Exercise 2: Utopias and Manifestos

Exercise 2: Utopias and Manifestos

1. Process

What is a Manifesto?

It is a written statement that describes the policies, goals, and opinions of a person or group. It is a written statement to publicly declare your intentions, motives, or beliefs and originates from the Latin word manifestus — to manifest, to clearly reveal, to make real. Writing a manifesto can help you clarify what you believe and what type of contribution you want to make in the world(Redding, 2010).

The word manifesto comes from the Latin manifestus meaning literally that may be laid hold of by the hand. Manus means hand and Festus comes from fendo: to dash against. Eventually it came to stand for a document, signed by the master of a vessel at the place of lading which was to be exhibited at the custom’s house. The manifesto contained a description of the ship and her cargo, the destination of the ship and the goods. Accordingly the word manifest means To show plainly, to display, or Not hidden, clear to view; easily understood. The word manifesto is therefore also used for a public declaration of intent by a sovereign or government (Voorthuis.net, 2016).

Utopian Ideals of 5 Manifestos

Futurism

Futurism originated in Italy in 1909 as an avant-garde movement that glorified technology, modernity, and even war. In their artwork, the Futurists strove to capture the speed and ‘force lines’ of motion and progress. This ideology pushed their work towards abstraction, and Futurism helped fuel the invention of Cubism (Smashingmagazine.com, 2016).

Dada

To the Dadaists, logic was a pestilence. They believed that logic had led to a culturally and morally deficient society. These artists were so appalled by World War I that they violently rejected existing notions of culture, aesthetics, and even reason. Their work was anti-war, anti-bourgeois, and anti-conformity. Freedom was the goal; Dada sought to liberate a variety of media and its meanings from the shackles of the past. The Dadaists’ most powerful tools were biting satire and brazen provocation. Their ideology laid the foundation for Surrealism and their delight in anarchy makes them a cultural precursor to the punk movement that was born half a century later(Smashingmagazine.com, 2016).

Surrealism

Surrealism is a weird dream. This dream can be a vivid exploration of personal identity (Frida Kahlo) or a startling hallucination fraught with Freudian fears (Salvador Dalí). Oh, and there’s often weird fruit involved (think pomegranates or an orange in a doorway).

In short, Surrealism sought to explore the unconcious in order to break creative ground. Their artwork rejects rational thought in favor of absurdity and illogicality, suggesting that these qualities may offer more accurate representations of modern life’s disturbing complexities(Smashingmagazine.com, 2016).

Art Nouveau

Decorative style of the late 19th and early 20th centuries that flourished principally in Europe and the U.S., Although it influenced painting and sculpture, its chief manifestations were in architecture and the decorative and graphic arts. It is characterized by sinuous, asymmetrical lines based on organic forms (Anon, 2016).

Arts and crafts

Informal movement in architecture and the decorative arts that championed the unity of the arts, the experience of the individual craftsperson, and the qualities of materials and construction in the work itself(Anon, 2016).

 

Generations Explored

A generation is a group of people born around the same time and raised around the same place. People in this “birth cohort” exhibit similar characteristics, preferences, and values over their lifetimes.

 

Currently, five generations make up our society. Each of those five generations has an active role in the marketplace. Depending on the specific workplace, the workforce includes four to five generations. Here are the birth years for each generation:

1. iGen, Gen Z or Centennials: Born 1996 and later
2. Millennials or Gen Y: Born 1977 to 1995
3. Generation X: Born 1965 to 1976
4. Baby Boomers: Born 1946 to 1964
5. Traditionalists or Silent Generation: Born 1945 and before

 

Generation- iGen (also known as Generation Z and the Centennials)

This is the most recent generation, while we don’t know much about Gen Z yet…we know a lot about the environment they are growing up in. This highly diverse environment will make the grade schools of the next generation the most diverse ever. Higher levels of technology will make significant inroads in academics allowing for customized instruction, data mining of student histories to enable pinpoint diagnostics and remediation or accelerated achievement opportunities (Generations X, 2016).

Gen Z kids will grow up with a highly sophisticated media and computer environment and will be more Internet savvy and expert than their Gen Y forerunners(Generations X, 2016).

