Ethnographic Essay On Ageism, Aesthetics And Embodiment Free Writing Sample

Introduction

Ageing as a process in human life is one of the complicated phenomena that occur in human life. It has impacts the individual and society in general, as it affects them in several ways. This ageing process is affected by various factors, including social, cultural and environmental factors, which help shape the person as well as the beliefs of the people concerning the idea of ageing (Clarke, 2010). This research paper aims at the aspects of ageing related to culture, which may impact adult people. Rather than the information in this research paper, the data is purely first-hand information from the original field. It was collected through interviews with the informants and observation of the activities carried out by the older people who are ageing. This research paper will be on the margins of the ongoing debate in social science, specifically the area of cultural anthropology and qualitative sociology.

Body

The ageing population in the modern world is increasing at a higher speed worldwide, and this trend is likely to increase. It is clear that as people age, it is evident that their needs, as well as requirements, are expected to change. As a result of the change in needs and requirements, ageing people may therefore require special care and support, which will assist them in meeting their needs. Some of the particular support and care required by ageing people include healthcare, social service, and community support groups (Ritchie, 2023). An excellent example of this kind of community support system is adult day care, which helps provide safety to older adults in society. In addition, adult day care is also responsible for modifying the environment surrounding the older adults to enable them to do any activity they wish as well as mingling and socializing with the other people in the society where they can get assistance with their daily activities.

It is essential to focus on the cultural aspects that are associated with ageing in the context of adult day care centres since they have a significant impact on the influence on attitudes as well as beliefs of society members concerning the idea of the adult care system (Ewen, Nikzad-Terhune, & Dassel, 2020). By understanding these cultural aspects, individuals and the system’s staff members can provide better quality care and support to older adults. In addition, understanding these cultural aspects associated with the adult care system also helps create a conducive environment for supporting older people in society.

This research is founded on first-hand information in the adult daycare centre in society. In the competition of this research paper, there will be the employment of the qualitative approach method to collect the data, which entails carrying out interviews with the informants to collect information concerning the activities taking place in the adult day care, as well as the observation method, which involves recording the activities that are observed to be taking place in a daily basis in the adult day care system. For better results, the interviews will be semi-structured, giving room for the informants to be able to give their experiences and perspectives concerning ageing through the open-ended questions in the interview. Through the help of the interviews, it will be easy to collect much trustworthy information and record the experiences and opinions of the informants concerning the whole issue of adult day care. The type of interview used in this paper is open-ended, as it allows the interviewee to give their opinions and express their experiences.

The other qualitative method used in collecting information about adult day care is the observation method, which is capable of recording all the daily activities taking place in the adult day care system. This data collection method mainly emphasizes the interactions and behaviour of the older people who reside in the adult day care. It is also essential to record the observation about the attitude and beliefs of the staff members concerning the idea of adult day care. It is essential for the person carrying out the observation to pay keen attention to the language, metaphors as well as details of illustrated talks within the system. These details may comprise the style of dressing and communication, colour as well as cultural references, which significantly impact how the participants interpret the patterns within the system. Observation is one of the most recommended methods that can be used to collect the data since a person can collect all the data when it is first-hand. There is no room for collecting inaccurate data, as the person is directly observing the society people in the adult daycare system (Orellana, Manthorpe, & Tinker, 2020).

The people’s beliefs concerning ageing in society are constructed, reproduced, and consumed in various ways that contain participants, caregivers, and society members. Some of the processes involved include socialization, institutionalization as well cultural observation. Socialization involves the people in society obtaining skills, attitudes, and behaviours required to perform their social roles and statuses. In adult daycare systems, all the participants are taught the same beliefs and attitudes concerning ageing through mingling with the caregivers and the society members. Interactions in the adult daycare systems involve conversation and activities in the system. The older adults in the system may also be involved in group activities that improve their social interaction and mentality (Segal, White, & Robinson, 2023).

Institutionalization is the other procedure that attributes to the construction and reproduction of thoughts of ageing in the adult daycare system. In this method, institutes are responsible for modifying the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviour of the individual taking part in the activity. In the system, this process governs the layout of the whole system and the policies and procedures that dictate daily life. It is also responsible for showing the caregivers and participants the instructions.

In addition to those methods, medicalization is the other process that can be used to construct and reproduce ideas about ageing. This process involves medical skills helping modify social and cultural knowledge of health and illness. This system of caring for the elderly can help use the terms and diagnosis skills to care for and treat older adults. This shows that ageing is a medical issue that medication can control.

