#SpringerLink

[dronacharyagroupofinstitutions]

Future Engineers of Dronacharya Present Paper at MICRO-2024 International Conference

B.Tech First Year Students (Diya Dewa, Khushi Mishra, Nriti Shukla, Ridhima Garg) of Dronacharya Group of Institutions, Greater Noida Presented the Paper under the guidence of Dr.Neha Gupta, on 11th International Conference on “ microelectronics, Circuits and Systems (MICRO-2024)”, Organized by Delhi Technological University in collaboration with Applied Computer Technology, Kolkata on May 16-17 2024.

[fatliberation]

they have a point though. you wouldn't need everyone to accommodate you if you just lost weight, but you're too lazy to stick to a healthy diet and exercise. it's that simple. I'd like to see you back up your claims, but you have no proof. you have got to stop lying to yourselves and face the facts

Must I go through this again? Fine. FINE. You guys are working my nerves today. You want to talk about facing the facts? Let's face the fucking facts.

In 2022, the US market cap of the weight loss industry was $75 billion [1, 3]. In 2021, the global market cap of the weight loss industry was estimated at $224.27 billion [2]. 

In 2020, the market shrunk by about 25%, but rebounded and then some since then [1, 3] By 2030, the global weight loss industry is expected to be valued at $405.4 billion [2]. If diets really worked, this industry would fall overnight. 

1. LaRosa, J. March 10, 2022. "U.S. Weight Loss Market Shrinks by 25% in 2020 with Pandemic, but Rebounds in 2021." Market Research Blog. 2. Staff. February 09, 2023. "[Latest] Global Weight Loss and Weight Management Market Size/Share Worth." Facts and Factors Research. 3. LaRosa, J. March 27, 2023. "U.S. Weight Loss Market Partially Recovers from the Pandemic." Market Research Blog.

Over 50 years of research conclusively demonstrates that virtually everyone who intentionally loses weight by manipulating their eating and exercise habits will regain the weight they lost within 3-5 years. And 75% will actually regain more weight than they lost [4].

4. Mann, T., Tomiyama, A.J., Westling, E., Lew, A.M., Samuels, B., Chatman, J. (2007). "Medicare’s Search For Effective Obesity Treatments: Diets Are Not The Answer." The American Psychologist, 62, 220-233. U.S. National Library of Medicine, Apr. 2007.

The annual odds of a fat person attaining a so-called “normal” weight and maintaining that for 5 years is approximately 1 in 1000 [5].

5. Fildes, A., Charlton, J., Rudisill, C., Littlejohns, P., Prevost, A.T., & Gulliford, M.C. (2015). “Probability of an Obese Person Attaining Normal Body Weight: Cohort Study Using Electronic Health Records.” American Journal of Public Health, July 16, 2015: e1–e6.

Doctors became so desperate that they resorted to amputating parts of the digestive tract (bariatric surgery) in the hopes that it might finally result in long-term weight-loss. Except that doesn’t work either. [6] And it turns out it causes death [7],  addiction [8], malnutrition [9], and suicide [7].

6. Magro, Daniéla Oliviera, et al. “Long-Term Weight Regain after Gastric Bypass: A 5-Year Prospective Study - Obesity Surgery.” SpringerLink, 8 Apr. 2008. 7. Omalu, Bennet I, et al. “Death Rates and Causes of Death After Bariatric Surgery for Pennsylvania Residents, 1995 to 2004.” Jama Network, 1 Oct. 2007.  8. King, Wendy C., et al. “Prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorders Before and After Bariatric Surgery.” Jama Network, 20 June 2012.  9. Gletsu-Miller, Nana, and Breanne N. Wright. “Mineral Malnutrition Following Bariatric Surgery.” Advances In Nutrition: An International Review Journal, Sept. 2013.

Evidence suggests that repeatedly losing and gaining weight is linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and altered immune function [10].

10. Tomiyama, A Janet, et al. “Long‐term Effects of Dieting: Is Weight Loss Related to Health?” Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 6 July 2017.

Prescribed weight loss is the leading predictor of eating disorders [11].

11. Patton, GC, et al. “Onset of Adolescent Eating Disorders: Population Based Cohort Study over 3 Years.” BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.), 20 Mar. 1999.

The idea that “obesity” is unhealthy and can cause or exacerbate illnesses is a biased misrepresentation of the scientific literature that is informed more by bigotry than credible science [12]. 