As Gen Z members are still largely kids and adolescents, many of their adult characteristics are yet to be vetted. Early indications are that they are increasingly self-aware, self-reliant, innovative and goal-oriented. They also appear to be more pragmatic than their Millennial predecessors, but we’ll have to wait and see if that plays out as they become employees, consumers, investors and voters (GEN HQ, 2016).

One key difference from Millennials: Most members of iGen or Gen Z don’t remember a time before social media. As a result, they tend to live much more of their entire lives—from interacting with friends and family to making major purchases—online and via their smartphones. This could have profound implications for everything from their relationships and how they learn to virtual reality training and problem-solving (GEN HQ, 2016).

What are three things about Gen Z and iGen that most people don’t know?

 

• Gen Z is highly educated.

 

It’s likely that a larger percentage of Gen Z will attend and graduate from college than any previous generation, including the Millennials. Gen Z is also adept at web-based research and often self-educates with online sources such as YouTube and Pinterest. They can learn complex things like how to upgrade your computer’s operating system the same way they can learn how to bake a vegan apple pie: one video at a time. They still possess general knowledge about traditional research methods, but they have come of age placing a priority on how fast you can find the right information rather than on whether or not you know the right information (GEN HQ, 2016).

 

• Gen Z wants to make a difference in the world.

 

 A large portion of the generation would prefer to have a job that makes a positive impact in some way, and a large portion of them volunteer. However, it’s unclear what impact school-based volunteer requirements are having on volunteer rates among iGen. What we do know is that an overwhelming majority of iGen and Gen Z are eco-conscious and concerned about humanity’s impact on the environment. We also know that iGen wants to make a decent living with a stable employer. This practical aspect of financial prudence and wanting to help people could lead to longer-term differentiation from Millennials (GEN HQ, 2016).

 

• Gen Z is more diverse than Millennials.

 

This is a big deal and is often overlooked. The tremendous diversity that Gen Z brings as employees, consumers and entrepreneurs will have a profound impact across generations and cultures. Brands and employers will have to learn how to see the world through the diverse eyes of Gen Z if they want to win their loyalty (GEN HQ, 2016).

 

Contemporary Video that I consider to represent my generation Z

I chose two videos, the first one is called Introduction to Generation Z, which is a short clip describing what elders perceive us to be, verses how we truly are and how we think in reality which is interesting because it seems to be two seemingly different things. The second video I chose was Stressed Out- by Twenty One Pilots because it is a very contemporary song and they are rapping which is a very big genre amongst teenagers today and what we enjoy to listen to, as well as the style of the whole video is very modern and composed in a creative abstract way. The teenage boys in the video depict what most teenage boys act like now and how we all socialise together as well as they have tattoos and wear beanies and a modern style of clothing. The words also describe thoughts we have because we are so dedicated and stressed out in planning a good future for ourselves that we wish sometimes we could turn back time where our mothers still sang us to sleep and we had no stress and worries of planning a proper future to make money and make a living.

 

 

Information from Facebook reflecting current generations hopes, interests and beliefs, likes and dislikes, values and what they reject. 

This comment describes most people of today.

We grew up very quickly, knowing a lot more now than what previous generations knew.

Most teenagers are either getting drunk or pregnant.

There are a lot more cases of suicidal people, depression and addictions in today’s generation.

Social media is a massive part of our everyday lives

Money is what most of us kill ourselves trying to get, and it is what we work for

Selfies and selfie sticks are invented and people want to always be noticed for what they do just to get credit for it, they don’t just do it out of their own generosity or in secret.

crime at its highest level

One-on-one communication is lost through social media

 

The nature of contemporary utopia

We all want to live in a world of freedom, wealth (or have enough money to live a decent life) and happiness. Religion is no longer the factor restricting us from what we want to do. We want to advance in life to learn more about what is out there and how we got here. We are so technologically advanced and this is too increasing rapidly which is making most people in today’s generation want to escape from social media and live peacefully and freely.

