Utilitarian Objects Research Articles

Stone axes throw new light on Baltic stone age mortuary rites

Despite their ubiquity, Mesolithic lithic tools given as funerary offerings have rarely been studied in detail. Whereas personal ornaments (e.g. beads, pendants) are commonly interpreted as markers of social identity and status, archaeologists have struggled to understand the stone tools, commonly regarded as “utilitarian” items. As a result, this class of grave goods has not received the same level of attention, leaving a significant gap in our understanding of Mesolithic mortuary behaviours. Our research challenges long-lasting perceptions of lithic tools as strictly utilitarian objects and draws on studies of one of the most substantial stone axe funerary collections from one of the largest Stone Age cemeteries in Europe–Zvejnieki, Latvia. Evidence suggests the selection of unused axes as grave offerings, while unusual wear traces on an axe found in a female grave (no 57) raises questions about its use in the burial rites. Using a multi-proxy approach, we compare life histories of axes placed in burials to those recovered from contemporary, nearby settlement contexts. Finally, a strong correlation between axes and women and children at Zvejnieki challenges gendered stereotypes of stone tools, historically regarded as possessions of the adult male members of Stone Age societies.

Exploring the intersection of utilitarianism and sustainability in business: A conceptual analysis

Purpose: This research aims to elucidate the benefits commercial entities strive to accrue by implementing sustainability practices, using a conceptual analysis framework to probe into the anticipated benefits underpinning sustainability adoption. Methodology: The study employs a comprehensive literature review to define and establish a framework for utilitarianism and sustainability, focusing on their relationship and implications within the business context. Results: The research findings indicate that sustainability practices can considerably augment the utilitarian objectives of businesses. Energy efficiency initiatives, for instance, can enhance profitability by curtailing energy costs and simultaneously alleviating environmental impacts. Social responsibility endeavours can amplify brand value, solidifying customer loyalty. Elevated employee satisfaction and engagement can foster heightened productivity and competitiveness. Theoretical contribution: This study contributes to the existing body of literature by critically examining the definitions of critical terms and interrogating the ontological validity of the assumed linkage between sustainability initiatives and the anticipated benefits. It also offers a framework illustrating how businesses might integrate the principles of sustainability and utilitarianism, setting a foundation for further exploration of this theme. Practical implications: The research provides valuable insights for businesses seeking to harmonize their activities with environmental, social, and economic impacts in the pursuit of sustainability, while simultaneously aiming to maximize benefits. It underscores the importance of maintaining a delicate equilibrium between sustainability and utilitarianism, as the incorporation of sustainability principles can assist businesses in achieving their profit and benefit creation objectives, thereby fortifying their prospects for enduring success.

Into the wonder – exploring the design of playables

AbstractThis paper explores the concept of 'playables,' defined as tangible objects intentionally designed for immersive play, distinct from traditional utilitarian objects. It delves into how playables, unlike everyday items, transcend functionality, fostering creativity and curiosity in immersive play. It explores how playables differ from acknowledged design principles, drawing upon Dieter Rams and Don Norman. By recognizing the need for distinct design perspectives for playables, the paper contributes to unlocking their potential to enable wonder in immersive play experiences.

The Directive Strategy in the Dialogues of Murthad Al-Khair, Subay' bin Al-Harith, and Maytham bin Muthoub (A Pragmatic Approach)

The directive strategy is considered one of the most important types of strategies that a text producer adopts in order to achieve their communicative, influential, and utilitarian objectives. This research attempts to reveal the linguistic means in the directive strategy in one of the pre-Islamic era’s anthologies in a dialogical form composed of a series of speeches, with the main focus being the discourse of Murthad Al-Khair. This dialogical form belongs to the most eloquent eras of the Arabic language, prompting the researcher to use it as a practical field for study. The study is organized into two sections: the first includes the concept of pragmatics and the importance of the pragmatic approach in studying texts, then defining the limit of strategy, and the directive strategy, followed by explaining the justifications for the directive strategy. The second section is dedicated to the applied study.

