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RC Passage
Direction for the questions 15 to 19: The passage below is accompanied by a set of five questions. Choose the best answer to each question.
War, natural disasters and climate change are destroying some of the world's most precious cultural sites. Google is trying to help preserve these archaeological wonders by allowing users access to 3D images of these treasures through its site.
But the project is raising questions about Google's motivations and about who should own the digital copyrights. Some critics call it a form of "digital colonialism."
When it comes to archaeological treasures, the losses have been mounting. ISIS blew up parts of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria and an earthquake hit Bagan, an ancient city in Myanmar, damaging dozens of temples, in 2016. In the past, all archaeologists and historians had for restoration and research were photos, drawings, remnants and intuition.
But that's changing. Before the earthquake at Bagan, many of the temples on the site were scanned. [These] scans are on Google's Arts & Culture site. The digital renditions allow viewers to virtually wander the halls of the temple, look up-close at paintings and turn the building over, to look up at its chambers. [Google Arts & Culture] works with museums and other nonprofits to put high-quality images online. The images of the temples in Bagan are part of a collaboration with CyArk, a nonprofit that creates the 3D scanning of historic sites Google says [it] doesn't make money off this website, but it fits in with Google's mission to make the world's information available and useful.
Critics say the collaboration could be an attempt by a large corporation to wrap itself in the sheen of culture. Ethan Watrall, an archaeologist, professor at Michigan State University and a member of the Society for American Archaeology, says he's not comfortable with the arrangement between CyArk and Google. Watrall says this project is just a way for Google to promote Google. "They want to make this material accessible so people will browse it and be filled with wonder by it," he says. "But at its core, it's all about advertisements and driving traffic." Watrall says these images belong on the site of a museum or educational institution, where there is serious scholarship and a very different mission.
There's another issue for some archaeologists and art historians. CyArk owns the copyrights of the scans — not the countries where these sites are located. That means the countries need CyArk's permission to use these images for commercial purposes.
Erin Thompson, a professor of art crime at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, says it's the latest example of a Western nation appropriating a foreign culture, a centuries-long battle. CyArk says it copyrights the scans so no one can use them in an inappropriate way. The company says it works closely with authorities during the process, even training local people to help. But critics like Thompson are not persuaded. She would prefer the scans to be owned by the countries and people where these sites are located.
RC Line-wise Explanation
Paragraph 1
"War, natural disasters and climate change are destroying some of the world's most precious cultural sites."
Explanation: Wars, natural disasters, and climate change are causing significant damage to important cultural landmarks around the world.
"Google is trying to help preserve these archaeological wonders by allowing users access to 3D images of these treasures through its site."
Explanation: Google is working to help preserve these cultural sites by offering users the ability to view 3D images of them on its platform.
"But the project is raising questions about Google's motivations and about who should own the digital copyrights."
Explanation: However, this project has sparked concerns about Google's true intentions and who should have ownership of the digital rights to these images.
"Some critics call it a form of 'digital colonialism.'"
Explanation: Some critics view Google’s actions as "digital colonialism," suggesting that the company is exploiting cultural heritage for its own benefit.
Paragraph 2
"When it comes to archaeological treasures, the losses have been mounting."
Explanation: There has been an increasing number of losses to archaeological sites due to conflict, disasters, and other threats.
"ISIS blew up parts of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria and an earthquake hit Bagan, an ancient city in Myanmar, damaging dozens of temples, in 2016."
Explanation: For example, ISIS destroyed parts of Palmyra in Syria, and an earthquake in 2016 caused damage to many temples in Bagan, Myanmar.
"In the past, all archaeologists and historians had for restoration and research were photos, drawings, remnants and intuition."
Explanation: In the past, archaeologists and historians had to rely on photos, drawings, remains, and intuition to restore and research these sites.
Paragraph 3
"But that's changing."
Explanation: This situation is changing with new technologies.
"Before the earthquake at Bagan, many of the temples on the site were scanned."
Explanation: Before the earthquake in Bagan, many of the temples had been digitally scanned.
"[These] scans are on Google's Arts & Culture site."
Explanation: These scans are available on Google’s Arts & Culture platform.
"The digital renditions allow viewers to virtually wander the halls of the temple, look up-close at paintings and turn the building over, to look up at its chambers."
Explanation: The digital scans let users virtually explore the temple’s halls, view paintings closely, and look at different parts of the building from various angles.
"[Google Arts & Culture] works with museums and other nonprofits to put high-quality images online."
Explanation: Google Arts & Culture collaborates with museums and nonprofits to provide high-quality images online.
"The images of the temples in Bagan are part of a collaboration with CyArk, a nonprofit that creates the 3D scanning of historic sites."
Explanation: The images of the Bagan temples were created through a collaboration with CyArk, a nonprofit that specializes in 3D scanning historic sites.
"Google says [it] doesn't make money off this website, but it fits in with Google's mission to make the world's information available and useful."
Explanation: Google claims that it does not profit from this website, but it aligns with its goal of making global information accessible and useful.
Paragraph 4
"Critics say the collaboration could be an attempt by a large corporation to wrap itself in the sheen of culture."