 

2. Product

My manifesto representing our Utopian Ideals as a group

I want to live a spiritual life, close to God and doing what I enjoy to help others. In today’s society, the current and latest generation Z, thrive on technology and advancements to make life easier and more interesting, entertaining and engaging but I think deep inside us all we want to achieve that natural state of freedom and self-expression that is not over social media, because everything and everyone are portrayed and perceived differently through it. We want to strive for success and creating new trends and ideas as graphic designers and make a difference that will benefit the world. We are moving away from the strict code that religion bounds us by as we have a corrupt government that controls us and no longer strict rules or punishments which thus creates a world full of crime, lies and corruption, even though most of us are all part of it in some ways we all desire peace and happiness, yet we create violence and we keep our voices to ourselves. We can no longer conform as we all want to be in some way different to be noticed, yet many become fake and display themselves as something they are not. We all have our own ideas of what the Utopian/ perfect world is in our heads yet when we reach it, it becomes boring and we constantly want to find ways of improving or bettering ourselves and we are never satisfied, where only in the end do we realize that most of us worked our entire lives to just make a living, that is why I say your Utopian world should be your career, and you should choose one that makes you happy because you are doing it 90% of your life. If you want success, don’t aim for it, just do what you are passionate about and believe in it and the rest will come naturally. You never know when your last day will be.

 

Reference list

Voorthuis.net. (2016). [online] Available at: http://www.voorthuis.net/Snake/48a%20manifesto.htm [Accessed 6 Sep. 2016].

5 Historical Manifestos

Futurism

Dada

Surrealism

Smashingmagazine.com. (2016). Art Manifestos and Their Applications in Contemporary Design – Smashing Magazine. [online] Available at: https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/02/art-manifestos-and-their-applications-in-contemporary-design/ [Accessed 6 Sep. 2016].

Art Nouveau

Arts and crafts

 

Anon, (2016). [online] Available at: http://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/glossary [Accessed 6 Sep. 2016].

 

Redding, D. (2010). Art Manifestos and Their Applications in Contemporary Design – Smashing Magazine. [online] Smashing Magazine. Available at: https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/02/art-manifestos-and-their-applications-in-contemporary-design/ [Accessed 11 Jul. 2016].

Generations X, Z. (2016). Generations X,Y, Z and the Others. [online] WJSchroer. Available at: http://socialmarketing.org/archives/generations-xy-z-and-the-others/ [Accessed 11 Jul. 2016].

GEN HQ. (2016). Learn About Gen Z (aka Generation Z) on GEN HQ. [online] Available at: http://genhq.com/igen-gen-z-generation-z-centennials-info/ [Accessed 6 Sep. 2016].

 

Exercise 3

 (a) The influence of technology and science on our lives

 Technology

The word “technology” comprises two parts – “technikos” & “ology” (Technology, 2009). Thus, the literal verbatim derivation of the term technology is literally “knowledge of the skillful and practical” and can be can be defined as the knowledge of the manipulation of nature for human purposes (Technology, 2009). Technology is the application of purposeful information in the design, production, and utilization of goods and services, and in the organization of human activities (BusinessDictionary.com, 2016).

 

Technology can be described in the following ways:

1. Tangible Technology: blueprints, models, operating, manuals, prototypes.
2. Intangible Technology: consultancy, problem-solving, and training methods.
3. High: entirely or almost entirely automated and intelligent technology that manipulates ever finer matter and ever powerful forces.
4. Intermediate: semi-automated partially intelligent technology that manipulates refined matter and medium level forces.
5. Low: labour-intensive technology that manipulates only coarse or gross matter and weaker forces (BusinessDictionary.com, 2016).

Science

The definition of science is the observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena. It is in particular used in activities applied to an object of inquiry or study (Explorable.com, 2016).

The word Science comes from Latin word “scientia” meaning “knowledge” and in broadest sense it is any systematic knowledge-base or prescriptive practice being capable of resulting in prediction. This is why science is termed as highly skilled technique or practice (Explorable.com, 2016).

It is a system of acquiring knowledge based on scientific process or method in order to organize body of knowledge gained through research. Science remains a continuing effort on the part of human being to discover and increase knowledge through research. Scientist make observations, record measureable data related to their observations, analyse the information in hand in order to construct theoretical explanations of phenomenon involved (Explorable.com, 2016).

 

Reflexivity

Reflexivity is the idea that a person’s thoughts and ideas tend to be inherently biased. In other words, the values and thoughts of a person will be represented in their work (Investopedia, 2006).

BREAKING DOWN ‘Reflexivity’

There are two types of reflexivity: personal and epistemological.