Cultural activities also play a significant role in the system’s construction and reproduction of facts about ageing. These are how a particular group of people believe and do and behaviour. In the system, cultural practices can involve rituals and traditions that strengthen particular traditions about ageing.

For straightforward interpretation of the patterns, several ways may be used according to the person’s experience. Individuals may accept the idea of taking care of ageing through the adult daycare system, while others may oppose and discourage it. People can ascribe different meanings to their behaviour in the system according to their goals and interests. While some people may see it as a way of keeping their independence and social connections, some see it as a way of compromising in the face of reducing health.

Different participants have different roles in constructing and reproducing facts about ageing according to their experiences. Therefore, some individuals play a critical role in modifying cultural practices about individuals in the adult daycare system. In contrast, others do not have a significant role, so they familiarise themselves with the present norms. Identities acquired by different individuals also vary according to their experiences and objectives.

From the results of the research paper, it has been discovered that cultural aspects of ageing significantly impact the idea of an adult daycare system. From the findings of this research, it has been shown that the older adults, as well as the staff members, have a great attitude and beliefs regarding ageing. Their strong beliefs and attitude directly affect how they behave towards the idea of ageing. For instance, different people have different attitudes towards the adult day care system; some older adults in society may have a negative opinion towards the adult day care system since they think it shows a decline in physical and mental ability. At the same time, there may be a positive attitude towards the whole idea, perceiving it as a wise way of caring for older adults.

In addition to that, the results also suggest that there are potent narratives and identities in the adult daycare system. The older people in society can write narratives concerning their lives as well as skills which can assist in determining their uniqueness in the system. In the same manner, the staff members in the adult day care can also write narratives about the older adults in society concerning their work in the system, which can help modify their behaviour and attitude towards them.

Some of the social needs that are served in the adult day care system include safety for the elderly as well as modifying the environment to create a conducive environment for the older adults to work. In addition to that, it also creates a conducive environment for older adults to interact with other people in society and address the emotional and physical needs of older adults. Cultural aspects concerning ageing play a significant part in addressing social needs as they are responsible for shaping the attitudes and behaviour of the older people and the staff members in the adult day care centre.

Data analysis

After collecting the data by interviewing the informants and observing participants’ observation of their daily activities, it was then analyzed through qualitative data analysis methods such as thematic analysis. This analysis will mainly focus on identifying patterns and themes related to the making and production of ideas concerning ageing. This analysis method also pays attention to the roles and identities of the people and their implications for modifying their behaviour.

Conclusion

Taking care of the older adults in society is a good show of generosity. Showing concern for older adults can be done in several ways, but this paper has thoroughly analyzed the adult daycare system. This type of system involves assigning specific people to be the caregivers who are responsible for taking care of the elderly in society as well as teaching them about their health and also creating a conducive environment which will enable them to mingle with others in society. How ideas and beliefs can be reconstructed, include medicalization, institutionalization as well socialization. There are also several ways in which participants interpret patterns.

References

Clarke, L. H. (2010). Facing Age: Women Growing Older in Anti-Aging Culture. Rowman & Littlefield. Retrieved from https://www.kobo.com/ww/en/ebook/facing-age-1

Ewen, H. H., Nikzad-Terhune, K., & Dassel, K. B. (2020). Exploring Beliefs about Aging and Faith: Development of the Judeo-Christian Religious Beliefs and Aging Scale. National Library of Medicine, 1-28. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7551704/

Orellana, K., Manthorpe, J., & Tinker, A. (2020). Day centres for older people: a systematically conducted scoping review of literature about their benefits, purposes and how they are perceived. National Library of Medicine, pp. 1–24. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6889849/

Ritchie, L. (2023). Adult Day Care: Northern Perspectives. Public Health Nursing, pp. 1–24. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/10899578_Adult_Day_Care_Northern_Perspectives

Segal, J., White, M., & Robinson, L. (2023). Adult Day Care Services. Aging, pp. 1–23. Retrieved from https://www.helpguide.org/articles/senior-housing/adult-day-care-services.htm

Get 2 Test Scores Writing Sample

Executive Summary

The study will display the vitality of innovation and its advantages to an organization’s business. The study will showcase an actual image of developing a social proposition. The study will also display how technological innovations give growth to a business and in which process the business can grow by expanding its technology. Time management also plays an integral part in the development of the industry.