12. Medvedyuk, Stella, et al. “Ideology, Obesity and the Social Determinants of Health: A Critical Analysis of the Obesity and Health Relationship” Taylor & Francis Online, 7 June 2017.

“Obesity” has no proven causative role in the onset of any chronic condition [13, 14] and its appearance may be a protective response to the onset of numerous chronic conditions generated from currently unknown causes [15, 16, 17, 18].

13. Kahn, BB, and JS Flier. “Obesity and Insulin Resistance.” The Journal of Clinical Investigation, Aug. 2000. 14. Cofield, Stacey S, et al. “Use of Causal Language in Observational Studies of Obesity and Nutrition.” Obesity Facts, 3 Dec. 2010.  15. Lavie, Carl J, et al. “Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease: Risk Factor, Paradox, and Impact of Weight Loss.” Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 26 May 2009.  16. Uretsky, Seth, et al. “Obesity Paradox in Patients with Hypertension and Coronary Artery Disease.” The American Journal of Medicine, Oct. 2007.  17. Mullen, John T, et al. “The Obesity Paradox: Body Mass Index and Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Nonbariatric General Surgery.” Annals of Surgery, July 2005. 18. Tseng, Chin-Hsiao. “Obesity Paradox: Differential Effects on Cancer and Noncancer Mortality in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.” Atherosclerosis, Jan. 2013.

Fatness was associated with only 1/3 the associated deaths that previous research estimated and being “overweight” conferred no increased risk at all, and may even be a protective factor against all-causes mortality relative to lower weight categories [19].

19. Flegal, Katherine M. “The Obesity Wars and the Education of a Researcher: A Personal Account.” Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 15 June 2021.

Studies have observed that about 30% of so-called “normal weight” people are “unhealthy” whereas about 50% of so-called “overweight” people are “healthy”. Thus, using the BMI as an indicator of health results in the misclassification of some 75 million people in the United States alone [20]. 

20. Rey-López, JP, et al. “The Prevalence of Metabolically Healthy Obesity: A Systematic Review and Critical Evaluation of the Definitions Used.” Obesity Reviews : An Official Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, 15 Oct. 2014.

While epidemiologists use BMI to calculate national obesity rates (nearly 35% for adults and 18% for kids), the distinctions can be arbitrary. In 1998, the National Institutes of Health lowered the overweight threshold from 27.8 to 25—branding roughly 29 million Americans as fat overnight—to match international guidelines. But critics noted that those guidelines were drafted in part by the International Obesity Task Force, whose two principal funders were companies making weight loss drugs [21].

21. Butler, Kiera. “Why BMI Is a Big Fat Scam.” Mother Jones, 25 Aug. 2014. 

Body size is largely determined by genetics [22].

22. Wardle, J. Carnell, C. Haworth, R. Plomin. “Evidence for a strong genetic influence on childhood adiposity despite the force of the obesogenic environment” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Vol. 87, No. 2, Pages 398-404, February 2008.

Healthy lifestyle habits are associated with a significant decrease in mortality regardless of baseline body mass index [23].  

23. Matheson, Eric M, et al. “Healthy Lifestyle Habits and Mortality in Overweight and Obese Individuals.” Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 25 Feb. 2012.

Weight stigma itself is deadly. Research shows that weight-based discrimination increases risk of death by 60% [24].

24. Sutin, Angela R., et al. “Weight Discrimination and Risk of Mortality .” Association for Psychological Science, 25 Sept. 2015.

Fat stigma in the medical establishment [25] and society at large arguably [26] kills more fat people than fat does [27, 28, 29].

25. Puhl, Rebecca, and Kelly D. Bronwell. “Bias, Discrimination, and Obesity.” Obesity Research, 6 Sept. 2012. 26. Engber, Daniel. “Glutton Intolerance: What If a War on Obesity Only Makes the Problem Worse?” Slate, 5 Oct. 2009.  27. Teachman, B. A., Gapinski, K. D., Brownell, K. D., Rawlins, M., & Jeyaram, S. (2003). Demonstrations of implicit anti-fat bias: The impact of providing causal information and evoking empathy. Health Psychology, 22(1), 68–78. 28. Chastain, Ragen. “So My Doctor Tried to Kill Me.” Dances With Fat, 15 Dec. 2009. 29. Sutin, Angelina R, Yannick Stephan, and Antonio Terraciano. “Weight Discrimination and Risk of Mortality.” Psychological Science, 26 Nov. 2015.

There's my "proof." Where is yours?

[writingfromasgard]

I don't like what you're writing!