Personal reflexivity refers to how a person’s values, beliefs, acquaintances and interests influence his or her research or work. Epistemological reflexivity attempts to identify the foundations of knowledge and the implications of any findings (Investopedia, 2006).

 

Technicism

Technicism is a belief that technocracy is desirable or inevitable. Also a broad social movement, especially influential in the United States during the early twentieth century (the Technocracy Movement), calling for the elimination of the price system in favour of the government of industry and society by scientific or engineering principles (Encyclopedia.com, 2016).

It is a philosophical, socio-economic and political system that refers to a predominant reliance on technology and technical knowledge as primary benefactors to society as a whole. This is associated directly with the scientific method and applied science, broadly both are essential tools for the development of current technology and vice versa (Wikipedia, 2016).

Influence of technology and science on a day in your life

Science affects us all, every day of the year, from the moment we wake up, all day long, and through the night. Your digital alarm clock, the weather report, the asphalt you drive on, the bus you ride in, your decision to eat a baked potato instead of fries, your cell phone, the antibiotics that treat your sore throat, the clean water that comes from your faucet, and the light that you turn off at the end of the day have all been brought to you courtesy of science. The modern world would not be modern at all without the understandings and technology enabled by science.

Without modern science, there would be:

• No way to use electricity
• No plastic
• No modern architecture
• No modern medicine

 

Scientific knowledge can improve the quality of life at many different levels — from the routine workings of our everyday lives to global issues. Science informs public policy and personal decisions on energy, conservation, agriculture, health, transportation, communication, defence, economics, leisure, and exploration. It’s almost impossible to overstate how many aspects of modern life are impacted by scientific knowledge (Undsci.berkeley.edu, 2016).

The impact of technology on our lives is unlimited, technology is designed to improve our lives and simplify the way we do things. As technology keeps on advancing, more entrepreneurs are investing large sums of money in tech start-ups; our demand for technology is increasing day by day. Silicon Valley and New York are now being populated by mushrooming tech start-ups, most of these tech companies are relevant, in that they solve our real-life problems, while others are just a waste of time. Many of these tech start-ups are designed to solve simple human problems like finding a date, finding an apartment to rent, discovering new deals and friends near you.  So below I have credited some of the best 7 technologies and tech start-ups which I think can change the way you do some things and they can as well improve your life to a certain extent.

 

1. Lockitron

These Smartphone applications are amazing technology that enables you lock or unlock your door from anywhere using your mobile phone.

 

HOW IT IMPACTS YOUR LIFE:

You know that moment when you have to rush to keep time with a business partner or friend, suddenly you reach in the middle of the journey and you remember that you left your door unlocked, the traffic is tight so you can’t make a U-turn that easily and the other person is waiting for you. That moment can be frustrating, so this is when this Lockitron technology comes in to make your life easier. You will technically be in position to check if your door is locked or not via your iPhone, if not, you can lock it remotely with your iPhone (Ramey, 2013).

 

The products you use that rely on technology

 

Social media

Lap tops- adobe software programmes

Cell phones

Television

Cars

Manufacturing products we buy in supermarkets

Internet

Gym equipment

Hair dryer and straightener

Music production

Connecting with others worldwide

 

How these objects describe your individual daily experience

Social media- this I use daily when I use Whatsapp and Facebook to connect and share things with friends and family around the world. It makes it easy to communicate and get messages across especially if it is important or work related messages.

Lap tops- containing adobe software programmes are used by all graphic design students daily to create new designs and is used entirely to complete our briefs that we have to submit with given deadlines.

Cell phones – I use my cell phone daily to do all kinds of things and the software needs to be updated with technological advancements to make the internet faster and things easily manageable.

 

Television- gives us entertainment when watching movies, series, documentaries, worldwide news etc.

 

Cars- my car is made using technology and high quality machinery that helps me get everywhere I need to be, most importantly to college or places in an emergency.

 

Manufacturing products we buy in supermarkets- makes it easy to buy food daily to satisfy our daily needs

 

Medicine- made using technology that helps us heal when we are sick

 

Internet- used to gain information quick and easily anytime of the day if an internet connection is available. This helps a lot when finding information for various assignments for college and reference images. It can also be used to download anything such as music, movies, software etc.

