Importance In Contemporary Society Research Articles

A Multidimensional Exploration of the Visual Arts: History, Impact and Future Trends

This article explores the multidimensional nature of the visual arts, tracing their trends and challenges from antiquity to the present day. The article begins by defining the visual arts and emphasising their importance in reflecting and shaping human culture and society. The study aims to analyse the historical development of the visual arts, examining the origins and characteristics of ancient art, the artistic changes from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, and the progress of modern art movements such as Impressionism and Expressionism. The research delves into key elements and techniques in the visual arts, including the use of colour, shape and line, and how these are used in different media such as painting, sculpture and digital art. The article discusses how style and subject matter express the artist's unique perspective and emotions, contributing to the richness of visual expression. In addition, the article analyses the far-reaching impact of visual art on society and culture, showing how art reflects and influences social change, as well as its role in education and social ideology, and explores the intersection of art and politics through examples of propaganda art and protest art. The article also examines contemporary trends and challenges facing the visual arts, in particular the integration of digital technologies and new media, the impact of globalization on artistic style and expression, and the continuing struggle in the contemporary art market between commercialisation and artistic values. In the concluding section, the article outlines the historical course of the visual arts and their importance in contemporary society, as well as providing an outlook on future trends in the visual arts. This comprehensive exploration underscores the enduring value and dynamism of the visual arts as a fundamental part of human history and an important channel for cultural and social evolution.

Research and Application on Kelly's Formula

The subject of investment finance holds significant importance in contemporary society, with position management in investment serving as a critical factor in determining outcomes of success or failure. Acquiring knowledge in the realm of efficient asset allocation can significantly enhance individuals' ability to effectively oversee their financial resources. The Kelly formula, initially employed for determining the proportion of funds wagered on a particular game, has emerged as a prominent betting strategy within the realm of probability theory. This method aims to optimize the overall growth rate of the main amount throughout a series of independent bets, each of which is intended to yield positive net returns. This study will examine the historical context of the Kelly formula, its mathematical derivation, its utilization in the realms of gambling and investment, and its consequential implications for individuals' investment strategies.

PROSPECTS AND POLICIES FOR TOURISM IN ITS GEOPOLITICAL CONTEXT

Purpose. In yet another attempt to analyse the tourism phenomenon in perspective, the aim of this paper is not necessarily to predict the quantitative future of tourism worldwide. It is rather to review the circumstances and mechanisms in their geopolitical context, by which it may, or even must, evolve in the mid- and long-term. This is due to its importance for contemporary society and the barriers to its further growth. It then pretends to recall the expectations deposited in tourism, for example, on the establishment of the World Tourism Organization, and to review the very meaning and essence of tourism as part of the movements of persons, when confronted with policies or their lack in this area. General prospects and challenges of tourism are briefly addressed from the demand, supply, trade and investment perspectives, as viewed from respective international organizations and its principal geopolitical actors, notably Europe and her overseas extensions (also China).Methods. Critical analysis and clarification of the apparently established views about tourism and its nature, based on the author`s work experience in relation to this activity: as a tour leader, government official, international civil servant and academic lecturer. The said analysis is supported by scrutiny regarding the relevant parts of tourism policy documents produced over years by international organizations.Findings. In a follow-up to the escalating health, economic, social and environmental crises affecting the world community, tourism, as a consumption, production, trade and investment activity, should not continue by following the rule of business-as-usual. When reconsidered as an intrinsic part of the entire economy and social life, it rather requires, alongside and not apart from, other human activities, to be essentially, politically, structurally and gradually, if not radically, intervened. This should result from international agreement among constituencies at large - governments, industry the private sector, civil society patronised by international organizations.Research and conclusions limitations. The findings represent a personal expert opinion verified by desk research of activities undertaken by international organizations. The veracity of the suggested recommendations would require response, validation and constructive action of the parties and the big players concerned in the field of tourism, to result from their continuous and constructive dialogue.Practical implications. Contribution to the international debate on tourism policymaking and the role of the World Tourism Organization.Originality. Bringing up the nature and essence of tourism, its unfulfilled promises, messages of the World Tourism Conference (1980) and the activities of international organizations.Type of paper: Review paper based on the analysis of literature and reports of international organizations.

Examining the impact of physical education and physical skills development on preschoolers' physical and mental health.