Here is an informative post based on what I could find over the last week on rape fantasies specifically. I've summarized a majority of the studies into 5 sections, detailed theories, and why it perfectly normal and safe to consume content related to it.

Prevalence of Rape Fantasies:

Studies indicate that between 31% to 62% of women have experienced rape fantasies. These fantasies are complex and multifaceted, often mixing elements of eroticism and aversion​ (SpringerLink)​​ (Psychology Today)​.

Theories Behind Rape Fantasies:

Sexual Blame Avoidance: This theory suggests that rape fantasies allow women to experience sexual desires without feeling responsible for them, thus avoiding guilt and shame​ (Psychology Today)​. Sexual Desirability: Another explanation is that these fantasies enhance feelings of being desired and attractive. This mirrors themes commonly found in romance fiction where a woman's allure drives a man to extreme actions​ (Psychology Today)​. Sexual Openness: The most supported theory posits that women who are more comfortable with their sexuality are freer to explore a range of erotic fantasies, including those they would never want to experience in real life​ (Psychology Today)​.

Impact on Rape Victims:

There is no direct correlation between having experienced sexual assault and the prevalence of rape fantasies. Studies have found that women who have been victims of sexual assault do not necessarily have more or fewer rape fantasies compared to those who have not been assaulted​ (Psychology Today)​.

Psychological Insights:

Rape fantasies do not imply a desire to be assaulted in real life. They are complex psychological phenomena that often involve elements of control, power, and forbidden desire, playing out in a safe mental space​ (SpringerLink)​​ (Psychology Today)​.

Frequency and Context:

The frequency of these fantasies varies widely among women. Some experience them rarely, while for others, they are a frequent part of their fantasy life. The context in which these fantasies occur can also differ significantly, with some scenarios being more about dominance and others about submission​ (Psychology Today)​.

Scientific studies

Frequency, prevalence, and content of rape fantasies 2009

Empirical evaluation of common explanations 2012

How traditionalism affects views of rape victims 2021

CSA victims as Adults and their fantasies 2021

Articles

Unacknowledged Rape: SA victims who attribute their assault as a "misunderstanding" 2021

Understanding and Indulging in Rape Fantasy 2021

Psychology explains Rape Fantasy 2018, opinion piece

[gotoppr]

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[ivyinkblue33]

The Evolution of Vintage Stores

The evolution of vintage stores mirrors shifts in society's perception of clothing, from necessity to self-expression to sustainability. Starting as thrift shops during times of economic hardship, vintage stores have grown into curated boutiques, online marketplaces, and eco-conscious hubs that cater to diverse audiences. Today, they are more than just places to buy clothes—they represent culture, history, and a step toward a sustainable future.

1. The Origins of Vintage Stores

Early 20th Century:

The concept of buying "used" clothing began as a necessity during periods of economic hardship, especially during the Great Depression (1930s).

Second-hand shops emerged to cater to low-income groups and provided affordable clothing options.

These early stores were unorganized, often perceived as “charity shops” or “thrift stores.”

Mid-20th Century:

After World War II, surplus military clothing entered the market, laying the groundwork for utilitarian and functional second-hand fashion.

Many vintage items were passed down through families, with minimal focus on commercial resale.

Source: The Invention of Vintage Clothing | Smithsonian

2. 1960s–1970s: Counterculture Movement

Hippie and Bohemian Movements:

The counterculture movements of the 1960s and 70s rejected mass production and consumerism, favoring second-hand and vintage clothing as a form of self-expression.

Vintage shops began catering to people seeking unique, non-mainstream styles such as bohemian dresses, military surplus jackets, and denim.

The idea of “repurposing” old clothing became popular, laying the foundation for vintage as a cultural statement.

Emergence of Subcultures:

Subcultures like punk and rockabilly embraced vintage clothing as a way to stand out. For example, leather jackets and retro skirts became iconic for their respective movements.

Small independent vintage stores began appearing in urban areas, often located in alternative neighborhoods.

Source: The Invention of Vintage Clothing | Smithsonian

3. 1980s: Vintage Becomes Fashionable

Shift in Perception:

The 1980s saw vintage move from being “cheap” or “outdated” to being seen as chic and fashionable, thanks in part to designers and celebrities incorporating retro styles into their wardrobes.

High-profile designers like Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier referenced vintage designs in their collections, legitimizing the aesthetic in mainstream fashion.

First Vintage Boutiques:

Curated vintage boutiques emerged, offering handpicked, high-quality pieces. These shops began targeting wealthier clients who sought exclusivity.