Introduction

In this study, the discussion will be done on how to start and manage the project. The goal of this project is to show the ways it provides ideas related to the potential. This study will discuss the Get2Test Scores as well as the things that have been learned from this study will be discussed here in this study. The understandings that have been gathered from this study will also be stated. An action plan will be provided to help develop the weakness in the future. In the last part of the study, a conclusion will be added.

After analyzing the GET2 test result, one might have strengths in many parts of the characteristics related to driving and enterprising in many other related factors. One may also find that they are content to work on less work and, simultaneously, are happy to be enterprising, whether in employment or as an intrapreneur (Widjaja et al., 2020). At other times also voluntary community projects. It can be witnessed that if they have ambitions in their life, they will be able to innovate and grow their business, which can be beneficial. Only achievements are one of many things that are considered a priority. Therefore, setting up and keeping an enterprise requires hard work and commitment.

On the other hand, someone might identify them as independent, individualistic, and very much determined enough though they might be very joyful about working as an intrapreneur or as a valuable work of the company’s team. Beginning a business for the company is nothing but an option for them (Benzaghta et al., 2021). One can be equally happy to work as a worker as a part of a company’s team or else on their project.

On the other hand, it is okay to have a score that is not high or low rather than medium, and then one can identify themselves as a creative person. Besides, they are well at searching and adequately using the latest technologies. This can also be innovative and productive in a process they might apply and develop their self-skill. If someone is willing to create several innovative methods, then they may also be considered to develop skills that are very much creative. It can also be witnessed that the proper condition of creativity is in a relaxed space where they restrict critical thinking and thinking very much fixedly on issues and then use technologies to reduce it. These technologies include brainstorming and mind mapping, which help obtain several ideas (Widjaja et al., 2020). Several parts of the methods related to creativity involve much idleness to allow the subconscious to work on several pictures at a time, which is the incubation phase. If a person can measure risks, then the person might have some qualities, such as self-awareness, and can adequately access the capability. They might have good analytical also are good at calculating the advantages related to the cost of actions. They might be oriented with their goal and set themselves challenging yet attainable goals.

Ranked SWOT analysis

Rank
Strengths Analyzing the results of the GET2TEST has helped me with several types of strengths related to enterprising.

This study also helped me in enhancing my knowledge as well as learnings about how to become self-oriented.

It also helped me in developing my parts related to solid task orientation.

80%
Weakness Managing time is the biggest problem that I face. This study has given me an idea, such as how to manage time. Nevertheless, I need help managing my time.

I lack in believing in myself. While doing any work, it is necessary to have faith and belief in oneself. Nevertheless, I need to improve in this part too.

After analyzing the result, I have enhanced many parts of mine, yet I lack risk recognition.

90%
Opportunities This study has helped me take responsibility for navigating issues and showed me how to succeed.

I have come to know about many areas related to the business that will help me in the future.

This has helped me develop my skills and knowledge about the importance of technology for risk identification.

70%
Threats While analyzing the study, I came to know about several kinds of threats that arises at the time of starting a business.

I will face several threats from this learning when starting my own business.

60%

Reflection on Learning during ENT 141

I have learned many things from this course, such as this course has helped me in believing that achievement is not only the priority in life. One needs to work very hard to achieve something. Achievement can be completed in the later part of life, also. It is not that one needs to achieve something as soon as possible. I have learned that it takes time. I have learned from this course that someone happy will feel independent, individualistic, and determined. The study has shown me different parts to help me in my future work. I have also learned that creativity is the primary tool to grow a business significantly. With creativity and innovative technology, a company can be developed and extended—this idea I will use when I start my own business. The innovative technologies will be very beneficial and provide much productivity to the company. Both the Project 1 and Get2Test results have similar thoughts, and I have seen the same ideas between both parts.

The course has provided every possible idea related to risk identification ways (Benzaghta et al., 2021). I have learned many things from it, yet I need to improve in some areas. I will again gather knowledge regarding that to get more learnings on it. This study has helped me in believing in myself. Therefore, I gained trust in myself, and I can achieve everything in life and will do better at work when I start my own business. It is essential to take responsibility in some parts. This will enhance the work development in the future. As if I create my own business in the future, I also have to take responsibility for many people working under me in my organization. Therefore, if I know the ways from earlier, then it will help me in the future.

Action Plan

Several times my confidence level could have improved. Therefore, I need to enhance my self-confidence because, several times, the work I have been given will not be completed, and I will not be able to do it. Therefore, I need to develop my self-confidence and trust myself. This study has made me trust myself, and after analyzing and understanding this study in the right way, I can enhance my self-confidence.

