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Culture is like the genetic code of a society, which determines the characteristics and behavior of the society. Just as genes control the traits of an organism, the beliefs, values, customs, and social norms of a culture "code" the way a society operates and how people live. Each culture has a unique "genetic sequence" and can also form new combinations with other cultures by crossing, mixing, and so on.

Elements such as cultural traditions, beliefs, and social norms, like genetic sequences, determine the core characteristics of a society or an ethnic group. Culture continues to evolve through inheritance and innovation, not only maintaining core elements, but also generating new variations and fusion, just like the inheritance and variation of genes in the process of development. Cultures evolve through contact, conflict and interaction, forming new cultural forms just like biological evolution.

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I still remember a film clip in Soul, in which a wise women tells an interesting story about the ocean and a fish showed by the picture above.
In my opinion, this story is the best illustration of the culture: everyone is in it, affected by it, but most of time, people are unaware of it.

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The cultural terrain is represented by the geographic one by the internal maps people have of it. People know that this map does not include all about one specific culture but the range they are familiar with. The other is a mind map, which shows the network of associations in our thoughts, such as information sparked by a single phrase or the emotions and meanings we attach to a certain action. These associations could be personal and collective. For example, the specific way to react when oneself is praised. In this case, culture could indicate shared connections and meanings by a group who have the same “geographical map” in mind.

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Culture is like tapestry. A tapestry is composed of numerous threads which representing the numerous culture and ethical groups that exists worldwide. Additionally, the tapestry encompasses a multitude of color elements, symbolising the richness culture diversity and inclusion. These various threads are interwoven within the tapestry, mirroring the blending of customs, values and traditions amog different ethnic groups.

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I will describe culture as a crossing highway system, while individuals could be regarded as cars running on it. From my point of view, this metaphor reveals several features of culture. The first is interaction, with the influence on internal and external factors, the interaction between different cultural groups has become more universial in the past few years. The second is a sense of fluid and hybrid. Just like various cars running on the highway system, culture is not stable and monotonous, but dynamic and containing many aspects in different discoures systems. The third is culture could be seen as one of the most significant foundations in our life, as well as an inevitable factor in the process of communication, just like the highway system carrying all running cars. Lastly, the cars on highway need to obey certain rules, and we, as members of different cultural (discourse) groups, also have either obvious or potential cultural norms to deal with.

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From my point of view, culture is like the sea. Various rivers keep flowing into the sea, shaping its form and building its content. In the sea you can see the signs of what forms it, meanwhile it shapes its unique character and image.

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Culture as an iceberg... how helpful do you find this metaphor? 

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Just like how fresh and salt water may seem mixed on the surface, each culture is distinct and distinguishable underneath.

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Cultures are like mirrors that reflect the characteristics of a particular culture. For example, it can reflect a particular way of life, whether it is about a group of people or a period, or a community. When a person or group of people who belong to that culture look in the mirror, they may find similarities because people who belong to the same culture will share a system of values, religion, or other content. Conversely, when someone who does not belong to the culture looks in the mirror, they may find differences because they do not share a culture. Therefore, culture is a particular way of life, whether of a people, a period, or a group.

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Culture is a glass that is not flat enough. There is a degree of distortion in both the image of us reflected in the glass and the image of the Other presented through it. In a monocultural context, we can only fix the shape of the glass, but the bumps and dents on its surface cannot be smoothed out.

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Culture as a tree and we can observe some production and assume the hidden element. The crown of the tree is the direct production of each culture, such as film, novel, while the trunk reflects the visible unique main ideas or beliefs of these discourses (such as the personality of "nationality"), . While there are some invisible and hidden elements in the unseen roots and unconsciously influence the develop of this culture.

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Culture can be described as a tree. First of all, it grows and is cultivated by the soil ground or earth where it grows is the base and foundation of it. This is similar to the origins of people and the geographical elements embodied in one’s culture. Second, as it is growing, there are other elements that influence or determine how the tree grows- both how it looks on the outside, and the inner structure of it. This corresponds to all the influential things during one’s life that shape his or her discourse system, including all the places one has been to, all the people has met, all the information one has gained…. These things kind of decide how the branches and leaves of the trees grow, that is, how the tree interacts with the surrounding environment and other species. Third, the fact that the tree keeps growing and withers in the autumn and sprouts in the spring is just like the spiral non-linear development of culture. Moreover, as the tree grows its growing rings increase, and it's rooted deeper and deeper, which is invisible from the outside, but somehow nourishes the whole tree. This is similar to the fact that culture is complex and hybrid, as it is shaped by the outside world, there is a tendency to rely on or attribute everything to the native “ground”.

