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Global Connections

Because the people of the Thousand Islands are inherently xenophobic, they do not have many global connections. Any outsiders that set foot on their land are killed and sacrificed to their Gods, for this reason, they don't have much knowledge of the outside world. However, the Thousand Islands have had a very long and lasting impact on the West through the original creation of wildfire. Unbeknowest to the Islanders, travelers from the west observed their practices from afar and collected some samples dumped into the water surrounding their islands in order to recreate their invention. This invention has won wars and changed the course of history in the West, but is not forbidden in the Thousand Islands

The culture and lifestyle of the people on the Thousand Islands have also been greatly affected by a natural disaster which affected more of planetos than just their region, though they do not understand the impact that it had globally because of the lack of communication with their surrounding civilization. Unlike other affected, they recovered in complete isolation.

Concentrations of wealth and military in other parts of the world are not understood by the people of the islands. They also have little to offer up in these areas, the islands have very little wealth, especially after the disaster and have a very small military which would not stand a chance against larger developed armies. They do, however, have a lot of knowledge. Most of their knowledge pertains to how to manipulate nature and the environment to sustain life while preserving its integrity. They are very in tune with their land, plants, and animals and are able to cultivate an environment that they use as the base of their society. In this aspect, much of their knowledge is specific to their landscape and its characteristics (limited utilization of water). They are also experts on efficient resource utilization, this knowledge could greatly benefit other civilizations especially during wartime.

In the near future, it is possible that the people on the islands will have to venture out for resources to survive. It's likely that this will be facilitated by the underground group actively pursuing and learning about their past and beginning to think outward.

STS Build

The original civilization of the Thousand Islands was incredibly scientifically and technologically advanced. Their infrastructure was expertly engineered to house many people conformably as well as cater to their production needs. Their understanding of science allowed for manipulation of the natural world and the original creation of wildfire. However, in the wake of the natural disaster that devastated their way of life, much of this has disappeared. Now the people of the islands live very modest lifestyles with an emphasis on nature and family, rather than advancement and technology. Only the remains found and preserved by archeologists are able to show the Thousand Islands what the lives of their ancestors looked like.

Archeologists that exist as part of the underground society present in the Thousand Islands hide many of the more interesting artifacts away so that they can study and learn from them. Though the people of the thousand islands don’t need water to survive, certain archeological finds have lead some of the underground members to believe it allowed them certain power - increased strength, longevity, and healing when prepared by what seemed to be witches or those trained in the art of magic. Not much is known from the remains that have been found, though it has not stopped the people of the secret society from trying to understand these practices.

Because of the pollution wildfire creation caused, any form of magic or manipulaiton of nature is forbidden in the Thousand Islands and considered one of the most severe crimes that can be committed. It is seen as disrespectful and arrogant toward the gods that inhabit the waters surrounding their islands. However, the group of underground citizens beilve that being able to regain the ability to ‘charm’ water for their benefit could be key in ensuring their livelihood and existence for years to come. The group have begun to determine the safety of the water around them by allowing a finger or toe to brush the surface and closely monitoring their bodies reaction. They have also begun to teach themselves what appears to be a spell to give the water its healing properties. Unsure of the risk, this societies main concern is the future and well-being of the communities and families, and are willing to take chances to protect them.

Government Build

The government of the thousand islands is organized as seen in the image above. There is no absolute ruler or leader of the islands, but each inhabited island has their own elected leader. Each leader of the islands meets once every moon cycle to discuss the happenings and future directions of their islands and work together to solve large scale questions. The leader of each island is counseled by two main groups, the Sheru (elder head of household women) and the Hoshai (farmers and archeologists). The Sheru is made up of the eldest able women in each of the largest producing families on the island. They coordinate production, play major roles in trade, advise the elected leader on how to distribute basic goods, and help keep the leader informed on the activities and needs of the people. The Hoshai is made up of the farmers and archeologists of the islands. The farmers grow food for the island and help the leader decide the best ways to distribute. The archeologists help the leader stay in touch with their original settlement and work to not repeat the past (this changes when the underground group gets involved). This group, as they are considered the most in touch with the gods, also serve as spiritual guides and advisors.

