Levester Williams
1.Social Entrepeneurship
After taking a class on social entrepreneurship, I understand that it is an enterprise that meets a social value by creating a self-sustainable model. Its goal is not to maximize profits, but to maximize its social impact. Muhammad Yumus’s enterprise represents such mission. Seeing the poverty in Bangladesh, he wondered how he could help the people in that area. Therefore, he provided people who wanted to start businesses with funding. He invented microcredit that allowed the small provision of money to be loaned to these people. It worked since the people in Bangladesh only needed a small sum of money to start a business there (Steffern 352). Being inspired by social entrepreneurs such as Yumus, I have started to work on a project that could provide transportation for the Washtenaw area by integrating a recycling system at the main bus stations in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti since some people cannot always afford the one dollar and quarter price.
2. Seeing the Big Picture
As consumers, we “dwell in the blissful ignorance of partial knowledge” (Steffen 402). This happens since we cannot fully understand how macrosystems work such as corporations and governments. Also, most of facts are concealed since we are contented with what the media and corporations provide us until we start to question our consumptions and the systems that produce these products and medial image. Steffen states that indicators are able to measure the critical information for us and provide us with a trend that can be easily read such as n a barometer. By using graphs just as smiley faces to represent the information, people will be able to through the shadowing done by corporations (Steffen 402).
3. Placing Yourself
To become a global citizen who becomes responsible for one’s action toward the global environment, one must place oneself within the context of our world. Then, we are able to become active participants who are able to ask questions that criticize our consumption and production fields. Steffen states that we are able to place ourselves through by naming places according to their attributes such as “Where Salmon Grow”). If we place ourselves, we are able to understand the historical significance of being a global citizen. We can understand our biota around us and prevent much ignorant damages to it. We can questions products that may cause us health issues in the long term. Also, the industrial field will not be a distant knowledge, yet something that we are able to have a full understanding of its effects (Steffen 476).
4. Ecosystem Services
Sometimes, since we live in this technological world, we may at once forget that “nature is working for us” (Steffen 486). Technology now seems to be capable of providing us with things that nature provides us already. We are able to clone things and artificially change the genes of organisms such as corns to match our desires. Technology provides us with lighting. However, this all come at a cost while nature does it for free (Steffen 486). According to the “Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Synthesis Report,” it would cost about at least $33 trillion a year to simulate what nature does for us. However, we don’t fully understand how much natures provide for us (Steffen 487).
5. Buying Better Food
Buying better food may cost more than its competitor; however, it may actually save you more money in the end. By eating healthier with food that is grown locally, we consumers are able to know form where the actual product comes. We are able to visit these places ourselves and understand how the food is being produced instead of it being shadowed by the distancing. But, it should start with the institution. If poor nutrition
equals poor grades, then primary schools should provide our children with a healthier choice and teach them how to be better consumer. Therefore, at an older age, we would be more cognizant of what actually are healthy for us instead of having to do research ourselves about it (Steffen 58). Also, by choosing to eat local, we invest money back into our community. Look at Urban Farming. When a speaker from Urban Farming came to speak in my social entrepreneurship class, she claimed that buying locally invest money back into the community. When you buy from super retailer like Wal-Mart, your investment does not go directly back into your local community. Therefore, buying locally support a healthy lifestyle for you and your local community.
6. Creating Business Value from Sustainability
Corporations function as to maximize their profit even at the expenses of the environment and personal rights of human. Think of the building of polluting plants next to poor neighbors since the land cost is relatively cheap. The companies are infringing on their rights. Companies also will sue individuals who try to speak against their unsustainable practices. Yet, we have companies that are trying to practice “green” while sustaining a social value. Instead of having to create technology that support us as nature do for free, we are able to save much money in the long term buy preserving our environment (Steffen 386).
7. Green Marketing
Even though some companies are not practicing sustainable methods, some large retailers are being pressured due to the growing concern of our environment. Therefore, corporations are introducing green products as a way to content those who question the production of the corporation. It now seems to be a trend to be green. You see posters, ads, and commercial that support eco-friendly products. Companies such as Philips and Toyota are utilizing green products that save much energy while it brings considerable profits back into the company (Steffen 390).
Work Cited
Steffen, Alex, ed. Worldchanging: A User's Guide for the 21st century. New York: Abrams, 2006. Print.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Weekly Response 13
Levester Williams
Reed Esslinger-Payet, GSI
ADP III
As a child, you are taught about the food chain. One sees how animal life works at a fundamental level since they are consuming to pass on their genes to the next generation. However, if one animal is taken away from a food chain, the rest of the chain disrupts such as a gear in complex machinery disrupts the work of the machine. Learning that 12 percent to 15 percent is the estimated guess that is needed to preserve a complete system from collapsing , I now realize the importance of having a diverse biota in the world and preserving the animals. Human cannot fully realize the macrocosm of biodiversity since our knowledge of the existence of animal may be limited to as little as five percent (Trumpey). Therefore, human impact on the environment may not be fully calculated to how much humans are destroying other life forms. These animals that may become extinct support the balance of all biota: they provide us with the nutrients for our soil, the growth of forested areas, etc. Even if our impact on the environment may efface one species of a plant or animal, it may have catastrophic effects since an organism may only consume that one plant, such as the Koala bear only eats eucalyptus leaves.
Unsustainable practices, such as deforestation, deprive indigenous organisms of their habitat and food resources; thus, there is more competition for limited food source and shelters. Now, I understand fully the reason to preserve the forested area of the Amazon Rain forest since most of our biodiversity our located near the equator. Even if organisms are able to adapt to the environment over a long period of time, the constant changing that occurs in the environment due to our effort hinders the adaptive ability of all life forms since no organisms is able to evolve at such rapid pace besides single-cell organisms. Even the introduction of new species to environment can hinder biodiversity. Since foreign species may prey on indigenous species that have yet to evolve to avoid such predator, the foreign species may outcompete the native species. For example, the introduction of the fox and rabbit to Australian frontier has created a plethora of environmental concerns since the fox has no predator there and the rabbit multiplies at a exponential rate (Diamond 54). Consumerism has effects since the materials we consume without hesitance may come directly from the environment of some endangered species. We extract material from habitat while we know we are leaving much damage to that habitat. If I want to become a responsible global citizen, I must realize that my actions, whether it is consuming material or producing waste, affect the biodiversity on the earth.
Works Cited
Diamond, Jared M. Collapse How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. New York: Viking, 2005. Print.
Trumpey, Joe. "Biodiversity." Art & Design III: Technology and Environment. Univeristy of Michigan Ann Abor, Stamps Auditorium, Ann Arbor. 2 Dec. 2009. Lecture.
Reed Esslinger-Payet, GSI
ADP III
As a child, you are taught about the food chain. One sees how animal life works at a fundamental level since they are consuming to pass on their genes to the next generation. However, if one animal is taken away from a food chain, the rest of the chain disrupts such as a gear in complex machinery disrupts the work of the machine. Learning that 12 percent to 15 percent is the estimated guess that is needed to preserve a complete system from collapsing , I now realize the importance of having a diverse biota in the world and preserving the animals. Human cannot fully realize the macrocosm of biodiversity since our knowledge of the existence of animal may be limited to as little as five percent (Trumpey). Therefore, human impact on the environment may not be fully calculated to how much humans are destroying other life forms. These animals that may become extinct support the balance of all biota: they provide us with the nutrients for our soil, the growth of forested areas, etc. Even if our impact on the environment may efface one species of a plant or animal, it may have catastrophic effects since an organism may only consume that one plant, such as the Koala bear only eats eucalyptus leaves.
Unsustainable practices, such as deforestation, deprive indigenous organisms of their habitat and food resources; thus, there is more competition for limited food source and shelters. Now, I understand fully the reason to preserve the forested area of the Amazon Rain forest since most of our biodiversity our located near the equator. Even if organisms are able to adapt to the environment over a long period of time, the constant changing that occurs in the environment due to our effort hinders the adaptive ability of all life forms since no organisms is able to evolve at such rapid pace besides single-cell organisms. Even the introduction of new species to environment can hinder biodiversity. Since foreign species may prey on indigenous species that have yet to evolve to avoid such predator, the foreign species may outcompete the native species. For example, the introduction of the fox and rabbit to Australian frontier has created a plethora of environmental concerns since the fox has no predator there and the rabbit multiplies at a exponential rate (Diamond 54). Consumerism has effects since the materials we consume without hesitance may come directly from the environment of some endangered species. We extract material from habitat while we know we are leaving much damage to that habitat. If I want to become a responsible global citizen, I must realize that my actions, whether it is consuming material or producing waste, affect the biodiversity on the earth.
Works Cited
Diamond, Jared M. Collapse How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. New York: Viking, 2005. Print.
Trumpey, Joe. "Biodiversity." Art & Design III: Technology and Environment. Univeristy of Michigan Ann Abor, Stamps Auditorium, Ann Arbor. 2 Dec. 2009. Lecture.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
World Changing 1-7
1. Bright Green Computers
The fact that our computers are made of things that harm the environment is a great deal of concern to me. In this section, the amount of energy and hazardous, not recyclable materials were discussed. The fact that the only thing that needs to be done to change how our computers are so harmful to the environment is a change in materials and design makes it seem like it should already be done in a more correct manner than it is today. To make computers with renewable materials would be amazingly better for the environment. The designers and inventors need to be able to put all of their knowledge together and then can come up with new ways for making our computers.
2. Doing the Right Thing Can Be Delicious
Fast, easy, and cheap food is always there and very convenient. But the fact that when we eat these foods, they have been pumped full of chemicals, makes them so risky to our health. When food is grown on an organic farm, there are no chemicals used, and instead of the farmers using things to change the environment, they are using things to help the environment grow crops. With no chemicals used, the food is also much healthier for us. Also the process of locally grown organic food is much more of an investment mentally. You can know the farmers and you learn new ways to cook the food. Sure, it may not be a “fast” food, but it can become just like second nature, and a much healthier alternative, not just on a personal level, but also for the world.
