop.

Photoshop is a form of plastic surgery.

5. How is your artifact characterized? (How do people/media/groups characterize it?)

Photoshop can be used by anyone who knows how to manipulate a computer. Most people characterize Photoshop as a villain distorting our perception of reality. Other can characterize it as an enhancement software. Photoshop helps us enhance something perfect but it can make it even better.

6. What cultural narratives govern your artifact?

That all photographs that have been manipulate by Photoshop are not real or contain a real perception of reality. This not always true Photoshop is not only used to alter body size or create flawless skin it can be used to enhance lighting. Before photoshop photographers use to have to waste a lot of energy to create an atmosphere filled with light and before that they use to have to let mother nature create it.

7. What assumptions, stereotypes, habits, social practices, and institutions frame your artifact?

Photoshop is widely known to be used in the beauty industry and media. It is stereotyped as creating a distorting reality of what is normal in beauty and body size.  We are living in a time where Photoshop is being used in excessive amounts.

8. What doctrines or practices affect your artifact? (Or, what doctrines or practices you’re your artifact affect?) Political parties and platforms? Religious? Ideological? Which ones? Are there cultural “rules” and practices? Which?

Photographs are everywhere and are a part of everything. In politics people can manipulate their ad campaigns to only show a positive aspect leaving out the negative one. This idea is true for both religious and ideology. Any little manipulation can change the entire meaning of a photograph.

9. How does your artifact affect culture? How does culture affect your artifact?

Photoshop has affected my personal culture because I have not lived in a world without Photoshop. Photoshop was invented 25 years ago and I am 22. Is it possible that in my culture there is no virgin photograph. One without any manipulation or alteration. Today photographs have a big impact on how people view themselves and the world. Are people disappointed when they travel to Paris and realize they prefer the Paris they saw in the brochure. When people go to a restaurant are they disappointed when their food does not display the same delicious goodness they saw in the menu. Our culture also affects Photoshop because we are obsessed with being flawless. The number of cosmetic procedures is at in all time high. The beauty industry makes billions of dollars every year. Photoshop only exist because people keep using it so what does that say about our culture.

Hairisticks

 Posted by on Wed, 11/2 at 11:39am  artifact networks & relationships  No Responses »
Nov 022016
 

1. My chosen artifact is the “fist pick.”

2. How do you classify your artifact? In what groups can you place your artifact? What connections can you make to other artifacts in the group?

The fist comb features a clenched fist at the end symbolizing the fight for civil rights and identity. The fist comb is a cultural artifact that is now featured in Museums for its role in black history. Putting the comb in your hair was a political statement. Hair doe not naturally grow in an afro, you would need to have it cut in a certain way and constantly pick it with a comb to maintain its volume. However, practicality was not the main motivator for wearing the comb in your hair.

3. Identify points of similarity between your artifact and others. Then identify points of difference with other artifacts. How is it similar? How is it different?

The fist comb when in comparison to other cultural artifacts that I chose is different because of the blatant in your face message to stand up and fight for your rights. It literally has a fist and some also have a peace sign. This contradiction of the comb is a sign of its time. They became popular in the 70s when the peace sign was a popular style icon. When in comparison to lets say braids or coconut oil these artifacts loose its meaning, because you would have to be in the community to really understand these artifacts. The fist comb is a in your face obvious symbol. Even if you have been living under a rock or stoned all through the 70’s the meaning of the fist comb can not be denied.

4. What metaphors or analogies suit your artifact? (Explain if needed)

Expanding the hair with force, you will recognize my presence and  fight.

Tougher then Nigerian Hair.

5. How is your artifact characterized? (How do people/media/groups characterize it?)

The black fist pick was a style worn in the late 60s and early 70s. In movies the rebels are always shown with a black fist pick.  It is now in Museams for its role in black history, It is a style symbol, a political symbol and a identity symbol.

6. What cultural narratives govern your artifact?

Assata Shakur famously wrote about the power in hair. Since the 70s the hair fist hair pick has shown up in mainstream media a lot. Seeing some one else adorn a hair pick meant that you were united in the fight to end their oppression. Even now the symbol of the pick represents the fight for equality.

7. What assumptions, stereotypes, habits, social practices, and institutions frame your artifact?

When seeing someone with a hair pick in their head the assumption at the time was different depending who you asked. To some this represented a trouble maker to  others it represented unity. But wearing the pick was a statement.