The leaders of each island (and their advisors) preside over all matters of the law, as their populations are small. There is no written law, but there is a universally understood law shared and understood through oral practices. The law reflects the people's beliefs on life after the natural disaster and promotes a peaceful, enjoyable, down to earth lifestyle. It is understood that is the responsibility of each citizen to uphold these values in their everyday lives. Those who attempt to disrupt this lifestyle are punished. Most infractions are small and are handled by the leaders swiftly and effectively through small sanctions. There is rarely a heinous crime, but those are treated very seriously and can result in death or excommunication.

The leader's job is to understand everyone's point of view before making decisions, and are challenged to make fair, just decisions. Therefore, citizens have large influences on how the leader and their advisors make decisions and carry out their jobs. The society is very collaborative, it is not uncommon for a citizen to meet with their leader and express their concerns about certain decisions or actions that will then be considered when making future decisions. The elected leader does not have absolute rule, they are checked and balanced by their advisors. However, in their modern history, there has always been a peaceful collaboration between the leaders and their advisory councils.

Psychology Build

Some of the biological influences on identity in the biopsychosocial model include age and relation to the environment. In the Thousand Islands, age creates certain milestones like choosing a career, choosing a partner, and having children. Age also determines a lot about the amount of respect given to an individual, the older, the more respected and trusted on matters of life. The way the people of the islands interacts with their environment also plays a role in their practices and identity. Naturally, the people of the thousand islands do not need water to survive, which allows them to make no contact with it. This encourages them to continue their xenophobic lifestyles and to never venture out of their islands.

Family influences also play a huge role in the identities of the people of the thousand islands, As many families have a special trade, it seems as almost forceful that at least one of their children should continue the legacy of their parents work, though it is also acceptable to switch paths. The inhabitants are very close with their families and base their decision off of their input and encouragement.

In the Thousand Islands, gender is understood as a binary based on biological sex, however, gender roles are not strictly defined. Families often share caregiving responsibilities, and women (as mentioned in the previous build) are often heads of their families and form councils to help their society run smoothly and efficiently. Because gender roles are fluid, choosing to not accept a certain role would not have a large effect on the individual or warrant a reaction from society. In contrast, if someone were to question the binary system of gender and decide to introduce something new, the society at large would see it as an attack on their lifestyle and the god's desires.

The character I’ve created is inspired by the only image of an inhabitant of the thousand islands. Shai is a young woman who has just been through sharpening her teeth, a symbol of beauty and strength, signaling she is now looking for a partner to start a family. Her age,18 years old, as well as her family and friends, encouraged her to begin looking for a partner. (biological and sociocultural) She was scared at first, she was doubtful that anyone would want to start a life with her but after sharpening her teeth everything changed. The pain she endured showed her how strong she was and what she could endure, the recovery time allowed her space to think about what she wanted in her future. It also gave her time to think about how she would handle the situation with her father, she recently found that he was a part of a secret council to attempt the re-implementation of original thousand island technology. Shai knew that if she told the wrong person, her father and so many other important members of society would be subject to punishment, and she couldn't bare to see people she loved be destroyed by the larger society. She decided to keep it a secret and find out more about the group before making any other decisions (psychological).

Photo credit: https://www.deviantart.com/reneaigner

Sociology Build

The largest social institutions in the lives of the people of The Thousand islands is religion and government as they relate to their elected leaders/councils. Individuals interact with their leader and council (elders, farmers, archeologists) when they have a problem, when they need help, when they receive food, and when their children are being educated. Their leader is also very much one of the people, they are highly respected but do not live a grandiose life as the people of the Thousand Islands value humility. Their leader and council mediate most public conflict and decide punishments when individuals disturb the peaceful nature of the society, oppose decisions made by the leaders, or act out against religious beliefs. Cooperation with their government ensures protection, stability, resources, and peace. The main goal of leaders is to promote the common good while remaining in good faith with the gods. They hinder technological advancements and prevent most innovation but believe this keeps them safe and in the god's favor. However, there is a group of people who oppose these sentiments and learn from older technology with a goal to rebuild their to society to what it once was.

This underground group is in direct opposition to the central social institution of the Thousand islands, though some people are members of both groups. Because the group conducts business in secret, there is no apparent conflict, but if they were to ever reveal their interests to the general public a civil war would ensue. They have the potential to completely alter the modern society by challenging their religious beliefs and their interactions with water. Their main driving motivations are to prepare for the future of the Thousand Islands as their mines are being depleted.