Explanation: Critics argue that this partnership may be a way for a large corporation like Google to appear culturally responsible while benefiting from the project.
"Ethan Watrall, an archaeologist, professor at Michigan State University and a member of the Society for American Archaeology, says he's not comfortable with the arrangement between CyArk and Google."
Explanation: Ethan Watrall, an archaeologist and professor, expresses discomfort with the partnership between CyArk and Google.
"Watrall says this project is just a way for Google to promote Google."
Explanation: Watrall believes that the project is ultimately a way for Google to promote itself and its brand.
"'They want to make this material accessible so people will browse it and be filled with wonder by it,' he says. 'But at its core, it's all about advertisements and driving traffic.'"
Explanation: Watrall argues that the goal of making this material accessible is to drive traffic and promote Google’s advertising revenue.
"Watrall says these images belong on the site of a museum or educational institution, where there is serious scholarship and a very different mission."
Explanation: Watrall believes these images should be hosted by museums or educational institutions, where they would be part of serious academic work.
Paragraph 5
"There's another issue for some archaeologists and art historians. CyArk owns the copyrights of the scans — not the countries where these sites are located."
Explanation: Another issue is that CyArk owns the copyright for the scans, not the countries where the sites are located.
"That means the countries need CyArk's permission to use these images for commercial purposes."
Explanation: This means that the countries where the sites are located must get permission from CyArk to use the images for commercial purposes.
Paragraph 6
"Erin Thompson, a professor of art crime at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, says it's the latest example of a Western nation appropriating a foreign culture, a centuries-long battle."
Explanation: Erin Thompson, a professor of art crime, views this situation as another example of a Western nation appropriating foreign culture, a practice that has been ongoing for centuries.
"CyArk says it copyrights the scans so no one can use them in an inappropriate way."
Explanation: CyArk justifies the copyright of the scans by stating that it helps prevent the misuse of these images.
"The company says it works closely with authorities during the process, even training local people to help."
Explanation: CyArk claims to work closely with local authorities and even trains local people to assist with the scanning process.
"But critics like Thompson are not persuaded."
Explanation: Critics like Thompson are not convinced by CyArk’s explanation.
"She would prefer the scans to be owned by the countries and people where these sites are located."
Explanation: Thompson believes that the scans should be owned by the countries and people where the cultural sites are found.
RC Paragraph Explanation
Paragraph 1 Summary
Cultural heritage sites around the world are being damaged by war, natural disasters, and climate change. Google is attempting to preserve these sites by offering 3D images of them online, but this has raised questions about ownership and motivations.
Paragraph 2 Summary
Many cultural sites have been damaged, and in the past, archaeologists relied on photos and drawings for research. New technologies, like 3D scanning, are now being used to digitally preserve these sites, such as the temples in Bagan, Myanmar, which were scanned before an earthquake.
Paragraph 3 Summary
Google collaborates with CyArk, a nonprofit that creates 3D scans of historic sites, to provide digital renditions of sites like Bagan’s temples. Google’s involvement aligns with its mission to make information accessible, though they claim not to profit from it.
Paragraph 4 Summary
Critics, including archaeologists, argue that Google’s project may be a way to promote the company rather than preserve cultural heritage. They believe these images should be hosted on museum or academic platforms, where they would be part of scholarly work.
Paragraph 5 Summary
Another issue is that CyArk owns the copyrights to the scans, meaning that the countries with the cultural sites need permission from CyArk to use the images commercially.
Paragraph 6 Summary
Critics, including art crime professor Erin Thompson, argue that this is another example of Western nations appropriating foreign cultures. CyArk justifies its copyrighting process by claiming it prevents misuse and ensures collaboration with local authorities, but some critics are not convinced.
RC Quick Table Summary
| Paragraph Number | Main Idea |
|---|---|
| Paragraph 1 | Google is attempting to preserve cultural sites with 3D images, but this raises concerns about ownership and motivations. |
| Paragraph 2 | Many cultural sites have been damaged, and 3D scanning technology is now being used to digitally preserve them, such as the temples in Bagan. |
| Paragraph 3 | Google collaborates with CyArk to provide digital renditions of sites like Bagan’s temples, aligning with its mission to make information accessible. |
| Paragraph 4 | Critics argue that Google’s project may be more about promoting the company than preserving culture, and that the images should be hosted by academic institutions. |
| Paragraph 5 | CyArk owns the copyrights to the scans, meaning countries need permission to use the images for commercial purposes. |
| Paragraph 6 | Critics, including Erin Thompson, view this as an example of cultural appropriation, while CyArk defends its copyrighting process as necessary for preventing misuse. |
RC Questions
Ques 15. In Dr. Thompson’s view, CyArk owning the copyright of its digital scans of archaeological sites is akin to:
Ques 16. Of the following arguments, which one is LEAST likely to be used by the companies that digitally scan cultural sites?
Ques 17. Which of the following, if true, would most strongly invalidate Dr. Watrall’s objections?
Ques 18. Based on his views mentioned in the passage, one could best characterise Dr. Watrall as being:
Ques 19. By “digital colonialism”, critics of the CyArk–Google project are referring to the fact that:
