Julia's Gift: The Social Life of Scores, c.1830

2006 ◽  
Vol 131 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Davies
Keyword(s):  
Social Life ◽  
Gift Exchange ◽  
Musical Score ◽  
Work Content ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Social

This article addresses a subject long overlooked by students and scholarship – the musical annual. Emerging in London in 1829, this was an enormously popular brand of commercial publication conventionally produced for holiday sales. One particular copy – given as a present to an 11-year-old girl that year – proves a useful starting point from which to interrogate these items as a whole. Several avenues of inquiry suggest themselves: ideas of gift exchange and commerce, histories of the role such music played in adolescent upbringing and pianism, accounts of period notions of ‘the fair sex’, and considerations of the relation between authenticity and deception in annual poetics. In the end, the author attempts to recuperate some enigma or aura for the musical score -not by appealing to some allusive or metaphysical ‘work-content’ immanent in the text, but by exploring the sense in which these volumes were and are souvenirs – perhaps remote from traditional intellectual concerns, but redolent of a bygone and elusive ‘social life’.

Management Problems and Countermeasures of City Outdoor Advertising - Taking Jinan as an Example

2012 ◽  
Vol 450-451 ◽  
pp. 999-1003
Author(s):  
Peng Chen ◽  
Jun Min Zhang ◽  
Ji Nan
Keyword(s):  
Social Life ◽  
Present Situation ◽  
Economic Prosperity ◽  
Outdoor Advertising ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Social ◽  
Management Problems ◽  
Advertising Management ◽  
The City ◽  
Great Development

Along with the progress of society, the development of the city and economic prosperity, outdoor advertising has achieved great development and plays an increasingly prominent role in the social life. In this paper, the development present situation of outdoor advertising management of Jinan as the starting point, we analyze the problems in the management of outdoor advertising and put forward corresponding countermeasures.

scholarly journals Rimski novčići u ženskim srednjovekovnim grobovima sa teritorije Srbije: mogućnosti interpretacije

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 731
Author(s):  
Gordana Ćirić
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Social Structure ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Funerary Practices ◽  
15Th Century ◽  
Roman Coins ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Social ◽  
Secondary Usage ◽  
Definition Of

The paper explores the phenomenon of secondary usage of Roman coins (2nd to 4th century) in medieval necropolises (10th to 15th century) in the territory of Serbia. The research is focused upon the graves in which the coins are used as ornaments on the costume of the deceased, most frequently reshaped as pendants. This type of secondary usage is only registered in female graves. The paper aims to suggest the interpretation of this phenomenon via the analysis of value and importance of secondarily used coins in the formation of family treasures, defined in important and critical moments of the social life. The possibility is explored of the graves in which female individuals were buried with parts of their dowry. The construction of meaning of these objects is analysed through their exchange in the customs linked to marriage and, finally, funerary practices. Since the Roman coins are scarce and exclusively made of bronze, it may be concluded that the definition of their value and importance is based upon the symbolic and representational levels. The starting point of the paper is the concept of the social biography of objects, in order to further investigate the link between the Serbian medieval social structure and evaluation of the coins in rural communities of the Central Balkans.

Inventing the Social

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Wilkie
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Creative Practice ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Social

Inventing the Social, edited by Noortje Marres, Michael Guggenheim and Alex Wilkie, showcases recent efforts to develop new ways of knowing society that combine social research with creative practice. With contributions from leading figures in sociology, architecture, geography, design, anthropology, and digital media, the book provides practical and conceptual pointers on how to move beyond the customary distinctions between knowledge and art, and on how to connect the doing, researching and making of social life in potentially new ways. Presenting concrete projects with a creative approach to researching social life as well as reflections on the wider contexts from which these projects emerge, this collection shows how collaboration across social science, digital media and the arts opens up timely alternatives to narrow, instrumentalist proposals that seek to engineer behaviour and to design community from scratch. To invent the social is to recognise that social life is always already creative in itself and to take this as a starting point for developing different ways of combining representation and intervention in social life.

