In this session, we explored and discussed the importance and necessities of institutions and ultimately their importance. We began discussing the different types of institutions- the ones that you can select via free will vs the ones that make you need them / cant live without.
Institutions of free will consist of an example such as the Santander bikes around london. The bikes are available to anyone who has access to them and a credit / debit card to pay for it. They’re always mostly available and there are many points around the city to pick them up and drop them off as you wish. There is no harsh advertisements or gimmicks to drag you in and force you to us them, you can freely decide if its something you want to do with no major societal or financial pressure.
In contrast to this, something I thought about was Apple inc as an institution. Apple dominate the Laptop, computer but mainly the phone industry. Apple is everywhere, everyone has at least one apple product and its constantly the talk online. Whether its a new software release, a New model has been created or It’s being compared as the better off in memes also featuring android phones-you cant escape Apple. Its a social and classist expectation of people of all ages and backgrounds to own at least an iPhone, even better if its the newest edition.
One aspect I also looked at was the concept of charities as institutions alongside their involvement of money. This lead me to think about water aid and how only a small percentage of donations actually go to the water aid help, the rest going to advertisement and in the back pockets of their owners. Of course there should be some donation aside to use for promotional and education purposes if it will be well used but in this case it appears.
eleanor thorndyke 