Locations like London’s Camden Market and New York’s East Village became hubs for curated vintage.

Source: The Evolution of Vintage Fashion: A Timeline - The Vintage to Fashion Guide.

4. 1990s: Rise of Minimalism and Grunge

Grunge and Streetwear:

The grunge movement (inspired by bands like Nirvana) popularized thrifted and worn-out looks. Flannel shirts, oversized denim jackets, and combat boots became mainstream.

Vintage stores expanded to cater to younger shoppers who wanted to emulate these styles.

Designer Vintage:

The 1990s also saw a growing market for designer vintage, with affluent shoppers looking for rare or collectible pieces from luxury brands like Chanel, Hermès, and Yves Saint Laurent.

Source: Vintage Fashion: A Cross-Cultural Perspective | SpringerLink

5. 2000s: Vintage Meets Sustainability

Eco-Friendly Consciousness:

The early 2000s marked a growing awareness of sustainability. Consumers began embracing vintage clothing as an eco-friendly alternative to fast fashion.

Campaigns promoting recycling and reuse fueled the popularity of vintage stores.

Online Platforms:

Websites like eBay and Etsy emerged, allowing vintage sellers to reach global audiences. These platforms created a new type of vintage “store” that existed entirely online.

Source: How 'Used Clothing' Became 'Vintage Fashion' - Atlas Obscura

6. 2010s: Digital Transformation and Mainstream Popularity

Depop and Mobile Apps:

Mobile-first platforms like Depop, Poshmark, and Grailed revolutionized vintage shopping by providing peer-to-peer marketplaces. Users could buy and sell vintage clothing directly, making it accessible to younger audiences.

Fast Fashion Alternatives:

As criticism of fast fashion grew, vintage stores gained popularity as an ethical alternative.

Chain thrift stores like Goodwill and curated vintage boutiques began thriving, with vintage fashion becoming a key part of the mainstream wardrobe.

Collaboration with High Fashion:

Luxury brands began collaborating with vintage resellers. For example, Gucci Vault launched a vintage resale platform, and brands like Levi’s promoted their vintage lines.

Source: The Evolution of Vintage Fashion: A Timeline - The Vintage to Fashion Guide.

7. Present Day: Vintage as a Lifestyle

Focus on Experience:

Modern vintage stores are no longer just about selling clothes—they provide immersive experiences. Many include coffee shops, event spaces, or DIY workshops to attract a broader audience.

Examples: Stores like The Vintage Emporium in London or Beacon’s Closet in New York.

Customization and Upcycling:

Many stores now offer customization services, where customers can alter or repurpose vintage items. Upcycling has become a major trend in the sustainability movement.

Luxury Resale Boom:

Platforms like Vestiaire Collective and The RealReal cater to a luxury audience, focusing on high-end vintage items like Chanel bags or Hermès scarves.

The resale market has become a multi-billion-dollar industry, driven by younger, eco-conscious consumers.

8. Future Trends

Circular Economy:

Vintage stores are becoming central to the idea of a circular economy, where clothes are reused and recycled to reduce waste.

Integration with Technology:

AR (Augmented Reality) and AI tools may allow customers to virtually try on vintage clothing or receive personalized recommendations.

Community-Centric Spaces:

Vintage stores are likely to continue evolving into community hubs, hosting swap events, exhibitions, and educational workshops about sustainable fashion.

[madfishmonger]

Search Engine Options for Research and Everyday

Startpage.com best general search engine I've found recently, no bullshit, no AI, just the actual results you're looking for.

Refseek - a reference dictionary will all kinds of info, click into the different topics and get learning!

PDF drive - books in PDF form, go learn something and/or be entertained.

Bioline International - offers science and medical journals and studies, focusing on the work of less prominent countries to ensure balance.

SpringerLink - Free to read science and medicine journals, books, and articles.

WorldCat - library database, can connect you to materials in libraries local and abroad.

If anyone has other helpful links, please add!

Also, this isn't a search engine but an incredibly useful webpage I've been using for ages and has been around since 1997: Online Conversion. I use it mostly for cooking conversions, it has not only cups to milliliters and accounts for UK vs US difference, but even a weight-to-volume calculator. Great one to have bookmarked.

