Corruption is an epidemic that prevails in all different layers of societies and governments around the world. While there have been continuous attempts aimed at ridding of the phenomenon, yet the...Show moreCorruption is an epidemic that prevails in all different layers of societies and governments around the world. While there have been continuous attempts aimed at ridding of the phenomenon, yet the war against corruption is yet to be a triumphed one. None of the traditional methods of tackling corruption that were applied by governments, nongovernment actors, or even global institutions such as the World Bank and Transparency International, have ever truly succeeded. Arguably, this can be due to the lack of innovation and the mere following of the traditional steps for battling corruption. Therefore, the paper will aim to illustrate that a new solution can arise from moving towards digitalised governance, in an attempt to reduce corruption in the public sector. Particular focus will be directed towards blockchain technology, as the thesis will contend that the adoption thereof offers the promise of significantly improving the Egyptian land registry, and curbing the corruption that is embedded within it. To verify this hypothesis, the thesis will look at Brazil’s blockchain-based solution and will examine the technology through a diffusion-of-innovation perspective.Show less
This thesis discusses the technological history of the photo booth and photo booth photography as a social and artistic practice. Each chapter focuses on a different subject relating to significant...Show moreThis thesis discusses the technological history of the photo booth and photo booth photography as a social and artistic practice. Each chapter focuses on a different subject relating to significant characteristics of photo booth photography. Taking photos in a photo booth is a deliberate act and can be considered as a significant experience. Therefore, the first chapter reflects on this process and considers the photo booth strip as photo-object and memory object. Subsequently the focus shifts towards the content of the image: the self-portrait. The photo booth is widely known as a machine to take identification photos with. In the second chapter I shall address this subject, to be discussed within the context of the construction of identity. Upon entering a photo booth, one goes into a secluded environment, which evokes a feeling of privacy. The booths, however, are often located in public space. The third and final chapter of this thesis will focus on this contradiction and discuss the photo booth and its products in relation to the notions of private and public, and more specifically how this relation has changed under the influence of digitalisation. Every chapter begins to discuss the use of the photo booth by regular users, to further investigate the topics through the analysis of artistic practices.Show less