3. Brands
Logos have taken over the world. A brand logo on anything is a walking advertisement for the company, as well as a social indicator of our personal being. The fact that the most popular companies have done horrible things to people and the environment is quite strange, but the reason they still are able to do well is because of their emotional connection to people. Sure, Nike used sweatshops and treated the people horribly, but they still make good shoes, and have a social connection to everyone. The fact that companies need to put logos on everything is starting to get backlash by some. I think that the more people realize that the logo is not important, then they will make wiser choices with the way they spend their money.
4. Art Meets Technology
New technology changes the way we live in the world. There are numerous new inventions now that can remove us from reality and put us into a different world. For instance, sounds of relaxing music while you walk around a busy, hectic city. These are all things that someone creative came up with, and change our lives completely. Sure, it may not seems like art, but the fact that there is a change in the environment makes it differ from reality. New ideas change our lifestyles, and even if it just means that someone is hearing different sounds while walking, it still is an altercation of reality.
5. Furniture and Home Décor
Most of our furniture in our houses is harmful to us. We buy them thinking that they will last a few years, until they get warn out or we want to redecorate. The fact that most of the materials we get our furniture from is not that great for the environment is not what is on our minds when we buy these items. The paint, stuffing, wood, metal, and plastic are most items have harmful materials for our health. If we can get the mindset that we need to buy things that will last and be healthy for the world, and us we could skip these problems. Using certain types of trees instead of the ones that are rare. Making sure we chose the correct items makes a huge difference in our lives.
6. Conserving Water
Living in the Great Lakes area, you do not see a shortage of water. The fact that most of the world is water makes you think that the world will never run out of water, and you can use as much of it as possible. But that idea is far from the truth. Living is a place with luxurious pluming, we waste water. There are simple new designs that allow us to use less, but still have the luxury of a nice shower or sink. The fact that they have showerheads and faucets that use less water, but use air to make it flow seems like a simple idea that everyone could switch to. Using less water is important, and along with that recycling water is also an idea. To me, I think the idea of air-powered faucets and showerheads seems like a great way to not only save water, but to employ people do make interesting new designs as well.
7. Knowing What’s Green
When we buy certain things, we assume that they are safe. The fact that companies have very low standards to live up to is very sad. Companies put harmful materials in items all too often. What also is happening is that false logos are made to seem like they are made up to a certain standard, when in fact, they just resemble the real thing. The problem that we have with the things we buy is that we just want something while it lasts, and as soon as it is old and warn out, we are ready to replace it and the old just get thrown away. Some believe that having instructions for things to be properly disposed of would make it too hard for us to do, but I think that if we really thought about how much we really do waste, we would be willing and able to properly take care of our things, and in return the world would be better off.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Week#13
Yu-Jen(Chris),Tsai
ADP3
Discussion 005
Week #13
One important fact that I got out of this course is that every single topic discussed and brought up in Trumpey’s lecture and in our discussion groups can all be put together ultimately. For example, I am interested in transportation design, product design, basically industrial design; the topics we’ve gone through made me realize that one element of completing a design has more than I thought it would have to do with our environment, that is the “material” used. Then comes the issue of environmental pollution due to all the carbon emission rate from the factories build by the corporations; despite the fact that we all notice the harm it could cause to our world, we, the consumers, are the one who have been supporting them and keeping the system running. Since I will be in the designing field in the future, I need to understand the basics; for instance, the marketing, the need of consumers and so on. However, I have no idea the process of making can cause such severe damage to our eco system. Watching the documentary Manufacture Landscape, I could immediately tell how much energy is demanded to maintain the operation based on the size of the electronics factory, which is actually originated from my country Taiwan even though is it located in China. In my final group project for this particular course made me perceive the course’s message more thoroughly. My job was to research and compare the carbon emission rate and the Internet penetration rate by country. I made a diagram out of it and realize one other connection can be made between the prosperity and the pollution situation of a country.
The entire course marks a perfect conclusion for the ADP course series since in ADP3 Trumpey goes into the inner aspect of everything from basic products and designers to large industrial corporation and companies that are having an impact on our planet. Also making me understand that it is more than just making ideate sketches, blueprints and making models in the design field; the final goal also needs to be achieved, that is always take the environment into consideration.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Weekly Response 13: consclusions
Write about a specific, broad-reaching "system" that you learned about in this class (either you had never heard of before, had heard of but never contemplated, or knew a little bit about). In whichever case, choose something that stood out and has some relevance to your personal life/interests.
1.) Choose a complicated, far reaching topic (i.e. the carbon cycle, the agro industry, consumerism, biodiversity, Haber Bosh process, evolution, CAFOs, GMOs,... really anything from the class that most profoundly affected your way of looking at the world).
2.) Explain your topic, (give it's history, definition/description, why and if it's controversial, etc.). Then explore what other systems it affects, including your relationship to it.
So if you talk about logging, you might start by talking about a general historical overview, explain what logging is (what's the process), why it's done, pros and cons, and importantly, what are the farther reaching ramifications (or indirect effects) of the logging industry? (erosion/ loss of bio diversity/ reduction in land's capacity to absorb melting ice/ the watertable lowers/ more CO2 in the atmosphere because fewer trees/ on the other hand, it provides jobs, timber, cleared land ready for agriculture or development, etc. Then you can talk about how this may affect your particular community/ family/ self.
Good luck and it's been a pleasure getting to know all of you!
Reed
1.) Choose a complicated, far reaching topic (i.e. the carbon cycle, the agro industry, consumerism, biodiversity, Haber Bosh process, evolution, CAFOs, GMOs,... really anything from the class that most profoundly affected your way of looking at the world).
2.) Explain your topic, (give it's history, definition/description, why and if it's controversial, etc.). Then explore what other systems it affects, including your relationship to it.
So if you talk about logging, you might start by talking about a general historical overview, explain what logging is (what's the process), why it's done, pros and cons, and importantly, what are the farther reaching ramifications (or indirect effects) of the logging industry? (erosion/ loss of bio diversity/ reduction in land's capacity to absorb melting ice/ the watertable lowers/ more CO2 in the atmosphere because fewer trees/ on the other hand, it provides jobs, timber, cleared land ready for agriculture or development, etc. Then you can talk about how this may affect your particular community/ family/ self.
Good luck and it's been a pleasure getting to know all of you!
Reed
Monday, December 7, 2009
Weekly Response 12
Levester Williams
Reed Esslinger-Payet, GSI
ADP 250: Technology and Environment
Ecocide
Since foreign countries have colonized other developing countries in the past, those countries may have been introduced a problem that disrupts the biota of that region: the introduction of foreign species. Introduced species may sometimes outcompete indigenous species since the native species have not encounter those species before. Those introduced species may prey on the native species, who have not evolved or adapted to avoid such predators; therefore, the predation leads to decline or the extirpation of native species. Furthermore, those introduced species may outcompete natives in food and territory resources. Current examples of this ecocide and its consequences on that society can be found in Australia and United States.
Introduced species may be implemented in an environment out of ignorance or carelessness. When British colonized Australia in the 18th century, they incorporated their lifestyle into the lives in Australia. However, both environments have significant differences since Australia has low soil productivity (Diamond 390). Even though the sheep provided the export of wool, the sheep deprived the soil of its few nutrients. Also, foxes, who have no predators in Australia, eats native species while rabbits eats vegetation of the Australia’s native species (Diamond 392). In Montana, the introduction of foreign species has decrease the commercial fishing due to the decline of native species and the infection of disease from foreign fishes. Also, chronic wasting disease is a fatal disease that can be transmitted from the nonnative elks and deers into human (Diamond 54). In addition to that, Montana has weeds that efface much vegetation. To overcome this issue, Montana must buy expensive herbicide (Diamond 55). This is an ecocide since this issue affects biodiversity: it may cause the extinction of native species. Biodiversity is healthy to our system, and without it, biota of all regions will be disrupted and will lead to a chaotic phenomena. An example of how drastic that introduced species may affect a biota is the migration of the Asian carp in the Mississippi River. The fear of this carp in Michigan’s Great Lakes has urged the government to poison two miles of the Chicago River to stop its entrance (Trumpey).
Works Cited
Diamond, Jared M. Collapse How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. New York: Viking, 2005. Print.
Trumpey, Joe. "Biodiversity." Art & Design III: Technology and Environment. Univeristy of Michigan Ann Abor, Stamps Auditorium, Ann Arbor. 2 Dec. 2009. Lecture.
Reed Esslinger-Payet, GSI
ADP 250: Technology and Environment
Ecocide
Since foreign countries have colonized other developing countries in the past, those countries may have been introduced a problem that disrupts the biota of that region: the introduction of foreign species. Introduced species may sometimes outcompete indigenous species since the native species have not encounter those species before. Those introduced species may prey on the native species, who have not evolved or adapted to avoid such predators; therefore, the predation leads to decline or the extirpation of native species. Furthermore, those introduced species may outcompete natives in food and territory resources. Current examples of this ecocide and its consequences on that society can be found in Australia and United States.
Introduced species may be implemented in an environment out of ignorance or carelessness. When British colonized Australia in the 18th century, they incorporated their lifestyle into the lives in Australia. However, both environments have significant differences since Australia has low soil productivity (Diamond 390). Even though the sheep provided the export of wool, the sheep deprived the soil of its few nutrients. Also, foxes, who have no predators in Australia, eats native species while rabbits eats vegetation of the Australia’s native species (Diamond 392). In Montana, the introduction of foreign species has decrease the commercial fishing due to the decline of native species and the infection of disease from foreign fishes. Also, chronic wasting disease is a fatal disease that can be transmitted from the nonnative elks and deers into human (Diamond 54). In addition to that, Montana has weeds that efface much vegetation. To overcome this issue, Montana must buy expensive herbicide (Diamond 55). This is an ecocide since this issue affects biodiversity: it may cause the extinction of native species. Biodiversity is healthy to our system, and without it, biota of all regions will be disrupted and will lead to a chaotic phenomena. An example of how drastic that introduced species may affect a biota is the migration of the Asian carp in the Mississippi River. The fear of this carp in Michigan’s Great Lakes has urged the government to poison two miles of the Chicago River to stop its entrance (Trumpey).