 

Gym equipment- I love to gym daily and the gym equipment makes this possible because as a young woman in this world it is not safe to run in the streets alone so the technological advancement of a treadmill made it easy and possible to train everything and anything is in a single environment using various machinery and equipment.

Hair dryer and straightener- makes it easy to dry and style hair quickly and efficiently after washing.

 

Music production- makes it possible to record music for the pleasure of people to listen and entertain them.

 

Connecting with others worldwide- by telephone, cell phone or social media we are able to connect with others anywhere in the world at any time using these technological devices.

 

Banking- makes it possible to save money easily and draw it anywhere you want to asong as there are banks available or credit card machines.

 

 

1. b) Topic: Photography and New media

Three Types of Visual Elements Used in Graphic Design

By Ken Burnside, Demand Media

Graphic design is visual communication. A graphic designer utilizes aspects of how the human brain interprets visual cues to convey meaning and carefully chooses which elements to emphasize and which to diminish. There are a small number of visual elements used in graphic design, and each builds on expectations to catch the eye, to generate an emotional response or to layer information for ease of comprehension(Smallbusiness.chron.com, 2016).

Line

Lines are the most widely used visual element in graphic design. Many cartoonists are able to convey motion, emotion and use space with nothing but a single-weight line. Using bold lines will attract the eye, and the use of lines as a way to separate or link other diverse elements is widespread. Lines can also be created by the omission of colour or elements — a two column page layout creates a “line” down the middle of the page. Lines can convey a lot of design aesthetics with a few strokes and are often used to imply motion and texture to a drawing(Smallbusiness.chron.com, 2016).

Colour

Colour contrasts attract the human eye, and colours come with strong emotional signifiers. Orange and red imply heat and anger, blue implies coolness and distance, while green is often the colour symbolic of nature. It’s not by accident that most science fiction movies make “green goo” the default for “weirdly menacing alien stuff.” Colour provides visual shorthand, and similarities in colour are used to present objects as being parts of a set. Different colour and saturation levels can lend a visual hierarchy to your design. Warmer colours are spotted first, while cooler colours tend to be observed on the second pass-through(Smallbusiness.chron.com, 2016).

Space

Space is the part of your design where the other elements aren’t. White space acts as the backdrop that your other design elements stand out from, or, if used properly, guides the eye deeper into the image. Most of the illusion of depth in an image comes from carefully using white space and coloured areas along with some blurring to give depth of field. White space when designing a Web page is a place for the reader’s eyes to rest between other user interface elements. The basic Google search page is an example of white space used to draw the eye in to the important part of the page. Even people who aren’t designers can tell when space isn’t used properly – the design feels unbalanced, cluttered or busy(Smallbusiness.chron.com, 2016).

Shape, Texture and Form

Shape, texture and form are combinations of the three elements listed above. Shape is colour, and an explicit or implied line. Form is a shape carried into three-dimensionality and may use additional lines, lighting or the use of space and perspective to complete the illusion. Texture is additional lines and additional shading and colour used to imply motion, patterns or three-dimensionality – or to imply characteristics about the subject being drawn. For example, it’s very hard to draw a porcupine without implying some aspects of texture for the quills! In general, as the subjects grow in complexity, these three combinations of elements become more prominent (Smallbusiness.chron.com, 2016).

History of Technical Developments of photography

Invented in the early decades of the 19th century and the subject of numerous advances during the era of Victorian art, photography instantly captured more detail and information than traditional methods of replication, like painting or sculpture. The technical evolution of photography was a piecemeal affair, although a major leap was the discovery of light-sensitive emulsions in 1839, enabling cameras to take black and white photographs. Other important technical advances in the history of photography, included the following.