With greater socio-economic development and the popularization of scientific child-rearing methods, education has become of primary importance in contemporary society. This study attempts to promote the physical and mental health of preschoolers and improve their comprehensive learning ability. To understand the impact of sports skills and Physical Education (PE) on preschoolers' physical and mental health, we utilized the Questionnaire Survey (QS) and expert evaluation. First, the development of sports skills and the basic connotation of sports were expounded. Second, the characteristics of preschoolers and the importance of preschool education were discussed. Finally, the physical and mental health of 60 preschoolers was evaluated based on physical skill development and sports. The results revealed that the respondent preschoolers were grouped reasonably, and the research results had high reference values. In the control group, the physical conditions of four preschoolers changed significantly in the best case. By comparison, in the experimental group, preschoolers with significant physical changes had reached nine at best. In addition, as high as nine respondents showed obvious improvement in their mental state in the best case. Therefore, this study demonstrates that physical skill development and PE significantly impact preschoolers' physical and mental health, which has an important impact on preschoolers' learning. This finding provides a reference for preschoolers' sports skills development and contributes to their comprehensive PE teaching.

Systemic racism in data practices

Systemic racism in data practices

The distribution of ‘educational labour’ in families with equal or primary carer fathers

Parental involvement in education has taken on a new importance in contemporary society as a result of the rise of ideas associated with ‘parental determinism’, the desire of neoliberal states to shift responsibility for educational outcomes onto families, and the increasing salience of educational qualifications in processes of social ­reproduction. Nevertheless, extant research has indicated that such responsibilities typically fall on mothers rather than fathers. Drawing on a two-wave study, this article explores the experiences of UK families in which fathers had taken on at least equal responsibility for the care of their young children, focussing specifically on whether the ‘labour’ associated with education was also distributed more equally. It shows that education was a notable area in which inequalities continued to be played out – because of assumptions about maternal responsibility, but also the active role performed by schools and parent groups in reinforcing traditional gender roles.

The Social Life of Images

Drawing on visual studies, this mixed-media portfolio explores the mixed culture of the US–Mexico border. Emerging around the turn of the millennium as a multidisciplinary study from such diverse fields as art history, aesthetics, film theory, cultural studies, media theory, visual culture, postcolonial studies, and gender studies, visual studies respond to the need to analyze an area of growing importance in contemporary societies: that of visuality. Therefore, I try to account, without disciplinary restrictions, the processes of production of cultural meaning that have their origin in the public circulation of images. I could, thus, describe my work as investigations into “the social life of images”, analyzing the processes of the cultural construction of visuality.

The energy saving potential of retrofitting a smart heating system: A residence hall pilot study

Energy conservation is of increasing importance in contemporary society. A large fraction of energy end-use can be attributed to space conditioning. Therefore, intelligent control systems were devised and commercialised in the form of smart thermostats. Hereto, the availability of occupancy information is essential such that heating and/or cooling schedules can be tailored to user needs. This way energy savings can be obtained without jeopardising user satisfaction. However, preceding studies generally rely on simulations to estimate the potential reduction in energy consumption. This work aims at quantifying the potential based on a real life experiment. The development of a smart heating system is presented along with the results of an actual field test of retrofitting this system in 14 single-user student rooms of a university residence hall. An experiment was conducted in which the heating was automatically steered for 1 week (26 March 2018–01 April 2018). Total energy savings range between 26.9% and 59.5% and calculated thermal comfort was not significantly affected by the autonomous control. Furthermore, an environmental impact reduction of 3.2 to 12.9 EcoPoints is estimated for the controlled week, resulting in a reduction of 37.5 to 150.2 kgCO2eq.

Supplement consumption in people who makes exercise in Northern Mexico gyms.

Physical activity and sports have acquired great importance in contemporary society, given that they have created trends to improve performance, strength and muscle mass through the consumption of nutritional supplements. To determine the profile of the consumer and the type of nutritional supplements in people attending the gyms of the northern border of Tamaulipas. It was carried out a cross-sectional and descriptive study in a sample of 800 people attending gyms in 4 cities in the border area between the United States and Mexico, in the state of Tamaulipas (Reynosa, Rio Bravo, Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros). A survey was applied to determine the profile of the consumer and the type of supplements they consumed. 81% of people who went to a gym consumed nutritional supplements, and both genders used them, regardless of their body mass index. The most used supplements were proteins, essential amino acids and nitric oxide. Improving sports performance, beauty or aesthetics, health care and finally compensating losses were the reasons selected to justify the consumption of nutritional supplements.