[coralpenguincherryblossom]

social science disciplines

By Rachel Shannon

The two social science disciplines I have chosen for my topic are geography and sociology. When it comes to geography, the way to break it down is by understanding cultural geography. Cultural geography is the relationship between culture and place. How cultures are distributed over space, how places and identities are produced, how people make sense of places and build sense of place, and how people produce and communicate knowledge and meaning (Rogers, A., Castree, N., Kitchin, r. 2013). Cultural geography explores the different cultures around the world and their relationship to natural environments. It's important to study sociology in order to better understand social differences and social behavior. The relevance of social hierarchies and social power in everyday life. Geography and sociology go hand in hand because landscape has influenced society throughout human history. Before the columbian exchange, people had to rely on the resources from their own native countries. The land also shaped the way people think and assess climate change. Geographical bias is a common condition when it comes to understanding climate change. Studies have shown that the country of origin of a certain work or idea influences how the work is perceived. For example, products originating from prosperous and economically developed countries are considered more durable and trustworthy than products made in less developed countries. Also economically developed countries have higher quality education and are more aware of the significant impact of climate change. Geography influences ethics because populations practice certain religions and morals based on region. For example if one lives in Italy chances are they practice Catholicism, and if they live in Iran they practice Islam. These morals and religions impact people's relationships with the environment. According to Pew Research Center, of all religious groups, Evangelical Protestants were the least likely to believe that global warming is caused by human activity. Why are the most religious people less likely to care about climate? Sources “Research Guides: Human Geography: Cultural Geography.” Cultural Geography

Human Geography - Research Guides at Dartmouth College, researchguides.dartmouth.edu/human_geography/cultural. Accessed 21 Mar. 2024. “Why Study Sociology?” Salem State University, www.salemstate.edu/academics/college-arts-and-sciences/sociology/why-study-sociolo gy. Accessed 21 Mar. 2024. Kowal, Marta, et al. “The Impact of Geographical Bias When Judging Scientific Studies - Scientometrics.” SpringerLink, Springer International Publishing, 24 Nov. 2021, link.springer.com/article Rienstra, Debra. “Why Does Religion Get in the Way of Climate Action?” The Reformed Journal Blog, 17 Feb. 2023, blog.reformedjournal.com/2023/02/18/why-does-religion-get-in-the-way-of-climate-actio n/.

[aceyourassignments]

Research Report Stakeholders play an important role in determining the success or failure of a project. Getting stakeholders involved in the project right from the beginning is crucial because they are the ones who decide on what changes are to be made to meet their requirements. If the project manager fails to involve them at the initial stage, the changes set forth by the stakeholders at a later stage will hamper the quality and value of the project. Evaluate the validity of this statement based on your research and knowledge and discuss the following questions: Who are the project stakeholders? Types of project stakeholders Explain how to prevent conflict and risk in project management in general and exclusively in information systems projects. Presentation Standard - Times New Roman - 12 pt for normal text - 14 pt bold for major headings, 12 pt bold for minor headings - 1.5 line spacing - Header: Your name plus your ID number; make sure to use the following format: 10pt, italics, right aligned. - Footer: Page numbering make sure to use the following format: 10pt, italics, left aligned - 3cm margin left of page, 2.5cm margin top, bottom and right of page - Assignment should be word-processed, spell and grammar checked. - Be approximately 2,000 to 4,500 words in length, excluding diagrams; appendices; Your reflection, Executive summary, and references. - The assignment should contain no less than 15 academic journal references and textbooks, 6 academic journals should be dated from 2019 to 2023. Make sure to use Endnote software for the references' section. - Whenever you need to quote ideas and/or the quotes of any other author, you should acknowledge this, using the Chicago referencing method (Chicago 17th B ed.)   - Please READ ME: Submit your work in word document format (ONLY) - N.B.: The use of WIKIPEDIA online encyclopaedia is not allowed Please use the following headings for the Research Report Assessment  - Scope of the Literature Review (2 Marks) - In this section, please create a table (and caption) with the following main headings; also discuss with the readers the table aims.  - Key terms (Key words) - i.e., Project Management, Risk, Conflict ...etc.    - Databases- Proquest, ScienceDirect, SciFinder, Scopus, SpringerLink, Wiley Online Library - Journals - Journal of Project Management - Harvard Business - Journal of Information Systems…etc.   - Background (Headings and subheadings) (7 Marks) - Presents findings in detail - Analyses, interprets, - Discussion: Under the discussion section, you need to discuss the following: (7 Marks) - By finding the necessary literature review from the journals and books, did you answer Research Report Assessment question? - Did you agree with the current literature review about Research Report question (if Yes, Why and if No, Why); please add your voice and perspective? - Discuss your report limitations - Where from here! - N.B.: no citation in this section, please use cross reference - Recommendations (2 Marks) - List the recommendations based on the background section, use cross-reference - Conclusion (3 Marks) - Conclusions are drawn from the evidence and discussion provided in the body of the report. - No new information and new references Your reflection (2 Marks)  - Under this section talk about your "Journey with Research Report Assessment ".- Was this Research Report assessment as challenging as you expected? Easier? More difficult? And why? - What challenges did you face? -  How did you overcome these challenges? - What have you learnt? About the theories, skills (i.e. research, writing, decision making, endnote software…etc.) and about yourself - References (2 Marks) Guidelines for Report Writing Report writing uses similar principles and skills to those used when writing essays; however, the key differences are that reports include a formal summary, a numbering system, and a set of recommendations. Increasingly popular is substituting an Executive Summary in place of the Abstract. An Executive Summary encompasses all the major issues within the report. In business many readers will not read beyond the Executive Summary, hence this component must be written carefully to ensure it embodies the intent of the report. Read the full article

