Write an ethnographic research essay that primarily focuses on Youth, technology and activism
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 Intersection of Youth, Technology, and Activism: An Ethnographic Exploration
In today’s digital age, the relationship between youth, technology, and activism has become increasingly intertwined. The emergence of social media platforms, online organizing tools, and digital communication has revolutionized the way young people engage with social and political issues. This essay aims to delve into the complex dynamics at play when examining how technology influences youth activism through an ethnographic lens.
Understanding Youth Activism in the Digital Age
Youth activism has a long history of pushing for social change and challenging the status quo. However, the advent of technology has transformed the landscape of activism, providing new avenues for young people to amplify their voices and mobilize for causes they believe in. Social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook have become powerful tools for organizing protests, spreading awareness, and building communities around shared values.
The Role of Technology in Empowering Youth Activists
Technology has played a crucial role in empowering youth activists by providing them with a platform to share their stories, connect with like-minded individuals, and mobilize for collective action. Through hashtags, viral campaigns, and online petitions, young people are able to reach a global audience and effect change on a scale that was previously unimaginable.
One significant aspect of technology’s impact on youth activism is its ability to bypass traditional gatekeepers of information. By leveraging social media and digital communication tools, young activists can circumvent mainstream media channels and directly communicate their message to the public. This direct access to audiences has been instrumental in raising awareness about social justice issues and holding those in power accountable.
Ethnographic Insights into Youth Activism
To gain a deeper understanding of the intersection between youth, technology, and activism, ethnographic research offers a valuable lens through which to explore these dynamics. By immersing oneself in the lived experiences of young activists, researchers can uncover the nuances of how technology shapes their activism practices and influences their sense of identity and belonging within activist communities.
Through participant observation, interviews, and analysis of digital content produced by youth activists, ethnographers can document the ways in which young people navigate digital spaces, strategize their online messaging, and build solidarity with others. By examining the rituals, symbols, and language used in online activism, researchers can uncover the cultural significance of technology in shaping youth activism movements.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the relationship between youth, technology, and activism is a dynamic and multifaceted one that continues to evolve in response to technological advancements and shifting social landscapes. Through ethnographic research, we can gain valuable insights into how young people harness the power of technology to advocate for change, challenge injustice, and create a more equitable world. As we move forward in this digital age, it is essential to continue exploring the ways in which technology influences youth activism and shapes the future of social movements.
By examining the intricate connections between youth, technology, and activism through an ethnographic lens, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the transformative potential of digital tools in empowering young people to be agents of social change.