Works Cited
Diamond, Jared M. Collapse How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. New York: Viking, 2005. Print.
Trumpey, Joe. "Biodiversity." Art & Design III: Technology and Environment. Univeristy of Michigan Ann Abor, Stamps Auditorium, Ann Arbor. 2 Dec. 2009. Lecture.
Week 12
Yu-Jen(Chris),Tsai
Diamond talks a lot about the factors that are causing the collapsing societies over the times; he also made several lists to clarify his point. In the online video, Jared brought up several examples that explains particularly on the five-point frame work he came up with, which can be related to many other ecocide elements and factors in the book Collapse. For example, the soil problem and the deforestation issues are part of the first list of the five; that is the human impact on the relied resources. During the lecture, Diamond discussed some of the problems Montana has gone through and need to be prepared to solve and face, which is also one of the main theme stated in the first part of his book. Firstly, the human impact on the environment of Montana State is mainly due to the toxins due to the mine waste, causing many severe damages on the land. Irreparable economic loss then emerged. Pollutions made Montana lost billions of dollars annually in that the condition of the land is so used up by the toxins and human wastes. Forest management then came up as another serious issue that needs immense improvement. Since the climate change phenomenon in our environment, one other list of the ecocide, depends generally on the plants that recycles the atmosphere and keeping the system running, the weather in Montana has changed from cold and humid to warm and dry, which bad news to the agricultural business in the particular areas like Montana. Despite this is an example happened back a few years ago, many other areas in the world are encountering the same harsh condition of either weather or the pollution in general. For instance, China need to figure out a way to manage the resource recycling since in the future, they will no doubt be one of the biggest countries that is responsible for massive use of environmental resource.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
weekly response 12
It is very clear that humans have had many negative effects on the natural environment, and therefore have contributed to the decline of many societies in the past. Diamond discusses that many factors have become reasons as to why so many societies in the past have failed, but after reading this book, I find deforestation to be one of the biggest contributors to the problem at hand. (Diamond feels this to be one of the major problems as well.) I feel that this is the only aspect of destruction I can most understand and see the effects of most directly. When you drive through most areas these days, we are overwhelmed with the many shopping malls, and houses that seem to be popping up on every inch of land possible. It’s this aspect alone that is causing so many problems in our natural environment. Even though malls and homes are very pleasurable and even necessary, it’s the creation of them that destructs even more valuable resources.
Diamond states that just the cutting down of trees is destroying many natural habitats. Forests provide us with many valuable resources, such as timber and other raw materials, and by cutting down all the trees, we are directly hurting ourselves. Forests are also responsible for many other aspects, like protecting our watersheds, and preventing soil erosion. Forests are also a valued aspect of our environment seeing as how they help the air we breath, become filtered, removing carbon monoxide and other pollutants. Deforestation is also causing more desertification, also creating the potential for more landslides, erosion and the admission of sediments into our streams to occur. It is also responsible for crucial steps in the water cycle, as well as provides a habitat for many plant and animal species. By clearing out forests we are leaving vast areas of land infertile.
By eliminating our forests, we are destroying many other aspects of the environment as well, and may cause other plant and animal species to become extinct as well, forcing them out of their “homelands” and giving them no other alternatives. We forget how valuable our forests really are, and take for granted all the items made from timber, the main natural resource being destroyed. Another main example of how deforestation is affecting us currently is the idea of global warming, due to the fact that we are decreasing the “carbon sink”. It is clear to see that one thing leads to another in this situation, and if we continue to destroy forests like societies in the past, we are just going to hurt ourselves even more, and most likely contribute to the downfall of our own present society.
Diamond, Jared M. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. New York: Viking, 2005. Print.
Diamond states that just the cutting down of trees is destroying many natural habitats. Forests provide us with many valuable resources, such as timber and other raw materials, and by cutting down all the trees, we are directly hurting ourselves. Forests are also responsible for many other aspects, like protecting our watersheds, and preventing soil erosion. Forests are also a valued aspect of our environment seeing as how they help the air we breath, become filtered, removing carbon monoxide and other pollutants. Deforestation is also causing more desertification, also creating the potential for more landslides, erosion and the admission of sediments into our streams to occur. It is also responsible for crucial steps in the water cycle, as well as provides a habitat for many plant and animal species. By clearing out forests we are leaving vast areas of land infertile.
By eliminating our forests, we are destroying many other aspects of the environment as well, and may cause other plant and animal species to become extinct as well, forcing them out of their “homelands” and giving them no other alternatives. We forget how valuable our forests really are, and take for granted all the items made from timber, the main natural resource being destroyed. Another main example of how deforestation is affecting us currently is the idea of global warming, due to the fact that we are decreasing the “carbon sink”. It is clear to see that one thing leads to another in this situation, and if we continue to destroy forests like societies in the past, we are just going to hurt ourselves even more, and most likely contribute to the downfall of our own present society.
Diamond, Jared M. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. New York: Viking, 2005. Print.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Weekly Response 12: ECOCIDE
Of the eight forms of ECOcide that Diamond talks about across examples of past failed societies, choose one to discuss in depth. Bring up as many specific examples of it both in the book as well as contemporary examples you see happening. One paragraph is acceptable as long as you're concise and coherent.
Good luck getting everything else done!
-R
Good luck getting everything else done!
-R
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Sarah Pearson Prompt 11
Sarah Pearson
Writing prompt 11
One of the most challenging decisions I had to make was weather to transfer schools from Chicago back to Ann Arbor. This was particularly difficult because I loved the city of Chicago, but the Art school in Michigan had more to offer. If I would’ve stayed in Chicago to study art, I would not have had the opportunity to take other classes such as language courses, or science.
Diamond discusses the issues of Montanan society and how past societies were in a similar situation. One challenge specifically is the growth of population. Not only can population can affect a society, but the environment as well. In chapter 13 “Australia” it also discusses similar issues of population control which begins to touch on immigration as well. “The best estimate of a population sustainable at the present standard of living is 8 million people, less than half of the present population.” (398) Even though Australia is over populated, it is nothing compared to the United States. This is because Australia has a limited supply of water, and their food production is horrible. Also, there are many problems with forestry and fisheries as well which used to bring in a lot of money for Australia, but now is not contributing to the state of its economy. There are many similarities with Montana and Australia when it comes to natural resources. Montana has issues with loss of nutrients in its soil, overgrazing, and logging. The problem is, these issues have been going on for so long, they cannot really be reversed. There are ways to reverse the loss of nutrients in soil but it would cost a lot of money, and the outcome would not be worth the time and expenses. I feel as though the government it slightly to blame for all of the problems regarding the land, production, and mining. If issues were taken seriously from when they first started, then something could have been done to help prevent or slow down the process.
Levester Williams
Reed Esslinger-Payet
ADP 250:Technology and Environment
Having both talent and strong interests in fine art and electrical engineering, I had to decide which major I would pursue. Since I was raised on a very limited income from my grandmother, I had the aspiration to find a job that will lead me to a financial stable career. Also, since my fortes in school, besides art, were mathematical and science courses, I wanted to pursue engineering—specifically electrical engineering since their starting salaries are generally higher than the other engineers. However, I creating artwork since it allowed me to express myself and free myself from the worries from home and school.
To decide to major in fine art frightened me at first since I was deciding not to choose a career that was financially stable and has a high salary. Moreover, choosing art, according to my family, seemed a waste of intellect. Also, I wanted to be able to support my future family. However, I choose art because I knew I am capable of helping my community out, whether it is on a local or global scale. Instead of being selfish to a certain extent—I could still help my community out by being in engineer—I sacrificed a stable career to pursue a path of community involvement. Eventually, I was ignorant that artists could be successful and that art is not constrained to such painting and drawing yet it is ubiquitous. If I had chosen to become an engineer, I would have ended up not enjoying my career as much since I am only doing it to ameliorate my lifestyle and the immediate people around me.
Montana, however, failed to make the correct choice when the government did not admonish nor delegated the mining corporate owners to “bear financial responsibility” (Diamond 36) for disposing of the waste from the mine. Now, toxic metals are leaking into the environment without anyone taking responsibility (Diamond 36). This habitat destruction is one of the eight categories that Diamond refers to as being ecocide—“environmental suicide”—that precipitated the collapse of past societies (Diamond 6). The past societies that could be compared to the decline of Montana’s environment are the Pitcarin and Henderson Islands.
Montana has a small population (Diamond 30), compared to the rest of the states, and its economy cannot support the lifestyle of its inhabitants; thus, Montana is interdependent to rest of the United States (Diamond 74). Similarly, due to the limited opportunities—such as limited natural resources and hospitable living condition—on both the Pitcarin and Henderson Islands (Diamond 123-124), these islands were interdependent to Mangareva that was capable of supporting a large opportunities (Diamond 122). Unfortunately, since Mangareva committed ecocide by deforestation of trees that effaced all the trees used for the manufacturer of canoes, trades stop among the islands. Therefore, the other islands could not receive the needed resources, so their population was extirpated (Diamond 132).
Since Montana’s main industries and agriculture are declining (Diamond 34), it unlikely will be capable of supporting itself if assistance from the rest of the other states ceased. However, the inhabitants of Montana could become more self-sufficient if the citizens of Montana begin to place pressure of the corporations as Diamond mentioned (Diamond 35). This will cause the companies to take responsibilities for how they interact with the environment. They will be more cognizant and precarious of how the handle the environment since the citizens would strive for a common goal of saving the environment. However, the care of the environment must be instilled in the citizens.
Works Cited
Diamond, Jared M. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. New York: Viking, 2005. Print.
