World Changing Response 12/13 A Personal Action Plan pg. 514-517
In the very beginning of this article, a truthful and stunning quotation is used—“If you’re a butcher, baker, ballerina, banker, or a plumber, envision yourself as the post-fossil-fuel version of yourself, and get right after it” (Bruce Sterling). This statement reinforces the action of always keeping in mind that everything we do at present will make an impact in the future environmentally. It is exceptionally important for world citizens in this 21st Century to really make smart choices about what we want, what we use, and what we dispose because knowing the fact that recourses are becoming scarce, every carelessness can potentially lead to harming the environment. Therefore, this article teaches us that we can find ways to reduce our personal contribution to climate change, to use fewer of our planet’s resources, and to consciously ward off environmental collapse. According to the book, efficiency is a long-term win-win strategy; thus we should start thinking about energy efficiency as fundamental to what we buy or use. Items that waste energy should not be in our considerations. The book also suggests thinking about what we do for our jobs. Professions that help people cope with big changes are sure to see increased demand. It is hugely essential that because of our rapid technological advancement, we’re not all that concerned about decades ahead. However, the environment doesn’t keep pace with human activity. Therefore we need to start making smart choices in our own lives to both prosper and prevent global warming. A good way to practice this is checking you carbon footprint, which we did for this class as well. After you check and realize that there needs to be six planets just to satisfy the world if everyone lives like the way you do, you will be very shocked and hopefully start self-reflecting.
Carly Abramson World Changing Case Study EXTRA CREDIT Ending Violence (pg. 464-469)
I was interested in this topic because it is not just about the war in Iraq that we all know so much about because it is on the news everyday. It discusses the troubles in Africa, like the genocides that happened in Rwanda and currently in Darfur. What upsets me the most is how the biggest problem is the recruitment of child soldiers since the “cause of much suffering in the world is a teenage boy with an automatic rifle” (464). So many people are on the run to escape these terrifying, brainwashed children and in result, die from lack of necessities to survive. People have tried everything that they could to stop wars from happening but there are so many horrible people in the world that just simply, cannot be stopped. However, it cannot hurt to have more peacekeepers. I learned that United Nations peacekeepers or “blue hats” could change the world. I always thought that people who want to make peace do not go to violent measures but UN peacekeepers do. While their tactics are under debate, they are not creating violence to kill off the so-called enemy of any war but are rather there to put a stop to both sides. Natural disasters are impossible to foresee. Yet, there are still many things that can be done to either help those that have been effected or strengthen things that may cause disaster in the future. For example, nobody could have predicted that an earthquake would hit Haiti but since that happened, it would be reasonable to reinforce buildings and other third world countries/cities that have the same building structures as Haiti did. But the destruction that happened in Haiti caused so much poverty that there is bound to be conflict. Conflict can erupt in war, and trying to reduce the poverty in the world can stop these conflicts.
This passage ‘Art Meets Technology’ focuses on the relationship between technology and society and the role of the artist. While technology can often act as a means of materials in an artist’s work, it is important to also consider the practical uses of it. This role should not only be left to engineers, it is essential that artists and designers become increasingly involved. The use of technology in artwork and new inventions gives a creative edge to practical concepts. This entire experience can change our “perceptions of what is and what could be.” Some examples of how art and technology are being combined in new projects include the Hug Shirt. The Hug Shirt is a shirt that makes one feel as if he is she is being hugged by using electronics and sensors to trigger body signals similar to those experienced when one receives a hug. Another example is the carbon-sniffing robot. This robot is able to chart the carbon dioxide levels in the air and creates an installation of green lines on a wall to show the results. Both of these inventions show the connection between making art and giving it purpose that connects to the outside world. This is something I am interested in doing in my own work because of the meaning it would give it. Work that has a purpose or makes the viewer understand something in a new way can be very powerful and is something I strive to accomplish. I think that it is important that artists at least consider making work of this sort because with their use of creativity a lot can be accomplished and the results can both help the environment as well as human well-being.
The chapter on microfinance has broadened my knowledge of understanding the tangible ways that are already being implemented to help people in developing nations. Although micro-financing isn’t quite in the realm of artists, it is still “an invaluable strategy for generating income for people with limited financial resources” (346). It is a win-win situation whereby “it involves minimal risk on the part of the lender with potentially lifechanging results for the borrower” (346). The prime example given in this chapter is the case of Raghu, a poor laborer working in Central India, whose wife, Vimala had received a microloan from SEWA, Self-Employed Women’s Association. From the thousand rupees (about twenty-two U.S dollars) that she had borrowed, she was able to establish a steady income in raising chickens and selling the eggs. In just a few years, Vimala and Raghu’s lives were transformed—“they have conquered poverty and built a stream of steady income, which will ensure that they maintain and increase their standard of living in the years to come”(348). It is quite comforting to know that there are now over hundreds of organizations offering microcredit services to millions around the world. As relevant as this is, my alternative spring break this coming year is tackling the issue of urban poverty in America. One of the destinations is Rhode Island, where students are going to be placed in a microcredit organization to learn the ways and interact with those in need of help. Although I will not be going to RI because I have been stationed this spring break to go Detroit to help the homeless, I think it is great to have this understanding of one of the many ways that we may be able to help in the near future.