I need to improve in managing my time. I cannot complete any task within the proper amount of period. I need to develop my time management skills; otherwise, I will face problems related to managing time in the future. I can finish my work within the proper time.

I need to gain knowledge of the methods by which I can recognize the threats that the company can face in the future. I need to enhance my understanding even more, or else I will face several issues in the future. Hence, I will learn more knowledge about it.

Conclusion

The above analysis shows that starting a business needs many innovative ideas, as only some can be achieved with them. Innovation is an important part that a company’s business requires the most. Therefore, to grow a business, one needs to utilize innovative tools to help them recognize threats and create a creative business. Creativity is the most vital thing needed in the business to expand it.

References

Benzaghta, M. A., Elwalda, A., Mousa, M. M., Erkan, I., & Rahman, M. (2021). SWOT analysis applications: An integrative literature review. Journal of Global Business Insights, 6(1), 55-73. https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/globe/vol6/iss1/5/

Widjaja, B., Sumintapura, I., & Yani, A. (2020). Exploring the triangular relationship among information and communication technology, business innovation, and organizational performance. Management Science Letters10(1), 163-174. http://growingscience.com/beta/msl/3398-exploring-the-triangular-relationship-among-information-and-communication-technology-business-innovation-and-organizational-performance.html

Exploring The Evolution And Dynamics Of Hacker Culture In The Digital Age Sample College Essay

Abstract

Hacking can be viewed as an art of creatively exploring technology to get a deeper perception of how it works, its strengths, and weaknesses. Hacker culture is a subculture that evolved with the advent of computing. Early hackers were computer and technology enthusiasts who collaborated or competed with each other to explore computer hardware and software. These tech gizmos formed a subculture that embraced the ideals of resistance and constant challenging of established systems and authorities. However, in the recent past, media representation of hackers and politics has changed the image of the hacker to a mere cybercriminal who inspires fear among netizens. This paper explores the origins and evolution of hacker culture, conventions, jargon, hacker norms, and subcultures.

Keywords: Hacker culture, subculture, conventions, jargon, cybercrime, norms, open-source, free software.

Introduction

The invention of tools by early humans separated humans from the rest of the animals and enabled humans to survive innovatively. Hacking developed as a way of curious individuals trying to understand how things worked. Hacker behaviors were bound to occur with the advance and complexity of technology. Steinmetz (2016) affirms that hacker behaviors are aligned with creative involvement with any sort of technology. Even before any formal definitions of hacking were coined, people were already trying to find and exploit flaws in other individuals’ inventions. For instance, in 1903, Marconi Guglielmo tried to send a confidential message through the broadcast radio system; Nevil Maskelyn interfered with the initial broadcast and mocked the inventor to expose the flaws of the system (Steinmetz, 2016). Hacking has become synonymous with cybercrime, a myopic view of the hacker culture that media and politics have extensively promoted. Hacker culture has evolved over the years. The initial hackers gave rise to a second generation of hackers that did not have to invent technology but were individuals who were technologically literate and thrived in the new era of the Internet. Hollywood movies like WarGames and Hacker promoted the formation of a hacker subculture. So how did the hacker culture begin, and how has it evolved over the years?

History of hacking culture

1950-1970

It is believed that hacking originated around the 1950s and 1960s at MIT and was simulated by intricate railroad models driven by sophisticated electronic systems. The story goes that the curiosity sparked by these train models inclined these engineers to the most sophisticated technology at the time, which was computers (Steinmetz, 2016). The term hack was initially used to refer to pranks by MIT students but has evolved to encompass a broad meaning. Some definitions include complicated solutions, messy and quick fixes, and technological exploitation, among others. From the onset of hacking, a conflict arose between the hackers and authorities who sought to secure systems from these computer deviants to be used for more productive uses. Early computers were expensive to acquire and costly to maintain. They were mainly found in institutions like universities. These institutions provided a conducive environment for hacker culture to commence.