Reed Esslinger-Payet
ADP 250:Technology and Environment
Having both talent and strong interests in fine art and electrical engineering, I had to decide which major I would pursue. Since I was raised on a very limited income from my grandmother, I had the aspiration to find a job that will lead me to a financial stable career. Also, since my fortes in school, besides art, were mathematical and science courses, I wanted to pursue engineering—specifically electrical engineering since their starting salaries are generally higher than the other engineers. However, I creating artwork since it allowed me to express myself and free myself from the worries from home and school.
To decide to major in fine art frightened me at first since I was deciding not to choose a career that was financially stable and has a high salary. Moreover, choosing art, according to my family, seemed a waste of intellect. Also, I wanted to be able to support my future family. However, I choose art because I knew I am capable of helping my community out, whether it is on a local or global scale. Instead of being selfish to a certain extent—I could still help my community out by being in engineer—I sacrificed a stable career to pursue a path of community involvement. Eventually, I was ignorant that artists could be successful and that art is not constrained to such painting and drawing yet it is ubiquitous. If I had chosen to become an engineer, I would have ended up not enjoying my career as much since I am only doing it to ameliorate my lifestyle and the immediate people around me.
Montana, however, failed to make the correct choice when the government did not admonish nor delegated the mining corporate owners to “bear financial responsibility” (Diamond 36) for disposing of the waste from the mine. Now, toxic metals are leaking into the environment without anyone taking responsibility (Diamond 36). This habitat destruction is one of the eight categories that Diamond refers to as being ecocide—“environmental suicide”—that precipitated the collapse of past societies (Diamond 6). The past societies that could be compared to the decline of Montana’s environment are the Pitcarin and Henderson Islands.
Montana has a small population (Diamond 30), compared to the rest of the states, and its economy cannot support the lifestyle of its inhabitants; thus, Montana is interdependent to rest of the United States (Diamond 74). Similarly, due to the limited opportunities—such as limited natural resources and hospitable living condition—on both the Pitcarin and Henderson Islands (Diamond 123-124), these islands were interdependent to Mangareva that was capable of supporting a large opportunities (Diamond 122). Unfortunately, since Mangareva committed ecocide by deforestation of trees that effaced all the trees used for the manufacturer of canoes, trades stop among the islands. Therefore, the other islands could not receive the needed resources, so their population was extirpated (Diamond 132).
Since Montana’s main industries and agriculture are declining (Diamond 34), it unlikely will be capable of supporting itself if assistance from the rest of the other states ceased. However, the inhabitants of Montana could become more self-sufficient if the citizens of Montana begin to place pressure of the corporations as Diamond mentioned (Diamond 35). This will cause the companies to take responsibilities for how they interact with the environment. They will be more cognizant and precarious of how the handle the environment since the citizens would strive for a common goal of saving the environment. However, the care of the environment must be instilled in the citizens.
Works Cited
Diamond, Jared M. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. New York: Viking, 2005. Print.
Weekly Response #11
Yu-Jen(Chris),Tsai
ADP3
Discussion 005
I spent most time of my life in Taiwan and didn’t really have that much too worry about until I reach high school and the years after I came studied abroad. First time ever I leave my high school in Taiwan, my friends in Taiwan, my family, my home and all the people I had known or met for the past sixteen years. Although it had always been my wish to go abroad ever since junior high school, to actually put it into practice is a completely different issue than just talking about it. I remember my dad came to the states with me a week earlier and stayed at the Inn near the high school until the orientation started and also getting some commodities for the winter weather. I remember clearly, as the date got closer to the orientation date, I gradually began having second thoughts about my decision every time I though of how far it was going to be from home, how I was supposed to keep my grades well enough and getting all the college applications, which I had no clue how it was done, done during the first year since I started as a Junior, and many other worries that fretted me then. I remember could not fell asleep the night before the move-in day; I think my father noticed there was something on my mind and so for the first time my dad talked about how is it going to be on your own and also kept telling that it is not a coward move to come back home if I were not able to get used to the new lifestyle in the United States; instead, it is a wise decision to make.
The move-in date finally came and so my dad drove me to the dormitory, my bad mood hit me again and so I complained about the condition of my dorm room. My dad suddenly got mad at me telling me that I came to the States to study, not for a vacation; I hold in all my emotions instantly and began unpacking my stuff. When it was my dad to leave and catch the flight to the other side of the planet, my dad didn’t say anything, he just hugged me real tight and got on the car. I got back to my room and while arranging my books and folders, there was a letter my father left me in the academic folder; I had no idea when I slide it in without me noticing. On the note, he wrote down pretty much everything he had spoken to me about the night before. As I finished reading it, I felt my eyes filled with tears at the same time I felt like I had to try my best to get used to everything that would be coming to me in the future. And so here I am. I graduated from a high school that I was totally unfamiliar with and got into college. I’d say that’s one tough decision for a person to make.
The Montanan collapse example that Diamond brought up resulted from a series of reasons that are brought up in his book. Diamond stated that Montana use to be a pristine location in the United States; however, due to many common reasons that bring a society to collapse, right now, the place has lost billions of dollars. First of all, the human impact on the environment is no doubt the main cause of all pollutions and climate changes in the area. Take climate change for instance, the agriculture in Montana relies mainly on the water from the melting snow after winter season; and so the land becoming dry is bad news for the residents for the area. Then it leads to a broader problem, which is the forest management in that particular location. To resolve all those issues, first the town’s people need to get rid of the main pollution that is the mine waste. By practicing the basics steps, gradually the situation would turn itself around ultimately.
Monday, November 30, 2009
weekly response 11
Throughout my own life, I have come across many decisions that have had to be made that were very difficult for a child or even young adult to have to make on their own. When it comes to all these difficult decisions I think the one thing that they have in common is how we as individuals deal with them. It’s always a concern that the decisions we make may in fact be positive for us at the current time, but may in fact be negative in the long run or to others as well. Will what’s good for me really be good for other people? Will the decisions I make affect other people at all? This is always what made making decisions difficult for me. I often think and then act quickly upon it not really taking into account how it will affect me in the long run, or how it affects others around me. Sometimes however, I make decisions based on what is the best for the common good and not for myself. It’s always a question in my mind after a decision has already been made whether or not if I had chosen a different route, would the end result have been drastically different? There really is no way in knowing unless we were to go back in time and remake decisions from our past. I often think that there are more then one way to approach any situation, and therefore it’s honestly a crapshoot in whether or not a different reaction would have occurred if another decision had initially been made.
Diamond discusses that the decisions that have been made may have lead to the downfall of past societies. One question that I have is what is the correlation between the human population and the issue of the climate changing drastically? Diamond states that most of the climate change is due to natural forces that are beyond our control. Climate change, for sure has a big influence on the decline of many societies seeing as how many societies depended on the climate for growth of crops and the raising of livestock. Diamond discusses that climate also affects the population due to the fact that people often reproduce in times that were “better”. Lack of “disaster relief” has also caused the downfall of many societies from the past Diamond says. Natural disasters are often caused by climate change, and therefore being unable to cope with such change leaves people of a society unable to continue living as they did previously. I think that in order for societies to strive, and remain strong and preserved, as well as prosper is very necessary to communicate by discussing ideas on how to deal with certain situations if they were to occur. Although we cannot directly stop climate changes from happening, being aware of how to deal with natures natural ways is the only thing that we can do. It is important for societies to become aware of the very things that can harm them the most, and in recognizing these aspects, we only improve the ways in dealing with them later.
Diamond discusses that the decisions that have been made may have lead to the downfall of past societies. One question that I have is what is the correlation between the human population and the issue of the climate changing drastically? Diamond states that most of the climate change is due to natural forces that are beyond our control. Climate change, for sure has a big influence on the decline of many societies seeing as how many societies depended on the climate for growth of crops and the raising of livestock. Diamond discusses that climate also affects the population due to the fact that people often reproduce in times that were “better”. Lack of “disaster relief” has also caused the downfall of many societies from the past Diamond says. Natural disasters are often caused by climate change, and therefore being unable to cope with such change leaves people of a society unable to continue living as they did previously. I think that in order for societies to strive, and remain strong and preserved, as well as prosper is very necessary to communicate by discussing ideas on how to deal with certain situations if they were to occur. Although we cannot directly stop climate changes from happening, being aware of how to deal with natures natural ways is the only thing that we can do. It is important for societies to become aware of the very things that can harm them the most, and in recognizing these aspects, we only improve the ways in dealing with them later.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
WR Prompt 11: Comparing Disaster Zones
Think about an issue in your personal life/history that required a critical decision. What about that particular situation made the decision a hard one to make? How did your solution differ from another potential reaction and how different would the results have been had you chosen that other reaction?
* * *
Diamond discusses the issues of contemporary Montanan society and posits that it is a helpful example when reflecting on the pre-Collapse period of past societies faced with similar challenges. Do you agree that Montana's issues (choose at least 1 below to discuss) resemble the challenges that led to the downfall of past societies? How are they, or their surrounding circumstances, similar or different? Finally, what in your opinion are the crucial things a society must consider, admit, discuss, and ultimately take action on in order to overcome it's problems? For example, could Montanans just continue to turn a blind eye to the toxic waste from its mines or allow unsustainable logging/ agricultural practices and still survive?
1) Increasing population, 2)immigration, 3) increasing scarsity & decreasing quality of water, 4) locally & seasonally poor air quality, 5) toxic wastes, 6)increased risk of wildfires (or other human activity-induced natural disasters), 7)forest deterioration, 8) loss of soil or its nutrients, 9) loss of biodiversity/ damage from introduced pest species, 10) the effects of climate change.
Be sure to discuss Diamond's concepts of the 8 kinds of Ecocide as well as specific examples from Ch. 1 and the other chapter you choose.