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Thinking about how culture can be represented reminded me of a science experiment I did as a child. We picked a white flower and split the stem into several pieces. We placed each fragment of stem into a glass of colored water and watched how the petals would change from white to multicolored. To me, each person is like a white flower and our color changes as we dip our stems into different colors (cultures), eventually becoming multicolored flowers in our own unique ways. We absorb what we find useful and necessary from the cultures we encounter through our lives and experiences.

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I would describe culture as cells

The nature of culture and cell

Inspired by the notion that each of us simultaneously participates in many systems of discourse, culture is a broad term that has not only to do with nationality and ethnicity but all the traits that define us, like gender, hobby, educational background, etc.

As humans, innumerable cells are in our bodies with different forms and functions that constitute our lives physically. Therefore, cells are just like the various aspects of culture or what we call ‘discourse systems’ that make up who we are and our way of being.

The movement of cultures and cells

Cells are active, and the interaction between cells is similar to the encounter of cultures. The interactions can be positive or negative, the clash of two cells can be like a culture shock, merging cells can be seen as a transcultural phenomenon, cell division implies a newly formed culture, etc.

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Explanation: Each time the kaleidoscope is turned, it takes on a new, unique color and shape. Culture, like it, develops and changes continuously in the long river of history. Each individual’s experiences contribute to the shaping and development of culture in the process. Just as a kaleidoscope is endlessly variable, culture also changes in the way people interact and communicate.
It emphasizes that culture is not static, but constantly evolving dynamically as individuals and communities interact and exchange ideas. Like a kaleidoscope, the beauty of culture lies in its diversity and ability to change.

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Culture as a Silk Road: The Silk Road was a historic trade route connecting East and West. The metaphor draws parallels between cultural exchange and trade along the historical Silk Road. The Silk Road was a network of ancient trade routes that connected the East (particularly China) with the West (including regions of Europe and the Middle East). This metaphor highlights several aspects of culture, including cultural exchange, cultural diversity, innovation and adaptation, etc.

In terms of culture exchange, the metaphor emphasizes the continuous exchange of cultural elements such as art, philosophy, religion, cuisine, and traditions. For instance, the spread of Buddhism from India to East Asia through the Silk Road is a historical example of how cultural ideas and beliefs were transmitted along these trade routes, influencing art, architecture, and philosophy in East Asian cultures.

With respect to cultural diversity, like the many cities and regions connected by the Silk Road, this metaphor highlights the cultural diversity within a given culture or region. It acknowledges that cultures are not monolithic but consist of a mosaic of practices, beliefs, and traditions.

As for innovation and adaptation, the Silk Road metaphor highlights the ability of cultures to innovate and adapt over time. For example, the fusion of traditional Chinese and Western architectural styles in modern Chinese buildings showcases the adaptability and evolution of architectural culture in response to globalization.

In essence, the metaphor of "culture as a Silk Road" encourages us to view culture as a dynamic and interconnected system, emphasizing the ongoing exchange, adaptation, and enrichment that occurs as cultures interact with one another. It underscores the idea that cultural diversity and the flow of ideas contribute to the richness of human civilization.

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Culture can be likened to a kaleidoscope—a dynamic pattern of colors, shapes, and perspectives. Like a kaleidoscope, culture encompasses diverse elements such as values, beliefs, customs, and art. It is a reflection of the richness of human experiences. Culture constantly evolves just as a kaleidoscope shifts and rotates to create new patterns. It is shaped by historical, social, and individual influences, influencing our perspectives on the world. Culture, like a kaleidoscope, has multiple layers and dimensions. Exploring different aspects allows us to gain deeper insights and understanding. By using the metaphor of a kaleidoscope, we capture the dynamic, diverse, and ever-changing nature of culture. It highlights the complexity, shifting perspectives, and multifaceted layers that define culture.

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I chose the metaphor of culture as a market for several reasons. I think the market represents an exchange where people both bring and pick up things that are important or interesting to them. It is busy and messy and many processes going on at once, and it takes place in public settings, in private settings and online. I also chose the market because I think that there has been a huge commodification of culture and that it is almost impossible to separate culture available and consumed by us from the market forces that are encouraging us to participate in it through consumption. This can relate to physical artefacts or experiences, but also to immaterial artefacts and ideas. The market constantly changes, but its supply is influenced by the individuals it caters to, or what they can be influenced to consume or participate in.

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Just as a tapestry can have threads of different colors, textures, and materials, cultures encompass a diverse range of elements. Different cultural groups, societies, and regions may have their own unique threads that contribute to the overall richness of human culture. Each individual or cultural element is likened to a thread. These threads can represent a wide range of aspects within a culture, including customs, traditions, rituals, values, beliefs, language, art, music, and more. Each thread is unique and distinct, much like how different cultural practices and traditions are unique to specific groups or regions. When these individual threads are woven together in a tapestry, they create a larger and more intricate pattern. Similarly, cultures are interconnected and interwoven, with each element influencing and shaping the others. The interactions between these cultural threads result in a complex and dynamic cultural tapestry.