Another group that is largely prominent in society are a group of older women whose family play a large role in the production of goods. The leaders, farmers, and archeologists are made up of both men and women but this group is traditionally always all women. There are many families that produce different goods like clothes, furniture, tools, and cooking utensils, that trade with each other and provide for their people. The eldest women in these families hold no governmental power but are highly respected in society, these women also carry out the practice of teeth shaving. All of the women on the islands shave their teeth to points to represent strength and beauty and that they are prepared to take on a family, girls typically do this at age 18 but many decide to do it earlier or later with the support of their parents.

Race and ethnicity play a major role in the society of the Thousand Islands, specifically because there is only one. There is absolutely no diversity of race or ethnicity, the modern islanders are descendant from the survivors of the natural disaster affecting the original civilization, in which there was no ethnic or racial diversity, to begin with. This is because the people are inherently xenophobic, they are violent towards any person different to them and sacrifice them to their sea gods. The people of the Thousand Islands have a distinct racial appearance, they are hairless and have green-tinged skin, this creates an easily detectible divide between them and any outsiders.

Photo credit: https://www.deviantart.com/reneaigner

Culture Build

On the Thousand Islands, the natural disaster has played the largest role in shaping the culture of their current civilization. Before, their society was highly technical and developed with the complexities of socioeconomics. But now the people vow to live their lives simply, they aim to enjoy life as they believe the gods intended, close to nature and close to family. For this reason, religion is deeply ingrained into all aspects of their culture and that sentiment extends to almost every part of their daily lives.

The people of the thousand islands believe in fish head Gods who live in the water surrounding their islands. They believe the Gods punished them with the natural disaster that destroyed their original civilzation because of their pollution and technology. They also believe the Gods didn't like their advancements because they were encroaching on their territory and taking up a god-like persona that was offensive to their Gods fo the sea. This is why the people of the island changed their way of life after the disaster, and as a peace offering (in accordance with their previous customs) continue to sacrifice outsiders to the Gods.

Farmers in their society are appointed by the leaders and are regarded as deeply spiritual as they dedicate their lives to sustaining the lives of the people around them. They are not believed to have a close connection with the gods (they believe that no one can) but are considered closest to nature which allows them to have a comprehensive understanding of life and love. They serve to advise the leaders and the overall community on all aspects of life. Farmers are chosen for the practice at the young age of 15, young men and women spend 5 years learning the practice form their elders and then can begin on their own at age 20. Many of the farmers come from the same family, as they grow up close to the practice, but anyone is allowed to take on the position and many outside of large farming families are welcomed in.

Farmers work closely with archeologists, another culturally significant practice of the Thousand Islands. The Archeologists travel all over the Islands via small ‘airplanes’ able to sail across the winds. These members of society travel farther across the islands than any others and spend their time digging up historical artifacts from their original civilization. They restore the items, discuss their original purposes, and put them on display in the town center to serve as a reminder of disaster. Some of the archeologists hide a small number of their discoveries and share them only with an underground council. They restore items in an attempt to understand the previous society and culture so that one day they can re-implement into their modern society. They operate in secret, which makes it difficult to make restorations, especially as they attempt to re-create wildfire. More recently the architects have been pushing the boundary of water, they sometimes let their hands or feet brush the surface just to see what could happen. Those on the underground council love and value their society, though they are concerned for their future. As precious metals are being used up, they fear for their survival and want to protect their people, even if they mean going against the law.

Both of these prominent positions are appointed by the islands elected leader. Each inhabited island elects a leader, all elected leaders meet officially once every moon to discuss the happening of their respective islands. Some of these leaders are members of the secret council, while others are not. The leaders also serve as educators and once a moon gathers the children of the islands for lessons on whatever they find relevant. While the children learn most everything from their parents and their community, this is a chance for them to ask more complex questions, and socialize a bit with their peers. The elected leader and their council of elders, past leaders, farmers, and archeologists also are responsible for enforcing the laws which reflect the values of society. The laws reflect their xenophobia, belief in the gods, the importance of family, and respect for the waters that surround them. The leader and his council are responsible for assigning punishment based on the crime. Sometimes they can be simply a halt to production or trade, but in more extreme cases like murder (which is very rare) warrant exilement.

Picture Credits:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpK9G7o9UF8

https://www.messynessychic.com/2017/02/22/only-photographs-remained-of-the-first-flying-man-until-now/

Economics Build

The people of the Thousand Islands live off of the land, they do not consume water but depend on the plants and animals for food which need minimal to no water to live. They grow starchy vegetable plants, grains, fruits, grow plants spun into cloth material, and raise livestock for food. The island is very rocky, which they utilize to build houses and other buildings. Their original settlement/land was very rich in steel and other precious metals, however, after most of their land was lost during the natural disaster and many of their mining sites were destroyed. Since then, they have preserved the use of those unrenewable resources to last them for many years.