8. What doctrines or practices affect your artifact? (Or, what doctrines or practices you’re your artifact affect?) Political parties and platforms? Religious? Ideological? Which ones? Are there cultural “rules” and practices? Which?

The fight for civil rights. It is definetly a political platform and a cultural one and even a symbolic one.

9. How does your artifact affect culture? How does culture affect your artifact?

The comb created unity

Coexist

 Posted by on Wed, 11/2 at 11:03am  artifact networks & relationships  No Responses »
Nov 022016
 

1. My chosen artifact is COEXIST signs.

Classify your artifact. Classifications are helpful to understanding your artifact. Once you’ve placed your particular artifact in a larger group, you can make connections between your artifact and the general characteristics associated with that group. In addition, sometimes describing your artifact from within a larger, more generalized framework makes it easier to identify important features. Usually, an artifact can classified in various ways and placed in a number of groups.

2. How do you classify your artifact? In what groups can you place your artifact? What connections can you make to other artifacts in the group?

I classify my artifact as a thoughtful idea that didn’t address the problem. I would compare it to a doctor who prescribes antibiotics for a viral infection.

Compare and contrast the artifact. Comparing your artifact to others allows you to generate new ideas about your artifact.

3. Identify points of similarity between your artifact and others. Then identify points of difference with other artifacts. How is it similar? How is it different?

It aims to be similar to an olive branch because it aims to offer peace. It’s different than an olive branch, in practice, because most of the people that have them appear to not practice religion anyway.

Create an analogy or metaphor for your artifact. Analogies and metaphors are ways of making connections between your artifact and other artifacts (anything goes… items of clothing, locations, holidays, texts, products, etc.). Be creative here… try to make (il)logical leaps.

4. What metaphors or analogies suit your artifact? (Explain if needed)

It’s the same as a breast cancer awareness sticker. You can put it on your car, but it isn’t really helping anyone.

Examine cultural narratives. Cultural narratives are common storylines used throughout culture, telling how things typically happen. Once you identify cultural narratives that apply to your artifact, you can examine them for assumptions and stereotypes. For example, stereotypes (or rigid, generalized ideas about the character and behavior of people with certain identities) are a kind of assumption (or set of assumptions). As with cultural narratives, you may think you are not affected by these assumptions and stereotypes. However, their pervasive presence in the culture means that everyone is affected by them. Naming these assumptions stereotypes can aid you when describing the impact of culture and values on your particular artifact (or your artifact’s impact on culture and values).

The assumptions operating in cultural narratives found in movie plots and song lyrics also get played out in social practices and social institutions. Social practices are shared, habitual ways of doing things. A variety of guidelines exist for the social practice of dating, for instance: who will initiate the date, who will decide where to go, who will pay. Social institutions are larger, more formalized organization the direct our shared social structures. Questions to explore (pick and choose):

5. How is your artifact characterized? (How do people/media/groups characterize it?)

Good faith and false hope. It’s a really nice idea, but it doesn’t actually achieve anything. Theres nop money going to help anyone, it was just an art project done by an artist in Israel.

6. What cultural narratives govern your artifact?

A cultural narrative that governs my artifact is

7. What assumptions, stereotypes, habits, social practices, and institutions frame your artifact?

If I saw a Coexist bumper sticker, I would immediately think that the person driving the car was a crunchy hippie that blindly says there should be world peace without understanding the reasons behind why we don’t.

8. What doctrines or practices affect your artifact? (Or, what doctrines or practices you’re your artifact affect?) Political parties and platforms? Religious? Ideological? Which ones? Are there cultural “rules” and practices? Which?

The golden rule of treating others the way you want to be treated is a cultural rule that the sign is trying to perpetuate.

9. How does your artifact affect culture? How does culture affect your artifact?

My artifact affects culture by (trying) to promote unity and understanding among different religions. Culture affects the artifact because it invalidates it. The Coexist sign is meant for people who aren’t accepting of other religions, which is most likely the conservative members, Coexist goes against their basic idea that their religion is best.

Mirrors show us what we look like, but not who we are

 Posted by on Wed, 11/2 at 10:28am  artifact networks & relationships  No Responses »
Nov 022016
 

1. My chosen artifact is…

A mirror. Specifically, the mirror I’ve noticed consistently in girl’s rooms and not boys while nannying. This encourages the idea that women need to be made aware of their appearance so that they can upkeep it to the cultural standard.