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For me, culture can be considered as a bridge that can directly link individuals together. It not only shows intersections based on sharedness, but also allows the connection between different pieces of elements in the society or connection between people from different backgrounds . The cultural bridge contributes to fill in the gap between two isolated cultural items, so that they can mix together and then form a new unit of culture. By crossing the bridge, new social bonding is built while the scope of culture is able to be broadened, which helps to reduce misunderstandings and reinforce connection in the society.

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a vast ecosystem, akin to a thriving rainforest

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a vast ecosystem, akin to a thriving rainforest

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Consider culture as a vast ecosystem, akin to a thriving rainforest. Within this ecosystem, various elements coexist and interact harmoniously, creating a dynamic and interconnected environment.

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For me, cultures are like onion. They have different layers of meanings. The most inner part of the culture is the common belief that people have on how to survivie in the society. In Chinese culture, peace and negotiation are really important. Chinese people believe that we should negotiate with other cultures and lead a peaceful talk in order to survive. The middle part of the "onion" is how people act and interact with others according to the common belief of survival. The outer part is something people create, like movies, music, plays, TV series and many other ways of entertainment. These are shown to the other culture and people communicate on these entertains.

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Culture is like water, which is the source of life, and culture is likewise an indispensable presence in people's lives. The most prominent quality of culture like water is that water has mobility and can adapt to different containers and terrains. So does culture, which can adapt to different environments and times, evolving and developing over time.
In addition, culture is inclusive; it is not a monolithic being. Each culture can show many different results in people with different ideas. Just like water, it can evaporate differently in different situations. Water can be used to water plants or to clean dishes. Culture enriches one's inner being and guides one's behaviour. Culture and water are both powerful beings that cannot be easily changed. Just as a drop of paint is dropped into water, the water in the world will not all be affected by that drop of paint. The same goes for culture.

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Think culture as a "Symphony".

The Construction of Symphony
Firstly, a symphony is conducted by an orchestra. And in the orchestra, there are various musical instruments: violin, french horn, flute, and more. Each musical instrument has its unique sound. But none of them can make a symphony if detached from the orchestra. So, the musical instruments have to work simultaneously to present a wonderful symphony.
Secondly, harmony and discord exist within the orchestra. Beautiful symphony is created when musical instruments are played harmoniously, while discord is caused when some instruments lose their pace.

The Construction of Culture
Firstly, culture is constructed by various elements. For example, beliefs, values, customs, and more. Each element has its symbolic meaning. But none of them can constitute a culture unless they work together as a "team". To me, it's okay to refer to "existentialism" as a philosophy but not a culture. So, the elements have to work together to create a complete culture.
Secondly, harmony and discord also exist within the culture. If one element claims so much dominance as to become "the dictator", the culture could be exclusive and in the long run discriminate.

Conclusion
As the symphony, culture is also a dynamic result of "teamwork". And why it is dynamic? Symphony changes when the way different "musical instruments" collaborate with each other changes. And it is the same as culture.

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Similar to how many species of flowers, herbs and trees make up a single garden, one culture can consist of a diverse range of perspectives, practices and peoples. Some sub-cultures may be more dominant than others, much like the bigger or more widespread plants. Others resemble smaller patches (perhaps even weeds); they may be small (and in the case of weeds, unwanted and ostracised), but their presence is still essential to the overall makeup of the garden, such as the small cultures that Piller mentions.

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I would consider culture as a coconut. It has layers, the outer coconut shell is very obvious for people to observe at first sight, just like some symbols of the culture, which may be expressed in the form of different linguistic symbols, a more superficial presentation. Further in depth is the flesh part of the coconut, as the deeper connotations and hidden manifestations of the culture，such as the specific behaviors people conducted under the influence of culture, like some rituals and custom. The core part is the coconut milk that contains the most nutritious and flavorful contents in it. The coconut milk of culture would be the adoption of people's perceptions of the world and how they treat others. That's the values of people, which is the deepest reflection of culture.

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The many different strands of culture form a beautiful rainbow of diversity and harmony. Rainbows come in seven different colors, but they blend well together, while creating new colors at the junction of the two colors. The same is true of culture. In the process of communication and collision between different cultures, new cultural contents will be produced, so as to enrich the cultural diversity.

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I would like to compare culture to cups.

The reason is threefold. The first one is that everyone has a cup（or cups）, but everyone's cups are not necessarily the same. The second one relies on the similarity that mugs can suggest tastes or aesthetic preferences of beholders, just as everyday behaviors can reflect the culture to which a person belongs to. Finally, cups may clash with each other, but we expect it happens in a cheers kind of way.