Much of the population does labor, except for the very young and very old, however, the children grow up learning how to take care of themselves, their land, and their families. While all families perform many of the same daily tasks to take care of themselves, many of the families are known for specialized tasks like the production of baskets, clothes, shoes, etc. There is also a certain degree of specialization in jobs like farming, butchering, and mining as well as providing guidance to their elected leaders and archeological digging. The people of the islands have basic forms of capital and have the tools for their basic needs of survival and comfort but aim to stay down to earth and live off of their land. For this reason, entrepreneurship is not very common in the area as the people don’t want to become too developed. However, people are very willing to trade the things they make for goods made by other members of their society.

The islands have a traditional type of economy but with some governmental control. Their system of currency (pictured above) was abandoned after the natural disaster but much of it remains on display in town centers to serve as a reminder to never again attempt the lives of the original civilization. Now the people of the islands rely on trade, barter and the allocation of food. Their society operates on a socialist basis in regards to crops and animals, but certain types of clothing, tools, and special foods are traded and bartered.

Picture Credit: https://oldcurrencyexchange.com/2015/03/31/what-is-celtic-ring-money/

History Build

The most notable change to the Thousand Islands is the natural disaster that struck hundreds of years ago. The earthquake and subsequent rising of the water level created the event of which people of island use categorize their history - before and after. The society that existed before the disaster kept records and outlined the way they lived their lives, they stored books and catalogs in a central location so that information could be passed along for generations. After the earthquake all of this was abandoned, the people of the islands now no longer keep records as they know they can never be permanent and solely share history through stories. Other than the ruins still visible on some parts of the islands, stores are all that is left of their original civilization.

What is known about their original civilization is what the survivors told their children, this information has been passed down through the centuries. Children learn history typically from their parents or elders on their island, which can, of course, lead to bias and inconsistency. It has lead to a grandiose dramatization of the shining success and gruesome demise of the original civilization. This history is very important to the people of the islands, they believe that the natural disaster had religious implications and remember the mistakes of their ancestors so that they may never be repeated.

Because the people of the Thousand Islands are xenophobic, they are tightly bound within their families and neighbors. Marriage does not exist in their society - but having children and starting a life together is considered customary practice for young men and women - especially to keep their race alive. All members of a family (typically with an emphasis on the maternal side) live very close to each other and spend most of their lives together. Genealogy is very important to the Islanders but does not play the absolute role in deciding the leaders of the islands.

Edit: Some members of the society are appointed by leaders to conduct archeological digs on the hunt for old tools, artifacts, and records. They are restored, preserved, and put on display in the town centers to serve as a reminder to never again attempt to gain power and disrespect the Gods. There are some members of the Thousand Islands civilization that do not see the error in the lives of the originals and plan to one day overthrow the established form of government and restore their power. Some of the members of these underground groups work in secret with the archeologists to keep some of the uncovered technology out of the public eye and study them in attempts to understand their purposes in hopes of re-inviting them and creating a society as fully functioning as the originals one lead. They spend much of their time and energy on trying to recreate wildfire but have to remain in secret which poses much difficulty.

Picture credit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/76107725/ireland-landscape-castle-ruins-irish-sea?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share

Geography Build

The Thousand Islands are located in the east of the Shivering Sea, above Mossovy. Sailors from the West have traveled to the Thousand Islands and their location is well documented on many maps. The Thousand Islands are a group of many scattered islands that once were all a joined land mass. Due to changing water levels, much of the developed land was submerged in water, leaving the highest points of the land above water which form what is currently known as the Thousand Islands. The larger islands are inhabited by people but many of the smaller formations are “bleak windswept rocks”. The islands have a colder climate but are still green. They have rocky cliffs and beaches, some containing ruins of their drowned kingdom from thousands of years previous. The people of the Thousand Islands are hairless and have green-tinged skin, they do not need water to survive. The early people of the original kingdom of the Thousand Islands were the first to create wildfire (early members of the Alchemists Guild visited the kingdom and took credit for the discovery in the west), the process was long and took many years of experimentation, much of the waste from the failed experiments were dumped into the surrounding waters. The people were affected by the pollution only through the consumption of livestock and plants as they did not drink water. The flora and fauna on the island were severely harmed by the lack of unpolluted water. The inhabitants started noticing the devastating effects their pollution was having on their land, plants and animals, and their own bodies. Shortly after this realization, the natural disaster struck. Those that survived the disaster swore to never so much as touch the water ever again. Hundreds of years later the flora and fauna on the islands have evolved to survive with little to no water and are able to live in the environment. For this reason, the people of the Thousand Islands do not sail on the waters of the Shivering Sea. They are able to fly short distances between the islands to remain in contact with their own people, but do not welcome outsiders that sail to them as they believe they have been poisoned by the waters, and sacrifice them to the Gods.

