ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
The use of fine art and architecture in advertising and other media has a long history. Fine art has lent its aura of respectability and elite sophistication to all sorts of promotional material, movies, and television for generations. Whether by endowing a product with greater status or credibility (Boston College), enhancing brand recognition, or simply displaying a time tested, and pleasing combination of colors, line, form, space and texture, fine art is useful. Like architectural landmarks, famous works of art also help the viewer to determine where the product, actor, or action, is located in time and space. They may also provide clues to the character’s social background. However, the advertising industry and the fine arts world have for decades been engaged in a continuing discussion of what constitutes fine art. This has accompanied an ongoing examination of how to distinguish fine arts from images or objects created exclusively for promotional purposes. Recent research has also investigated and quantified what constitute the most appropriate and effective uses of fine art in advertising. Fine art has long been the standard against which most visual media have been judged. It is usually defined as including objects created for their beauty (Merriam Webster). Student observers might say that what distinguishes fine art from, for example, craft, or other useful created items is that it can be appreciated on its own. In other words, it is compelling even when viewed apart from its original purpose, application, or setting. To understand how advertisers use fine art, it is helpful to know how advertising developed in the first place. It is also helpful to know what the place of fine art occupied from the beginning of advertising. Fine art has always included examples that conveyed a narrative. Much of religious art actually depicted Bible stories for non-literate viewers. Thus, even some of civilization’s greatest treasures fulfilled an illustrative function. For millennia, artists created whatever they were commissioned to create, exactly as advertisers do today (Bogart 8). The eighteenth century witnessed the emergence of the phenomenon of the independent artist. This artist made art for art’s sake; expressing exclusively personal feelings [1] . The era of painting for patrons or for God, or both, was largely past (Bogart 18) Central to the development of advertising was fairly recent development of art explicitly created as illustration . Modern illustration should be distinguished from, for example, the illuminations of the medieval period. It was enabled by increased use of mechanized printing of books, and periodicals for mass distribution. The reproduction en masse of items such as wrappers,
Introduction These two papers address the plight of Asian-Americans. The first paper covers the politics of Asian Americans, and the other one covers their immigration history. According to the first paper, Asian Americans are quite underrepresented in United States’ politics. This underrepresentation is not commensurate with their population trends. For instance, the paper notes that even in areas where Asian Americans are adequately represented population-wise, their political representation does not reflect this. The paper relates this development with Anti-Asian violence. It is noted that the data representing discrimination trends against Asian Americans is inaccurate. The rise of hate crimes against Asian Americans is mostly attributed to language barriers and the group’s unique customs. Body The claims made in this paper on Asian Americans’ political involvement are mostly true. Asian Americans are still underrepresented both in regional and national politics. Up to date there has not been any leading Asian American politician whose star has shined on the national level. However, the paper fails to address the willingness of Asian Americans to participate in the country’s political process. For instance, the paper does not offer data on the population segment of Asian Americans that is registered to vote. A demographical breakdown of this data would shed light on the root cause of this problem. The other paper addresses the dynamics surrounding the immigration of Asians into the United States and their subsequent population growth. The paper starts by listing the current data on the population of Asians who have emigrated from different countries. The data indicates that Philippine is the most likely origin for Asian Americans in United States. The data also specifies the likelihood of Asian Americans to intermarry. According to the paper, Asian Americans of Japanese origin have higher incidences of intermarriage than those of other origins. Intermarriage is also considered as one of the main determinants of shifts in population growth. The paper also addresses the controversies surrounding the data that the United States government previously had on Asian American immigrants. The paper also covers the settlement patterns of Asian Americans across the United States. It is noted that previously, most Asian Americans settled on the West coast. However, over the years they have dispersed to other states. There is also the formation of enclaves by earlier groups. These were mostly found in areas like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Brooklyn among others. Compared to other minority groups, Asian Americans are more likely to settle