The first thing to recognize is that people are different. Take the common drinks in life as an example, some people are coffee drinkers, while others are more inclined to tea or water, which leads to the difference in the cups they use. The former would use mugs, or coffee cups, while tea lovers are expected to use teapots and teacups. Fitness enthusiasts, meanwhile, would opt for straw bottles.

And even among people who also love coffee, there are differences in preferences for different types and tasting temperatures, which leads to the fact that iced coffee lovers may be served in plastic to-go cups, while hot coffee lovers will be served in special to-go cups or mugs.

This leads to the second point that just as people have different preferences for beverages, they also have different choices in their values, beliefs, and principles of doing things. The type of cups people have is being a reflection of their taste favours in some way, just as people's preferences and behaviors in real life are the very embodiment of culture.

Last but not least, I would like to say that people can't live without cups, but also without culture. Different cups often bump up against each other, in both bad and good ways. What we don't expect is for the cups to violently clash and become broken. We hope that different people can cheers on the basis of maintaining their own flavors, just as different cultures communicate harmoniously.

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I think culture is like a flowing river. It is like a river flowing from a distant place: it has a long history of development. Like a river, it goes far beyond our sight: it will never stop developing. In the process of development, there will be a lot of new things integrating culture, just like a river in the process of flowing, the stream will join it. When the culture develops, part of it will die, just as a river evaporates part of its water.

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The river flows into the lake. Culture is like a lake, because of the integration of different cultures around the world, finally formed the overall culture. In my opinion, only when cultures around the world flourish, can culture as a whole develop better. Meanwhile, the cultures of each region have commonalities, and only in the end can they merge together.

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Culture is just like a hotpot, in which any kind of vegetables and meat can be cooked and shared by everyone. It is very inclusive and kind to people with different tastes, while they share the common macro environment.

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Culture could be seen as a mosaic: composed of a multitude of unique and beautiful tiles that, when they come together, create a gorgeous harmony or form. Like the variety of culture in the world, each tile has its own colour and shape but those tiles can gain from each others. Together, they create a bigger picture that becomes even more beautiful if we take a step back to admire it.

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Culture is like a Symphony Orchestra where different sections represent different parts of culture-like food, language, beliefs, and values. Each section plays its own part, but together they create a beautiful, unified sound.

Just as an orchestra brings together different instruments, conductor, and musicians, culture harmonizes diverse beliefs, practices, and identites into a cohesive whole. Moreover, like musica, culture can be interpreted in various ways accroding to different situations.

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Comparing culture to a cedar tree, indicates that the soil can help the cedar grow by serving as the most basic nourishment for values, behaviors, and ideas, that people are the roots of the cedar tree, and that human contact and interaction create the unique language, community culture, customs, traditions, religions, norms and social rules as many branches and leaves of the cedar tree. Compared to comparing culture to a cedar rather than an ordinary tree is because culture can also represent different meanings in different social contexts, the cedar in winter will be full of snow, the cedar in summer will be full of pine cones, the cedar in spring will be hung with raindrops, and squirrels will be in the fall in the cedar tree, the cedar and the collision of different seasons to bring about different repercussions is like the culture and the different social stages and backgrounds of the each other， which brings the effects of different cultures.

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I would personally consider culture as a tropical rainforest, as it is one of those landscapes with rich biodiversity. Within such an ecosystem, numerous animals, plants and microbes coexist and interrelate under the commun biological discipline. Additionally, slight differences between individuals of the same specie can be observed as well. This non-human community is exactly a reflection of our society, though factors like human subjectivity and consciousness are not included.

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Culture is like a complex puzzle, intricately crafted from countless pieces that come together to form a complete picture of human experience. Each piece of puzzle represents a distinct aspect of culture, including traditions, values, languages and beliefs, all of which are intricate and unique in their own right. Some pieces are large and prominent, reflecting dominant narratives that shape society, while others are smaller and subtler, capturing the richness of less-known customs and perspectives.

As we delve into the puzzle, we begin to connect these pieces, revealing the intricate patterns of our shared identity. However, just like any puzzle, some pieces may be missing or misplaced, highlighting the gaps in our understanding and the fluidity of culture itself. It reminds us that culture is not a static entity, but an ever-evolving landscape, constantly shaped by new influences, experiences and interactions. Each time we add new pieces or reexamine existing ones, we enrich the whole picture, deepening our appreciation for the diversity and charm of human existence.

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Maybe we can compare culture to Frankenstein's monster to reflect its complex, multifaceted nature. Like Victor Frankenstein's creation, which was assembled from various disparate parts, culture is constructed through the fusion of diverse traditions, customs, and influences. Look from the outside, both culture(s) and the monster can appear intimidating, but a deeper understanding may lead us to view them differently. The process of cultural amalgamation can sometimes produce unforeseen outcomes, just as Frankenstein's experiment did, leading to new social dynamics or tensions that may not have been anticipated. Individuals could thus face challenges in defining their identity and sense of belonging, likewise to the creature's struggle for acceptance.