* * *
Diamond discusses the issues of contemporary Montanan society and posits that it is a helpful example when reflecting on the pre-Collapse period of past societies faced with similar challenges. Do you agree that Montana's issues (choose at least 1 below to discuss) resemble the challenges that led to the downfall of past societies? How are they, or their surrounding circumstances, similar or different? Finally, what in your opinion are the crucial things a society must consider, admit, discuss, and ultimately take action on in order to overcome it's problems? For example, could Montanans just continue to turn a blind eye to the toxic waste from its mines or allow unsustainable logging/ agricultural practices and still survive?
1) Increasing population, 2)immigration, 3) increasing scarsity & decreasing quality of water, 4) locally & seasonally poor air quality, 5) toxic wastes, 6)increased risk of wildfires (or other human activity-induced natural disasters), 7)forest deterioration, 8) loss of soil or its nutrients, 9) loss of biodiversity/ damage from introduced pest species, 10) the effects of climate change.
Be sure to discuss Diamond's concepts of the 8 kinds of Ecocide as well as specific examples from Ch. 1 and the other chapter you choose.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Week #10
Yu-Jen(Chris),Tsai
ADP3
Discussion Section 005
Break Up and Make Up
A1:
-New jobs creates a uprise for the economy
-Standards of living becoming higher
-Unethical practices of corporations
-Charity donation made by huge corporations
-Entertainment
-Accessibility of products
-Technology growing rapidly
-New solutions
-Productivity
-Competitions between companies
B1:
-Country conflicts
-Natural resource consumption
-Price increase
-Killing small businesses
-Materialism
-Prejudice
-Unethical
-Monopolizing
-Non-objectified
-Fads
A2:
-Variety of jobs allow people to go for what they are interested individually
-People(consumers) need to understand the definition of “need” and “want” while purchasing products
-Corporations having too much control over the competition
-Corporations still need to figure out a way to give something to the society despite the fact that they are also killing little businesses.
-Media entertainment(televisions, radios, commercials)
-Stores from different mediums ranging from the internet to local retail stores
-Goal of new technology has always been mass production
-Solutions as new cure for diseases
-In order to schieve the mass production goal, improvement on the productivity is crucial
-Stimulates the companies’ efficiency and productivity
B2:
--The products corporations create need to be environmental friendly enough to keep the natural resource pumping
-Corporations crank up the price to gain maximum profit; however, the results depends on the accessibility, productivity and all sorts of element
-Local stores are still consider as essential connections in the corporate field
-Media brainwashing consumers
-Usually happens when political subjects are brought up
-Resulted from the imbalanced power distribution
-Also due to the increasing authority of corporations
-Designs need to be view in a more objectified way
-Meaningless trends happening constantly; although people know they are just tactics played on their minds by the corporations
ADP3
Discussion Section 005
Break Up and Make Up
A1:
-New jobs creates a uprise for the economy
-Standards of living becoming higher
-Unethical practices of corporations
-Charity donation made by huge corporations
-Entertainment
-Accessibility of products
-Technology growing rapidly
-New solutions
-Productivity
-Competitions between companies
B1:
-Country conflicts
-Natural resource consumption
-Price increase
-Killing small businesses
-Materialism
-Prejudice
-Unethical
-Monopolizing
-Non-objectified
-Fads
A2:
-Variety of jobs allow people to go for what they are interested individually
-People(consumers) need to understand the definition of “need” and “want” while purchasing products
-Corporations having too much control over the competition
-Corporations still need to figure out a way to give something to the society despite the fact that they are also killing little businesses.
-Media entertainment(televisions, radios, commercials)
-Stores from different mediums ranging from the internet to local retail stores
-Goal of new technology has always been mass production
-Solutions as new cure for diseases
-In order to schieve the mass production goal, improvement on the productivity is crucial
-Stimulates the companies’ efficiency and productivity
B2:
--The products corporations create need to be environmental friendly enough to keep the natural resource pumping
-Corporations crank up the price to gain maximum profit; however, the results depends on the accessibility, productivity and all sorts of element
-Local stores are still consider as essential connections in the corporate field
-Media brainwashing consumers
-Usually happens when political subjects are brought up
-Resulted from the imbalanced power distribution
-Also due to the increasing authority of corporations
-Designs need to be view in a more objectified way
-Meaningless trends happening constantly; although people know they are just tactics played on their minds by the corporations
wk promt #10
kristin adamczyk
A1
1. Staying “informed” or being aware of trends, ideas, and current issues.
2. Staying connected to people outside your direct group of peers.
3. A growing business provides new jobs and a general economy boost for the area.
4. Keeps technology fast, products are readily available in a time-based world. Convenience.
5. Corporations are able to make their own decisions on business morals and ethics.
6. Established communities that gather and work together.
7. Media isn’t as corrupt as the Government (in society’s eyes)
8. Media diversity, provides an outlet for the society to be heard. Something for everyone to agree with. Options
9. “quality media” people vote with their eyes. People decide a lot of what they consume.
10. Can be used to influence positive change.
B1
1. Having “tunnel-vision” and only being aware of what the corporation wants you to be aware of.
2. Too much power results in too much control.
3. Corporations can overpower small businesses and eventually variety in product is lost.
4. Price increase based on demand.
5. Rapid consumption of natural resources
6. Neglect to environment/ animal ethics
7. A disconnect between city and suburb resulting in inner city crime, or crime that trickles down into the near by cities.
8. Dumbing down effect on society.
9. Media decides what you consume, this is your culture, this is where you get your morals. Is this really what you want your kids to see? Very animalistic. (Sex, Violence, Greed)
10. Can be too powerful to overthrow if influencing negatively.
A2
1. Fitting in, or standing out.
2. Business and being profitable is all about networking. Humans have a desire to be around other humans.
3. We are in an economic crisis, is it really because of the way we allow the media to influence our consumption?
4. We like the here and now, we don’t like to wait. We are picky and unique and want options.
5. Hopefully make good decisions that would better the world around them. Easy to get caught up in personal desires and selfishness.
6. Support groups
7. We have the right to say what we want. We have the right to pursue the truth.
8. We all have a little something different to say, unique ideas, variety in ideas.
9. I can decide to turn the TV off if you are not keeping my attention.
10. Make a difference, give a little of yourself.
B2
1. I like to know the truth, I don’t like being lied to. I feel I don’t have an accurate idea of the intentions of my government and the media.
2. A power over us: control our thoughts if they could.
3. The lose of local prosperity
4. Monopoly
5. We will run our Earth dry because of a greed and no appreciation for future generations.
6. Our planet dies around us.
7. The world around us isn’t safe anymore.
8. We stop progressing to discover new ideas and stop advancing as a race. We become easy to please and have simplified minds, like animals.
9. We stop appreciating each individual life.
10. We are no longer a Democracy.
http://www.projectcensored.org/censorship/corporate-media-ownership/
http://medialiteracy.suite101.com/article.cfm/media_consolidation_ownership
lans
A1
1. Staying “informed” or being aware of trends, ideas, and current issues.
2. Staying connected to people outside your direct group of peers.
3. A growing business provides new jobs and a general economy boost for the area.
4. Keeps technology fast, products are readily available in a time-based world. Convenience.
5. Corporations are able to make their own decisions on business morals and ethics.
6. Established communities that gather and work together.
7. Media isn’t as corrupt as the Government (in society’s eyes)
8. Media diversity, provides an outlet for the society to be heard. Something for everyone to agree with. Options
9. “quality media” people vote with their eyes. People decide a lot of what they consume.
10. Can be used to influence positive change.
B1
1. Having “tunnel-vision” and only being aware of what the corporation wants you to be aware of.
2. Too much power results in too much control.
3. Corporations can overpower small businesses and eventually variety in product is lost.
4. Price increase based on demand.
5. Rapid consumption of natural resources
6. Neglect to environment/ animal ethics
7. A disconnect between city and suburb resulting in inner city crime, or crime that trickles down into the near by cities.
8. Dumbing down effect on society.
9. Media decides what you consume, this is your culture, this is where you get your morals. Is this really what you want your kids to see? Very animalistic. (Sex, Violence, Greed)
10. Can be too powerful to overthrow if influencing negatively.
A2
1. Fitting in, or standing out.
2. Business and being profitable is all about networking. Humans have a desire to be around other humans.
3. We are in an economic crisis, is it really because of the way we allow the media to influence our consumption?
4. We like the here and now, we don’t like to wait. We are picky and unique and want options.
5. Hopefully make good decisions that would better the world around them. Easy to get caught up in personal desires and selfishness.
6. Support groups
7. We have the right to say what we want. We have the right to pursue the truth.
8. We all have a little something different to say, unique ideas, variety in ideas.
9. I can decide to turn the TV off if you are not keeping my attention.
10. Make a difference, give a little of yourself.
B2
1. I like to know the truth, I don’t like being lied to. I feel I don’t have an accurate idea of the intentions of my government and the media.
2. A power over us: control our thoughts if they could.
3. The lose of local prosperity
4. Monopoly
5. We will run our Earth dry because of a greed and no appreciation for future generations.
6. Our planet dies around us.
7. The world around us isn’t safe anymore.
8. We stop progressing to discover new ideas and stop advancing as a race. We become easy to please and have simplified minds, like animals.
9. We stop appreciating each individual life.
10. We are no longer a Democracy.
http://www.projectcensored.org/censorship/corporate-media-ownership/
http://medialiteracy.suite101.com/article.cfm/media_consolidation_ownership
lans
weekly response 10
Levester Williams
ADP III
Reed Esslinger-Payet, GSI
Break Up or Make Up
A1
1. One can find the best price.
2. One can find the location of the products.
3. Corporations provide jobs.
4. Corporations stimulate the cash flow in our country.
5. Corporations provide funds for research for certain materials or medical devices or diseases that pertain to them.
6. Corporations introduce products that elevate our standard of living.
7. Corporations can educate people on certain subject that pertain to their products. For example, Kellogg’s cereal boxes have great health information.
8. Corporations are able to demystify cost, so the 4 billion that has an income of less than $2 a day can afford to buy necessities.
