Element is a 3D computer graphics image created using Python Processing.
A customisable set of variables allow for infinite variations on a simple idea. A ring of spirals are created with varying densities, radius, number of rings and distance from each other. Through the use of this program I was able to come up with a composition demonstrating its effects.
The three images I chose are shown here in one composition. First is a top down shot of a 6 spiral ring. This appears to be 2D and seems as if the image is slightly blurred, creating an interesting effect. The idea of this image is to conceal and reveal the structure of the piece.
The second image in the sequence is a slightly off angle shot of a similar 6 spirals each with only 1 ring. They are placed together creating a spiralling vortex feel. The blurring effect is more obvious in this image but the image still retains its origins by not showing too much detail, alluding again to the unknown factor.
The third and final image is a closer shot of another 6 spiral ring. This shot is taken from a much lower angle and it is a lot closer. This shows detail of how the program uses its algorithm to create these shapes and explains the nature of the blurring effect from previous images.
All together I chose these images over some of my previous efforts as I wanted to strip it back to simplicity. I felt that my code was getting away from the minimalist effect I was happy with earlier in the project. I also removed the animation from the program as I felt the interactivity was taking away and stealing the spotlight so to speak.
With the 2008 U.S. Presidential Electorate being the most expensive campaign in U.S. history, with over USD$2.4 billion raised (World Records Academy, 2008), it is a good example to use for my argument that it is crucial for potential candidates to target women in their campaigns. During my research I shall use three articles as evidence to develop my argument and reach a conclusive answer.
The first piece of evidence I will use for my research paper is an article from the New York Times. “Both Sides Seeking to Be What Women Want” was written a month and a half before the Presidential Election by Kate Zernike. In the article she writes about the differences between the two campaigns of Obama and McCain, in particular the way they were targeting women in the lead up to the election. This article is important to my research as it clearly outlines differences in party policy: - “… Obama emphasizing pay equity and abortion rights and Mr. McCain … raising questions of respect.” (Zernike, 2008) and also it gives good reasons as to why the women’s vote is so important: - “Women have voted in greater proportions than men for almost three decades…” (Zernike, 2008). This article will give me crucial evidence to support my thesis statement.
The research article “The 'Palin Effect' in the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election” by the Western Political Science Association's Jonathan Knuckey will be my second source of evidence. The paper addresses whether Sarah Palin affected vote choice in 2008 (Knuckey, 2011). As my research investigates both major campaigns of the 2008 presidential election, it is important to review the impact that Sarah Palin had on voters. Knuckey has conducted a thorough statistical analysis of Palin's impact on the election, for example, Figure 1 shows the relationship between voter's feelings for Palin and their probability of voting for McCain (Knuckey, 2011).
Figure 1: Predicted probability of vote for McCain by Palin feeling thermometer rating, by party identification (Source: Knuckey, 2011)
It is essential for me to study Palin's impact on the presidential election and how it failed to generate votes for McCain as “Palin’s effect on vote choice was the largest of any vice presidential candidate in elections examined dating back to 1980” (Knuckey, 2011) and “...may have contributed to a loss of support among swing voters” (Knuckey, 2011).
The third piece of evidence, which I will primarily use to reinforce my conclusion, is an article describing the results of the election. “Gender Gap Evident in the 2008 Election…” by Debbie Walsh and Susan Carroll, is an article summarizing the differences in the end result of the 2008 election. “Women strongly preferred Obama to Senator John McCain, 56 percent for Obama, 43 percent for McCain” (Walsh, 2008) shows important statistics that I will be able to use to determine if the specific targeting of women voters made a difference or not. It is necessary for me to use evidence from this article to aid the conclusion of my research.
Using these three articles by Zernike, Knuckey, Walsh and Carroll as evidence I will be able to build a strong argument, backed up by substantial evidence, claiming that it is crucial for potential candidates to target women in their campaigns.
Knuckey, J. (2012) The "Palin Effect" in the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election. Political Research Quarterly, 65 (275).
Walsh, D. and Carroll, S. (2008) Gender Gap Evident in the 2008 Election. [online] Available at: http://www.cawp.rutgers.edu/press_room/news/documents/PressRelease_11-05-08_w... [Accessed: 9 May 2012].
World Records Academy (2008) Most expensive presidential campaign-US Election sets world record. [online] Available at: http://www.worldrecordsacademy.org/society/most_expensive_presidential_campai... [Accessed: 10 May 2012].
Zernike, K. (2008) Both Sides Seeking to Be What Women Want. New York Times, [online] 15 September. Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/15/us/politics/15women.html?_r=2&scp=1&... [Accessed: 8 May 2012].
Forgot to put this up so here it is.
With 157 million women in the United States during 2010 (Women by the Numbers, 2012), the way Presidential Candidates target women in their campaigns can win or lose them the electorate. Therefore the inclusion of gender based advertising and campaigning is vital in the United States political system. Also, many political campaigns in other countries, including New Zealand, have begun adopting similar strategies in their own campaigns.
In this research paper I will look at how gender influences presidential campaigns in the United States. I will argue that it is crucial for potential candidates to target women in their campaigns.
By specifically using the 2008 US Presidential election, and in particular the campaigns of John McCain and Barack Obama, I will be able to conduct a conclusive paper showing that women can influence a Presidential election. These two campaigns are good examples to study as they use different methods of targeting women. Obama's campaign targeted women voters from an early stage whilst McCain, towards the end of his campaign, tried to specifically target women voters by introducing Sarah Palin into his campaign. In my research I will focus on campaign advertisements and political issues raised by the candidates, and how each of them targeted women voters in their individual electoral campaigns.
I believe that by comparing and contrasting these two different campaigns I will be able to distinguish a definitive answer to my research question. By using the final result of the 2008 election as proof, I can see whether or not differences between the campaigns made an impact or not, and then conclude how gender has played a role in these differences.
Women by the Numbers — Infoplease.com. (n.d.). Infoplease: Encyclopedia, Almanac, Atlas, Biographies, Dictionary, Thesaurus. Free online reference, research & homework help. — Infoplease.com. Retrieved April 29, 2012, from http://www.infoplease.com/spot/womencensus1.html