Conflict Competence: An Exploration of its importance and skills

In a world where individuals have to negotiate a variety of conflicts in their daily lives- right from the individual level to societal level, it is critical that we strive to develop our conflict competencies. Enhancing our conflict competencies will help us negotiate the complexities in different conflict situations that we may encounter. Nurturing appropriate skills and abilities to analyze the root causes of conflicts and developing capabilities to address these will help us to ensure lasting resolution of these conflicts. Developing conflict competencies is not a one-time training process; instead it is an ongoing process requiring constant additions to skills and experiences. This chapter will explore the different dimensions of conflict competencies, its role and importance in contemporary society

Puppets theater importance in contemporary society

         استطاع مسرح الدمى عبر تاريخه ان يحقق نجاحا مستمرا رغم منافسة الفنون الادائية الاخرى وذلك لما تتميز مسارح الدمى من تنوع الاشكال والموضوعات واساليب الاخراج سواء مع مع جمهور الاطفال او الكبار ، وقد اصبح لكل مجتمع دمى خاصة به يستلهم اشكالها من الموروث وتعبر عن هويتها الثقافية ، تتميز الدمية بقوة التعبير واحيانا تتفوق على الممثل البشري ، ومع مرور الوقت تطورت صناعة الدمى وطرق تحريكها واخراجها بفضل التقنيات الحديثة ، نحاول في هذا البحث التعرف على مسرح الدمى وانواعه وما هو سر قوه التعبيرية التي تجذب الجمهور اليه وما اهميته في المجتمع المعاصر

Valores em conflito: contribuições do pluralismo de Isaiah Berlin ao estudo das relações entre “religioso” e “secular” no debate público contemporâneo

O debate público contemporâneo é permeado por variados desafios à vida social, especialmente em virtude da pluralidade de grupos e convicções que se articulam nas instâncias de decisão. Nas sociedades ocidentais, devido ao processo de secularização, não há mais sistemas de valores exclusivos que sejam capazes de conferir sentido total à experiência humana comunitária. Desse modo, as tensões que dizem respeito à relação entre os domínios “religioso” e “secular” têm ganhado novos contornos na discussão pública e ensejado estudos acadêmicos. A partir do contexto de diversidade de crenças e valores, esta dissertação introduz no campo das Ciências da Religião o pensamento do filósofo e historiador das ideias russo-judeu Isaiah Berlin (1909-1997), que desenvolveu uma doutrina do pluralismo de valor. Para Berlin, notável defensor do liberalismo e um dos principais intelectuais do século XX, o pluralismo é um princípio de importância crucial para a sociedade contemporânea, à medida que postula a coexistência de diferentes sistemas de valores morais e concepções do bem, sem tentar escapar do inevitável conflito entre tais valores e concepções. A formulação de Berlin, situada na interseção da filosofia política com a história das ideias, indica que valores morais podem ser igualmente válidos e, ainda assim, incompatíveis e incomensuráveis, o que resulta em conflitos que não admitem resolução sem referência a contextos particulares de decisão. Assim, a partir de uma abordagem teórica de natureza conceitual e analítica, busca-se interpretar a noção pluralista de Isaiah Berlin na tentativa de encontrar possíveis contribuições do corpo teórico desenvolvido pelo autor ao estudo das relações entre “religioso” e “secular” no debate público contemporâneo. Desse modo, o pluralismo de valor desponta como sistema teórico válido para enriquecer as abordagens acadêmicas concernentes aos conflitos de valores no seio das sociedades plurais.

Marketing Social y Comunicación digital, una perspectiva desde el contexto latinoamericano

Hoy por hoy, el marketing social es una tentativa derivada del marketing que ha ganado una gran importancia en las sociedades contemporáneas, esto debido principalmente a su naturaleza, la cual se encuentra enfocada en hallar soluciones sostenibles a determinadas problemáticas latentes en las sociedades actuales, como la creación de la conciencia ecológica y demás cuestiones que preocupan a los estratos sociales contemporáneos. Por otro lado, el desarrollo e invención de nuevas tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC) y en definitiva la creciente comunicación digital posibilitan que el marketing social pueda expandirse en nuevos ámbitos. Consecuentemente, las pequeñas y medianas empresas pueden utilizar el marketing social de forma más eficiente a través de la comunicación digital, agilizando los procesos de venta de productos o servicios con características destinadas a solventar las cuestiones del colectivo social. Palabras claves: marketing social, comunicación digital, TIC, empresa.

Tourism versus nature conservation: reconciliation of common interests and objectives — an analysis through Picos de Europa National Park

Nature tourism and particularly tourism in national parks have acquired significant importance in contemporary societies. Post-Fordist consumers have reevaluated the meanings of ‘nature’ and ‘natural spaces’ and now avoid standardization to seek singularity. Tourism in national parks is a consequence of this tendency and has both positive and negative aspects. The purpose of this sociological research is to describe the most relevant conflicts in the Picos de Europa National Park (Spain) involving the park’s conservation, local economic development, and tourism. Seven in-depth interviews and three focus groups were addressed to key local stakeholders. In this research were identified three chief areas of existing or potential inter-related conflicts and the main actors interacting with them. The first is on population, particularly, the negative consequences of depopulations on the local socio-economic development and the environment. A second source of conflicts identified is caused by the difficult conciliation between commercial exploitation and conservation of the protected natural area. More precisely, this specific form of tourism positively contributes to the economy of local communities whilst problems can arise for the conservation goals of National Parks. Thirdly, in this research is also analyzed the institutional governance and the inter and intra-governmental conflicts as well as with the Park’s management body. These findings provide important information for the improved management of tourism and conflicting interests in natural parks.