Introduction Shuga is a three-part television drama targeting the young people (19 – 30years) in Kenya. The drama series has been on air since 2009 and has been media hyped and seriously marketed on radio, television and outdoor (screen adverts, billboards and banners). The program has mainly focused on a group of young friends who are students in local universities, and who tries to explore the complexities of love, sex and money. The television series shows sexual behaviour including sexual involvement which has “numerous partners, sexual exploitation, and alcohol abuse” making young people more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS among other sexually transmitted diseases (Hopkins 10). The series has been filmed in Nairobi, and it is aired in three main television stations. These stations are Kenyan citizen, Nation Television (NTV) and Kenya Television Network (KTN). “The series aims to lift the lid on the reckless sex lives and loves that many Kenyan youths and their partners live” (Hopkins 10). It highlights key issues that cause spread of HIV/AIDS and the stigma involved with it. It also focuses on alcohol and drug abuse as some of the factors that have influenced or cause moral decay among the Kenyan youths. The series has gained popularity although among youths as well as adults. Factors of Influence on Kenyan Youth The drama series is based on three aspects, Love, Sex and Money. These three seem to be pivotal in influencing behaviour of Kenyan youths on day to day live. It focuses on how youths live a complicated live pegged on the three issues. Although the series focuses on university students, the behaviour is spread among all the youths in general. The key issues that come out in the series are dangerous sex involving multiple partners, unsafe sex, the need to know ones HIV/AIDS status, and stigma associated with being positive(John Hopkins 19). It also emphasizes on influence of money and loose life that youths are engaging in on day to day life ending up exposing themselves into dangers of contracting HIV/AIDS. According to survey conducted on the impact of HIV/AIDS in the Kenyan education, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is generally higher in the urban areas by average of 11-12%.While most AIDS deaths occur between the ages of 25-35 among men, among 20-30 years (GoK, 14). If this statistics are anything to go by, then it is the high time that television series like Shuga should be highly produced and watched. Subsequently, a survey was conducted by the Johns Hopkins University (22) with the aim of determining how many Kenyan youths had watched Shuga. The results of the survey showed that 60% of Kenyan youth had watched Shuga, Others had heard about it from their peers and hence awareness of the same is high among youths. Those who had viewed confirmed that they knew the main messages, and “could identify lessons to be learned. The study also showed that about 50% of groups of viewers interviewed had discussed characters and messages with close friends, and peers with the aim of gaining more underst
Tunisia as a case study for democracy in Africa portrays nature and the extent of democracy in Africa. Prior to her independence in 20 March 1956, Tunisia was under colonial rule of French since 1881. After independence, Habib Bourguiba became the first president of Tunisia and progressively led his regime with imperial powers, which resulted into his re-election as president for life until 1975 when doctors declared him medically unfit to rule. In 1987, prime minister Zine El Abidine Ben Ali came into power and continued suppressing democracy as he wanted to become president for life but the Tunisian revolution ousted and exiled him from power in January 2011. During the two regimes, “the media was controlled repressing even members of the secular opposition, human rights activists and their families …Tunisia today remains a limited democratic system where expression of critical views is constrained” (El-Hajoui, Aviel, and Keppelman 2). Although multiparty democracy system of government was adopted in 1988, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali managed to gag democracy and ruled for 33 years; an autocratic rule at its best. Due to incidences that led to the Tunisian revolution, multiparty democracy should be promoted in Africa for it is inevitable. Since independence in 1956, the Tunisian government has been grappling with economic, political, and social issues that stalled due to poor democratic environment, which did not allow citizens to enjoy their fundamental rights of freedom (Driss 3). During the reign of Habib Bourguiba, citizens experienced dictatorial regime that suppressed and constrained exercise of democracy. Based on experiences of the dictatorial regime of Habib Bourguiba and Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the Tunisian government did not make any significant economic progression due to constrained democracy as compared with the developed countries such as France. Rodrik argues that, “democracies perform better on a number of dimensions: they produce less randomness and volatility, they are better at managing shocks, and they yield distributional outcomes that are more desirable” (15). Therefore, for economic, social, and political stability for African countries, democracy is essential. Given the events that led to the Tunisian revolution, it is quite evident that dictatorial regimes will not last in Africa because of t
General Environmental and demographic trends Virginia is an excellent location for business firms. Its central position on the Atlantic coast provides excellent transport facilities in the region. There are 470 Food Processing firms existing in Virginia. The largest sectors are Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing firms. Beverage Manufacturing is also getting a major position in the industry. (Food processing in Virginia, 2008). The location and infrastructural facilities of Virginia provide an excellent business environment. Two-thirds of the U.S. population have reachability in the region. Availability of an efficient labor force with low costs and a good regulatory environment adds further advantages in the region. National food industry trends Investment in the food processing industry of Virginia since 1998 is counted as $1.92 billion along with 6100 new job opportunities. The processed food industry is one of the largest manufacturing sectors in Virginia. Hispanic foods are also popular in the US food industry. The mainstream of Americans is very interested in traditional dishes. (Food processing in Virginia, 2008). Ethnic food items get more acceptance in the Virginian food market. Ethnic frozen food of firms is capable of attracting customers on a large scale. Local environmental and demographic trends The Food Processing industry occupies 12% of Virginia’s total manufacturing employment and is the third largest sector in the economy. Virginia is considered as having higher economic growth with low business costs and standard quality of life. “Business costs are 15% lower and the cost of living is 29% lower, Business costs in Virginia are very low, particularly tax and energy costs, which are the seventh and ninth-lowest in the country. Overall, business costs in Virginia are 9% below the national average.” (Badenhausen, 2008). Local food industry trends The retail market of health food products is highly developed in West Virginia. The main reason is the changing attitude of the people towards their health concept
