The problem of obesity is on the rise; not only in the United States but recent polls show an increase in obesity all over the world. The increase in obesity rates for both adults and children raises serious questions on the state of health of our countries. Specifically speaking to the United States 36.6% of Americans are overweight, and 26.5% are obese. A total of 63.1% percent of American are at an unhealthy weight, and it appears that this percentage increase every year. With the realization that the nations health is in serious disarray, we must first focus on the root of the problem. Food, food is the problem for the average American attempting to live a healthy day-to-day life. Before the days of fast, processed, and imitation food there was a time of natural, homegrown, organic food. Living in a fast paced society that thrives on instant gratification and indulgence, we have become lazy and unwise in our food choices leading to a culture of fat, overweight people. In the case study “Better Food Everywhere”, the focus remains on where to find healthy food even if it seems unlikely. For example looking at the importance of food in both hospitals and schools, which target a large demographic. This stands as one of the most important factors in my opinion, because the case study addresses students in college not just elementary, middle, and high schools. People often overlook the fact that what we consume into our bodies is what is available in our surroundings. Many schools, including the University of Michigan implemented healthy dining and meal options for its students. Allowing access to foods that are vegetarian, vegan, and kosher as well as foods lower in calories, and fat. Accessibility to healthy food is a key solution to a very serious problem. The introduction of healthy, and better foods in areas where cafeterias and mass distribution of foods are prominent, will help offer a better alternative to the already present junk food.
Educating girls and empowering women is a goal that was recently brought into the spotlight with the UN’s Millennium Goals that were put forth in 2000. 180 governments committed to addressing this crisis. Much of the gender inequality problem lies within education, especially in developing countries. Many families will not put their daughters into school at a young age because it is seen as a waste. In many of these cultures a girl will grow up, get married, leave her own family, and become her husbands property. Education seems like a waste because the future is often already set for these girls. Many efforts are currently being made to reverse this mindset in developing areas. In Uttar Pradesh, a rural Indian state, international charities provided funding for a completely separate schooling system for girls. The program’s goals is to help girls fulfill their full potential and end the cycle of female illiteracy and impoverishment. Many women’s self help groups are also being started in India, and it is estimated that there are already thousands of unofficial women’s self help groups already in India. Women in these groups are hearing other women speakers discuss women’s rights and they are gaining skills. It also gives these women a place to be unafraid. It created a community. Beauty salons are another tool being used for change. Hair stylists all around the world are being educated on helping women escape abusive situations and become empowered. Many women go to the beauty salon and feel comfortable there. Women often let their guard down at the beauty salon, and hopefully this can be used to women’s advantage. Hair stylists and beauticians can talk to these women about different issues.
As the Technological Age continues to advance and information becomes more readily available, verbal conversation is often cut out of communication. News and current events are streamed electronically and a viewer can read conversational debates in the comment section of almost any posted information on the Internet. As convenient as this is, it cuts out the interpersonal communication that is needed to make change and often render peace. As World Changing quotes, “In Times of paralyzing complexity, conversation becomes extremely relevant” (pg. 431). The Internet has become a place of camouflage; any person can create an Internet account and disguise their face while instating radical ideas and commentary. Face-to-Face conversation is so important in achieving compromise and building a global community. There is certain sensitivity for other human life that is fulfilled through personal dialogue that cannot be achieved via cold hard screen. Rethinking conversation is an essential part of maintaining the global community at large Café conversations are small-scale roundtable events that value the opinions of all participants, no matter how shy one may seemingly be in a large group. Organizations such as The World Café are working towards achieving conversations that breed change and radical interpersonal communications. This organization recognizes that most ideas flourish during the small conversations that occur during a coffee or lunch break and not within a corporate boardroom setting. The intimacy of a café conversation is radical in itself as we continue ebbing along with technology.
