|
on Cultural Economics |
|
Issue of 2024‒03‒18
five papers chosen by Roberto Zanola, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale |
| By: | Nadia Campaniello (Department of Economics, Social Studies, Applied Mathematics and Statistics and Collegio Carlo Alberto, University of Torino, Torino, Italy;); Ciarlantini Sara (Polytechnic University of Turin, Torino;); Mollisi Vincenzo (Department of Economics, Social Studies, Applied Mathematics and Statistics, University of Torino, Torino, Italy;) |
| Abstract: | We show evidence of the causal impact of Twitter on consumption, that is one of the most important economic decisions. In particular, we focus on cultural consumption analyzing data on eight museums of the metropolitan area of Torino (the fourth largest city in Italy), that altogether account for 64% of the total museums' visits in the area. Using an IV strategy that randomly pairs tweeters who generate the highest engagement to a museum, we document that a doubling of the activity on Twitter leads to an increase in visits between 15% and 27%. We do not find evidence of a displacement effect. Indeed, activity on Twitter increases the total number of museums' visitors in the metropolitan area of Torino. |
| Keywords: | Demand, Media externality, Entertainment. |
| JEL: | D12 L82 Z11 |
| Date: | 2024–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tur:wpapnw:089&r=cul |
| By: | Karol Jan Borowiecki (University of Southern Denmark); Martin Hørlyk Kristensen (University of Southern Denmark); Marc T. Law (University of Vermont) |
| Abstract: | Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Frédéric Chopin are household names, but few will recognize Francesca Caccini, Elisabeth Lutyens or Amy M. Beach, who are among the top-10 female composers of all time. Why are female composers overshadowed by their male counterparts? Using novel data on over 17, 000 composers who lived from the sixth to the twentieth centuries, we conduct the first quantitative exploration of the gender gap among classical composers. We use the length of a composer’s biographical entry in Grove Music Online to measure composer prominence, and shed light on the determinants of the gender gap with a focus on the development of composers’ human capital through families, teachers, and institutionalized music education. The evidence suggests that parental musical background matters for composers’ prominence, that the effects of teachers vary by the gender of the composer but the effects of parents do not, and while musician mothers and female teachers are important, they do not narrow the gender gap in composer prominence. We also find that the institutionalization of music education in conservatories increases the relative prominence of female composers. |
| Keywords: | gender gap, human capital, music education, music history, student-teacher interactions, conservatories |
| JEL: | I23 J16 J24 N30 Z11 |
| Date: | 2024–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hes:wpaper:0252&r=cul |
| By: | Goranka Stanicst (School of Art and Design, Croatia); Sandra Bacic (School of Art and Design, Croatia); Branka Kozuh (School of Art and Design, Croatia) |
| Abstract: | We are witnessing the development and opening of an increasing number of art schools and colleges. The curriculum covered by these organizations is versatile and comprehensive encompassing various emerging branches. However, a fundamental question arises: can inspired works of art be created when they are dictated by market demands and order, and to what extent mediocrity and kitsch are involved in such a process? Commercialism, pop, and marketing are susceptible areas when we talk about creation. The pandemic and the lockdown provided a unique opportunity to think, envision the future, and express our ideas. Art in the field of the market is looking for its place. Education needs to be directed and distracted from the automatic repetition of facts by increasing the level of "general culture" and encouraging pupils and students to focus on problem-solving so that they can use all available materials and resources. This kind of education enables the development of innovation rather than the complete repetition of facts. Nowadays, various media platforms and libraries inundate society with ideas and information. Progressing personally and contributing to society requires hard work. History represents the past, while homology teaches us how to upgrade and shape knowledge, but if we get stuck learning, we risk perpetuating old patterns through imitation. Therefore, it is crucial to look ahead, address problems and facilitate the enrichment of humanity's collective experience while upholding ethical principles and moral imperatives. This article emphasizes that art has a special place in this dynamic world. |
| Keywords: | art, product, marketing, education, innovation, creativity |
| Date: | 2023–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:smo:raiswp:0279&r=cul |
| By: | Bühler Mathias (LMU Munich); Andrew Dickens (Brock University) |
| Abstract: | We document the importance of local information in mass media for the political engagement of citizens and accountability of politicians. We study this in the context of Canada, where until 1958, competition in television markets was suppressed—Canadians received either public or private television content, but never both. While public television provided national-level informational content, private television content was distinctly local and more politically relevant to voters. We find that the introduction of television reduced voter turnout, but that this effect is exclusive to public television districts. Our findings qualify existing knowledge about the political effects of the rollout of new media, by allowing the informational content to vary while holding the media type constant. We support this argument with evidence from parliamentary debates: politicians from districts with private television are more likely to speak and act on behalf of their constituents in Parliament. Our findings thus suggest that politicians are held accountable by relevant media content. |
| JEL: | D72 L82 N42 |
| Date: | 2024–02–14 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rco:dpaper:496&r=cul |
| By: | Huseyin Cenk Erdem (Technology and Society, Istanbul Technical University) |
| Abstract: | Science, Technology, and Society (STS) studies examine the social and cultural factors that shape public perceptions of technology. This study problematizes technology representation in horror movies by considering the sociotechnical imaginaries literature and explores the sociocultural effects of technological opacity and the existential fear of losing control. The qualitative research explores the fear of technology in horror movies, comparatively analyzing the discourses of AI technology in three films purposefully selected in terms of their popularity in the last five years: Upgrade (2018), Child's Play (2019), and M3gan (2022). The study concentrates on these movies because, in the past five years, the fear of artificial intelligence has been further fueled by speculative technology development information circulation, including Elon Musk's neurotechnology company Neuralink's goal to develop implantable brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). Merging human consciousness with AI technologies has generated fears of loss of privacy and potential control over one's own thoughts and actions. The fear of AI has also been heightened by the emergence of humanoid robots, notably Sophia, developed by Hanson Robotics. Sophia's human-like appearance and advanced AI capabilities have generated both fascination and fear. This study encourages critical thought on the effects of technical opacity that influence our interactions with developing technology by investigating the depiction of technology in these movies. Findings would help us grasp the complex relationship between technology and fear. In order to create informed dialogues about the moral, social, and cultural effects of technological breakthroughs, it asks for increased transparency and critical engagement with technical processes. |
| Keywords: | Sociotechnical Imaginaries, Technology Representation, Horror Movies |
| Date: | 2023–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:smo:raiswp:0298&r=cul |