[babypatrolshark]

Systemic Racism

Systematic racism is a system meant to oppress a minority group of people. With a rich history of racism in the early days of the systems and institutes development, the oppressive nature has become normalized. “At times, these systems and structures, which are rooted in beliefs in White supremacy, operate unconsciously or unintentionally, but effectively, to produce and sustain racial discrimination.”(healthaffairs) Most notably a place for these rooted beliefs is displayed in the job force. People are denied a good job because they don’t seem qualified enough based on looks. A system set up to watch minorities struggle while another group prospers is all too common in American industries. Black Americans are most susceptible to being victims of these unjust systems. “Black Americans are limited in opportunity, network, education, wealth, health and legal treatments.”(Banaji et al., 2021) facing all these challenges creates a very resilient society but at what cost? 

Banaji, M. R., Fiske, S. T., & Massey, D. S. (2021, December 20). Systemic racism: Individuals and interactions, institutions and society - Cognitive Research: Principles and implications. SpringerLink. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41235-021-00349-3 

Healthaffairs. (n.d.). https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/pdf/10.1377/hlthaff.2020.00133 

[fangxuanli]

Source & Significance: Blog Post #10

Virtual Reality: Extreme Realism or Absence of Realism? Take Half-Life Alyx for instance

Virtual Reality (VR) technology has revolutionized digital media, providing immersive experiences that challenge traditional notions of reality. The extreme realism of VR is perfectly embodied in Half-Life: Alex, which for me is considered to be the best immersive VR game title in years. The game was developed with the VR platform in mind creating a highly interactive and immersive gaming environment, with an immersive and intuitive analogue physics system that is arguably groundbreaking.

Figure 1, Half-Life Alyx poster

According to Earnshaw (2018), digital media has changed the traditional media paradigm through user-generated content and interactive experiences. In Half-Life: Alyx, players interact with the game world using VR controllers that allow players to grab objects to solve puzzles, fight, and interact. Moreover, the player's freedom to manipulate objects is not limited by their actual use in the level, and the player can be very creative with their interactions; for example, you can place an otherwise useless bucket on a non-humanoid enemy monster to make it lose its view of you. This kind of freedom blurs the lines between the virtual and the real, creating a sense of extreme reality in a VR game.

However, due to the limitations of current VR technology, such as graphical fidelity and motion tracking, it may break the immersion and remind the player of the artificial nature of the experience. This unenviable duality, created by the technology it is subject to yet benefits from, is arguably at the heart of the Half-Life: Alyx VR experience, a nature in which extreme realism and absence of realism coexist.

Figure 2, game shots, encountering enemy in game

Half-Life: Alyx demonstrates that Extreme Realism and Absence of Realism coexist in VR technology under the current technological conditions, and it can be said that at least under the current technological conditions, VR is still very difficult to achieve extreme realism in the true sense of the word, but taking into account the various adverse effects that extreme realism may bring, this absence of realism may be the best buffer for VR technology to enter the next era.

References

Rogers, K., Karaosmanoglu, S., Altmeyer, M., Suarez, A., & Nacke, L.E., 2022. Much Realistic, Such Wow! A Systematic Literature Review of Realism in Digital Games. CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '22), New Orleans, LA, USA, April 29-May 5, 2022. ACM. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1145/3491102.3501875.

Earnshaw, R. (2018). Digital Media Theory. SpringerLink. Available at: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-73080-6_1

[galipemre-sourcesandsignificance]

Blog Posts - Politics

Representation of characters and avatars in video games could be a great example of biased media object because they frequently misunderstand and misrepresent specific groups based on race, gender and identity. A biased media object means media forms such as video game, film, book and advertisement etc. that give data, narratives or characters in a way that reflect stereotypes or representation of certain group of people.