10/26/10 Jackie San Fillipo ADP III World Changing
When looking through Alejandro Cartenegra’s Fragmented Cities series, I couldn’t help but make a connection to CAFOs. It is clear from this project that in Mexico, developers have implemented ways of creating cheap and abundant housing. Like feedlots, they are designed to house as many people as possible, and use as much of the given land as possible for a low price. This project shows that this type of “monetization” is found in many areas of our lives besides feedlots. To find out more about the future of our housing, I read “Developing Green Housing” on Page 155 of World Changing. It explains that when you combine sustainable design with densely planned neighborhoods, you get future-friendly city living. New “green” housing is the only answer to our rapid urbanization without compromising the planet. Solar panels and rooftop gardens are popular steps in this movement, but despite these efforts most developers are slow to add the extra costs of sustainable housing, thinking it won’t be worth the investment. But the truth is, when you scale this up, it will be cheaper in terms of energy, and resources we will save. For the future, green housing is actually a lot more marketable.
After making my excel spreadsheet for "my stuff" project, I started to realize how much stuff not only I have, but people in general have. One thing that this chapter brought up that I never really think about, is that every single thing we have was made with a specific intention, which is pretty amazing if you think about it. Product designers have the difficult time of creating things that people will want to use. "Today's product designers often have little control over where these objects go, how they are actually used, whether they get hacked, axed, or modified, and how they're disposed of when they break of wear out." When going through my spreadsheet and documenting where each of my items would end up at the end of its life cycle, almost all of my stuff could not be recycled and would end up sitting in a landfill and having a negative impact on our environment. I think that a big step is that now there is a high demand for ecofriendly products, because people are starting to take more responsibility for there global impact. However, designing these green products is difficult because "designers can spend a lot of time fussing about technical details that are often outside their purview, thereby failing to play to their greatest strengths." I think that although it may take some time, we will be able to get over this hump and create products that are better for the environment and fit all the demands of consumers.
Teresa Dennis October 26th World Changing: Green Remodeling pg 142
Materials when building a house are always taken into consideration. Many homes are built with the cheapest materials, to create the least obstacles for the finances of the house. However, these materials often lead to a higher upkeep cost for the house, since cheaper materials often signify a poor quality, and degrade early. I have known too many families who move into that cheap, new, big house cookie cutter neighborhood, and live there a few years and see their house falling apart, notice walls are thin, wood paneling is cracking apart, and the paint is peeling. So, from this, we have to invest in more adequate materials, but not necessarily new expensive ones. There are companies that recycle good building materials, providing materials that are not taken away from the environment for use. These old materials can bring a character into a home, bringing their history to the structure. If recycled wood is not a viable option, there is the Forest Stewardship Council, which monitors logging operations, and approves timber under their regulations. Along the idea of green materials for buildings, a better alternative to wood is bamboo. Bamboo can grow twelve inches per day, and is able to replenish itself much faster than any wood sources can. Bamboo is sturdy and flexible, and can have the same appearance as wood in an house.
After reading the section about Global Culture, no only did I realized how much I am influence by other cultures but they influence other people around me as well. The other cultures I am surrounded by are mostly American, Korean, and Chinese. Not only cause most of my friends come from theses background but because I have an interest in learning about them. I am Mexican (American) and I have already a good knowledge on Mexican culture. Though I was born in the US, I am still amazed by American culture. I don’t understand it that much all the time. The culture I am most interested in however is Korean culture. I became very interested in it last year. At first I was sucked into the art and ancient history. Then I got involved in listening to kpop and I was just completely lured into knowing more about Korea. Though Korean isn’t one of the top languages mentioned in World Changing, I am still trying to learn it. In addition to all the cultures around me, how could one define what culture is? Honestly, I am really looking forward to knowing more about Korea. I am actually transferring to LSA next semester and I am now going to major in Asian Studies with my sub-concentration being Korean. To me, culture is language, music, literature, history, and film. I plan on learning all about those things in Korea in the next three and a half years. I might not understand it all but I can’t wait to see how Korean culture compares to American and Mexican clture.