Picture Credit: https://www.ireland.com/en-us/articles/tripideas/aran-islands/

Week 4 - Prompt 3

Prompt: Dimeo, Hunt & Horbury, “The Individual and the State: A Social Historical Analysis of the East German ‘Doping System’” explores a governmental scandal about a sports/medical technology. Compare this to a contemporary sports scandal of your choice, using at least two quotes from the reading. Take a local photo to illustrate the East German doping scandal in some way, and another photo to illustrate the scandal you choose.

During the East German doping scandal, several thousand Olympic athletes were exposed to performance-enhancing drugs. The East German government used “the system of secrecy, and that included not fully informing the athletes of either what they were consuming or what knowledge doctors and coaches had of potential side-effects from that consumption” (Dimeo and Hunt, p. 2), to illegally administer drugs to their athletes. It was unclear whether or not some of the athletes knew they were being exposed to performance-enhancing drugs. This “emphasizes the power of the state in totalitarian society and [how this was used to foster] the abuse of athletes” (Dimeo and Hunt p. 1) There are many other doping scandals in history, however, this one is unique because of its large impact on many athletes, who were possibly kept in the dark about the practice.

In another doping scandal, Floyd Landis (pictured above minutes before crossing the finish line) was removed from his title as the winner in the 2006 Tour de France. According to The Atlantic, a urine sample taken after one of the riding stages tested positive more than once for banned synthetic testosterone. He had nearly three times the limit allowed by the World Anti-Doping Agency. This example is far different than the East German scandal because this only involved one athlete who willingly participated in the illegal activity. After the 2006 Tour de France, the rightful winner was awarded, but with the East German scandal, its reach could have gone much farther than is known and can never be fully corrected.

#3050

Week 4 - Prompt 3

Prompt: At Teufelsberg this week you will see a lot of graffiti. It's a cultural phenomenon here - highly skilled artists have been allowed to paint the walls of this defunct spy station. Some murals have lasted years, while others are painted over from one week to the next. As Ledingham tells us, “Public relations is best defined and practiced as the active attempt to restore and maintain a sense of community.” How is this graffiti a function of community building/maintenance? How might this space be different in the U.S.? Would the owners of this property or the federal government be likely to allow this long-term graffiti haven to continue untouched by anyone who isn't part of the community? Post a selection of murals to illustrate your post.

The graffiti functions to build and maintain community because it allows all of the members the freedom to artfully express their opinions (essential to a public sphere) and allows them to feel as if their government has the best interest of the people in mind. As the Ledingham paper states “citizens tended to remain when they perceived that local government is providing benefit for public members, acting in the best interest of public members, and dedicating resources to support matters of importance to citizens in the exchange relationship between the local government and the citizenry” (p. 292). The citizens remain in the area where they feel like their needs are being fostered, which is happening in the Teufelsberg area. This then strengthens the relationship between the community members, and their government and builds upon the principal of mutual benefit.

I feel that the space would work similarly in the US, as long as the same conditions of reclamation are present in the situation. That ideal in Teufelsberg seems to be central to the spirit of space, and some of the art pictured above makes that very obvious. This idea also resonates through the community that lives there, which is especially present in the way the guides talk about the rubble and history of the hills, “something so awful, is now so beautiful.” I find it less likely that the government or owners would tolerate the graffiti if it was not started by locals, as would feel more like defacing instead of reclaiming if the artist did not have ties to the town. Mutual benefit wouldn't be a driving force because those citizens would not be represented by the officials in the area, removing a key element of the relationship.