2. How do you classify your artifact? In what groups can you place your artifact? What connections can you make to other artifacts in the group?

Mirrors are associated with women because of the expectation that a woman should be attentive to her appearance. Commercials display women checking their appearances in mirrors. Make up mirrors are a commonality inside purses. Mirrors are almost always in a girl’s room. All of the female children I nanny have mirrors in their bedroom as a vanity but most of the boys do not. This encourages the girl to be attentive to her appearance from a young age, and creates a differentiation between genders. Girls between classes stop into the bathroom to touch up make up and fix hair strands.

3. Identify points of similarity between your artifact and others. Then identify points of difference with other artifacts. How is it similar? How is it different?

 

A mirror is a gateway to acceptance and respect in our culture. A female that presents herself to society’s standards will be included more often, or given more opportunities in multiple regards. The mirror is like bringing candy bags to class on Halloween. People will like you better, but only because of what you’re providing. (a decent appearance to look at vs candy to enjoy idk)

4. What metaphors or analogies suit your artifact? (Explain if needed)

 

Females that choose to wear hair simply or choose to not wear make up or choose to dress in simple and not form-fitting outfits aren’t given the same attentiveness that the traditional beauty standard receives. This shows itself in job opportunities. Companies want a “good representation”. I have friends who say they’ve only gotten hired for their looks as front desk help, clothing stores, or resturants/ bars. Appearance is said to be associated with confidence, but is that confidence internally from the woman herself, or the perceived confidence from surrounding people assuming she isn’t confident because she doesn’t appeal to beauty standards. Mirrors show girls, even from toddler age, that their appearance is a significant part of their lives. The beauty routine for women is significantly more involved than the typical man’s routine if she does it as society expects.

5. How is your artifact characterized? (How do people/media/groups characterize it?)

Media is a significant encouragement of the female “ideal”. Thin, tan, long-haired women are the stars of media when sexual appeal is portrayed. This has become the expectation because this is whats being seen everywhere. Girls are wearing make up and even dieting at such a young age. My 15 year old sister takes 30 minutes to get ready and watches her calorie intake because she’s told by media that she is supposed to appear a certain way. The mirror as an artifact is categorized as a necessity to upkeep the ideal. Hair needs to be in place. Make up needs to be fresh. Cleavage gets adjusted. It takes so much energy to upkeep that it takes away from more important aspects. It creates the mindset that appearance comes first, but not necessarily how loyal somebody is, or how likely they are to tell the truth, or what their hobbies are or what they dream of doing with their life.

6. What cultural narratives govern your artifact?

The epidemic in eating disorders, or in depression from low self-esteem are prevalent in our society and especially within females, we see the early expectation causing anxiety when it feels like it isn’t being met. The unrealistic goals set by models who are chosen out of thousands of applicants makes us feel like thats the traditional beauty standard. The editing of photos, or the seemingly effortlessness behind them make us feel like we’re set to a standard we can’t reach.

7. What assumptions, stereotypes, habits, social practices, and institutions frame your artifact?

The stereotype of a powerful woman is one that presents herself well while being successful. These women are expected to dress well, be poised, and be ambitious. The raw and real women in messy buns and pajamas running to class with spilled coffee aren’t held to the same standard. Internal attributes don’t seem to be as important to society as a whole. The mirror is a constant reminder that we need to be reminded of our appearance.

8. What doctrines or practices affect your artifact? (Or, what doctrines or practices you’re your artifact affect?) Political parties and platforms? Religious? Ideological? Which ones? Are there cultural “rules” and practices? Which?

The artifact of the mirror affects female self esteem, and affects the perspective that people have on women. Cultural rules are somewhat unspoken, yet still blatant. We see women getting overlooked when they don’t look the part. We see women getting put down by the media’s beauty standard. We see women being shamed over whats appropriate to wear at which size and we see the expectation of beauty and the absence of respect when the standard is different to her.