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If I were to choose a metaphor to describe culture, I would opt for the metaphor of a river.

A river is a constant and ever-changing force of nature, much like culture. Like a river, culture flows through time, carrying with it the traditions, values, and beliefs of a society. The river's source represents the origins of a culture, while its course through various landscapes symbolizes the cultural evolution and adaptation over time.

The different tributaries and branches of a river can be seen as the various subcultures within a larger cultural framework. These tributaries contribute their own unique characteristics to the main river, enriching its diversity and complexity.

When different cultures meet and communicate, like rivers, they bring their own characteristics, experiences and wisdom. This convergence not only enriches the diversity of cultures, but also promotes the integration and innovation of cultures. Just as the confluence of rivers creates new waters and ecological landscapes, cross-cultural communication can also create new cultural phenomena and ways of thinking.

However, the convergence of rivers can also bring conflicts and challenges. Due to the differences and misunderstandings between different cultures, problems such as communication barriers and value conflicts may occur in cross-cultural communication. However, just as rivers reach a new balance through natural adjustment and adaptation in the process of confluence, both parties in intercultural communication need to overcome these obstacles through mutual understanding, respect and tolerance to achieve harmonious coexistence of cultures.

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I would describe culture as M&M's. Just as M&M's come in various colors and flavors but share a common chocolate core, cultures can be rich and varied on the surface while still adhering to fundamental principles or values.

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I believe culture is akin to the universe. When we discuss the universe, we must acknowledge that our understanding is limited; much remains unknown. Similarly, while we inhabit various cultures, our knowledge of them is often superficial.

In the universe, some stars cluster together, while others are isolated. This mirrors cultural dynamics: nations with shared values and characteristics are more likely to form cohesive cultural groups, such as those found in Asia or the West.

Moreover, just as the universe is filled with diverse stars exhibiting unique conditions and chemical compositions, cultures can also be vastly different from one another. This diversity enriches our global tapestry, highlighting the complexity of both the universe and human culture.

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Culture is like a woven fabric. A single piece is made up of countless threads crossing horizontally and vertically. It looks smooth and unified, but when you look closely, each thread has its own color, creating a rich, cohesive whole. The horizontal threads resemble the core values that run throughout the culture, while the vertical threads represent customs, language, art, and various expressions that connect different cultural elements. Each thread is essential, and without any one of them, the fabric’s integrity would be compromised. Thus, culture is like a woven fabric—crafted from diverse elements, both resilient and full of life.

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Reflecting our cultural identity, allowing us to re-understand ourselves and reconstruct ourselves. This identity is not immutable. It is always changing with people's growth and under the influence of social environment. It is just like when people look in the mirror at different times, they will find obvious or slight changes in themselves.

From the perspective of thinking about cultural identity, we know which collective we belong to from culture. Like our gender, skin color, etc. are shown in the mirror, we may ignore some small details and prioritize ourselves to belong to a certain group, which is a kind of “oneness” under differences. In addition, we also think about how unique these differences make us, and when we look in the mirror, we will assess what our "strengths" and "weaknesses" are, in fact, the differences between us and others, and the essence is unique.

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Reflecting our cultural identity, allowing us to re-understand ourselves and reconstruct ourselves. This identity is not immutable. It is always changing with people's growth and under the influence of social environment. It is just like when people look in the mirror at different times, they will find obvious or slight changes in themselves.

From the perspective of thinking about cultural identity, we know which collective we belong to from culture. Like our gender, skin color, etc. are shown in the mirror, we may ignore some small details and prioritize ourselves to belong to a certain group, which is a kind of “oneness” under differences. In addition, we also think about how unique these differences make us, and when we look in the mirror, we will assess what our "strengths" and "weaknesses" are, in fact, the differences between us and others, and the essence is unique.

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A friendship bracelet could symbolize culture, crafted by people, and at the same time, influencing those who wear it. With different weaving patterns and colour combinations, each bracelet is unique, which not only reflects a distinct tradition, belief, hobby or value but also emphasizes the deep bond between individuals in a certain community. Moreover, the form of bracelets may change and be innovated over time, but its essence remains tied to those who cherish and wear them, implying unity, identity, and the beauty of shared heritage.

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Culture could be seen as a mosaic: composed of a multitude of unique and beautiful tiles that, when they come together, create a gorgeous harmony or form. Like the variety of culture in the world, each tile has its own colour and shape but those tiles can gain from each others. Together, they create a bigger picture that becomes even more beautiful if we take a step back to admire it.

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I think culture can be described as a "river". A river flows through different landscapes, picking up various elements along the way - stones, soil, plants - just as culture is formed by the interaction and influence of different people and environments. Each section of the river looks different, but at the same time, it is part of a continuous flow. I think this metaphor emphasizes that culture is both fluid and diverse, constantly influenced by different sources, but also integrated to form a broader cultural identity.