#3550

Week 4 - Prompt 1

Prompt: Research the GPDR online privacy regulations that went into effect last Friday. Link to an official government communication from the EU or another governmental body about these new technological restrictions. Then, find an example of art or advertising in the the city you’re in (not online) that deals with similar issues of privacy or surveillance.

The European Union recently put into place new regulations concerning online privacy. According to europa.eu (an official website of the European Union), the new “data protection rules guarantee the protection of your personal data whenever they are collected.” Called the GDPR privacy policy, the law is designed to unify the EU’s policies on online privacy and to improve the rights of the citizens regarding their personal information. Their previous laws only applied to the data controllers, who according to termsfeed.com “determine how and why personal data is collected, but now will also apply to data processors who “do the collection, storage and maintenance of user information”. The law also forces companies to create a more comprehensive and obvious way of obtaining consent to use and record a person’s online information.

On our trip today at Teufelsberg, the guide explained that the art piece pictured above is a form of commentary on privacy and surveillance. The ear represents the idea of the government always ‘listening’ in or surveying the public. He compared this surveying government concept to the National Security Agency (NSA) in the United States, who was once present in the towers of the town. The painting is very fitting of its location, as Teufelsberg was once the site of a spy station controlled by the Britain (Government Communication Headquarters GCHQ) and the US (NSA) during the Cold War to spy on Soviet communication. Based on this example, we can see that the public in this case is using the art space as the media for their public sphere instead of “ newspapers, magazines, radio and television” (p.1) which is mentioned in Habermas’s paper. This public of artists is able to use their talents and have “the freedom to express and publish their opinions” (p.1) which allows them to communicate their ideas with society.

#3070

Week 4 - Prompt 2

Prompt: You have now seen the Mercedes-Benz arena & museum, the BMW Motorcycle Factory, and the VW Autostadt. How are these various locations similar in terms of stakeholder engagement? In what ways are they different? As a tourist viewing these locations (rather than as a local fan, a native German, or a customer), which was more effective in creating a compelling experience for you? Think about the Ramshaw reading as you answer, and include specific examples.

For many car manufacturers, heritage is important in branding. Heritage is viewed “as more than just tangible objects and places but also the social values and practices” (Ramshaw, p.1). In the Mercedes-Benz arena & museum, the BMW Motorcycle Factory, and the VW Autostadt, we were made aware of either the corporation’s history, values, or both, which contribute to our understanding of their heritage. Each want to engage their public and convince them that they put out high quality product. Using the idea of heritage, each company did this in a different way. In the Mercedes-Benz arena we learned that the Benz name was attached to the first car ever created in Europe, we traveled through their history, and along the way learned how the brand positively influenced people’s lives around the world. At the BMW factory we learned about the atmosphere of their workplace and how they test every motorcycle they put out, which gave us an idea of their core values relating to quality. At Autostadt we learned a brief history, were dazzled with some of the world’s most luxurious and expensive cars, then spent the day in a space designed to engage the public and transmit the values of VW.

As a tourist viewing the locations, I appreciated the amount of globalization. These tours and spaces were not just deigned for people who had a love for automobiles and German history, but were designed for those also willing to learn. The experiences were also friendly to those who did not speak the native langue. Most importantly, though I do not have any personal stake in any of these corporations (as a local, native, or customer) I was still able to connect with the ideals and history of each brand. “These heritage venues emphasize the history ... to sustain the legacy of the place and create a meaningful experience for the visitors” (Ramshaw, p.4). I was able connect the values of these companies with my own, and appreciate the way they presented them through interactive games at the Autostat (pictured above) and cool classic cars at the Mercedes-Benz (pictured above).

#3550

Week 4 - Prompt 2

Prompt: Museum Communication meets Metropolis: At the museum, look for two examples of science or technology to relate to the film: 1 - Find an exhibit that suggests the film was accurate in communicating the future. 2 - Find an exhibit that suggests the film was inaccurate in its vision of the future.

In the movie Metropolis, the evil robot version of Maria (a technology) is used as a device to persuade a public. As we discussed in class, social media and other online entities (also technology) can be misused by corporations or government to persuade people to buy certain things, vote a certain way, or shape their opinions about current events. An exhibit in the Museum Communication highlights how far reaching social media (specifically twitter) can be, and shows that Metropolis’s ideas of future technology might not be far off. It connects millions of people worldwide, and also connects those people with persuasive media. We also discussed that Facebook was used by Russian government to secretly persuade the public of American citizens. As another type of social media, twitter is used in the same ways, though maybe not by the Russian government. News outlets, advertisements, and promotions are all over twitter feeds and play a major role in how people keep up with current events. This type of media can be and is used by all of these entities to easily persuade the global public.