World Changing ADP 3 10/26 Ben Paskus Tools for Talking pg. 431
This excerpt from world changing has been my favorite thus far. It talks about the historic power of simple conservation and how countless innovative and genius ideas are sparked not at conference sessions and formal meeting but rather in the hallways and during coffee breaks. The idea of café conversation has now progressed, especially with the help of technology, so that people all over the world can interact and inquire with others on ideas that significantly interest them. Citizens are becoming a source of originality and take responsibility for shaping their own reality. Conversation allows us to make sense of what is happening around us, generate new ideas, and think collectively about how to live together. My support for this really came when it mentioned that the structure of these debates make even the quietest people feel respected. The aim is to create a space that allows people to examine their thoughts and create understanding to bring about a more unbiased relationship. Many are afraid to speak their opinion in the face of being rejected and shut down by a large group, but conversations support the power and integrity of a small group. That’s not to say that things can’t heat up and get slightly personal, a conversation that has hints of aggression is much stronger. A term that came up was appreciative inquiry. Asking us to pay special attention to what works, using the best of the past and present to ignite our imaginations.
It’s amazing how nature keeps getting the upper hand on man and his inventions. Many designs have been reproduced as models of organic structures. The reason for this is due to the time and natural selective processes that have given rise to these structures and processes. Time has test these designs and chosen what is the most effective. It’s stimulating to see engineers turn to natural algorithms that take designs through generations of change and see which one meets the needs of the design. Even everyday household products are changing like tape to newer ones taken from the gecko: a strong sealing agent that cleans itself and is chemical free to paint made off of the Lotus flowers texture which repels water and cleans itself with rainfall.
Biomorphism p. 102-106
With biomorphism, designers aren’t improving on natural designs but actual taking designs itself from nature for furniture to architecture. What these designs offer are not only organic approaches to design but green approaches to such as Bucky Fuller’s geodesic dome which maximizes the interior space reducing material requirements, conserving heat, and stimulating airflow through the building. Another building, The Core, in Cornwall, England, is modeled off the Fibonacci sequence in it’s placement of photovoltaic panels spiraling outward like sunflower seeds. This approach to architecture through natural forms proves that we can take simple designs that in reality are complex and apply them to design.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBetter Food Everywhere
ReplyDeleteThe problem of obesity is on the rise; not only in the United States but recent polls show an increase in obesity all over the world. The increase in obesity rates for both adults and children raises serious questions on the state of health of our countries. Specifically speaking to the United States 36.6% of Americans are overweight, and 26.5% are obese. A total of 63.1% percent of American are at an unhealthy weight, and it appears that this percentage increase every year. With the realization that the nations health is in serious disarray, we must first focus on the root of the problem. Food, food is the problem for the average American attempting to live a healthy day-to-day life. Before the days of fast, processed, and imitation food there was a time of natural, homegrown, organic food. Living in a fast paced society that thrives on instant gratification and indulgence, we have become lazy and unwise in our food choices leading to a culture of fat, overweight people.
In the case study “Better Food Everywhere”, the focus remains on where to find healthy food even if it seems unlikely. For example looking at the importance of food in both hospitals and schools, which target a large demographic. This stands as one of the most important factors in my opinion, because the case study addresses students in college not just elementary, middle, and high schools. People often overlook the fact that what we consume into our bodies is what is available in our surroundings. Many schools, including the University of Michigan implemented healthy dining and meal options for its students. Allowing access to foods that are vegetarian, vegan, and kosher as well as foods lower in calories, and fat. Accessibility to healthy food is a key solution to a very serious problem. The introduction of healthy, and better foods in areas where cafeterias and mass distribution of foods are prominent, will help offer a better alternative to the already present junk food.
Educating girls and empowering women is a goal that was recently brought into the spotlight with the UN’s Millennium Goals that were put forth in 2000. 180 governments committed to addressing this crisis. Much of the gender inequality problem lies within education, especially in developing countries. Many families will not put their daughters into school at a young age because it is seen as a waste. In many of these cultures a girl will grow up, get married, leave her own family, and become her husbands property. Education seems like a waste because the future is often already set for these girls. Many efforts are currently being made to reverse this mindset in developing areas. In Uttar Pradesh, a rural Indian state, international charities provided funding for a completely separate schooling system for girls. The program’s goals is to help girls fulfill their full potential and end the cycle of female illiteracy and impoverishment. Many women’s self help groups are also being started in India, and it is estimated that there are already thousands of unofficial women’s self help groups already in India. Women in these groups are hearing other women speakers discuss women’s rights and they are gaining skills. It also gives these women a place to be unafraid. It created a community. Beauty salons are another tool being used for change. Hair stylists all around the world are being educated on helping women escape abusive situations and become empowered. Many women go to the beauty salon and feel comfortable there. Women often let their guard down at the beauty salon, and hopefully this can be used to women’s advantage. Hair stylists and beauticians can talk to these women about different issues.