9. How does your artifact affect culture? How does culture affect your artifact?

Women are respected differently based off of their appearance. If we dress simply and wear no make up, we’re plain. If we wear make up and heels, we’re vain. However, it goes deeper than just looks. Because women are expected to expend effort on appearance, it leaves me to wonder what theyre missing out on and could be applying that same energy to instead. Instead of an hour every morning to get ready, she could have time to drink tea and read and therefore be more peaceful and learn new things. The mirror as an artifact came to mind because I’ve primarily seen vanity areas in girl’s rooms that I nanny for. This tells girls, not boys, that their appearance is extremely important to be aware of and to tend to.

Soyuz & Factionalism in Space

 Posted by on Wed, 11/2 at 10:07am  artifact networks & relationships  No Responses »
Nov 022016
 

1. My chosen artifact is…

Soyuz

Classify your artifact. Classifications are helpful to understanding your artifact. Once you’ve placed your particular artifact in a larger group, you can make connections between your artifact and the general characteristics associated with that group. In addition, sometimes describing your artifact from within a larger, more generalized framework makes it easier to identify important features. Usually, an artifact can classified in various ways and placed in a number of groups.

2. How do you classify your artifact? In what groups can you place your artifact? What connections can you make to other artifacts in the group

Classifications

  • It’s Russian/Soviet
  • It’s a manned spacecraft
  • Cold War Era

Connections

  • It docks with (gets astronauts to and fro) the ISS
  • Originally designed during the same period the Apollo spacecraft were designed and for the same purpose, manned lunar landings
  • Created by a nation who is responsible for many space ‘firsts’ and highly advanced spacecraft and space probes
  • Replaced the Shuttle for U.S. Astronauts

Compare and contrast the artifact. Comparing your artifact to others allows you to generate new ideas about your artifact.

3. Identify points of similarity between your artifact and others. Then identify points of difference with other artifacts. How is it similar? How is it different?

  • Similar to the Space Shuttle in that it is used to get astronauts to and from the ISS
  • Similar to the Shuttle in that like the Shuttle, the Soyuz lands on dry land (as opposed to the Apollo-era water landings)
  • Similar to the Apollo spacecraft in that it was designed to get men/women to the moon
  • Designed in the same decade (1960’s) as the Apollo spacecraft
  • Different from the Shuttle in that the Soyuz is not entirely reusable
  • Different from the Shuttle in it is 20 years older than the Shuttle, and is Russian, not American
  • Different than the Apollo craft in that it was never used to land on the moon

Create an analogy or metaphor for your artifact. Analogies and metaphors are ways of making connections between your artifact and other artifacts (anything goes… items of clothing, locations, holidays, texts, products, etc.). Be creative here… try to make (il)logical leaps.

4. What metaphors or analogies suit your artifact? (Explain if needed)

The Soyuz is like the ancient trebuchet, a medieval siege weapon similar to a catapult. The trebuchet originated in the East (China, but keep in mind the Soyuz originated in the east as well, in Russia) and eventually came west (as the Soyuz is now used to by U.S. astronauts) into the Middle East and Europe, where it was used in medieval times to replace catapult siege technology. The French gave the weapon it’s current name in English.

Examine cultural narratives. Cultural narratives are common storylines used throughout culture, telling how things typically happen. Once you identify cultural narratives that apply to your artifact, you can examine them for assumptions and stereotypes. For example, stereotypes (or rigid, generalized ideas about the character and behavior of people with certain identities) are a kind of assumption (or set of assumptions). As with cultural narratives, you may think you are not affected by these assumptions and stereotypes. However, their pervasive presence in the culture means that everyone is affected by them. Naming these assumptions stereotypes can aid you when describing the impact of culture and values on your particular artifact (or your artifact’s impact on culture and values).

The assumptions operating in cultural narratives found in movie plots and song lyrics also get played out in social practices and social institutions. Social practices are shared, habitual ways of doing things. A variety of guidelines exist for the social practice of dating, for instance: who will initiate the date, who will decide where to go, who will pay. Social institutions are larger, more formalized organization the direct our shared social structures. Questions to explore (pick and choose):

5. How is your artifact characterized? (How do people/media/groups characterize it?)

It is characterized by people and the media as space-age technology. They feel distanced from the Soyuz (partially due to a literal distance) and therefore characterize it as fitting into an exclusive group of astronauts and their highly advanced gadgets. Many citizens of a nation feel that spacecraft like the Soyuz are not the best use of their tax money and therefore feel distanced from some of the rewards they might feel they’d otherwise receive from paying taxes.