The Birth of the Gods

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 352-376
Author(s):  
Alexandra Maryanski
Keyword(s):  
Division Of Labor ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Stage Model ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Social ◽  
Organic Solidarity ◽  
Initial Choice

Emile Durkheim’s ideas on religion have long served as foundational blocks for sociological theories. Yet, a mystery remains over where Durkheim’s insights into religion came from and especially the event that opened his eyes to religion’s importance in social life. Durkheim never supplied details on this conversion, but he did credit Robertson Smith for his new understanding. Did Smith really play the key role in Durkheim’s turn to religion? This essay examines Durkheim’s revelation in 1895 by starting from a novel angle—the first edition of The Division of Labor and his original stage model with the “cult of nature” as the starting point for religion. Tracing the implications of his initial choice of naturism as the elementary religion, a choice he would later soundly reject as “the product of [a] delirious interpretation,” offers new insights into why Durkheim found Smith’s ideas so inspirational. It also sheds light on why Durkheim overhauled his theory of solidarity, discarding his famous distinction between mechanical and organic solidarity. In Robertson Smith’s work, Durkheim discovered a more inclusive and enduring basis of solidarity in the social universe.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Quality in Computer Games

2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kjetil Sandvik
Keyword(s):  
Computer Games ◽  
Social Life ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Strategy ◽  
Political Situation ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Media ◽  
Game Industry ◽  
The Eu

Abstract Computer games play an important role in the cultural daily life of children, teenagers and adults. This has led to arguments both in the EU and the Nordic countries that computer games should be included in the culture political strategies for financial funding as well as the development of talents for the game industry. Still this has yet to result in culture political efforts and progressive strategies on a larger scale. On the contrary the political initiatives tend to result in restrictions more than efforts being made to encourage and develop the game industry. This article draws a picture of the current culture political situation and criticizes the media skeptical debate for making a poor starting point for formulating a progressive political strategy. It would be more fruitful to have a closer look at the specific characteristics of computer games and how computer games are being played and the role they are playing in the social life of different groups of player. The article outlines ananalytical apparatus for evaluation of quality in computer games.

scholarly journals Religion in the Age of Social Distancing: How COVID-19 Presents New Directions for Research

2020 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 357-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph O Baker ◽  
Gerardo Martí ◽  
Ruth Braunstein ◽  
Andrew L Whitehead ◽  
Grace Yukich
Keyword(s):  
Social Life ◽  
Religious Practice ◽  
Religious Institutions ◽  
Social Changes ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Social ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Historical Moment

Abstract In this brief note written during a global pandemic, we consider some of the important ways this historical moment is altering the religious landscape, aiming our investigative lens at how religious institutions, congregations, and individuals are affected by the social changes produced by COVID-19. This unprecedented time prompts scholars of religion to reflect on how to strategically approach the study of religion in the time of “social distancing,” as well as moving forward. Particularly important considerations include developing heuristic, innovative approaches for revealing ongoing changes to religion, as well as how religion continues to structure social life across a wide range of contexts, from the most intimate and personal to the most public and global. Although our note can only be indicative rather than exhaustive, we do suggest that the initial groundwork for reconsiderations might productively focus on several key analytical themes, including: Epidemiology, Ideology, Religious Practice, Religious Organizations and Institutions, as well as Epistemology and Methodology. In offering these considerations as a starting point, we remain aware (and hopeful) that inventive and unanticipated approaches will also emerge.

scholarly journals ON PERSONS AND ELEMENTALS: LATE-SOVIET SOCIAL PHILOSOPHY FROM MARXIST HUMANISM TO THE IDEA OF HOMO SOVIETICUS

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (47) ◽  
pp. 11-52
Author(s):  
Sergei Alymov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Life ◽  
Social Philosophy ◽  
Survival Strategies ◽  
Soviet Society ◽  
Unsuccessful Attempt ◽  
The People ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Social ◽  
Marxist Humanism ◽  
Homo Sovieticus