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Just as paella is made up of many diverse ingredients—each adding its own unique flavour and texture to the dish—culture is a rich blend of different traditions, values, and customs. In paella, rice binds everything together, while the various ingredients (seafood, meat, vegetables) contribute to the complexity of the meal. Similarly, in culture, shared norms and values bind people together, while individual beliefs, languages, and customs contribute to the richness and diversity of society.

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Culture is like a dye bath, and people are like unpainted white sculptures.

Imagine a vast pool of colored liquid representing culture. This pool is composed of traditions, beliefs, customs, and shared experiences. People are like white sculptures with unique shapes, representing our original personalities and potential.

When the sculptures are immersed in the cultural dye bath:

1. The surface quickly takes on color: This represents our adoption of visible cultural traits, such as language and customs.

2. The color gradually permeates: This symbolizes the internalization of cultural values.

3. Uneven coloration: This indicates that individuals accept different aspects of culture to varying degrees.

The key points are that, despite being in the same dye bath:

1. Each sculpture retains its unique shape: This represents the persistence of individual core characteristics.

2. Color interacts with shape: This symbolizes the interplay between personal traits and cultural influences.

3. Varying color depth: This shows that culture affects different aspects of an individual to different extents.

In conclusion, this metaphor demonstrates how culture profoundly influences us without completely erasing our uniqueness. It encourages us to appreciate our shared cultural background while recognizing that each person maintains their distinct form beneath the cultural coloration.

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Culture is like a rainbow: it consists of diverse colors, but we can hardly tell the exact boundary of each color. Essentially, various colors of the rainbow are just multiple representation of light, people from diverse cultural backgrounds also share lots of common sense.

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Culture is like a gridding. We can always draw different patterns by connecting different numbers and areas of grids on the gridding. The definition of culture is not limited, and countless and changeable identities give us unlimited opportunities to create various small cultures. In the research of intercultural communication, we should not look at problems from a constant perspective, such as nation-based approaches, but should pay attention to the diversity and hybridity of identity.

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Culture is like a Lego break. Every culture has its unique shape and similar colour. The combination of Lego breaks makes up one masterpiece. However, the process of combination always has difficulty, people have to keep trying to find the correct way.

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Culture can serve as a book, the cover of which gives a hint of its content, where which a multitude of elements that characterise a particular community is stated, including codes, beliefs, customs, lifestyles, knowledge, and experiences shared by its members. The language of the book is more readable and comprehensible to the community to which it belongs.

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If you ask me what cultures are like , I would say that all cultures are just like different musical notes that can produce various fantastic voices.

When people with same cultures meet, it is just like similar notes coming together and creating resonance. If the musical notes are different, they may  be connected to play wonderful and joyful melodies. Although sometimes dissonance can occur when the cultures crashed. It is still amazing that the whole world could be full of diverse colorful musical notes, and everyday could possibly be the birth of masterpieces composed by all kinds of musical notes, cultures.

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Firstly, to put it bluntly, many people who have promoted the development and change of history and culture are here. At the same time, the epitaph on the tombstone can provide an opportunity to understand the deceased's life environment and personality, and people of all kinds and cultures sleep together in the cemetery. There are many people who have promoted the development and change of history and culture here. At the same time, the epitaph on the tombstone can provide an opportunity to understand the deceased's life environment and personality, and people of all kinds and cultures sleep together in the cemetery. The formation and integration of culture are not easy and smooth. It is formed by people of different countries, nationalities, races, and genders using thoughts and routes to struggle, negotiate, and conform to the social environment.

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Culture is like a musical instrument; each of us brings unique rhythms, tones, and expressions into the world, shaping how we interact and understand one another. Just as individual instruments in an orchestra create a harmonious symphony when played together, culture allows us to see the beauty in our differences and find a connection through shared experiences. There are moments when we feel a strong desire to explore and learn about other cultures, much like musicians discovering the richness of unfamiliar sounds, techniques, or styles. Through this exchange, we not only appreciate what makes us distinct but also find common ground, enriching our own perspectives. When diverse cultures come together, much like instruments in a grand orchestra, they can create a profound, harmonious masterpiece that highlights both individuality and unity, making our world more vibrant and deeply interconnected.

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Like the intricate and intertwining biological networks that allow the growth, communication and memory preservation of fungi, culture, while appearing to the masses' or layman's eye to be singular, quantifiable and fixed entities, is in fact the culmination of myriads of entangling and intermingling experiences fluidly and inseparably shared, preserved, consumed and lived out by each human individual. It is the mangling roots that nurture each mind to thrive, both on its own unique combination of trajectories, and as a collective community with others.