9. Corporations can prevent unethical practices of animals.
10. Corporations can adopt eco-friendly methods to make their products.
11. Corporations can provide significant funds to charity/scholarships.
12. Corporations established efficient productivity of manufactured goods.
13. Corporations can become establish firm bonds with other countries through their trades.
14. Corporations can establish social networking among communities.
B1.
1. Corporations may cause internal conflict within countries with the export of materials.
2. Corporations have power to censor any positive messages that may oppose them.
3. Corporations have much protection from their misdeeds.
4. Corporations are hardly punished from unethical practices.
5. Corporations caused gentrification that forced lower class citizens to move away from their homes. (mainly affecting minorities).
6. Corporations provide negative images to the viewer.
7. Corporations manipulate everyday action with a plethora of advertisements.
8. Corporations are not being forced to be fully liable for misconducts.
9. Corporations can cause conflict among countries.
10. Corporations may infest a city with crime due to urbanization and disparities between suburban and urban life.
11. Corporations may extirpate the natural resources from the environments.
12. Corporations have power to decide several governmental elections for the benefit of them and not for society.
13. Corporations have more power than an individual.
14. Corporations can outcompete small businesses.
15. Corporations raise prices of products to maximize their benefits.
A2.
1. Due to a multitude of corporations in one sector, people are allow to vote for what products is the best with their dollars and able to support a corporation.
2. Due to the widespread of corporations, people now have accessibility to many products where, as the south in the pre-Great Depression, did not have much accessibility.
3. Corporations can contribute to the elevation of the standard living by advancing their products.
4. With the starting of corporations, many jobs become available within the community; thus, it promotes its growth.
5. Corporations can provide funds to many outreach programs, charities, non-profit organization, and scholarship to enhance the lives of the citizens.
6. Corporations may play an educational role when they establish educational program or incorporate information on their products.
7. Corporations’ purpose may to maintain a social value instead of trying to maximize their products.
8. Corporations can become a role model to influence people to be more eco-friendly.
9. Corporations have influential power of creating bonds with other countries through trades; thus, country relations prosper.
10. Corporations are able to meet the demand of the customers with effective productivity.
B2.
1. With corporate leaders being some of the wealthiest people in the world, they have much influence in politics. This may lead them to influence the political leaders to take action. For example, I strongly speculate that the leaders of the oil companies wanted Pres. George Bush to go to the Middle East to control the oil.
2. With media being actually catered to the corporations, many messages are omitted that may oppose the company; thus, there is a limit of what people say on the air without the regards of vulgarity.
3. Due to their alliances with international organizations, corporations have much protection. Therefore, they may be able allowed not to be responsible for some of their unethical acts.
4. When corporations move into a city, they tend to inhabit lands that lower class citizen may live in. Thus, these citizens are moved to live closer together.
5. Since corporate literally runs the media, they can control the material; thus, negative images are having the affect on people’s self-image.
6. Corporations, due to the extraction of certain materials, are causing internal warfare in developing countries.
7. The establishment of a corporation in a community lead to more people moving in suburbs, yet creating a bigger disparities within lower class communities; thus, crime may burgeon.
8. Corporation may rid all resources from an environment; thus, this will disturb the ecological balance within the biota.
9. Corporations have substantial influence on election since they want a candidate that will support their company; thus, they may be the deciding winning vote.
10. I feel sometimes that the prices of products are overpriced. Corporations have the funds to demystify their cost to meet the needs of people.
Most corporations’ goal is to maximize their profit. With this capitalistic idea, they try to create a culture that comes from top-down (Lasn 189). Therefore, there is much limit from what the individual could demonstrate to the corporations. The citizen now is a cult member who has less to contribute to his own lifestyle beyond what is provided for him through corporation (Lasn 53) Our actions seem to support the corporation since we constantly indulge into their advertisement. I have personally been a victim to this since I don’t question any products and the company of it. I simply consume it without knowing it may be connected to some genocide in a developing country. We buy products from corporations not knowing the ultimate price for buying them since corporations will not inform us about the consequences.
Works Cited
Lasn, Kalle. Culture Jam: The Uncooling of America. New York: Eagle Brook, 1999. Print.
ADP III
Reed Esslinger-Payet, GSI
Break Up or Make Up
A1
1. One can find the best price.
2. One can find the location of the products.
3. Corporations provide jobs.
4. Corporations stimulate the cash flow in our country.
5. Corporations provide funds for research for certain materials or medical devices or diseases that pertain to them.
6. Corporations introduce products that elevate our standard of living.
7. Corporations can educate people on certain subject that pertain to their products. For example, Kellogg’s cereal boxes have great health information.
8. Corporations are able to demystify cost, so the 4 billion that has an income of less than $2 a day can afford to buy necessities.
9. Corporations can prevent unethical practices of animals.
10. Corporations can adopt eco-friendly methods to make their products.
11. Corporations can provide significant funds to charity/scholarships.
12. Corporations established efficient productivity of manufactured goods.
13. Corporations can become establish firm bonds with other countries through their trades.
14. Corporations can establish social networking among communities.
B1.
1. Corporations may cause internal conflict within countries with the export of materials.
2. Corporations have power to censor any positive messages that may oppose them.
3. Corporations have much protection from their misdeeds.
4. Corporations are hardly punished from unethical practices.
5. Corporations caused gentrification that forced lower class citizens to move away from their homes. (mainly affecting minorities).
6. Corporations provide negative images to the viewer.
7. Corporations manipulate everyday action with a plethora of advertisements.
8. Corporations are not being forced to be fully liable for misconducts.
9. Corporations can cause conflict among countries.
10. Corporations may infest a city with crime due to urbanization and disparities between suburban and urban life.
11. Corporations may extirpate the natural resources from the environments.
12. Corporations have power to decide several governmental elections for the benefit of them and not for society.
13. Corporations have more power than an individual.
14. Corporations can outcompete small businesses.
15. Corporations raise prices of products to maximize their benefits.
A2.
1. Due to a multitude of corporations in one sector, people are allow to vote for what products is the best with their dollars and able to support a corporation.
2. Due to the widespread of corporations, people now have accessibility to many products where, as the south in the pre-Great Depression, did not have much accessibility.
3. Corporations can contribute to the elevation of the standard living by advancing their products.
4. With the starting of corporations, many jobs become available within the community; thus, it promotes its growth.
5. Corporations can provide funds to many outreach programs, charities, non-profit organization, and scholarship to enhance the lives of the citizens.
6. Corporations may play an educational role when they establish educational program or incorporate information on their products.
7. Corporations’ purpose may to maintain a social value instead of trying to maximize their products.
8. Corporations can become a role model to influence people to be more eco-friendly.
9. Corporations have influential power of creating bonds with other countries through trades; thus, country relations prosper.
10. Corporations are able to meet the demand of the customers with effective productivity.
B2.
1. With corporate leaders being some of the wealthiest people in the world, they have much influence in politics. This may lead them to influence the political leaders to take action. For example, I strongly speculate that the leaders of the oil companies wanted Pres. George Bush to go to the Middle East to control the oil.
2. With media being actually catered to the corporations, many messages are omitted that may oppose the company; thus, there is a limit of what people say on the air without the regards of vulgarity.
3. Due to their alliances with international organizations, corporations have much protection. Therefore, they may be able allowed not to be responsible for some of their unethical acts.
4. When corporations move into a city, they tend to inhabit lands that lower class citizen may live in. Thus, these citizens are moved to live closer together.
5. Since corporate literally runs the media, they can control the material; thus, negative images are having the affect on people’s self-image.
6. Corporations, due to the extraction of certain materials, are causing internal warfare in developing countries.
7. The establishment of a corporation in a community lead to more people moving in suburbs, yet creating a bigger disparities within lower class communities; thus, crime may burgeon.
8. Corporation may rid all resources from an environment; thus, this will disturb the ecological balance within the biota.
9. Corporations have substantial influence on election since they want a candidate that will support their company; thus, they may be the deciding winning vote.
10. I feel sometimes that the prices of products are overpriced. Corporations have the funds to demystify their cost to meet the needs of people.
Most corporations’ goal is to maximize their profit. With this capitalistic idea, they try to create a culture that comes from top-down (Lasn 189). Therefore, there is much limit from what the individual could demonstrate to the corporations. The citizen now is a cult member who has less to contribute to his own lifestyle beyond what is provided for him through corporation (Lasn 53) Our actions seem to support the corporation since we constantly indulge into their advertisement. I have personally been a victim to this since I don’t question any products and the company of it. I simply consume it without knowing it may be connected to some genocide in a developing country. We buy products from corporations not knowing the ultimate price for buying them since corporations will not inform us about the consequences.
Works Cited
Lasn, Kalle. Culture Jam: The Uncooling of America. New York: Eagle Brook, 1999. Print.
Monday, November 23, 2009
World Changing #5
With the rise of the Internet, television and computer and video games, the wonderful world of literature is gradually taking a backseat with new generations. People yearn for a full sensory experience now, which is more available through new technologies. With that, however, the use and promotion of imagination and creative processes are lost.
In the highly populated Mexico City, a program has been established where books are being given out for free on the subway. It encourages reading in an area where computers and televisions are as accessible, which allows people to give literature a chance, with no cost to them. The contributing authors were paid approximately $300, and the opportunity to promote their work. “The program gets books into the hands of those Mexicans who can’t normally afford to buy them. And transit officials also hope that crime in the system might decrease if crooks are busy reading rather than picking the pockets of fellow riders” (Steffen 285-286). Essentially, the program provides education, promotion of literature in a time of higher technological entertainment, and safety for citizens.
Steffen, Alex. World Changing: A User's Guide For the 21st
Century. New York, NY: Abrams, 2008. Print.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
WR Prompt 10: break up or make up?
For this post I want you to brainstorm 4 lists:
The first two are simply a honest, contemplative, and thorough list of the advantages and disadvantages of the role of the "corporate media" in our personal lives/ society at large. It's like when you know you have to break up with your boyfriend/ girlfriend but aren't sure why:) Minimum 10 each, maximum ??? This doesn't have to be complete sentences (unless it's necessary to explain nuances) but can be an itemized list.
