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on Cultural Economics |
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Issue of 2025–03–17
two papers chosen by Roberto Zanola, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale |
| By: | Garnett, Philip (University of York) |
| Abstract: | There has been a lot of hype around blockchains and non fungible tokens (NFTs). However the technology is yet to establish itself beyond a limited number of fairly specific use cases, namely cryptocurrency and digital art. This commentary seeks to propose an outline framework for NFTs and Blockchains for digital provenance of important digital artifacts such as citizen intelligence and newspapers. This article develops an outline framework and reasoning for NFT and Blockchain technology to be used to establish provenance of digital artifacts in what is an increasingly contested digital space. A space where the subtle (and perhaps not so subtle) manipulation of video, images, and all forms of digital evidence and documents by humans, and increasingly artificial intelligence, could be used to challenge contemporary narratives and manipulate the past. This framework should be seen as an opening proposal to ignite discussion, as the establishment of any technology in this space should not be done without careful consideration. Nor should it be done by a single individual or group. |
| Date: | 2023–02–19 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:socarx:whmxb_v1 |
| By: | Eduardo Montero; Dean Yang; Triana Yentzen |
| Abstract: | How do economic costs affect religious choices, and how do religious institutions adapt to economic realities? We study the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) church in Sub-Saharan Africa, which prohibits production of tobacco, coffee, and tea, creating salient opportunity costs for potential members in areas suitable for these crops. We construct a measure of SDA membership opportunity cost that varies over time and space based on local crop suitability and export prices. Using church administrative data and member surveys, we find that increased opportunity costs lead to lower membership growth and lower satisfaction with the church among existing members. The church responds by establishing new educational and health institutions and reducing emphasis on "healthy living" religious tenets. These findings reveal how religious organizations can show striking flexibility in balancing tradition and adaptation when faced with economic pressures. Our study provides new insights into the microeconomics of cultural change, as mediated by religious institutions. |
| JEL: | D71 L31 O12 Z12 |
| Date: | 2025–02 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:33482 |