ReplyDeleteKatie Klimkowski
Caitlin Murphy
ReplyDelete26 October 2010
World Changing
Tools for Talking
As the Technological Age continues to advance and information becomes more readily available, verbal conversation is often cut out of communication. News and current events are streamed electronically and a viewer can read conversational debates in the comment section of almost any posted information on the Internet. As convenient as this is, it cuts out the interpersonal communication that is needed to make change and often render peace.
As World Changing quotes, “In Times of paralyzing complexity, conversation becomes extremely relevant” (pg. 431). The Internet has become a place of camouflage; any person can create an Internet account and disguise their face while instating radical ideas and commentary. Face-to-Face conversation is so important in achieving compromise and building a global community. There is certain sensitivity for other human life that is fulfilled through personal dialogue that cannot be achieved via cold hard screen. Rethinking conversation is an essential part of maintaining the global community at large
Café conversations are small-scale roundtable events that value the opinions of all participants, no matter how shy one may seemingly be in a large group. Organizations such as The World Café are working towards achieving conversations that breed change and radical interpersonal communications. This organization recognizes that most ideas flourish during the small conversations that occur during a coffee or lunch break and not within a corporate boardroom setting. The intimacy of a café conversation is radical in itself as we continue ebbing along with technology.
10/26/10
ReplyDeleteJackie San Fillipo
ADP III
World Changing
When looking through Alejandro Cartenegra’s Fragmented Cities series, I couldn’t help but make a connection to CAFOs. It is clear from this project that in Mexico, developers have implemented ways of creating cheap and abundant housing. Like feedlots, they are designed to house as many people as possible, and use as much of the given land as possible for a low price. This project shows that this type of “monetization” is found in many areas of our lives besides feedlots. To find out more about the future of our housing, I read “Developing Green Housing” on Page 155 of World Changing. It explains that when you combine sustainable design with densely planned neighborhoods, you get future-friendly city living. New “green” housing is the only answer to our rapid urbanization without compromising the planet. Solar panels and rooftop gardens are popular steps in this movement, but despite these efforts most developers are slow to add the extra costs of sustainable housing, thinking it won’t be worth the investment. But the truth is, when you scale this up, it will be cheaper in terms of energy, and resources we will save. For the future, green housing is actually a lot more marketable.
Lindsay Avino
ReplyDeleteADP III
10/26/10
World Changing
Designing a Sustainable World p.83
After making my excel spreadsheet for "my stuff" project, I started to realize how much stuff not only I have, but people in general have. One thing that this chapter brought up that I never really think about, is that every single thing we have was made with a specific intention, which is pretty amazing if you think about it. Product designers have the difficult time of creating things that people will want to use. "Today's product designers often have little control over where these objects go, how they are actually used, whether they get hacked, axed, or modified, and how they're disposed of when they break of wear out." When going through my spreadsheet and documenting where each of my items would end up at the end of its life cycle, almost all of my stuff could not be recycled and would end up sitting in a landfill and having a negative impact on our environment. I think that a big step is that now there is a high demand for ecofriendly products, because people are starting to take more responsibility for there global impact. However, designing these green products is difficult because "designers can spend a lot of time fussing about technical details that are often outside their purview, thereby failing to play to their greatest strengths." I think that although it may take some time, we will be able to get over this hump and create products that are better for the environment and fit all the demands of consumers.
Teresa Dennis
ReplyDeleteOctober 26th
World Changing: Green Remodeling pg 142
Materials when building a house are always taken into consideration. Many homes are built with the cheapest materials, to create the least obstacles for the finances of the house. However, these materials often lead to a higher upkeep cost for the house, since cheaper materials often signify a poor quality, and degrade early. I have known too many families who move into that cheap, new, big house cookie cutter neighborhood, and live there a few years and see their house falling apart, notice walls are thin, wood paneling is cracking apart, and the paint is peeling.