Why 50?: ‘industrial application’ limitation in the Indian copyright-design interface

Abstract The current IP overlap in Indian copyright and design laws maintains that fine art aesthetics remain a province of copyright law and are strictly disjointed from protection afforded to utilitarian objects under design law. In practical application, however, Section 15 of the Indian Copyright Act, 1957 serves as a point of partial cumulation. Section 15(2) creates a curious situation where the nature of the work could be determined not by its substantive subject-matter requirement but rather an arbitrary rule of more-than-50 articles of production. Section 15 remains an unrefined relic of the Imperial Copyright Act of 1914. The strong reactions against the repeal of Section 52 of the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988 along with varied applications of the 50-article rule in other common law jurisdictions can be useful for the Delhi High Court in considering the ongoing constitutional challenge against Section 15(2). Differences in judicial opinions in a rather small pool of precedents have created significant scepticism in interpreting the precise scope of this ‘industrial application’ limitation. Repealing Section 15(2), despite its controversial status, would move the Indian copyright-design interface from partial to full cumulation—a result that does not sit well with the present legislative structure. Resolution of the issue requires the court to display sound conceptual deftness.

Кросскультурные интерпретации философии Янаги Соэцу

The aim of the research is to shed light on cross-cultural interpretations of mingei, a philosophy developed in the 1920s by the Japanese collector and art historian Yanagi Soetsu. This concept recognises aesthetic value in utilitarian objects and their unique harmony. The mingei movement emphasises anonymous, handmade production of functional objects in large quantities. The study comments on fragments from the exhibition catalog “MINGEI: The Beauty of Everyday Things” and provides examples of incorporating mingei objects into the cross-cultural process. The scientific novelty of the research lies in identifying conflicting viewpoints among researchers of the mingei movement regarding the relationship between mingei undo (the folk crafts movement) and the British Arts and Crafts movement. As a result, the research materials allowed the author to examine Yanagi Soetsu’s activities in the context of the cross-cultural interaction and the mutual influence of Japanese and European folk-art movements in the late 19th and the early 20th centuries.

The Worth of Nature: Valuations of Glaciers in Alaskan and Norwegian Media Discourse

ABSTRACT This article presents a comparative case study of public valuation of glaciers in Alaska and Norway. The first case examines Alaska’s Mendenhall Glacier, which has been central in public debate over the US Forest Service’s proposed expansion of the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. The second case centers on Norway’s Svartisen glacier, which garnered international attention when the startup company, Svaice, announced its intent to extract glacier ice cubes for cocktail coolers at high-end bars and restaurants. A rhetorical analysis of newspaper coverage relevant to each case reveals that in both debates, instrumental, relational, and intrinsic values are attributed to the respective glaciers, and that government, business, and community actors hold the most power in these conversations. However, nuances within articulations of instrumental value suggest that Norwegian actors strive to balance human and glacier needs, whereas Alaskan actors largely prioritize human needs by constituting the glacier as a utilitarian object.

ASPECTS OF IDENTIFICATION, ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT OF CRISIS THREATS IN THE CONTEXT OF NEW CHALLENGES FOR POLAND’S SECURITY

Currently, we are dealing with an increasing number of crisis situations. The Covid-19 pandemic,the crisis on the Polish-Belarusian border and the war in Ukraine are examples of very serious crisissituations that the Polish state must deal with. Optimal actions related to crisis response requireoptimization of actions in each phase of crisis management. The first two of them: preparationand prevention are of key importance for the functioning of crisis management entities and theentire environment in the response phase. However, the effort and resources expended at thisstage must be based on the principles of economy. The main purpose of the research, the results ofwhich are presented in the article, is the choice and critical evaluation of selected methods usefulin the implementation of the process related to the proper identification, analysis and assessmentof the risk of threats. The article presents a scientific solution to research problems: Which crisisthreats currently impose the greatest risk? Which methods can be used to identify, analyzeand assess these crisis threats? Which of these methods can make it possible to use the latesttechnological advances? How to adjust the pragmatics of conduct to effectively identify, analyzeand assess risks? The research process considers the latest technological achievements, includingartificial intelligence methods, the increase in computing power and its availability, as well as therequirements stemming from the current complexity of the political and economic and socialenvironment. Methods of analyzing literature, legal acts, normative and available statistical datawere used. The outcome of adopting the utilitarian objective is to identify potential areas of changein the approach to identifying, analyzing and assessing the risk of crisis situations in Poland.

The more-than-human turn in human-plant interaction design: From utilitarian object to living co-inhabitant

Plants and specifically indoor pot plants have featured as a prominent object in human-computer interaction (HCI) studies for more than two decades. Motivated by recent discourse in posthumanist and entanglement HCI, this paper seeks to contribute to the more-than-human turn in interaction design. It uses a twofold approach. We first engage in theoretically grounded inductive reasoning to postulate that the role and agency of plants in interaction design projects ought to change. This is backed up with a deductive approach based on a critical meta-analysis using a methodical review of human-plant interaction studies. The analysis identified a range of characteristics that we discuss in relation to study motives and outcomes. Our findings suggest that so far, plants-as-objects in interaction design are used as (i) a proxy for nature; (ii) a trigger for human experiences or; (iii) an interface for other actions. Our synthesis combining theory and meta-analysis contributes to ongoing design discourse on the ethical and societal implications of using plants in technologically mediated environments. We offer reflective remarks on how HCI can re-conceptualise plants from utilitarian objects towards recognising their value as living co-inhabitants.