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Culture is a party in which all people from various backgrounds participate.

Imagine culture as a lively, ongoing party where everyone participates, but each guest contributes something different to the atmosphere. The music, food, conversations, and traditions at the party vary depending on who is attending, but there are underlying rules, customs, and shared experiences that shape how the party unfolds.

Some elements of the party are immediately visible—like the decorations, food, and the way people dress (these represent surface cultures, such as language, customs, and behaviours). But beneath the surface, there’s a deeper set of unspoken rules—like how people interact, how conflicts are resolved, and what is considered respectful or offensive, like different values, beliefs and even religions.

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Just as the angle from which a camera lens views things changes what we see, culture determines how we see and interpret the world. Different cultures offer different perspectives, and the same reality can be perceived and focused differently. This also means that what is considered important in one culture may be placed outside the perspective of another. For example, the closer a person is to another person in one culture, the more likeable they are, whereas in a different culture, that distance may be considered offensive.

Also, cameras can change the colour and mood of a photo through various filters. Culture, likewise, filters our views and values and impacts how we perceive things.

Moreover, Just as a camera captures and records moments, culture has a role in recording a society's history, traditions, and customs and the people within that culture and passing them on to the next generation.

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Culture as a Flower or a Network of Trees

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Culture as a Flower or a Network of Trees

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CULTURE

(As a metaphor) for session 2 of Core Module oct 8, 2024

Culture can be seen as a flower from seed to bloom to even the wintering months when flowers die. I believe we are in a constant state of genesis and regenesis especially where culture is concerned. we are constantly in a state of learning and unlearning aspects of ourselves and the culture we feel tied to by a system of roots and seeds. In that way we feel like flowers; beautiful indicators of colorful variety and shades and shapes that enrich the world with its scent and hope for newness. I also realised as I was writing this that culture also behaves as an intricate network of trees gathering information from a vast highway of roots that have been embedded in the earth and its ever evolving history. We gain information and influence from older more established and weathered trees as we seek to plant roots and we are sustained by each other. Culture is highly informed by what has existed before but is built upon slowly and so can always take new shape, new leaf, new bloom.

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I’d describe culture as a fabric. Each thread represents a different aspect of society—language, traditions, beliefs—and they are all woven together to form a unique and intricate pattern. Some threads may be stronger or more visible, while others are subtler but still crucial to the overall structure.

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There are various colours on the palette, and each colour can represent different cultures, or different cultural elements, such as language, norms, religion, art, values, etc. Just as the colours on the palette can be mixed to create new colours, different cultures can also influence and integrate each other to produce new cultural forms. Each culture has its own unique "colour", but when they combine, they will form a rich and diverse cultural landscape.

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I would describe culture as a palette full of colours. Depending on what part of the palette you touch, you get to mix numerous additional colours - in some ways we have a choice of how we want to mix them together, can even mix a particular colour we have in mind. Yet, it is still an accident, what we end up with. Where people come into contact with one another, they are bound to change each other in some ways. Planned or not. Culture is always changing, at the same time as people practicing it.

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Culture can be seen as a grand gallery with collection of a variety of ancient and comtemporary masterpieces which needs time, patience and background knowledge to be "read". As people enter the gallery, they engage with and interpret the pieces in their own unique ways. And upon exiting, each individual forms a distinct perspective based on their personal encounters and reflections.

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Culture feels like a paramecium, in which different organelles have special functions and cooperate with each other (belief, custom, values, behaviors, institutions and communication patterns). The cilia and pellicle outside give the cell a function of controlling the matter in and out (cultural hybridity), and communicate with the outside world (intercultural communication).

Cells-tissue-organ-individual-group, this forming process is similar to local culture and global culture. Under globalization, both cultures and sub-cultures get through collision and fusion when finding their similarity and difference.

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Paramecium is a unicellular, microscopic, free-living organisms. It is the most common ciliates, characterized by the presence of cilia, nuclear dimorphism and unique type of sexual reproduction (conjugation).

History

Paramecium was named by John Hill in 1752.

Antony van Leeuwenhoek described about paramecium.

Different species of paramecium are grouped into two categories

What is its common name? Why is it called so?
Its common name is slipper animalcule. It is called so because it looks like the sole of shoe or slipper.

NOTE: Louis Joblot gave the name chausson or slipper and the phrase slipper animalcule remained in used.

Systemic position

Why the species name given caudatum?
Due to the presence of caudal tuft in the posterior region it is called caudatum.

Paramecium caudatum is also called infusorian animalcule because it is found in place where decaying or decomposed organic matter and bacteria are found.

General characters

1. Occurrence: It is found in freshwater ponds, pools, ditches, streams, rivers, lakes, etc. It is abundantly found in stagnant water, where decaying organic matter is in plenty.

