“Digital culture has significantly shaped everyday lives.” Discuss this statement , and use theories from at
least one of the two key frames of “identity” and “economy”
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Impact of Digital Culture on Everyday Lives: Exploring the Key Frames of Identity and Economy
Introduction
In the past few decades, digital culture has become an integral part of our lives, profoundly transforming
the way we live, work, and interact with one another. The advancements in technology, particularly the
rise of the internet and social media, have had a significant impact on shaping our everyday experiences.
This essay will discuss how digital culture has significantly shaped everyday lives by exploring the key
frames of identity and economy. By examining theories related to these two key frames, we can gain a
deeper understanding of the profound changes brought about by digital culture.
Body
1. Identity: The Shaping of Personal and Social Identities
Digital culture has revolutionized the construction and expression of personal and social identities. The
following theories shed light on this aspect:
Social Identity Theory: Developed by Henri Tajfel, this theory explains how individuals form a sense of
identity based on their membership in various social groups. In the digital era, social media platforms
have provided individuals with opportunities to connect and form virtual communities based on shared
interests, beliefs, or experiences. These online communities give people a sense of belonging and allow
them to express their identities in unique ways.
Presentation of Self in the Digital Age: Drawing from Erving Goffman’s work, this theory explores how
individuals construct their identities through performances in different social contexts. Social media
platforms allow individuals to curate their online personas, presenting themselves in specific ways to
their online audience. This construction of self in the digital realm has become an essential part of our
everyday lives, influencing our interactions and how others perceive us.
2. Economy: Transforming Work and Consumption Patterns
Digital culture has also had a profound impact on the economy, transforming work practices and
consumption patterns. The following theories help us understand this aspect:
Information Society Theory: This theory posits that the economy has shifted from industrial production
to information-based services. The digitization of various industries has enabled the creation, processing,
and dissemination of vast amounts of information. This shift has led to the emergence of new job roles
and industries, such as software development, data analysis, and digital marketing.
The Long Tail Theory: Coined by Chris Anderson, this theory explains how digital platforms have enabled
niche products and services to thrive. In the pre-digital era, mass media predominantly catered to
mainstream tastes due to limited distribution channels. However, digital platforms have democratized
access to content, allowing individuals to consume and create niche products. This has transformed
consumption patterns and empowered individuals to explore their unique interests.
Conclusion
Digital culture has undeniably shaped everyday lives by influencing both personal identity formation and
economic dynamics. Through the lens of identity theory, we see how digital platforms have facilitated
the construction and expression of personal and social identities. Moreover, theories related to the
economy highlight how digital culture has transformed work practices and consumption patterns. From
the rise of virtual communities to the emergence of new job roles and niche markets, the impact of
digital culture on everyday lives is profound and far-reaching. As we continue to navigate this digital
landscape, it is essential to critically examine its implications and harness its potential for positive
change.