Social media: a new form of peaceful resistance or a manifestation of clicktivism?

This article aims to confirm or disconfirm the hypothesis that social media acquire ever greater importance in contemporary society and that social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter are fashioning a new form of passive (peaceful) resistance. Can the experiences gained on the platform of social media be transformed into actions in real physical spaces, or is it the case that, on the contrary, social media promote the formation only of exclusively virtual internet movements of protest because individuals no longer feel the need for participating in real mass demonstrations, meetings, and protest actions? The latter case would explain the appearance of such phenomena as slacktivism, lazy activism, clicktivism, armchair activism, and keyboard activism.

Los conflictos de la Responsabilidad Patrimonial de la Administración Pública por el funcionamiento del servicio público deportivo

The legislative history of the sport have put us clear its manifestations and its importance in contemporary society in both educational system and in maintenance of health, as well as an ingredient of quality of life and citizen participation that leads to build a culture of peace. The methodology employed was a bibliographic review of sources and court decisions examining the liability of the Public Administration. In the Spanish State the Administration is responsible for all damage caused by normal or abnormal functioning of public services. The research concludes that the objective character of the system of liability of Public Administration entails that not required for appropriate compensation to the victim to prove fault, negligence or willful misconduct of the agent causing the damage, enough to prove the existence of a causal link between injury and normal or abnormal functioning of public services, with the exception of overwhelming force.

Why celebrity studies needs social theory (and vice versa)

Academically qualified social commentators at every level from ex-Pope Benedict down (Hooper 2010) note the importance in contemporary societies of something we call ‘celebrity culture’. But we bar...

Energy Conversion at Micro and Nanoscale

Energy management is considered a task of strategic importance in contemporary society. It is a common fact that the most successful economies of the planet are the economies that can transform and use large quantities of energy. In this talk we will discuss the role of energy with specific attention to the processes that happens at micro and nanoscale. The description of energy conversion processes at these scales requires approaches that go way beyond the standard equilibrium termodynamics of macroscopic systems. In this talk we will address from a fundamental point of view the physics of the dissipation of energy and will focus our attention to the energy transformation processes that take place in the modern micro and nano information and communication devices.

Construing the cultural other and the self: A Personal Construct analysis of English and Italian perceptions of national character

How we perceive other cultures is arguably of increasing importance in contemporary society, impacting on realms such as international relations, business and tourism. The qualitative research reported in this paper was carried out in the UK and in Italy and adopted a Personal Construct Psychology approach. It aimed to explore intercultural perceptions in a sample of people who had some degree of experience with the ‘other’ culture, and a unique feature of the research is that it asked how those perceptions might be affected if people from both cultures are given access to each other's perceptions. There was considerable commonality in the perceptions of the English and Italian participants, and each culture envied some of the qualities of the other. However, they initially struggled to accommodate how they were seen by the other and endeavoured to resolve difference by construing at a more superordinate level. The findings also suggest that national identity is rooted in the construing of others’ constructions, achieved through relationship and comparison.

Bikinis and Bandages: An Itinerary for Cosmetic Surgery Tourism

This paper explores the ways in which cosmetic surgery tourism can be thought of specifically as a tourist experience. We argue that whilst essentially involving travel for the purpose of undertaking painful surgery, cosmetic surgery tourism has a particular resonance with the holiday, most usually constructed as relaxing and restorative. This resonance is connected to the importance in contemporary society of not simply possessing the cultural capital associated with travel knowledge and conspicuous leisure, but of being able to mark that upon and express it through the body. The paper also explores the elements of tourism that seem important to a successful cosmetic surgery tourism experience. These include a sense of place, constituted through cultural and physical proximity or distance, and discursive and physical construction of a destination’s particular characteristics – most usually in terms of the idea of ‘retreat’, care and the ‘friendliness’ of its people. This is connected to the willingness of a range of staff, from surgeons and nurses to interpreters and tour guides, to engage in successful emotional and aesthetic labour; some of these forms of labour are outlined here. The material we draw upon has tended to centre on white, middle-class Western tourists travelling to destinations outside the wealthiest nations for their surgeries. We end with a call for more wide-ranging studies and wonder whether the ‘tourism-ness’ of cosmetic surgery tourism remains central to tourists whose only motivation for travel is finding surgeries at minimal cost.