Photo etching was invented in 1822-5 by the Frenchman Joseph Niepce (1765-1833), who also made the first photograph from nature in 1826. Improvements (in the reduction of exposure time, the daguerreotype) were found by German Professor Heinrich Schultz (1687-1744) and French physicist Louis Daguerre (1787-1851), in 1837, with Daguerre being responsible for the first ever photograph of a person in 1839. In parallel to this, in 1832, the French-Brazilian artist and inventor Hercule Florence(1804-79) had fashioned a similar process, called Photographie, while the English inventor and pioneer camera expert William Fox Talbot (1800-77) was busy inventing the calotype process, which produced negative images. His 1840s research into photo-mechanical reproduction led to the discovery of the photoglyphic engraving process, the precursor to photogravure. The experimental British scientist John Herschel (1792-1871) invented thecyanotype process and was the first to coin the terms “photography”, “negative” and “positive”. In 1851, Frederick Scott Archer (1813-57) announced the findings of his research into the wet plate collodion process, which significantly improved the accessibility of photography for the public, as did the American innovator George Eastman’s 1884 introduction of roll film as a replacement for photographic plates. In 1908, the French scientistGabriel Lippmann (1845-1921) was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics for his improvements in photographic colour reproduction. The development of the photographic process was studded with such discoveries and inventions, and many other advances in photographic glass plates and printing methods were made during the 19th century.

Victorian exponents included John Edwin Mayall (1813-1901), who snapped some of the earliest photographs of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert; Julia Margaret Cameron (1815-79), noted for her photographic portraits and mythological images; and Oscar Gustave Rejlander (1813-75), the Swedish cameraman and photomontage expert who worked with Charles Darwin onThe Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals.

Twentieth century advances in photographic technology have been dominated by improvements in film and cinematography, leading to new creative forms such as animation art, cartoons and video art.

 1850s art

 Contemporary art

 

 1850s photography

Contemporary photography

 1850s fashion

 Contemporary fashion

 

References

1. 1. com. (2016). What is technology? definition and meaning. [online] Available at: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/technology.html [Accessed 1 May 2016].

    

   2. com. (2016). technicism – Dictionary definition of technicism | Encyclopedia.com: FREE online dictionary. [online] Available at: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O88-technicism.html [Accessed 1 May 2016].

    

   3. com. (2016). Definition of Science – Knowledge Attained Through Study. [online] Available at: https://explorable.com/definition-of-science [Accessed 1 May 2016].

    

   4. (2006). Reflexivity Definition | Investopedia. [online] Available at: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/reflexivity.asp [Accessed 1 May 2016].

    

   5. Ramey, K. (2013). Impact of Technology on Our Lives – 6 Technologies for Your Life – Use of Technology. [online] Use of Technology. Available at: http://www.useoftechnology.com/impact-technology/ [Accessed 1 May 2016].

    

   6. chron.com. (2016). Three Types of Visual Elements Used in Graphic Design. [online] Available at: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/three-types-visual-elements-used-graphic-design-73439.html [Accessed 11 Jul. 2016].

    

   7. Technology, T. (2009). Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: The Meaning of Technology. [online] Karvediat.blogspot.co.za. Available at: http://karvediat.blogspot.co.za/2009/07/meaning-of-technology.html [Accessed 1 May 2016].

    

   8. berkeley.edu. (2016). What has science done for you lately?. [online] Available at: http://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/whathassciencedone_01 [Accessed 1 May 2016].

    

    

   9. (2016). Technicism. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technicism [Accessed 1 May 2016].

 

 

 

Exercise 1: All about Zeitgeist and Utopian society

Dear Blog,

For this assignment I have researched all about the Zeitgeist and Utopia and from these cross-referenced definitions I have conducted I have obtained images that in my mind relate to these terms and can create a visual analysis comparing the various view points.

Zeitgeist – as a whole

“Historical periods are dominated by distinct sets of beliefs, widely imitated behaviour, and prevailing practices which taken together, form a fairly consistent, easily distinguishable, and well defined Zeitgeist” (Myweb.rollins.edu, 2016).

Pinterest. (2016). Wake Up. [online] Available at: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/452471093785419377/ [Accessed 15 Mar. 2016].

The first 10 results obtained fro  my search:

1. My own definition

Zeitgeist can be defined in my mind as a type of spirit or attitude of the general feeling of a particular age in time. This feeling can be expressed and adapted to the environment influencing those around you. This creates a new type of trend that creates modernism in society by influencing other aspects in life as well as transforming them.

2. What information did I find?

After conducting several searches by using various terms and creating a broad understanding of the term called Zeitgeist, I have discovered that the Zeitgeist is the spirit of the age or spirit of the time (MacRumors Forums, 2016).

