Is it cultural appropriation? I have a few questions…
Cultural appropriation is a phrase that has gathered traction as more folks are critically looking the unacknowledged, fetishized and exoticized use of culture that is not their own. And rightfully so. But is it all that bad? The difference between appropriation and appreciation can be muddled. The fact of the matter is that culture is fluid, […]
“Communication Breakdown” does not exist
What if I told you there is no such thing as a “communication breakdown?”(Aside from a Led Zeppelin song.) “Communication breakdown” is often a go-to phrase to name an incident in which “something went wrong.” This phrase, however, never takes into account what we know today as the Shannon-Weaver interpersonal communication model. Within the model, […]
Alto+ presents “Metal Gear Solid”
A solider coming out of retirement for a job too big to ignore… A scientist using gene therapy to patch together a past… A colonel brokering negotiations between his former unit and the President… A weapons specialist from Prypiat working tirelessly to prevent nuclear warfare… A sniper seeking revenge on those who turned a blind […]
Alto+ presents Pamela Druckerman’s “Bringing Up Bébé”
Before welcoming my first child, I stumbled upon Pamela Druckerman’s “Bringing Up Bébé” in my algorithm’s churn of the never-ending quest for the “best” baby and child-rearing advice. What drew me to the book was its tagline: “One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting.” Having spent a semester in Normandy in college, I […]
Do you believe that it’s possible to treat everyone with respect?
In one of my previous roles, I remember speaking with a supervisor about being aware of some cultural differences the crews may encounter when entering a community to begin construction work. I’ll never forget his comment: “We treat all of our customers the same.” And that’s the problem. Listen, I’m sure he meant to finish […]
New Year, Same Ol’ Introduction
Happy New Year everyone! I am starting off 2025 with a brief introduction of myself. First, let me spell my name: My first name is Allison. A-L-L-I-S-O-N.Not Alison, Alyson, Allyson, Alicen, Allisson, Allson… My last name is Iurato. I-U-R-A-T-O.Not Lurato, Turato, Irato, Urato, Irate (thank you Spellcheck)… Maybe to you this seems petty. It’s just […]
Why are hand gestures so important?
Hand gestures are forms of nonverbal communication. As with other forms of nonverbal communication, hand gestures are innate, redundant and non-rules bound. While gesturing and posturing are humans’ first form of communication, hand gestures are generally learned side-by-side with language to form meaning(s). Hand gestures are culturally significant; one hand gesture may possess various meanings […]
Thoughts on Culture and Technology
I got to thinking since my last post… If technology impacts communication, and its contexts, then logically speaking, wouldn’t culture be impacted? But I didn’t think impacted would be the correct word to use in this case. If you broadly define culture as a web of meanings- then technology’s role is defined as such: a […]
What do you currently have that wouldn’t be possible without technology?
Frankly, nothing. Your body, development, personality, knowledge, experience and material possessions are all because of or influenced by the technology that currently exists in your lifetime and was developed by previous generations. While there are many biological, physical, psychological and emotional aspects that exist in our being, our Self, they have been greatly impacted by […]
What role does culture play in nostalgia?
“Things were just better back then.” “Take me back!” “I miss the good ol’ days…” With regards to how one understands the world around them, nostalgia embodies a time, place and feeling that one presently has for a moment that existed previously. It can be attributed to various factors, including but not limited to: -Specific […]