A1- PROs
B1- CONs
Discuss your associations & the (direct and indirect) ramifications you see in each item of both lists.
This can be a list of various elements: associations (metaphors or more literal connections), emotional responses (rage/ indifference/ satisfaction, etc.), and a full consideration of the consequences (self-image, financial empowerment, exploitation,
A2- Associations & ramifications (direct and indirect) of the PROs
B2- Associations & ramifications (direct and indirect) of the CONs
You have plenty of ammunition supplied by Lasn and our discussions (albeit mostly on the negative side). Watching "The Corporation" will supply you with more. I want you to draw from these sources, (putting Lasn or whatever other source you reference in parentheses next to items that are direct references to his terminology- i.e. if you mention "infotoxins" or "jolts"), but ultimately these lists will reflect your take on the role of the corporate media in your lives. Write a section at the end summing up your conclusions. You might be leaning towards one bias or another, or maybe it's a mixed picture where you're split. Explain what going through this list/association made you think of; how did it solidify or destabilize your opinion of the corporation? Do you need to need to let him go or are you still in love? Or are there serious changes that need to happen to ensure trust and sustainability? enough with the relationship metaphor... go for it!
http://www.thecorporation.com/
Monday, November 16, 2009
Jenny's World Changing Responses 6 + 7
Giving Well
“Before most of us learned to talk, we learned to share.” This is definitely true. One of the first things we were learning is to share with friends or siblings. This principle completely applies to the cycle of global giving. Enabling philanthropy is an action that is extremely important. Small amounts of money given to causes that need them the most, and that they can be put to the best use. A few things are important with giving money. That the money goes directly to the cause you are donating to, that you give enough money to make an impact, and that the gift can expand itself contributing to a cycle. Though everyone believes that you can’t go wrong by giving, that isn’t the case. You can go wrong. If your money is misused, or not given to the cause it was set out to, or if it is not impacting the cause enough, it may not have been the best investment. I think it is important to be aware of the cause you are supporting. For instance, if you are donating to families in developing countries, your money should be going to them, so that they can use it to expand. Not to a foundation who gives a certain percent to them. There are so many causes that desperately need charity that misusing your money could lead to disaster. Philanthropy is extremely important tot making our goals to change the world work. Without donations, it couldn’t happen, but with these donations comes a responsibility to be aware and involved. Writing a blank check is great and all, but it isn’t so great if your money is being given away without any heart. Caring is also a key to donating.
Amplifying your voice
“Change begins when people speak up.” Without the opinions of our generation, progression is not going to occur. “Speaking up” can occur in many different forms. Blogging, Zines, the Internet, text messages. Each bit of action can make a difference. “Bridge blogging” is writing online for an audience beyond the immediate community, making an impact beyond just our community. Our voices need to be heard in larger communities for movements to happen. We may speak out among our peers, but it is important for our peers to spread a message. Examples are Ohmynews.com, which is a compilation of professional and volunteer reporters who cover current events. This way, there is a viewpoint of a professional, but also of someone who speaks for the masses. Though this movement is something that has been worked on by professionals and adults for years, we are the generation that is going to have to carry it on and continue. In order to change our world, we need to come up with a means to speak to our community. These methods are great at doing so. Can we come up with more to speak to a larger community? That’s our current challenge.
Weekly Response #9
Yu-Jen(Chris),Tsai
ADP 3
Discussion 005
Weekly Response #9
One of the acts in the Spring chapter in Culture Jam that I disagree with and at the same time feeling impractical would be the part where Lasn talks about the definition of the word “cool”(113). Even though Lasn’s main point and opinion in this book is obviously somehow warning the society about the huge corporations, which he define as something harmful and evil to the human world; in my point of view, several beliefs of his are still too judgmental. For an instance, in the first paragraph of the section when the author wrote that the marketers or the corporations got hold of it and reverse the word “cool’s” meaning and by the end of the passage, Lasn refer the phenomenon as poison to our society today by calling the word “cool” as opiate. Of course there are some products or any kind of material objects that are overhyped; however, we need to think about why do certain companies have the ability to grab the consumers’ attention–– quality for one. It’s just like the idea of any type of designers in today’s world; the main objective of a good design is “mass produce”. Famous Australian product designer Marc Newson said that a good design should in fact cost less instead of overpricing them during an interview in the famous documentary about design released couple months ago called Objectified. And so it is not the corporation’s fault since they simply want to make their product better. On the other hand, those companies that started off with fairly well designed and manufactured product and ultimately slacking would not have the slim chance of surviving in the competition.
Other Lasn’s revolution idea that I found could be practical enough or at least for the greater good to our world would be the MEME Wars section where Lasn listed out “five of the most potent metamemes currently in the culture jammer’s arsenal.” The last of the five is called Media Carta would be the most efficient out of the five due to the power of communication mediums in terms of today’s technology.
To finish it up, I would just like to bring up the idea of the relationship between the consumers and the corporations or companies. It is natural that people tend to have the urge of owing new things, which is what keep the corporations and designers operating and coming up with new ideas. However, in order to achieve Lasn’s ideal world, we, as consumers, will have to start from the beginning; it’s going to be time consuming. I think that to get to that point we will have to wait for a new generation and start from them to change the wide definition of the word “need” and “cool”. The new designers from our generation would be the only solution to change the relationship.
Work Cited :
Objectified (2009) Documentary-
Director:
Gary Hustwit
Lasn, Kalle. Culture Jam: The Uncooling of America
ADP 3
Discussion 005
Weekly Response #9
One of the acts in the Spring chapter in Culture Jam that I disagree with and at the same time feeling impractical would be the part where Lasn talks about the definition of the word “cool”(113). Even though Lasn’s main point and opinion in this book is obviously somehow warning the society about the huge corporations, which he define as something harmful and evil to the human world; in my point of view, several beliefs of his are still too judgmental. For an instance, in the first paragraph of the section when the author wrote that the marketers or the corporations got hold of it and reverse the word “cool’s” meaning and by the end of the passage, Lasn refer the phenomenon as poison to our society today by calling the word “cool” as opiate. Of course there are some products or any kind of material objects that are overhyped; however, we need to think about why do certain companies have the ability to grab the consumers’ attention–– quality for one. It’s just like the idea of any type of designers in today’s world; the main objective of a good design is “mass produce”. Famous Australian product designer Marc Newson said that a good design should in fact cost less instead of overpricing them during an interview in the famous documentary about design released couple months ago called Objectified. And so it is not the corporation’s fault since they simply want to make their product better. On the other hand, those companies that started off with fairly well designed and manufactured product and ultimately slacking would not have the slim chance of surviving in the competition.
Other Lasn’s revolution idea that I found could be practical enough or at least for the greater good to our world would be the MEME Wars section where Lasn listed out “five of the most potent metamemes currently in the culture jammer’s arsenal.” The last of the five is called Media Carta would be the most efficient out of the five due to the power of communication mediums in terms of today’s technology.
To finish it up, I would just like to bring up the idea of the relationship between the consumers and the corporations or companies. It is natural that people tend to have the urge of owing new things, which is what keep the corporations and designers operating and coming up with new ideas. However, in order to achieve Lasn’s ideal world, we, as consumers, will have to start from the beginning; it’s going to be time consuming. I think that to get to that point we will have to wait for a new generation and start from them to change the wide definition of the word “need” and “cool”. The new designers from our generation would be the only solution to change the relationship.
Work Cited :
Objectified (2009) Documentary-
Director:
Gary Hustwit
Lasn, Kalle. Culture Jam: The Uncooling of America
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Weekly Response 9
Levester Williams
Reed Esslinger-Payet, GSI
Art-Design 250
Your Authentic Act
We Americans have become sequacious; our choices are no longer “the products of [our] own will” (Lasn 40). Moreover, we are ultimately being controlled by a corporate state that infiltrate and saturate our lifestyle with capitalist ideals of lethal consumption (Lasn 69). This mindset that has been interwoven in lives has detrimental effects on us individually—such as body image, dietary issues, etc.—as well as collectively via the destruction of our environment. For example, Diamond mentions how China is striding to live the lifestyles of a First World country (Diamond 372). Yet, with such a large population, China’s environmental problems run on a gamut from air pollution to human-induced natural disasters (Diamond 358).
Lasn asserts that we must not tolerate degradation from our consumerist culture, but detourns the American dream (Lasn 168). He states that we do this by creating a “spectacle of modern life” by creating unusual disruptions in our daily routines (Lasn 101). Some actions seem so radical or rude that I question its effectiveness to promote a radical change to our culture while others are quite reasonable.
One of the action Lasn listed to start such revolution to our culture is to have rage toward corporate salesman (and similar careers). Having rage not only creates friction with the person who you are interacting with, but it creates friction with how people view you. For example, to be rude to a salesman because he has a job from a corporation one despises is futile. People will probably characterize you as a pugnacious dogmatist. That person is directing his rage and energy at the wrong individual. Balaguer, the president of Dominican Republic several times, directed his rage towards the ones who was directly responsible for the environmental degradation, such as loggers and politicians (Diamond 343); thus, it was effective. He didn’t direct his rage only to the individual that work at sawmills, but at the corporations and the powerful figures who supported them.
I agree that reframing the debate does start a change. Lasn, in the “Reframe Rebate” section, says one do this by stating and acting as a concerned citizen when one is rallying against a corporation. By shifting yourselves from a protester to a citizen, others in the community are able to become more aroused to support the issue. For example, I remember when I wanted to participate in the cleanup of my hometown. The main message that facilitated me in this decision was a sign that simply said “This Is Your Community.” Knowing that I was part of that community, I had a responsibility to participate in the county-wide cleanup day. Everyone identifies oneselves as a citizen who belong to a community. However, not only would want to be identify as a protester due to it stigma.