Pros and Cons of Advertising. Advertising refers to non personal transmission of information regarding products, services or initiatives by recognized sponsors via the media. It is normally paid for and is influential in nature. Advertising has expanded to be worth large amounts of money worldwide. Approximately, all public surrounding has some advertisements in view and all kinds of media, from daily nations to the internet, are full of adverts (Kumar, 1988). It has not been established whether the presence of extensive advertising is expedient for a community. This paper will discuss the pros and cons of advertising. In my opinion, I believe that advertising is dangerous and should, therefore, be banned. Major argument Cons of advertising Reason 1: Advertising leads to tyranny of alternatives or alternative burden. Advertising makes many people become inundated by the never ending need to make a decision amongst contending demands on their concentration. The assertion of adverts being all over people increase anticipations about a good and lead to unavoidable disappointment after its purchase. Customers feel that an unfortunate purchase is their mistake for not selecting more prudently and lament for not having selected something else. “People are on average less happy than they were 30 years ago – despite being better off and having much more choice of things to spend their money on”(Tate, 2010). Reason 2: Advertising is a kind of indoctrination. It deprives people of their freedom to make decisions through targeting their insensible thoughts. Individuals cannot just decide to turn their backs on advertising. Advertisers utilize several underhand techniques to put their message forward. For instance, posters have interest grabbing words or stimulating pictures. “Some adverts today are even hidden in what seems like pieces or art or public information, so people do not realize they are being marketed to” (Kumar, 1988). Reason 3: Adverts lead to inferiority. Adverts make persons have a feeling of lowliness. This is especially if this people lack the product which is being advertised. Insights of beauty and style have been tremendously distorted. “Many young people have low-self esteem, and lead unhealthy lifestyles because they feel they should be thinner and more attractive like the models they see in adverts” (Dahl, 2011). This has led to life threatening issues like eating chaos and self harm. Reason 4: Advertising makes a person too attracted to physical possessions. It gives the intuition particularly to children that they should posses
One more novel, one more story. Anna Fitzgerald. An ordinary girl of thirteen. If we picture an image of the girl of this age we will see a pretty creature with the eyes full of burning desire to discover the mysteries of life. Will her dreams be restricted to buying new clothes, watching new films, chatting with friends and falling in love with a Prince Charming? This is not the case with the main character of “My Sister’s Keeper”. Anna Fitzgerald absolutely differs from the children of the same age. Her destiny itself made her different from thousands of teenagers. Anna Fitzgerald’s story told by the American writer Jodi Picoult in “My Sister’s Keeper” empowers us to call this girl a unique one. From the first lines of Anna’s story we realize that the girl has a rare assumption of the outside world. Interesting comparisons that she makes describing this or that issue prove her ability to see the world from some other perspective, she is capable of noticing the things that are hardly noticed by others. She is absolutely sure of the reason of her appearance on the Earth. “… unlike the rest of the free world, I didn’t get here by accident,” she concludes. (Picoult, 2004, p. 2) The girl’s being born because of the scientist’s success in combining genetic material builds a wall between her and the rest of the world. Like other teenagers, Anna tries to understand who truly she is, but unlike other teenagers she has always been treated like a part of her sister. Anna’s main destination was to live for Kate. What was important for Ann at this stage of her life was to preserve her love to life notwithstanding the grievances she faced with. The girl, deprived of the ordinary childhood, who never felt a kid, finds relief in her love to the people around. Kate, her sister and the best friend, keeps living due to Anna’s constant sacrifices and Ann, in her turn, lives for Kate. The closest interdependence one could hardly imagine is the basis for Anna’s life. It gives her power to fight and to believe in the better world. The bridge made by the girls between their beds with the help of their hands serves a symbol of their friendship. It seems that everything will be all right while the bridge is strong. One more object of Anna’s love is her mother. Sara Fitzgerald is a stay-at-home mother and ex-lawyer who dedicates all her life to Kate neglecting somehow other children. Anna’s ability not to be jealous of her mother’s constant attention to Kate distinguishes the girl from other children. Anna realizes that her mother is extremely tired of the life that does not stop to chock the family with the horrific events. Anna constantly justifies her paren
