my artifact is the polaroid camera

1. Who “made” the artifact? (You can think about this in many ways: who consumes the artifact?; who challenged a commonplace by creating the artifact?; who benefits from the artifact?, etc.)

The polaroid was created by a scientist names Edwin Land in 1948 after his daughter questioned why she had to wait to see the pictures she had just taken of herself. He then worked on inventing the “instant camera” which would minimize the time it would take to capture an image and viewing it. His invention of the Polaroid revolutionized traditional photography, a process where the photos had to be developed professionally. Many people, especially professionals viewed this new type of camera as an “amateur’s gadget and nothing more.” The camera was widely used by all people, not just photographers. It was sold out minutes of being put on sale in a department store in Boston.

2. Why was the artifact necessary? (What was/is the artifact responding to?)

The polaroid completely changed photography. it was necessary because average people lookin to take photos no longer had to wait weeks for their pictures to get developed by professionals. They could receive their pictures within minutes fo taking it.

3. Has the need for the artifact changed over time?

The need for the polaroid has somewhat changed over time. When it was first invented, it was a cultural revolution. It captured the attention of everyone and has continue to remain a subject of fascination even in modern days. There was nothing like it. The invention of it has often been compared tot eh invention of the Apple IPhone. However, we now have phones and cameras on them that will also instantly let us see the pictures we have taken. Yet somehow the aesthetic of polaroid pictures is still very much popular even though it is no longer a necessity.

4. Does the artifact have different meanings for different groups of people?

For the most part, the polaroid camera has a universal meaning. Simply put, its job is to capture a photo and instantly print it out to have. However, for some people they use it as a way to hold onto something that is real and tangible in a digital age. And for others they use if because Polaroid pictures are aesthetically pleasing and they like the way their photos come out on them as opposed to just a regular camera.

5. What commonplaces are embedded in the artifact? Or, how does the artifact comment on commonplaces?

A modern commonplace for the polaroid is that it’s a symbol of nostalgia. We are living in a digital age where everything we see is through a screen. People that use polaroids use them so they can have an actual photo in their hands and not just ones that are on a phone. It’s not as abstract. Another larger commonplace embedded into this artifact is that its a form of expression for oneself. Its a gateway towards creation and art and people especially like the way they look compared to a normal camera.

6. What makes the artifact “civic?” How does the artifact frame the civic?

The polaroid is “civic” because it brings people together. We have to come together to take a picture with each other. You are also able to share a memory with someone and capture that moment. According to the “Polaroid Project” it’s a “real social medium..it was an act of humans being with each other.”

A huge tradition or commonplace at college is this idea of going out and partying. Or more specifically at Penn State, which was just named the number one party school according to “This American Life” podcast. The ideas of drinking and partying are nothing new to students at Penn State, in fact it was not shocking at all to hear that Penn State was given that title Often, it’s one of the most inviting reasons for students to come to this school in the first place. Former seniors, fresh out of high school looking for a place where they can simultaneously get a higher education, all while that not stopping them from partying and having fun. Although, partying and drinking has become the norm in college life, it has become a widespread epidemic at Penn State. Heavy drinking isn’t just limited to students of legal age, it also includes students of all years( yes including the freshmen). I would even argue that it is the freshman that are the most careless ones about it.

The drinking problem that faces Penn State has become such an issue that even the school’s administration that has relentlessly tried to wield this problem, has hit a dead end. They have done everything, yet nothing has worked. This commonplace at Penn State is so strong that any attempts to stop it have proven to not be successful and has even caused clear resentment from the student body. However, the ideology at Penn State doesn’t just affect the administration and student body, it also affects the lives outside of the school. The people who live in State College. ” “This is American Life” podcast goes into detail about the average weekend night living in State College, where students drunkenly pander around the neighborhoods disrupting the people that live there.

The ideology at Penn State has caused a commonality among the students here. Combined with being such a football school with lots of school spirit, partying has grown the student body closer together. This including tailgates, frat parties, and more. Students feel they need to live up to the culture that has been in-placed here, so the engage in all of these events to feel the school spirit. As well, Penn State has also been named one of the safest areas in the country. This being because, students tend to look after one another while drinking and making sure they and their friends are safe. The culture of drinking here has fostered an ideology of sticking together.

It’s clear that Penn State students don’t seem to give up their title of being a party school any time soon. It is such an engrained commonplace that nothing, not even the corona virus can stop kids from going out and partying. It’s part of this schools culture and the student body here don’t plan on letting it go.