Academic Writing+Research

An edited excerpt of my master’s thesis introduction chapter.

Finally, it’s ten o’clock at night but the glow of neon signs keeps the deeply congested streets well-lit. “I might as well be swimming,” you think, as you push through a sea of pedestrians. Some of the city lights emanate from the pedestrians too, who converse in various languages while their cybernetic implants beep and blink in an asynchronous rhythm. Humidity fogs up your lenses so you turn down an alleyway and head toward the mechanic’s shop.

An analysis of “museum retail” and the applied arts in relation to IKEA’s commercial success.

The term “art” is often associated with wealth, sacredness, and most importantly, untouchability. Society dictates that art, or more specifically, fine art is to be observed in the vacuum of a museum. A mere camera flash, a slight fingerprint, or even a step too close can lead to immediate devaluation. Fine art is to be observed and preserved. However, one major subcategory of the arts allows and even encourages the exact opposite behavior. In great contrast to the fine arts, the products of the applied arts require the physical contact of a human to be truly understood.

An analysis of non-traditional forms of entertainment media, including streaming services and creator-led platforms.

New forms of entertainment such as streaming services and YouTube are overtaking traditional media by incorporating internet technology and social media tactics. Rather than erasing the work done by broadcast television and in-theatre film, these younger mediums have built upon the formers’ successes and reworked them to better suit the audiences of the 2010s and late 2000s. These companies and their respective content creators have greater insight into their audiences, which may suggest that elements of Panopticism are key to their success. From a Foucauldian standpoint, this is the next evolutionary step in entertainment.