Introduction The era of Mao lasted from 1949 to 1976 when Mao Zedong died. It was during this period when China experienced many reforms in most of its institutions especially marriage. Mao led the promulgation of the 1950 Marriage Law on 1 st May the same year [1] . The implementation of this law led to many changes in the marriage institution. These changes, according to Mao, brought freedom to women in the Chinese society. Mao believed that the captivity of women in the Chinese society hindered economic development and by implementing this law; women would be free to participate in economic development. Marriage is a very important institution in any society though prior to the Mao era, the people did not award it much attention and respect. The Mao era brought flexibility in marriage in the Chinese community. The promulgation and the implementation of the 1950 Marriage Law ensured that one man married one wife only. Before marriage During the Mao era, if someone wanted to get married s/he was free to look for a mate of his/her own choice. In the pre-communist period, this was an abomination since parents chose the mates for their sons/daughters. It allowed the breaking of barriers that the pre-communist community upheld regarding marriage. Some of these barriers were social classes in that, people from the wealthy families could not freely interact with leave alone marry, the poor people. However, there were age limits in that the minimum age of the man was seventeen years while that of the woman fifteen to qualify for marriage [2] . It is important to mention that betrothal was not a prerequisite for marriage and none of the parties would specify compliance to the agreement. Unlike in the pre-communist era, marriage presents were not necessary and if present, the parties gave them as donations. In the Mao era, the law did not allow polygamous marriage in the Chinese community and through such, the sale of young females within the society ended. It also the society to improve the attention awarded o the girl child. The society did not give much attention to bride price and dowry as before. However, the bridegroom’s family had to pay some amount of money to the bride’s family. According to the Chinese customs, the bride’s family was to return a portion of the money to the bridegroom’s family as dowry as a sign of goodwill. Marriage On the success of the betrothal, the parties proceeded to marriage. An open wedding ceremony marked the union of the two parties in marriage. The wedding ceremony followed the traditional Chinese procedure. The bridegroom picked up the bride from her home where he respectfully greeted her parents. The two then proceeded to the bridegroom’s home for the bride to greet her in-laws. The two parties greeted the parents with a cup of tea and in return, daughter(s) in-law received some money inside a red packet. Just like any other form of wedding, this ceremony required witnesses as the two were offici
Introduction Conflicts in families are common occurrences since individuals have different personalities and behaviors. The different behaviors and personalities that exist in families occasion conflicts among people in families such as children or parents. Some common conflicts in families include children-children, parent-children, or parent-parent. These conflicts are a result of the opinions and suggestions that each family member tries present and justify as suitable for other entities in the family. Therefore, it is within this context that the paper reflects and analyses my experiences, observations, and interpretations of a conflict in the family using social and psychological theories. Family Conflict The experience I went through in the family involves a conflict that took place between my parents and I. In the experience, my parents monitored my behavior and exercised excessive control over my character. My father was the one who thought that I was incapable of managing and controlling my life. Therefore, he monitored me closely and frequently reprimanded me concerning certain habits he believed were immoral. The excessive control applied to me look like an individual, who would not control some affairs of my life. The frequent reprimand of my behavior was demeaning and looked like a form of undermining on my ventures and daily activities. Irrespective of my attempts to do what I believed was correct, my parents still looked at it with little satisfaction and scolded me for the acting wrongly in the family. The most challenging experience concerning excessive control from my parents was the limit they started practicing on how I spend my time on aspects like homework, playing, and watching television. The first observation I made was the fact that my parents wanted the best for me and required me to excel in my activities. However, the type of control they imposed on me was not effective in yielding the results they expected, and thus the control occasioned feelings of despise, disrespect, and hatred. The negative feelings developed every time my parents exercised excessive control over my life. The second observation was that my father was ensuring that he controlled the family, which comprised of my mother and me. The need to manage the family compelled him to exercise a lot of control on me in his quest to ensure that I lived up to his expectations. According to McKie (2005), parents need to give some freedom to their children since it makes them explore and understanding the challenges of life. The need to accord some freedom to children is the third observation that I made since I witnessed from my schoolmates and neighbors. Analysis and Interpretation of the Family Conflict Using Theories Control theory explains that conflicts transpire in families because of excessive control that parents exert on their children. The conflicts usually arise when superior parties in the family like fathers or husbands practice excessive control over the parties deemed as inferior, who can be the wives or children. Since the children or wives depend o