SAFETY CULTURE AND ITS MEASUREMENT METHODS IN THE FIRE SERVICE

The article considers safety culture and discusses its role with regard to risks associated with the fireservice. Attention was drawn to the gap in research on this issue, especially in Poland. The followingresearch problem was formulated: what is and what dimensions does a safety culture conducive tofire services consist of? The cognitive objective was to understand and present the essence of safetyculture and its importance, and the utilitarian objective was to identify possible tools for measuringsafety culture in fire services. A proprietary definition of safety culture in the fire service has beenproposed. An analysis and comparison of different tools for assessing safety culture in the sector werecarried out. Attention was drawn to the need to be systematic in conducting this assessment and thenecessity of providing adequate training and experiences of other sectors.

Gendered Crafts in the Great Salt Lake Desert: A Comparative Analysis of Late Holocene Cordage and Coiled Basketry

AbstractPerishable artifacts are invaluable tools for reconstructing past lifeways of hunter-gatherers, and when preserved in arid settings, they can inform on dynamic interactions between communities and the environment. Many such materials were recovered from early archaeological surveys in Utah and Nevada but were largely excluded from contemporary analyses because of small sample sizes, their fragmentary nature, and insecure proveniences. This synchronic reanalysis of cordage and coiled basketry from 10 late Holocene sites in the Great Salt Lake Desert utilizes newer approaches to perishables analysis so as to collect data more conducive to statistical comparisons of subsistence and craft traditions absent from earlier Great Basin studies. Regional trends of conformity of fine cordage contrasted with a diversity of basketry manufacture suggest contemporaneous social stressors directing the production of materials and two potentially gendered subclasses of utilitarian objects. Feminine and masculine perishable crafts in the Bonneville Basin follow separate manufacturing traditions, observable despite small sample sizes and poor dating of these curated collections.

The obnoxious facility location game with dichotomous preferences

We consider a facility location game in which n agents reside at known locations on a path, and k heterogeneous facilities are to be constructed on the path. Each agent is adversely affected by some subset of the facilities, and is unaffected by the others. We design two classes of mechanisms for choosing the facility locations given the reported agent preferences: utilitarian mechanisms that strive to maximize social welfare (i.e., to be efficient), and egalitarian mechanisms that strive to maximize the minimum welfare. For the utilitarian objective, we present a weakly group-strategyproof efficient mechanism for up to three facilities, we give strongly group-strategyproof mechanisms that achieve approximation ratios of 5/3 and 2 for k=1 and k>1, respectively, and we prove that no strongly group-strategyproof mechanism achieves an approximation ratio less than 5/3 for the case of a single facility. For the egalitarian objective, we present a strategyproof egalitarian mechanism for arbitrary k, and we prove that no weakly group-strategyproof mechanism achieves a o(n) approximation ratio for two facilities. We extend our egalitarian results to the case where the agents are located on a cycle, and we extend our first egalitarian result to the case where the agents are located in the unit square.

MOBILE-BANKING PENETRATION IN RURAL INDIA: A STUDY BASED ON UTAUT-2 MODEL

Mob-banking technology is still evolving across all the world, but its spread has been uneven. We prefer to focus on factors that influence actual practice and future use intention. Through its uneven mechanical phenomena of mob-payments, India offers us with a suitable arena for analyzing citizens' usage behavior. We try to comprehend adoption backed UTAUT-2 models in accessibility, transactional convenience, profit convenience, and post-benefit convenience as all have a significant influence on mob-banking adoption purpose. The effects of convenience dimensions on mob-banking adoption intention are moderated by perceived hedonistic and perceived utilitarian objectives. In this research trying to find out the which UTAUT-2 factor can affect the mobile banking penetration in rural India and how can improve the penetration rate in rural India and this research also propose a extra factor in UTAUT-2 model and providing the solution.The research's findings can help banks in important elements of online convenience to order via mob-banking platforms

Działalność wydawnicza i graficzna Wiener Werkstätte jako przejaw ruchu artystycznego Arts and Crafts w europejskiej kulturze pierwszej połowy XX w.