6. What cultural narratives govern your artifact?

The Soyuz is interesting because Soviet-Era spacecraft in general are known as existing as part of a highly tense period of world history in which nuclear power invoked fear in the enemies of those nations which possessed it. People began to feel animosity toward the whole of the culture/society that possessed the weapons of mass destruction, so fears ran high over communism (in the U.S.) and capitalism (in Russia). In the U.S., most of us believe we “won” Cold War and that our spacecraft, ideologies and economy came out on top. The current use of the Soyuz by U.S. astronauts does something to destabilize that traditional narrative.

7. What assumptions, stereotypes, habits, social practices, and institutions frame your artifact?

As stated above, Soviet-era technology is associated with communism, dictatorship, nuclear capabilities (and thus fear), and with the fact that the U.S. “won” out against all of these factors and that our capitalism, democratic republic, and nuclear capabilities/space technology is therefore superior.

8. What doctrines or practices affect your artifact? (Or, what doctrines or practices you’re your artifact affect?) Political parties and platforms? Religious? Ideological? Which ones? Are there cultural “rules” and practices? Which?

Communism and dictatorship is a big ideology which affects the image of the Soyuz. It is associated with the Cold War, so in many ways U.S. spacecraft and space programs are seen as representing capitalism (often associated here in the U.S. with freedom) and democracy. The Soviets also represented atheism, whereas we branded ourselves a God fearing people, and our space program came to reflect that (listen to Ronald Reagan’s reference to God in his speech following the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster). Nowadays, Russian society (and thus technology) still carries residual tones of authoritarianism in the ears of many Americans.

9. How does your artifact affect culture? How does culture affect your artifact?

The artifact seems to represent closer relations between the U.S. and Russia (Certain political figures and current events are working to undermine that). American use of the Soyuz in my mind is working to shift the cultural picture of space travel from a fictionalized scrabble for supremacy into a team effort toward a common goal.

Mommy make over (plastic surgery)

 Posted by on Wed, 11/2 at 9:44am  artifact networks & relationships  No Responses »
Nov 022016
 

1. My chosen artifact is…

Plastic surgeries for women after giving birth.

Classify your artifact.

-Women use plastic surgery to fix certain parts of their bodies

-women spend too much money getting surgical procedures such as: tummy tucks breast lifts or breast implants and Liposuction

-plastic surgery  can be the answer to helping many women feel better about their self esteem

-mothers want to look like models and celebrities and will do just about anything to do it

-mothers disregard their new born because they are focused in their appearance

-women do not want to have any more children after plastic surgery because of all the money they spent.

-usually people can tell when someone had a procedure, people do not give the same amount of respect if they know a person is not natural

-plastic surgery can go wrong and cause someone life

-women disregard the health issues associated with plastic surgery

2. How do you classify your artifact? In what groups can you place your artifact? What connections can you make to other artifacts in the group?

My artifact can become an obsession to many new mothers who are constantly  on face book and Instagram trying to achieve someone else’s look after they had a baby.

I can compare my artifact to celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian who got their shape back after weeks of having their children. Due to social media many working moms develop many insecurities and self hate. The constant reminder that women should be skinny in order to be considered beautiful is hurting many mothers who would go for plastic surgery procedures and lose their lives leaving behind their children.

3. Identify points of similarity between your artifact and others. Then identify points of difference with other artifacts. How is it similar? How is it different?

MY RESPONSE… eating a proper diet and regular exercise should be the way for anyone to choose to get in shape. It would be ideal if a women could just eat organic foods and gain her shape back after giving birth. The reality is that for many women it is very difficult to focus on eating a proper meal and some times they do not have the time to spend  at the gym. When a woman gets a mommy make over if the surgery goes well they can see better results in weeks. Their stomach can be much flatter and their breast will be back in place. Now my idea to encourage women to start working out and getting back in shape would be to make plastic surgery illegal. If women don’t have access to plastic surgery they will be forced to regain their body through the natural way.

 

4. What metaphors or analogies suit your artifact? (Explain if needed)

MY RESPONSE…when I think of plastic surgery i think of someone who is hiding their true self.