2. Locomotion: It moves here and there with the help of cilia, which also functions as food capture.

3. Nutrition: It ingests bacteria and other microscopic organisms or minute protozoans. So nutrition is holozoic.

4. Digestion: intracellular.

5. Respiration and excretion: takes place by general body surface through diffusion process.
In paramecium, excretion is also done contractile vacuole and cytoproct.

6. Reproduction: Asexually by transverse binary fission and sexually by conjugation.

Streaming movement of food vacuoles along with endoplasm is known as cyclosis. During cyclosis food is digested completely. So digestion is intracellular.

Tags: characteristics of Paramecium, Classification of Paramecium, Cyclosis, General characters of Paramecium, Paramecium, Paramecium caudatum

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Paramecium is a unicellular, microscopic, free-living organisms. It is the most common ciliates, characterized by the presence of cilia, nuclear dimorphism and unique type of sexual reproduction (conjugation). Paramecium was named by John Hill in 1752. Antony van Leeuwenhoek described about paramecium. What is its common name? Why is it called so?

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Culture can be seen as a diverse garden where different plants coexist and interact. Each variety of plant represents aspects of culture, such as language, customs, values, art, and social norms. Some plants thrive in particular environments, while others may struggle without the right conditions.

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Culture is everywhere. Culture is not something that we can escape from, not something we can get rid of even after we pass away. Air fills everywhere of the space we live, interact, and experience. One can never live without it and can never be segregated from it regardless of personal preferences. Culture is the same in every social settings. Where there is human, there is culture. It is something generates spontaneously, just like the air soaks the lung, culture soaks one's upbringing before they realise they are deeply soaked in it.

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I would like to describe culture as stars. Culture is diverse,brilliant,shiny and boundless just as the stars. It exists all the time in our daily life whether we realize it or not. But when we wants to explore it, we can always find a way such as using the telescope. Another notable point is that stars also has a regular system and its own pattern as galaxies and constellations. And it also evolves as time goes by.

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I would like to compare culture to air for three main reasons. First of all, culture, much like air, is essential to human existence. Both are often overlooked despite their omnipresence in our lives.

Secondly, both air and culture consist of various elements that interact with one another, requiring time to form their final results. Just as air is made up of different gases that blend to create the atmosphere, culture emerges from the interplay of traditions, values, and practices within a society.

Lastly, using air as a metaphor for culture echoes with Raymond Williams’ notion that “culture is ordinary.” He argues that culture is found in every society and in every mind, suggesting that it is not a phenomenon possessed solely by social elites and educated highbrows, but is present at all levels of the social hierarchy.

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Culture is like a vast, multi-course feast where each dish represents a unique tradition, belief, or practice. Some dishes are bold and spicy, showcasing a rich history of struggle and triumph, while others are subtle and delicate, reflecting quiet customs passed down through generations. Every ingredient, from the simplest spice to the most elaborate preparation, symbolizes a different element of society—art, language, values, and shared experiences. Just as the flavors blend together on the palate, culture is the fusion of these diverse elements, with each dish contributing to the overall richness of the feast. No single course can capture the entirety of the experience, but together, they create a complex, dynamic whole.

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Culture is like a symphony with different instruments (traditions, languages, beliefs) each adding its unique sound.

Just as a symphony has harmonious and dissonant moments, culture includes both unity and conflicts.

In a symphony, the conductor guides the musicians. In culture, leaders and traditions guide people's behaviors and values. A symphony is both composed and sometimes improvised. Culture blends established traditions with new, evolving practices.

The audience influences a symphony, just as people shape and are shaped by their culture.

A symphony unfolds over time, and so does culture, evolving with historical events and social changes.

Why This Metaphor?

Most people understand music, making this metaphor easy to grasp.

It shows how diverse elements come together to form a cohesive whole.

It highlights that culture is always changing and growing.

It illustrates how different cultural elements influence each other, like instruments in a symphony.

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Culture is like food—with its diverse varieties. Each culture renders its own unique tastes. Cultures from all over the world sometimes strike a resemblance, much like chefs might use similar spices and seasonings to add flavors to their cooking. When one culture encounters another, new cultures emerge; new recipes are created by mixing and matching food ingredients. There is no fixed culture like there is no fixed recipe for food. People add what they enjoy the most to their dish and remove what they dislike. Culture, similar to food, has no clear boundaries, and new forms arise on a daily basis.

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Culture for me is a stadium, when a national team plays a national football match or qualify. We can be sitted in any place and share with people that could have a different political position or either a different social class. We gathered around a pitch, that is a greener space that I understand is the place where rituals take place: a concert, a football match, etc. The place where you are sitted or the stand, could represent the set of values or nor that we all share and we know are part of our behaviour, you cannot sit on any other seat that is not yours becuase it does not belong to you. The chants, or the team we support could hat set of traditions and symbols that we share or we have in common.