Many games in the past feature white male figures disproportionally while assigning other races to stereotypical and secondary roles. These interpretations strongly support of the idea that exclusion of identities and noxious biases. In order to point out this, inclusive practices could be added more by game developers. Such as their creative team can be diversified to ensure authentic representation.

In order to be avoided by biases, diverse perspectives, groups that are underrepresented need to be considered and searched and accordingly to the feedbacks from these groups of people, final outcome can be refined. In this way, we can create more healthy and creative media objects that represents more group of people and make the work more inclusive.

In conclusion, as a practitioner in the projects and the exhibitions that I would undertake, its notably important for me to take all groups of race, gender and identitities into consideration while designing a context and make it as diversified as possible if the idea of the project would require to.

Williams, D., Martins, N., Consalvo, M. and Ivory, J.D., 2009. The virtual census: Representations of gender, race and age in video games. New Media & Society, 11(5), pp.815-834. Available at: https://www.academia.edu/396966/The_virtual_census_representations_of_gender_race_and_age_in_video_games [Accessed 26 Nov. 2024].

SpringerLink, 2024. Women in video games: An analysis of the biased representation of female characters in current video games. Sexuality & Culture. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12119-024-10286-0 [Accessed 26 Nov. 2024].

Dergipark, 2018. Gender and racial stereotypes of video game characters in (MMO)RPGs. Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education. Available at: https://dergipark.org.tr/en/doi/10.17829/turcom.514500 [Accessed 26 Nov. 2024].

[foggybagelwolfzine]

Everywhere we go comes the porn, now what?

Week 7 Submission for MDA20009 Class - Hanoi Campus

In the digital age, social media platforms have become battlegrounds for visibility, where content creators strive to gain traction amidst the overwhelming presence of pornographic content. This essay critically examines the impact of body modification on visual social media, focusing on platforms’ mechanisms and creators’ visibility practices, and offers suggestions for creators to overcome the dominance of pornographic content.

The Rise of Pornographic Content

The proliferation of pornographic content on platforms like Instagram, Twitch, and Twitter has significantly influenced the visibility of other types of content. Instagram models, often referred to as ‘aesthetic workers' (Witz, Warhurst & Nickson 2003) and Twitch streamers, sometimes labeled as ‘Twitch THOTs' (Bernal 2019), leverage body modification to attract followers. These platforms, while ostensibly focused on different niches—Instagram for lifestyle, Twitch for gaming, and Twitter for political debate—have seen a surge in content that blurs the lines between artistic expression and explicit material.

Platform Mechanisms and Visibility

Platforms like TikTok have implemented algorithmic curation to enhance the visibility of high-quality content, providing a potential solution to the overshadowing effect of pornographic content. However, the engagement-driven nature of these platforms often means that content with sexual undertones garners more attention, pushing other creators to adopt similar strategies to remain visible (Lee & Wei 2022).

Strategies for Creators

Strategies to (overcome), thus enhance algorithmic (in)visibility include Experimentation and Circumvention, meaning to find a way to get through the algorithm whilst abiding or being reactive to the default settings of the platform (Duffy & Meisner 2022). To combat the dominance of pornographic content, creators can employ several strategies:

Experimentation: Creators should experiment with different types of content to find what resonates with their audience while staying true to their brand. This can be done by utilizing the unique features of each platform, thus help differentiate their content.

Collaboration: Collaborating with other creators can amplify visibility. Even small creators can benefit from partnerships, as these collaborations can signal to algorithms the potential popularity of their content.

Platform Diversification: Creators should consider diversifying their presence across multiple platforms. This not only spreads risk but also taps into different audience segments, reducing reliance on any single platform’s algorithm.

Experimentation with diverse content strategies can help creators navigate the prevalence of pornographic materials on social media, allowing them to overcome algorithmic biases and enhance their visibility by finding unique ways to engage their audience.

Conclusion

As digital citizens, it is crucial to support diverse content and advocate for platform policies that promote quality over engagement-driven metrics. By experimenting, collaborating, and diversifying, creators can navigate the challenging landscape of social media and ensure their content is seen and appreciated.