It is the intellectual fashion or dominant school of thought that typifies and influences the culture of a particular period in time (MacRumors Forums, 2016). It is the defining mood, attitude, or general outlook of a specific time or period, especially as it is reflected in literature, philosophy, etc. (Zeitgeist, 2016).

In history, Zeitgeist is shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time (Definition of ZEITGEIST, 2016). For example, the Zeitgeist of modernism typified and influenced architecture, art, and fashion during much of the 20th century (MacRumors Forums, 2016)

3. Slideshow illustrating My creative wall of Zeitgeist Imagery

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Utopian society- as a whole

“perhaps the greatest Utopia would be if we could all realize that no utopia is possible; no place to run, no place to hide, just take care of business here and now” –Jack Carroll (BrainyQuote, 2016).

1. My own definition

It is used to describe an ideal political state. It has a sense of being heavenly, basically the best type of world with no laws because everyone obeys everything and does the right thing. It creates a sense of balance and tranquility among others.

2. What information did I find?

By cross-searching various sites and sources I have conducted an overall view of what the word Utopia could mean as well as the feelings that this word expresses in various instances.

Utopia is a term denoting a visionary or ideally perfect state of society, whose members live the best possible life (Utopia – New World Encyclopedia, 2016).  Utopia thus means having completely and impossibly ideal conditions with regards to social organisation (Definition of UTOPIAN, 2016).

Utopianism refers to the various ways in which people think about, depict, and attempt to create a perfect society. It does this by dealing with morality, ethics, psychology and political philosophy: often originating from a belief that intelligence and reason can improve society. Utopia is usually characterized by optimism that an ideal society is in fact possible (Utopia – New World Encyclopedia, 2016).

Utopianism plays an important role in motivating social and political change.

Utopia is a perfect society, where poverty and misery have been eliminated, there are few laws and no lawyers, and the citizens, though ready to defend themselves if necessary, are pacifists. Citizens hold property in common, and care is taken to teach everyone a trade from which he can make a living, so that there is no need for crime (Utopia – New World Encyclopedia, 2016).

It is the impossible idea of believing and visualizing ideal social and political schemes (Definition of UTOPIAN, 2016).

3. Selecting most reliable and relevant sources

I went about selecting the most reliable and relevant sources by cross-referencing different academic sites as well us people’s views and judgments on blogs etc. and combining these definitions by placing different aspects and views of each topic together to create an overall view of what Zeitgeist and Utopia means.

4. My creative wall of Utopia illustrating a world of peace, harmony, aestheticism and balance

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5. Site that most interested my personality

Pinterest was the site that mostly interested my personality because of the variety of ideas and different views on what those words relate themselves to in all aspects of life. This in conjunction with all the images and creative ways in expressing different thoughts and concepts sparked my interest. I have a very visual mind so the images explaining the terms captured my interest more as well as making me understand the concepts from different perspectives.

6. Keywords refining search

Zeitgeist:

Academic definition of Zeitgeist, Zeitgeist movement, Zeitgeist society, Zeitgeist movie, Examples, idea

Utopia:

Utopia balance, utopia society, utopia academic definition, city, architecture, idea, Utopian world

 

Reference List

1. BrainyQuote. (2016). Jack Carroll Quotes at BrainyQuote. [online] Available at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/jack_carroll.html [Accessed 15 Mar. 2016].

2. Definition of UTOPIAN. (2016). [online] Merriam-webster.com. Available at: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/utopian [Accessed 6 Mar. 2016].

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4. MacRumors Forums. (2016). What is a zeitgeist? Need examples. [online] Available at: http://forums.macrumors.com/threads/what-is-a-zeitgeist-need-examples.1630570/ [Accessed 15 Mar. 2016].

5. Myweb.rollins.edu. (2016). Zeitgeist or Spirit of the Times. [online] Available at: https://myweb.rollins.edu/jsiry/zeitgeist.html [Accessed 15 Mar. 2016].

6. Utopia – New World Encyclopedia. (2016). [online] Newworldencyclopedia.org. Available at: http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Utopia [Accessed 6 Mar. 2016].

7. Zeitgeist. (2016). [online] TheFreeDictionary.com. Available at: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Zeitgeist [Accessed 6 Mar. 2016].