Write an essay about “the evolution of social media( 1944-2023 )”
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.
The Evolution of Social Media (1944-2023)
Social media has undergone a remarkable evolution since its inception, transforming the way we communicate, connect, and share information. From early precursors like the Harvard Mark I computer in 1944 to the sophisticated platforms of the present day, the history of social media is a testament to the rapid pace of technological innovationand its profound impact on society. This essay will trace the evolution of social media from its nascent beginnings to its current state in 2023, highlighting key milestones and trends that have shaped this digital landscape.
Pre-Internet Era (1944-1990s)
The origins of social media can be traced back to the pre-internet era, with early developments such as the creation of the first electronic general-purpose computer, the Harvard Mark I, in 1944. However, it was not until the advent of the internet in the 1990s that social media as we know it today began to take shape. Online communities like Usenet and bulletin board systems (BBS) paved the way for virtual interactions and information sharing, laying the groundwork for the social media revolution to come.
Rise of Social Networking Sites (2000s)
The 2000s witnessed the proliferation of social networking sites that revolutionized communication and connectivity on a global scale. Platforms like Friendster, MySpace, and LinkedIn emerged as pioneers in the social media space, offering users new ways to connect with friends, share content, and build online communities. The launch of Facebook in 2004 marked a turning point in social media history, introducing features like news feeds, profiles, and photo sharing that would shape the future of social networking.
Mobile Revolution and Visual Content (2010s)
The rise of smartphones and mobile technology in the 2010s transformed how people engage with social media, enabling real-time communication and content consumption on the go. Social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat capitalized on the mobile revolution, emphasizing visual content and short-form messaging to capture users’ attention. The era of “selfies,” viral videos, and influencer marketing became defining trends in social media, reshaping digital culture and user behavior.
Integration of AI and Virtual Reality (2020s)
As we enter the 2020s, social media continues to evolve with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) technologies. Platforms like TikTok leverage AI algorithms to personalize content recommendations and enhance user engagement, while virtual reality experiences on platforms like Facebook’s Meta offer immersive social interactions in digital environments. The integration of AI and VR into social media heralds a new era of personalized, interactive, and immersive digital experiences that blur the line between physical and virtual realities.
Future Trends (2023 and Beyond)
Looking ahead to the future of social media beyond 2023, we can expect continued innovation in areas such as augmented reality (AR), blockchain technology, and metaverse development. AR filters and interactive experiences will enhance user engagement, while blockchain-based platforms promise increased security and data privacy. The concept of the metaverse, a collective virtual shared space, is poised to redefine social media as we know it, offering new possibilities for social interaction, commerce, and entertainment in a digital-first world.
In conclusion, the evolution of social media from 1944 to 2023 reflects a dynamic journey of technological advancement, cultural shifts, and societal transformations. As we continue to embrace new technologies and platforms in the digital age, it is essential to reflect on the past milestones and trends that have shaped the social media landscape we inhabit today. The future of social media holds endless possibilities for connectivity, creativity, and community building, paving the way for an ever-evolving digital ecosystem that connects us in ways previously unimaginable.