I believe that the revolutionary actions are successful at some level. Lasn mentions how a judge, acting as a private citizen, dissolved five tobacco companies since they have broken state child-abuse laws (Lasn 161). This informs us that the individual create a change within their community. With this, I could act spontaneously against cigarettes being smoked in public. One way is to support the smoke-free campus proposal. If people complain that it isn’t fair that they can’t smoke on campus, I will exclaim that it is fair that people can receive lung cancer from someone else’s action.
Works Cited
Diamond, Jared M. Collapse How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. New York: Viking, 2005. Print.
Lasn, Kalle. Culture Jam: The Uncooling of America. New York: Eagle Brook, 1999. Print.
Reed Esslinger-Payet, GSI
Art-Design 250
Your Authentic Act
We Americans have become sequacious; our choices are no longer “the products of [our] own will” (Lasn 40). Moreover, we are ultimately being controlled by a corporate state that infiltrate and saturate our lifestyle with capitalist ideals of lethal consumption (Lasn 69). This mindset that has been interwoven in lives has detrimental effects on us individually—such as body image, dietary issues, etc.—as well as collectively via the destruction of our environment. For example, Diamond mentions how China is striding to live the lifestyles of a First World country (Diamond 372). Yet, with such a large population, China’s environmental problems run on a gamut from air pollution to human-induced natural disasters (Diamond 358).
Lasn asserts that we must not tolerate degradation from our consumerist culture, but detourns the American dream (Lasn 168). He states that we do this by creating a “spectacle of modern life” by creating unusual disruptions in our daily routines (Lasn 101). Some actions seem so radical or rude that I question its effectiveness to promote a radical change to our culture while others are quite reasonable.
One of the action Lasn listed to start such revolution to our culture is to have rage toward corporate salesman (and similar careers). Having rage not only creates friction with the person who you are interacting with, but it creates friction with how people view you. For example, to be rude to a salesman because he has a job from a corporation one despises is futile. People will probably characterize you as a pugnacious dogmatist. That person is directing his rage and energy at the wrong individual. Balaguer, the president of Dominican Republic several times, directed his rage towards the ones who was directly responsible for the environmental degradation, such as loggers and politicians (Diamond 343); thus, it was effective. He didn’t direct his rage only to the individual that work at sawmills, but at the corporations and the powerful figures who supported them.
I agree that reframing the debate does start a change. Lasn, in the “Reframe Rebate” section, says one do this by stating and acting as a concerned citizen when one is rallying against a corporation. By shifting yourselves from a protester to a citizen, others in the community are able to become more aroused to support the issue. For example, I remember when I wanted to participate in the cleanup of my hometown. The main message that facilitated me in this decision was a sign that simply said “This Is Your Community.” Knowing that I was part of that community, I had a responsibility to participate in the county-wide cleanup day. Everyone identifies oneselves as a citizen who belong to a community. However, not only would want to be identify as a protester due to it stigma.
I believe that the revolutionary actions are successful at some level. Lasn mentions how a judge, acting as a private citizen, dissolved five tobacco companies since they have broken state child-abuse laws (Lasn 161). This informs us that the individual create a change within their community. With this, I could act spontaneously against cigarettes being smoked in public. One way is to support the smoke-free campus proposal. If people complain that it isn’t fair that they can’t smoke on campus, I will exclaim that it is fair that people can receive lung cancer from someone else’s action.
Works Cited
Diamond, Jared M. Collapse How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. New York: Viking, 2005. Print.
Lasn, Kalle. Culture Jam: The Uncooling of America. New York: Eagle Brook, 1999. Print.
Friday, November 13, 2009
WR prompt #9: YOUR Authentic Act
In the section “Spring” Lasn provides an alternative to “living in the mediacy,” showing that there is a revolutionary legacy from which contemporary culture jammers, Situationalists, Meme Warriors, and other dissident groups have drawn both strength and example. The driving force to live as not the “object but as the subject of the story” may seem counteractive, ridiculous, and even hypocritical to some of you. To others these spontaneous acts of defiance represent courageous, righteous, and necessary mentality.
1) Present me with two examples of these authentic acts: one that you agree with, support, or could even imagine taking part in; another that you oppose, that doesn’t seem worth it to you, or are even offended by. Present each of these, referencing the page or section that discusses it, and give a thorough explanation of your choices. Support your arguments (your feelings) with evidence, (past examples from Lasn, or any other material from lecture, Diamond, Leopold, discussion, or your own lives).
2) Is there an authentic act you could imagine taking part of? What context/ issue/ conditions would you agree to and, more importantly, what outcome would you be aiming for?
3) Finally discuss briefly the need (if any) for defiant/ revolutionary/ protesting forces in society (whether or not it is you personally rebelling). What does these whistle blowers accomplish? Do we think more critically because of them? Do they contribute to our ‘education’? (Informing people of the ecological footprint of their consumer habits). Do they achieve justice? (uncovering or bringing to justice wrongs of the government, corporations, or other powerful entities)?
1) Present me with two examples of these authentic acts: one that you agree with, support, or could even imagine taking part in; another that you oppose, that doesn’t seem worth it to you, or are even offended by. Present each of these, referencing the page or section that discusses it, and give a thorough explanation of your choices. Support your arguments (your feelings) with evidence, (past examples from Lasn, or any other material from lecture, Diamond, Leopold, discussion, or your own lives).
2) Is there an authentic act you could imagine taking part of? What context/ issue/ conditions would you agree to and, more importantly, what outcome would you be aiming for?
3) Finally discuss briefly the need (if any) for defiant/ revolutionary/ protesting forces in society (whether or not it is you personally rebelling). What does these whistle blowers accomplish? Do we think more critically because of them? Do they contribute to our ‘education’? (Informing people of the ecological footprint of their consumer habits). Do they achieve justice? (uncovering or bringing to justice wrongs of the government, corporations, or other powerful entities)?
Jenny's World Changing Responses 1 - 5
1 - “Questioning Consumption”
This is a great way to open up this book. The writers put it on the line that our consumption is causing many of the other problems that our environment faces. As I began calculating how much “stuff” I have for the Stuff project, this is incredibly relevant to my life. We have so many things that we forget about. Even here at school, where I have taken an abbreviated amount of ‘stuff’ from what I have at home, there are still things I forget I have, or don’t use. Finding these things brings up the main point of this chapter. All of the extra stuff we have, and don’t use, causes clutter in our lives. We’ll save money, and energy, by being more conscious of what we have. Relating to this is ecological footprints. Everyone should calculate how much energy and natural resources they use, just to put their lives into perspective. Everyone forgets that we are the world… we are directly responsible for the help or harm that our world receives. What is a reasonable ‘footprint’? The average is 2.2 hectares per person. I do the best I can to keep up with the environment, especially after learning more through this class. I just think that everyone needs to consider the amount of stuff they are using and have. And when they go out to purchase more stuff, to consider “choice fatigue”. Too many choices, makes us think we need more stuff, because there are so many options. Maybe, if our society was a little more levelheaded, and conscious of their purchases, we could slowly make a big difference. I’m not sure. It is worth a try though.
2 - “Creating Healthy Homes”
The items that we are taught to rely on to clean our homes aren’t clean themselves. How can that be? The toxins in our cleaners, that we think are removing the grime and germs in our homes, are actually spreading, and getting back into our water and sewers. The cycle continues. Non-toxic items are available, but just may break the bank when it comes down to purchasing them. When will we make it affordable to live in a clean and safe home? Products like laundry detergent are awful for us. The additives seep into skin that can lead to cell damage. Hydrochloric acid from bathroom cleaners can burn the skin and eyes, and cause stomach issues and burning of the skin. People are not aware of this. If they were, they may take the other route and buy non-toxins to clean with. Maybe that would help stimulate our economy? It doesn’t seem like the worst idea. Paper products also. Though they are c convenient, they are extremely wasteful. Reusable material is the way to go. It’s a shame that people don’t know about these things. If people were more aware of this, they’d change. Even though it would take a while, I think they would. This book, World Changing, is making me much more aware of so many things. I think it is important people learn, so they don’t harm themselves and those they love. They need to know.
3 - “Art meets Technology”
Technology can be a huge asset to the arts. We (artists) can use the new mechanisms and ideas to strengthen our artistic outreach. Though this technology can be put to very good use, and create innovations that are beneficial to our world, it can also easily be taken advantage of, and misused. For example, the “Hug Shirt” is a shirt that creates the sensation of a hug when your body temperature and heartbeat permit it to. Have we come to the point where we have to synthesize emotion? This seems a bit ridiculous to me. Though an intriguing idea that technology can be used to do this, I feel that we could be putting it to much better use than creating shirts that are taking the place of human affection. On the other side of this, the “sonic city” headphones record information about the environment and map urban sounds to create a track of your experience. This use of technology is very intriguing, and can help us approach our environmental problems for a different standpoint. All in all, I believe that our technology can be used in positive ways, and negative ways. We just have to keep trying to point them in the positive direction so we don’t misuse our research.
4 - “Producer Responsibility”
When reading about this I thought it was extremely intriguing. Germany takes an innovative approach to keeping our world a little greener. Instead of leaving it to the car owner to dispose or give back their old cars, who’s materials are usually put to waste, the car company take responsibility for what happens to the car after it is done with its use. The “end-of-Life vehicle directive” was adopted by Europe after Germany’s approach, because in the long run it was saving money, and re using materials. Though difficult, these companies try to recover metals in products designed for utility. This encouraged companies to create vehicles that would fit this bill, and would cooperate when it came time to reuse the materials. This has inspired a wave of technology in which we don’t only think about its usage, but what happens after usage as well. An example being pop-apart cell phones that are quick to dissemble and just as efficient as cell phones. This is a great idea. This will encourage people to think about the after effects of everything that they do. Well, probably not everything, but it will at least help inspire a change. If we change, and think more about what happens after we waste, or what happens after we purchase a new big item, it may get us to think more about which item we are going to buy, and which items we are throwing to waste.
5 - “Green Homes”
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