At the end of the 19th century, an artistic movement called Arts and Crafts emerged in Great Britain. Its premises were eagerly accepted both in other European countries and abroad, e.g., in the United States. One of the examples of workshops that identified with the ideas of this movement was the Wiener Werkstätte (Vienna Workshop). They were founded in Vienna in 1903 by Josef Hoffmann and Koloman Moser. They produced beautiful utilitarian objects designed by artists and made by high-class craftsmen. One of the aspects of Wiener Werkstätte’s activity regarded issuing publications and related graphic designs. The article discusses this area of the studio’s operation, pointing to examples of individual products.

Analysis of Pigments from Decorated Antler or Bone Artifacts from the Early Iron Age Princely Burial Mounds in Jalžabet (NW Croatia)

During the Early Iron Age in Europe (EIA), the phenomenon of the Hallstatt culture enveloped a large portion of the European continent. Between the Atlantic Ocean and the River Danube, cultural groups can be roughly divided into two major regions: the Western and the Eastern Hallstatt circle. EIA finds made from organic material decorated with pigments are usually well-preserved only in specific conditions. A good example is the coloured textile found in the salt mines of the eponymous site Hallstatt (AT). Other examples are Scythian finds north and east of the Black Sea, far outside the Hallstatt culture area. This paper presents the results of the analysis of decorated artifacts made from bone or antlers from Jalžabet (NW Croatia). The artifacts were found in two princely burial mounds with incinerated remains: burial mound 1 (Gomila) and burial mound 2. The funerary monuments belong to the Eastern Hallstatt culture and date back to the middle of the 6th century BC, i.e., the end of the Ha D1 period. A group of scientists from Croatia and abroad performed several series of analyses on the selected bone or antler artifacts. The motifs on the artifacts were made by incisions and were filled with black pigment, and there are faint traces of red pigment on the surface. With the help of colourant analysis performed in Brussels and Zagreb (SEM-EDX, MRS, FT-IR), zooarchaeological taxonomic identification, and archaeological determination of a selected group of findings from Jalžabet, we have tried to answer several major questions. The most important question being: are the traces of pigments on artefacts deliberate decoration? If so, can we determine the composition of the paint? What kind of raw materials were used for the production of the artifacts? These questions are important because these kinds of EIA finds are rare and even more rarely analysed. New data would considerably expand our knowledge about the funeral rites of the most prominent members of the Hallstatt nobility in the Drava River valley and Central Europe. Taxonomically, the raw material from which the finds were made was identified to be antlers, probably from red deer (Cervus elaphus). Using methods for colourant analysis, we have successfully proven deliberate application of black paint based on carbon black as a pigment, probably in combination with terpenoid resin. Until now, this composition was only known from much later, Roman-period finds. Also, it was confirmed that the black paint on the artifacts from both burial mounds in Jalžabet is of the same composition. The red pigment on the finds has been identified as hematite. It is highly probable that the red surfaces were deliberate, painted decoration. The probability of extracting the raw material needed for the production of the red paint in the Jalžabet micro-region was also established and requires further research (bog iron ore). The archaeological analysis of the finds supports the idea of the use of various types of decorated plates as inlays, probably on furniture or other luxury everyday items. Smaller finds could have been used as utilitarian objects, parts of attire, and jewellery.

The morphology of the material world and the «plan of chamber propaganda» in the products of theLeningrad art industry factory of the 1940s–1960s

The morphology of the space of the material world of Soviet culture of the 1950s and 1960s and the products of the Leningrad art industry enterprises is presented in this paper. The material world is a collection of everyday objects of utilitarian purpose with symbolic content. They are perceived as cultural signs. The three factors influencing the structure of the material world are ideological, technological and stylistic. The first one is connected with the system of ideological coordinates. The second one is related to the general trends in the development of industrial society. The third factor is related to the development of visual dominants of the living environment. At the internal level, three components (content, technology and aesthetics) form the components of the morphology of the new materiality. The literal purpose of a particular object of the material world determines the external structure. This is a set of artistic, artistic-utilitarian and utilitarian objects. Each level is considered on the example of works of art industry enterprises. These are the following enterprises: the Leningrad Lomonosov Porcelain Factory and the Leningrad Porcelain Factory (artistic things), the Leningrad Enamel Factory (artistic and utilitarian things), the Komsomolskaya Pravda Factory and the First Tableware Factory (utilitarian things). The space of presentation of the concept of chamber propaganda is the translation of significant ideas, images, plots in mass–produced works of mass demand, which are based on an element of art. The maximum inclusion of objects in the space of the ordinary was ensured by the production scale of the enterprises of the art industry. A high level of presentation of significant ideas and plots was guaranteed by the professional development of technical aesthetics of objects.