1970-1990

Computer hardware became less costly and easier to access as technology improved, leading to the hardware hacking subculture. From the mid-70s to the mid-80s, a hands-on computer hardware approach developed through groups and clubs like the Homebrew Computer Club. These hardware hackers contributed significantly to the development of the personal computer. The desire for ready-made software packages increased to complement these early personal computers. Hackers increasingly come to loggerheads with those who distributed software as intellectual property as hackers were more willing to share code whose nature made it easy to copy and replicate. An early record of this sort of conflict involved the copying and sharing of Altair 8800’s BASIC interpreter code by members of the HBCC, which was condemned and termed as piracy by Bill Gates. Members of the hacker subculture, however, viewed it as information sharing. The 80s saw a boom in the software industry and increased demand for entertainment software, leading to the boom of video games. Demand and competition led to creative and innovative solutions to stretch the computational capabilities of the limited hardware. The period also led to the rise of free and open-source software by hackers to prevent businesses’ monopolies of computer software.

1990s-

The emergence of Linux in the early 1990s offered hackers a stable and flexible alternative Operating system. Up to this point, hacker culture thrived around computers. In the 80s, bulletin board systems (BBS) promoted hacker culture by offering a platform where hackers could trade information, further cultivating hacker culture. Hackers could anonymously share software through this platform and exploit solutions and news independent of official institutions (Steinmetz, 2016). In the 1990s, the Internet replaced BBSs and broadened the ability of hackers to communicate and collaborate over a range of communication platforms. Concerns over the security of electronic transmission led to cryptography and security hacking to encrypt data and circumvent state and federal regulations.

Conventions

In the early days, hackers who comprised software engineers, electrical engineers, and professionals at the leading tech companies formed clubs that met in their free time to share and discuss their discoveries and existing technologies. A good example is the HBCC. BBBs allowed digital conventions where hackers would communicate. Physical meetings and conferences were also arranged over BBS, like DEF CON which, up to date, has become one of the most remarkable hacker conferences (Steinmetz, 2016). Contrary to public opinion that hackers are antisocial individuals who work independently, hacker culture thrives through social interactions like hacker meetings and face-to-face conventions. Conventions are central to moral solidarity and social enchantment (Coleman, 2010). Major hacker conventions include HoHoCon, SummerCon, Hackers on Planet Earth, and Chaos Communication Congress (Cecil, 2007).

Jargon

Different subcultures use jargon to communicate with their peers, show off and express hacker values. It is a unique vocabulary that separates hackers in the hacker community (Rouse, 2016). Those who do not understand the slang are considered outsiders, while for those who understand, it serves as a way of communication and fun. Black hat hackers may use different jargon than social security hackers.

Norms

Hacker subculture practices vary from one hacker subdivision to another but are driven by knowledge, technology, law categorization, and commitment (Holt, 2005). These normative orders are interrelated and complement each other. Subcultural norms are passed through social interactions. A standard norm among hackers is mastery, as hackers tirelessly work around cutting-edge security and master how systems function and exploit any weaknesses.

Subdivisions

As hacker culture evolved and cultural politics emerged, Free software and open-source factions emerged. The free software faction radically believed that all code should be free as it amounts to speech. On the other hand, open-source subculture-supported software should be freely accessible but can also be amortized. Another subdivision in hacker culture is social engineering which cannot be separated from hacker culture. Phone Phreakers became famous for social engineering and other technologies like blue boxes, which allowed individuals to exploit phone systems.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hacking behaviors developed with the invention of technology. Hacking in the contemporary context developed in the 1950s and centered around computers. Hacker culture evolved around computers and later software as computers became more accessible and less costly. Hackers use digital and social interactions to share information and promote subculture norms and jargon. Some hacker subdivisions include free software, open source, and securing hacking.

References

Cecil, A. (2007). A summary of hacking organizations, conferences, publications, and effects on society. https://www.cse.wustl.edu/~jain/cse571-07/ftp/hacking_orgs.pdf

Coleman, G. (2010, December). The hacker conference: A ritual condensation and celebration of a lifeworld. Anthropological Quarterly. Vol 83(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.1353/anq.0.0112

Holt, T. (2005). Hack, cracks, and crime: An examination of the subculture and social organization of computer hackers. University of Missouri- St. Louis. https://dl.acm.org/doi/book/10.5555/1145210#:~:text=Thefindingssuggestthesocial,commitmentcategorizationandlaw.

Steinmetz, K. (2016). Hacked: Radical approach to hacker culture and crime. NYU Press. https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=xdQ3DQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR11&dq=hacker+culture+and+crime&ots=Mgt6lUa90L&sig=WS3u_ggJOP3QUCAaAkSyzQq0wO4&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=hackercultureandcrime&f=false

Rouse, M. (2016, December). Hacker Jargon. Techopedia. https://www.techopedia.com/definition/23514/hacker-jargon