So, from this, we have to invest in more adequate materials, but not necessarily new expensive ones. There are companies that recycle good building materials, providing materials that are not taken away from the environment for use. These old materials can bring a character into a home, bringing their history to the structure. If recycled wood is not a viable option, there is the Forest Stewardship Council, which monitors logging operations, and approves timber under their regulations.
Along the idea of green materials for buildings, a better alternative to wood is bamboo. Bamboo can grow twelve inches per day, and is able to replenish itself much faster than any wood sources can. Bamboo is sturdy and flexible, and can have the same appearance as wood in an house.
Rebecca Aguilar
ReplyDeleteGlobal Culture
10/26
After reading the section about Global Culture, no only did I realized how much I am influence by other cultures but they influence other people around me as well. The other cultures I am surrounded by are mostly American, Korean, and Chinese. Not only cause most of my friends come from theses background but because I have an interest in learning about them.
I am Mexican (American) and I have already a good knowledge on Mexican culture. Though I was born in the US, I am still amazed by American culture. I don’t understand it that much all the time. The culture I am most interested in however is Korean culture. I became very interested in it last year. At first I was sucked into the art and ancient history. Then I got involved in listening to kpop and I was just completely lured into knowing more about Korea. Though Korean isn’t one of the top languages mentioned in World Changing, I am still trying to learn it.
In addition to all the cultures around me, how could one define what culture is? Honestly, I am really looking forward to knowing more about Korea. I am actually transferring to LSA next semester and I am now going to major in Asian Studies with my sub-concentration being Korean. To me, culture is language, music, literature, history, and film. I plan on learning all about those things in Korea in the next three and a half years. I might not understand it all but I can’t wait to see how Korean culture compares to American and Mexican clture.
World Changing
ReplyDeleteADP 3
10/26
Ben Paskus
Tools for Talking pg. 431
This excerpt from world changing has been my favorite thus far. It talks about the historic power of simple conservation and how countless innovative and genius ideas are sparked not at conference sessions and formal meeting but rather in the hallways and during coffee breaks. The idea of café conversation has now progressed, especially with the help of technology, so that people all over the world can interact and inquire with others on ideas that significantly interest them. Citizens are becoming a source of originality and take responsibility for shaping their own reality. Conversation allows us to make sense of what is happening around us, generate new ideas, and think collectively about how to live together. My support for this really came when it mentioned that the structure of these debates make even the quietest people feel respected. The aim is to create a space that allows people to examine their thoughts and create understanding to bring about a more unbiased relationship. Many are afraid to speak their opinion in the face of being rejected and shut down by a large group, but conversations support the power and integrity of a small group. That’s not to say that things can’t heat up and get slightly personal, a conversation that has hints of aggression is much stronger. A term that came up was appreciative inquiry. Asking us to pay special attention to what works, using the best of the past and present to ignite our imaginations.
ADP III World Changing 10/26
ReplyDeleteLyle A. Murphy – Sec. 003
Biomimicry p. 99-102
It’s amazing how nature keeps getting the upper hand on man and his inventions. Many designs have been reproduced as models of organic structures. The reason for this is due to the time and natural selective processes that have given rise to these structures and processes. Time has test these designs and chosen what is the most effective. It’s stimulating to see engineers turn to natural algorithms that take designs through generations of change and see which one meets the needs of the design. Even everyday household products are changing like tape to newer ones taken from the gecko: a strong sealing agent that cleans itself and is chemical free to paint made off of the Lotus flowers texture which repels water and cleans itself with rainfall.
Biomorphism p. 102-106
With biomorphism, designers aren’t improving on natural designs but actual taking designs itself from nature for furniture to architecture. What these designs offer are not only organic approaches to design but green approaches to such as Bucky Fuller’s geodesic dome which maximizes the interior space reducing material requirements, conserving heat, and stimulating airflow through the building. Another building, The Core, in Cornwall, England, is modeled off the Fibonacci sequence in it’s placement of photovoltaic panels spiraling outward like sunflower seeds. This approach to architecture through natural forms proves that we can take simple designs that in reality are complex and apply them to design.