The article considers the ideas of personality, humanity, and society in the works of four prominent Russian philosophers and sociologists: G. Batishchev (1932–1990), A. Zinovyev (1922–2006), Yu. Levada (1930–2006), and M. Mamardashvili (1930–1990). The main argument of the article is that the social philosophy of these thinkers evolved along similar lines, which the author describes as an evolution from Marxist humanism to the idea of the society of “Homo Sovieticus”. Comparing the notions of personhood and society expressed in the works of these thinkers, the author traces the shift in their conceptualization. Its starting point was a vision of a harmonious relations between the interests of the person and (Soviet) society. The endpoint was quite the opposite — the idea of their incompatibility. In the late period of their work, the philosophers developed a highly pessimistic view of social life in general. They saw it as a suffocating “communality”, while the people that inhabited it were perceived as semi-illusionary macabre creatures who lived by “natural” social laws. They viewed “civilization” as an antidote to “natural” sociality. At the same time, they developed survival strategies for presumed highly-spiritual “persons” in this harsh environment. The author argues that this intellectual trajectory might be a result of the institutional marginalization and ideological critique aimed at these philosophers. The article also analyses the discussion about the subject matter of philosophy in the late 1960s to early 1970s. It demonstrates that the discussion resulted in an unsuccessful attempt at realizing the development of Marxist humanist anthropology in the USSR. The article is based on fresh archival material which also includes an analysis of the criticism expressed against G. Batishchev and Yu. Levada for their “ideologically incorrect” understanding of the notion of the “person”.

Consumerism and the flourishing life in a climate emergency: Some implications for schools

FORUM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-190
Author(s):  
John Quicke
Keyword(s):  
Popular Culture ◽  
Social Life ◽  
School Context ◽  
Free Association ◽  
Disadvantaged Groups ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Social ◽  
Key Concepts ◽  
Values And Beliefs ◽  
People’S Attitudes

The contribution of 'consumerism' to environmental degradation has been widely acknowledged. An anti-consumerist perspective appeals because it draws attention to the ideological underpinnings of people's attitudes and day-to-day behaviour, but the tone of the debate often leads to polarisation rather than a productive engagement in dialogue. To persuade people to re-examine their values and beliefs requires a more nuanced approach, where the various bêtes noires identified by anti-consumerist rhetoric are subject to greater scrutiny. In this article I critically examine some of the key concepts of the anti-consumerist position and suggest a better starting point for discussion in a school context would be one which emphasised the significance of pleasure-seeking in the social life of students, and the part played in this by 'consumption'. Some implications for schools are discussed, in particular the space allowed for 'free' association of students as an important aspect of the flourishing life in school in the here and now. I note the dangers of adopting a disapproving approach to informal and popular culture, and the possible link between this and resistance to the environmental message by disadvantaged groups.

scholarly journals Preliminary notes on audiences in Africa

Africa ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Barber
Keyword(s):  
Media Studies ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Culturally Specific ◽  
Making Meaning ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Social

AbstractThere have been audiences, presumably, as long as there has been performance. The perception that what creates an audience is the listeners' intentional orientation towards the speaker is the starting point of a far-reaching development in performance and media studies which focuses on the activity and creativity of the audience. If the audience has an active role in constituting the performance, cultural historians seeking to uncover histories of consciousness in African popular genres cannot afford to ignore it. But audiences are not all the same. Just as much as performances, they are a historical product. There are different ways of convening and of experiencing reception, whether collectively or in dispersal, which are deeply connected with the nature of the social life of the age and place. How people come together; how they relate to each other and to the spectacle or utterance they are attending to; what they consider themselves to be part of in doing so; how the spectacle/utterance addresses them—all these are historically and culturally specific and need to be empirically investigated. Specific African audiences have distinctive, conventional modes and styles of making meaning, just as performers/speakers have. We need to ask how audiences do their work of interpretation.

Introduction

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-30
Author(s):  
Joel Robbins
Keyword(s):  
Social Life ◽  
Human Experience ◽  
Interdisciplinary Dialogue ◽  
Recent Growth ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Social ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
World Christianity ◽  
Transformative Engagement

This chapter argues that the time is right for an interdisciplinary dialogue between anthropology and theology that does not merely aid each discipline in achieving its traditional goals, but that seeks to transform their approaches to key issues around the nature of human experience and social life. The time is right because a rapid recent growth in interest in Christianity on the anthropological side has coincided with a burgeoning interest in world Christianity from the theological side. The chapter traces the development of these trends. It then shows that recent anthropological arguments in favour of ‘ethnographic theory’—the practice of using concepts drawn from the social life of others to create general theories—offers a foundation from which anthropologists can make productive theoretical use of theological concepts. It concludes by laying out the prospects for a transformative engagement between anthropology and theology that sets out from this starting point.

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