Reference List

Bernal, A., 2019. Rising Twitch Star Sweet_Anita explains why there are so many ‘twitch thot’ streamers, Dexerto. Available at: https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/rising-twitch-streamer-sweet-anita-puts-polarizing-twitch-thot-figures-into-perspective-285072/

Duffy,  B.E and Meisner, C 2022. “Platform governance at the margins: Social media creators’ experiences with algorithmic (in)visibility,” Media, Culture & Society. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437221111923

Lee, K.S. & Wei, H., 2022. Developing Responsible Algorithmic Curation Features in Social Media Through Participatory Design. In With Design: Reinventing Design Modes (IASDR 2021). SpringerLink.

Witz, A., Warhurst, C., & Nickson, D., 2003. The Labour of Aesthetics and the Aesthetics of Organization. Organization, 10(1), 33-54. https://doi.org/10.1177/1350508403010001375

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Classified by Consumer Tiers

Vintage clothing can be categorized based on consumer tiers, which reflect different levels of spending capacity and target audiences.

1. Luxury Vintage

Characteristics:

Includes high-end, rare, and collectible items from luxury brands such as Chanel, Hermès, Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent.

Often consists of limited editions, iconic designer pieces, or items with significant historical value.

Usually in pristine condition, sometimes even deadstock (unused vintage items).

Target Audience:

Collectors, high-income shoppers, and fashion enthusiasts looking for exclusive items or status symbols.

Purchase Channels:

High-end resale platforms like Vestiaire Collective, The RealReal, and 1stdibs.

Auction houses like Sotheby’s or Christie’s hosting fashion-specific sales.

Price Range:

Significantly higher than the original price, often ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.

The Fashion Industry's Growing Secondhand Market | BCG

2. Curated Boutique Vintage

Characteristics:

Features carefully selected, high-quality vintage pieces, including some luxury and niche designer brands.

Emphasizes the uniqueness, historical significance, and condition of the items.

Stores often create a personalized shopping experience with thoughtful curation.

Target Audience:

Mid-to-high income shoppers who value individuality and design, and are willing to pay more for exceptional pieces.

Eco-conscious buyers who prefer sustainable fashion but have a larger budget.

Purchase Channels:

Physical boutique stores such as Vintage Emporium (London) or Didier Ludot (Paris).

Online platforms like Etsy or Grailed, focusing on premium collections.

Price Range:

Moderately high, typically from $100 to a few thousand dollars depending on the item’s brand, era, and rarity.

Vintage Luxury Fashion: Exploring the Rise of the Secondhand Clothing Trade | SpringerLink

3. Affordable Vintage

Characteristics:

Includes accessible vintage items from non-luxury brands, such as Levi’s denim, vintage sports jackets, or casual retro dresses.

These pieces are widely available and appeal to budget-conscious buyers.

Focused more on functionality and retro aesthetics rather than rarity or brand prestige.

Target Audience:

Young shoppers, students, and budget-conscious buyers who enjoy vintage styles without the need for designer labels.

Purchase Channels:

Thrift stores like Goodwill, charity shops like Oxfam, and flea markets.

Online marketplaces such as eBay, Depop, and Vinted.

Price Range:

Affordable, typically between $10 and $100.

Vinted - statistics & facts | Statista

4. Reworked or Upcycled Vintage

Characteristics:

Refers to vintage clothing that has been modified or redesigned to create a modern, unique piece.

Includes items that are cut, dyed, or patched, giving them a personalized or contemporary look.

Often handmade, emphasizing creativity and sustainability.

Target Audience:

Younger consumers seeking one-of-a-kind pieces.

Eco-conscious buyers who support sustainability and upcycling efforts.

Purchase Channels:

Independent designers and small-scale shops specializing in reworked fashion.

Handmade goods platforms like Etsy.

Price Range:

Prices vary widely based on the complexity of the redesign, typically between $30 and $200.

The Rise of Vintage Fashion and the Vintage Consumer - University of Huddersfield Research Portal

5. Mass-Market Vintage-Inspired Fashion

Characteristics:

Not actual vintage but modern reproductions inspired by vintage aesthetics, produced by fast fashion brands.

Mimics iconic designs from past decades (e.g., 90s plaid skirts, 70s bell-bottom pants) using modern materials and production techniques.

Target Audience:

Consumers who enjoy vintage styles but prioritize affordability and convenience over authenticity.

Purchase Channels:

Fast fashion brands like Zara, H&M, and Urban Outfitters.

E-commerce platforms with vintage-inspired sections.

Price Range:

Affordable, with most items priced between $20 and $100.

MERAVIGLIA_From_fast_fashion_to_fashion_vintage.pdf

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