This use of social media also inhibits a “public sphere as a sphere which mediates between society and state” (Habermass. p.50) The clutter of persuasive material prevents any communication between the public and government that could facilitate the democratic society. In Metropolis, robot Maria prevented communication between the underclass and upperclass. She did not speak of peace and mediation like Maria did, but just called for violence and rage and further division, which twitter can also facilitate through the presentation of persuasive material.

When used in a positive way, technology also has the ability to bring people together. Pictured above are images from the Museum Communication in their Oh Yeah! exhibit that showcased German pop music throughout history. In the first image, we see ‘Rock for Peace’ a movement that took over German music for a majority of the 80s. During this time music (a technology) was centered on love, peace, freedom, bringing people together, and celebrating diversity. The exhibit explained that there were many music festivals during the time that focused on these ideals, one even appropriately named ‘Love-and-Peace Festival’. The second image is form one music festival called ‘Love Parade’. This parade was a techno/electronic music festival in which thousands and thousands participated. These instances show that Metropolis did not predict the ability of music technology to unite people and bring about peace instead of division and suppression.

This type of technology with the ability to bring about peace and freedom helps contribute to the ideal of the public sphere. The idea that “citizens behave as a public body when they confer in an unrestricted fashion - that is with the guarantee of freedom of assembly and association and the freedom to express and publish their opinions” (Habermass,49), is supported by these types of festivals. By having these opportunities and taking advantage of these rights, the citizens are forming their own public, close to the ideals of a public sphere. This public sphere is rooted in the ideas of democracy and equality (as discussed in class) and reflect the values expressed in the music festivals of the era.

#3070 #extened

Week 4 - Prompt 1

Prompt: Capture an advertisement that you think would be ineffective in the U.S. Tell me why it would be ineffective, and then describe how you might do it differently for a U.S. market. Post a photo of the advertisement so that your classmates and I can see what you're referring to. (Note: You cannot post something in German and say "it would be ineffective because it isn't in English" or something similar. Think in terms of the intended message, intended audience, and how both are communicated - would the spirit of the message be ineffective? Why?) Make a connection to at least one of our readings from the program.

When I first saw the ad pictured above I assumed it was promoting eco friendly transportation, which is a common advertisement found in the United States. But after translation, I realized it was advertising a flooring company’s promise to plant one tree per every 5 m2 of flooring sold. The idea of getting new flooring doesn’t seem to relate to environmental health, but in Germany the idea of eco-friendly practices are deeply ingrained in the society. If an add like this ran in the US, I’m sure many citizens would have similar reactions to myself; ‘What does this have to do with that?’

According to the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, “There is a fair bit of social pressure to behave in an environmentally responsible manner in Europe”, making people more conscious about how their habits may effect the environment. They also explain that: “in Europe it is far easier to channel your good intentions into action. And you feel far worse if you don’t.” Therefore, these type of ads can work in a society where it is culturally normal to be environmentally conscious in the actions of your daily life, and people may even feel pressured to do so. In the US, this mindset is not imbedded in the societal norms like it is in Germany, making this advertisement seem a little odd or unnecessary in the context of the US.

National Graphic’s Greendex, a study looking at the sustainable consumption trends of 18 different nations, found America to be in last place, behind every other developed nation in the study. This shows that American consumers are not only less concerned with the environment than Germans, but of most to the developed world. The study also states that “Americans make up only around 4.5% of the world’s population, but consume about a quarter of the world’s fossil fuel resources”. A 2018 Gallup poll allows a more specific look into the beliefs of American people which may affect their consumption habits and ideas about environmental health. The study revealed that 57% of Americans do not think that global warming will pose a serious threat in their lifetime which may allude to the idea that Americans don’t care as much about the environment because they don’t believe they’ll feel the effects. This shows that American citizens are less responsive to the environment and this type of add wouldn’t have the intended effect in the US.

By promoting environmental health, the company Logoclic is also communication to their German public that they value the environment and fall in line with the cultural norm. They are not only saying that they care about the environment but are putting those “values into action” which is defined as ethics by Guth and Marsh Chapter 6. This company is basing their organizational codes on societal codes, but these do not necessarily fall in line with international codes (Guth and Marsh p.162-163) . This is why this type of advertising may not be as effective outside of Europe or Germany. Especially in a society that does not highly value the environment.