The Level of Fear in the Polish Police Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic with the Impact of Sociodemographic Variables.

This study has a twofold objective. First, we aim to measure the levels of fear among Polish police officers using the COVID-19 Fear Scale (FCV-19S) that has a stable unidimensional structure allowing for the provision of additional data by combining variables. This structure allows the second objective to be met to measure the correlation with sociodemographic variables. The utilitarian objective of the study is to provide information for updating support policies for stress management in the service. The questionnaire was completed by 1862 people with a mean age of 38.75 years with a good Cronbach’s alpha (0.89). The perceived level of fear associated with COVID-19 should be considered relatively low. Caring for the elderly does not affect the level of fear. The factors of gender, age and having children statistically significantly differentiate the perceptions of fear. Therefore, there is a necessity to focus on building support for police officers who are over 50 years old, as well as for women, where higher levels of fear in both men and women can translate into the development of psychosomatic illnesses.

Exploration on the integration of innovation and entrepre-neurship education into the talent training system of colleges and universities under the background of double-first con-struction

Science and technology and innovation are the main drivers of social development at this stage. Modern national governance and education system should further improve the strength of innovation and entrepreneurship education. However, at present, some colleges and universities focus on professional subject education, and have insufficient knowledge and attention to innovation and entrepreneurship education. Even if they offer entrepreneurship-related courses, there are still problems such as ambiguous teaching content, weak entrepreneurship teaching atmosphere, and utilitarian teaching objectives. To this end, this paper focuses on the national double-first construction strategic tasks, innovative talent training system research, and colleges and universities’ innovative talent training plan.

Furniture art: the historical experience of combined multifunctional objects creation

The purpose of the article is to highlight the historical experience of creating combined multifunctional furniture-transformers and to reveal the main methods of combining several functions in one object of furniture art. The methodology of this work is based on the application of a number of theoretical methods of scientific research: analysis, comparison, analogy, abstraction, and generalization. Methods of analysis and comparison were used in the process of considering the evolution of furniture-transformers on the example of historical prototypes. The comparison of artistic means of surface treatment features of structural elements and characteristics of shaping allowed identifying some historical examples of furniture-transformers that were found in the electronic network without specifying the date or country of manufacture. To identify the main methods of combined furniture-transformers formation have been applied such research methods use analogy and abstraction. To summarize the results of the work it was used the generalization method. The scientific novelty of the work consists in summarizing the historical experience of combined multifunctional furniture creation and defining the leading methods of combined objects formation. Conclusions: the results of the research support the idea that in furniture art the main methods of the combination of several functions in one subject are: 1) the implementation of additional small functional blocks in a large-scale object; 2) the equal combination of two utilitarian objects in one object; 3) the multiple combinations of equivalent functional blocks into a single form.
 Key words: furniture art, furniture-transformers, historical prototypes of furniture, transformation systems.

Techniques and Ideas. Zigzag Motif, Barbed Line, and Shaded Band in the Meso-Neolithic Bone Assemblage at Zamostje 2, Volga-Oka Region (Russia)

Abstract Mesolithic geometric ornamentation is a part of the complex worldview of the latest hunter-gatherer societies. Questions about the functional role of the ornament in utilitarian objects – knives, daggers, arrowheads, etc. – do not have an unambiguous answer. Despite a variability of ornamental motives used, there are some stable connections between certain types of ornaments with some categories of bone tools. On the materials of the Late and Final Mesolithic layers of the wetland site Zamostje 2 (Volga-Oka region), we will consider some examples with the zigzag motif, the most numerous and heterogeneous type of ornament, as well as rarely presented motives of “ladders” and “lines with dots or eyelashes.” The number of samples (120) is sufficient to draw some preliminary conclusions about the context of their application. So, the zigzag is observed on different types of tools, but its connection with sharp-piercing objects is most clearly manifested. The type of relief zigzag is inextricably related to slotted sickle-shaped tools. Zigzag is often the only decorative element on an item and is expressed by a simple or double line; less often it is included in complex compositions. Both types of zigzags and methods of application (fine engraving, scraping, relief carving, etc.) were not regulated and obviously performed different functions depending on the compositional characteristics and the raw material’s type. Compositions of “ladders” located at an angle to each other are also associated with projectile weapons. Lines “with eyelashes” appear to have been a part of the standard dagger decoration.