Examine cultural narratives. The impact of plastic surgery in society has made women of different age and backgrounds vein and lazy. Women opt to go the easier route instead of working out and dedicating time to their bodies and their children. Most women who get plastic surgery after having a child are trying to find comfort in their selves since they feel that having a child has made them ugly and unattractive. Assumptions such as a woman who gets plastic surgery has money or thinking that having a big butt, a flat stomach and big breasts is really  true beauty has driven many working class mothers to get plastic surgical procedures and they now look like Niky Minaj fake and uglier than what they thought they were before the surgery.

5. How is your artifact characterized? (How do people/media/groups characterize it?)

MY RESPONSE…Social media and the public view Plastic surgery as a way to make women beautiful.

6. What cultural narratives govern your artifact?

MY RESPONSE…Face book and Instagram govern plastic surgery. The constant remainder that plastic surgery is available and other women posing their new looks has impacted society in the way the expect women to look in real life.

7. What assumptions, stereotypes, habits, social practices, and institutions frame your artifact?

MY RESPONSE…some stereotypes about plastic surgery are: women should not be fat and ugly when plastic surgery is available.

8. What doctrines or practices affect your artifact? (Or, what doctrines or practices you’re your artifact affect?) Political parties and platforms? Religious? Ideological? Which ones? Are there cultural “rules” and practices? Which?

MY RESPONSE…Plastic surgery affects the religious believes in some people who think that plastic surgery is taking away a woman’s true beauty.

9. How does your artifact affect culture? How does culture affect your artifact?

MY RESPONSE…Plastic surgery affects culture in the sense that everyone wants to get plastic surgery even when they do not need it. Also women who had a child are putting their lives at risk if they die during a surgical procedure. Culture affects plastic surgery in that social media encourages for new mothers to get plastic surgeries.

Soda tab bracelet

 Posted by on Tue, 11/1 at 11:20pm  artifact networks & relationships  No Responses »
Nov 012016
 

1. My chosen artifact is soda tab bracelets

2. How do you classify your artifact? In what groups can you place your artifact? What connections can you make to other artifacts in the group?

Soda tab bracelets are can be classify as a new modern era for tab art since it is just soda tab and strings. tabs bracelet can be view in the group of teens, and girls, and boys because teenagers wore those bracelets. the connections i can make to others artifacts in the group are that teens love fashion, love accessories. And there are plenty of different tab art such as bags, necklaces, and many others.

 

3. Identify points of similarity between your artifact and others. Then identify points of difference with other artifacts. How is it similar? How is it different?

Silver bracelet, silver watch, and others silver accessories have the same shade, color, just like soda tab bracelet and have only one purpose which is to be wear around the wrist. Necklaces, and earrings silver are different from soda tab bracelet because necklaces are wear around the neck, and the earrings are wear in each of the ear. Even though the necklaces, earrings, and  watches, they are all accessories that we wear.

 

4. What metaphors or analogies suit your artifact? (Explain if needed)

Soda tab bracelet is really phenomenal art that is trending as a new era for art in accessories industry. People wear them to make themselves as fashioners because we love to wear new things that seem beautiful to our eyes. Also people wear bracelet to tell the world that they are standing against hate, crime, disease. when they wear clothes with same logo that is similar with their clothes it is freaking awesome because they are standing up against this conflict.

5. How is your artifact characterized? (How do people/media/groups characterize it?)

Soda tab bracelet is characterize as a new way to recycle these beautiful tabs soda into art and it is mesmerizing because there are lot of videos where you can learn amazing trick to create your own soda tab bracelet. And there are plenty of others project if you are not a bracelet person such as belts, sculpture, and rings that are made of soda tab. There are lot pretty cool videos, and pictures of soda tab art that are made with different color.

6. What cultural narratives govern your artifact?

Teenagers, boys, girls, men, and women, since they all wear soda tab bracelet.

7. What assumptions, stereotypes, habits, social practices, and institutions frame your artifact?

If someone is germaphobe there is no way that person will wear the soda bracelet without clean it or make sure it is not filthy. Someone who likes new art and trying bracelets will not hesitate to try soda tab bracelet on his or her wrist because he or she likes to try it.

8. What doctrines or practices affect your artifact? (Or, what doctrines or practices you’re your artifact affect?) Political parties and platforms? Religious? Ideological? Which ones? Are there cultural “rules” and practices? Which?