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Week 3 - Prompt 3

Prompt: Advertising / Public Sphere: Public Communication and Democracy. Find an example in Berlin(not TV, online, etc.) of communication from a regional, city, or national governmental body about a particular technology. Drawing on Habermas, examine it first from a public sphere perspective: What information is needed about this technology for citizens of a democracy to have informed civic debate and deliberation about it? Then, drawing on Jaganathan et al, examine it from a rhetoric of advertising perspective: What persuasive arguments might a manufacturer or distributor of the same technology want to make to the public?

In Paris, one of the major bus lines is described by sncf.com as “a public service company with a commercial and industrial mission, owned by the French State.” In an SNCF train station, the above image was displayed which translates to “You are in a protected video space”. Through this advertisement we can see that the “State authority is the executer of the political public sphere, it is not part of it” and “derives it’s task of caring for the well being of all citizens” (Habermas, p.1) The state is attempting to make the trains stations safe for everyone by the use of this technology. The citizens of the state would likely want information about where the camera’s are located and other logical questions. On the SNCF website Q and A, a citizen who had a bag stolen asked who would have access to the tapes. SNCF replied that the police are the only ones who would have access. Here, we see “the exercise of political control is effectively subordinated to the public democratic demand [because] information is accessible to the public” (Habermas, p.1). Basically, giving the public information about their governing body, and they way they chose to govern, gains the publics approval and allows the government to do their job.

A manufacturer may “influence the purchasing behavior of its customers by providing information and persuading them to buy a certain product. Generally, the adverts make specific claims to influence the customers” (Jaganathan p.151). If this product were to be marketed, the distributer may transmit the message that buying a security camera can prevent break-ins or keep a family safe, effectively using pathos to make people fear for the well-being of themselves and their loved ones. Logos could be used to appeal to consumers that are tech-savvy, and advertise the high complexity of the interworkings for their cameras, which make them the best. The company may also want to hire professional advertising agencies to craft the language of their advertisements as “language of advertisements affects both product information search as well as product purchase decision” (Jaganathan p. 164). The language of the advertisement may make and consumer more or less interested in the product, playing a huge role in their likelihood to purchase.

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Week 3 - Prompt 3

Prompt: Luke Lalor from AlphaPool Content Marketing is coming to talk with us about his firm and what they do. For this post, you need to take careful notes during Luke's talk so that you can go out this week and find an example of something he discusses. Specifically, you need to identify a concept he discusses, then find an example of that practice (1) done well, and (2) done poorly.

In his discussion, Luke Lalor highlighted how far reaching the adds from his company could be. He stated that one particular add was intended for 28 different countries that speak 22 different languages. Mr. Lalor went on to explain that message translators are employed to “specialize the content for each market” (Lalor), and make sure there is no error in translation that changes the intended message.

When visiting museums in Germany or France, the images and exhibits are captioned or explained primarily in the country’s native language. However, the curators are aware that people may travel from all over the world to see the museum and experience the art or history that it presents. In all of the museums I’ve visited, explanations are always provided in more than one language, two at the least. Above is a picture from Musée d’Orsay of an informative sign explaining impressionism. The sign is in three languages, French, English, and Spanish. For these to make sense, the words cannot simply be put through a translator, as key concepts or points may be lost in translation.To make such a translation “it is pertinent to understand how language is used creatively and skillfully ... to be presented to a variety of readers in different settings” (Jaganathan, p.152). A message translator, like Mr. Lalor mentioned, is needed to ensure that both versions of the text portray the same general message.

This type of cross cultural communication is also important to advertisers. “Public relations as a discipline are more often charged with managing communication and relationships between organizations and their stakeholders... on an international level” (Zerfass, p.1). The goal of this is to make advertisements practical on a global scale. However, there are many instances in advertising of translation errors. In class, we discussed that Sierra Mist doesn’t sell in Germany because in the German language, ‘mist’ translates to ‘manure’. There is another example of this type of mis-translation in another advertisement by Clairol. According to The Brains Behind Great Add Campaigns by Margo Barman and Robyn Blakeman, Clairol released a product in 2006 called the ‘Mist Stick’ in America and parts of Europe. It was generally successful, but didn't sell well in Germany because of the translation error. This could have been corrected with a little research, and today advertisers have learned from other mistakes.

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