In Haiti, soda tab bracelet was somewhat popular and it was groundbreaking because not all parents want their children to wear things that came from garbage since the children had to pick the tabs from the trash, or in the street, or somewhere food was serve with drinks that have tabs.  many people from different background loves wearing soda tab bracelet because it a new fashion art.

9. How does your artifact affect culture? How does culture affect your artifact?

Almost everyone is wearing soda tab art and it is trending around teens, men, women. With the help of social media people can learn how to make their own soda tab bracelet. And my culture affect my artifact when i purchase one of the bracelets, likes a video where i learn to make my own bracelet.

Cosplaying as an artifact

 Posted by on Tue, 11/1 at 10:46pm  artifact networks & relationships  No Responses »
Nov 012016
 

1. My chosen artifact is…

Cosplay

Classify your artifact. Classifications are helpful to understanding your artifact. Once you’ve placed your particular artifact in a larger group, you can make connections between your artifact and the general characteristics associated with that group. In addition, sometimes describing your artifact from within a larger, more generalized framework makes it easier to identify important features. Usually, an artifact can classified in various ways and placed in a number of groups.

2. How do you classify your artifact? In what groups can you place your artifact? What connections can you make to other artifacts in the group?

Art… performance art. Fans of anime or manga. Cosplay isn’t limited to video games… so often cosplayers dress as anime/manga characters.

Compare and contrast the artifact. Comparing your artifact to others allows you to generate new ideas about your artifact.

3. Identify points of similarity between your artifact and others. Then identify points of difference with other artifacts. How is it similar? How is it different?

Like the syllabus, cosplaying takes planning, though probably a lot more than a syllabus would.I would say cosplay is more creative also. It is defined as art, after all.

Create an analogy or metaphor for your artifact. Analogies and metaphors are ways of making connections between your artifact and other artifacts (anything goes… items of clothing, locations, holidays, texts, products, etc.). Be creative here… try to make (il)logical leaps.

4. What metaphors or analogies suit your artifact? (Explain if needed)

I’m gonna steal from one of the comments I got.

Cosplaying is another day of Halloween, just one that’s more expensive and one people might snootily judge.

Examine cultural narratives. Cultural narratives are common storylines used throughout culture, telling how things typically happen. Once you identify cultural narratives that apply to your artifact, you can examine them for assumptions and stereotypes. For example, stereotypes (or rigid, generalized ideas about the character and behavior of people with certain identities) are a kind of assumption (or set of assumptions). As with cultural narratives, you may think you are not affected by these assumptions and stereotypes. However, their pervasive presence in the culture means that everyone is affected by them. Naming these assumptions stereotypes can aid you when describing the impact of culture and values on your particular artifact (or your artifact’s impact on culture and values).

The assumptions operating in cultural narratives found in movie plots and song lyrics also get played out in social practices and social institutions. Social practices are shared, habitual ways of doing things. A variety of guidelines exist for the social practice of dating, for instance: who will initiate the date, who will decide where to go, who will pay. Social institutions are larger, more formalized organization the direct our shared social structures. Questions to explore (pick and choose):

5. How is your artifact characterized? (How do people/media/groups characterize it?)

Cosplayers have their own community, so within the community there’s hierarchies, with the better/richer/more-dedicated cosplayers being on top. The community also has audience, those who don’t participate but simply spectate. Outside of the community cosplaying is sometimes looked down on as nerdy. It’s not usually appreciated as what it’s defined as.

6. What cultural narratives govern your artifact?

The cultural narrative… that money gives you better things. Cosplaying takes money. and good cosplay takes a lot of money. There is of course the time and dedication factor. But who has ample time to be dedicated in the first place? Probably someone with money.

7. What assumptions, stereotypes, habits, social practices, and institutions frame your artifact?

The assumption would be that cosplayers are weaboos… people obsessed with the Japanese culture to a point of appropriation. Cosplayers are all childish dorks who still like to play dress up. Cosplayers want to be Japanese.

Habits: creating photoshoots, being popular on devianart

Institutions: Fan Con, Comic Con, and the lesser conventions.

8. What doctrines or practices affect your artifact? (Or, what doctrines or practices you’re your artifact affect?) Political parties and platforms? Religious? Ideological? Which ones? Are there cultural “rules” and practices? Which?

MY RESPONSE…

9. How does your artifact affect culture? How does culture affect your artifact?

The artifact created a culture of its own. Cosplaying has grown to be its own culture and community now.

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