World Changing Response 12/13
ReplyDeleteA Personal Action Plan pg. 514-517
In the very beginning of this article, a truthful and stunning quotation is used—“If you’re a butcher, baker, ballerina, banker, or a plumber, envision yourself as the post-fossil-fuel version of yourself, and get right after it” (Bruce Sterling). This statement reinforces the action of always keeping in mind that everything we do at present will make an impact in the future environmentally. It is exceptionally important for world citizens in this 21st Century to really make smart choices about what we want, what we use, and what we dispose because knowing the fact that recourses are becoming scarce, every carelessness can potentially lead to harming the environment. Therefore, this article teaches us that we can find ways to reduce our personal contribution to climate change, to use fewer of our planet’s resources, and to consciously ward off environmental collapse. According to the book, efficiency is a long-term win-win strategy; thus we should start thinking about energy efficiency as fundamental to what we buy or use. Items that waste energy should not be in our considerations. The book also suggests thinking about what we do for our jobs. Professions that help people cope with big changes are sure to see increased demand. It is hugely essential that because of our rapid technological advancement, we’re not all that concerned about decades ahead. However, the environment doesn’t keep pace with human activity. Therefore we need to start making smart choices in our own lives to both prosper and prevent global warming. A good way to practice this is checking you carbon footprint, which we did for this class as well. After you check and realize that there needs to be six planets just to satisfy the world if everyone lives like the way you do, you will be very shocked and hopefully start self-reflecting.
Carly Abramson
ReplyDeleteWorld Changing Case Study EXTRA CREDIT
Ending Violence (pg. 464-469)
I was interested in this topic because it is not just about the war in Iraq that we all know so much about because it is on the news everyday. It discusses the troubles in Africa, like the genocides that happened in Rwanda and currently in Darfur. What upsets me the most is how the biggest problem is the recruitment of child soldiers since the “cause of much suffering in the world is a teenage boy with an automatic rifle” (464). So many people are on the run to escape these terrifying, brainwashed children and in result, die from lack of necessities to survive.
People have tried everything that they could to stop wars from happening but there are so many horrible people in the world that just simply, cannot be stopped. However, it cannot hurt to have more peacekeepers. I learned that United Nations peacekeepers or “blue hats” could change the world. I always thought that people who want to make peace do not go to violent measures but UN peacekeepers do. While their tactics are under debate, they are not creating violence to kill off the so-called enemy of any war but are rather there to put a stop to both sides.
Natural disasters are impossible to foresee. Yet, there are still many things that can be done to either help those that have been effected or strengthen things that may cause disaster in the future. For example, nobody could have predicted that an earthquake would hit Haiti but since that happened, it would be reasonable to reinforce buildings and other third world countries/cities that have the same building structures as Haiti did. But the destruction that happened in Haiti caused so much poverty that there is bound to be conflict. Conflict can erupt in war, and trying to reduce the poverty in the world can stop these conflicts.
Lila Title
ReplyDeleteADP III
World Changing Response
Art Meets Technology p.96
This passage ‘Art Meets Technology’ focuses on the relationship between technology and society and the role of the artist. While technology can often act as a means of materials in an artist’s work, it is important to also consider the practical uses of it. This role should not only be left to engineers, it is essential that artists and designers become increasingly involved. The use of technology in artwork and new inventions gives a creative edge to practical concepts. This entire experience can change our “perceptions of what is and what could be.” Some examples of how art and technology are being combined in new projects include the Hug Shirt. The Hug Shirt is a shirt that makes one feel as if he is she is being hugged by using electronics and sensors to trigger body signals similar to those experienced when one receives a hug. Another example is the carbon-sniffing robot. This robot is able to chart the carbon dioxide levels in the air and creates an installation of green lines on a wall to show the results. Both of these inventions show the connection between making art and giving it purpose that connects to the outside world. This is something I am interested in doing in my own work because of the meaning it would give it. Work that has a purpose or makes the viewer understand something in a new way can be very powerful and is something I strive to accomplish. I think that it is important that artists at least consider making work of this sort because with their use of creativity a lot can be accomplished and the results can both help the environment as well as human well-being.
Microfinance [pg.346-351]
ReplyDeleteThe chapter on microfinance has broadened my knowledge of understanding the tangible ways that are already being implemented to help people in developing nations. Although micro-financing isn’t quite in the realm of artists, it is still “an invaluable strategy for generating income for people with limited financial resources” (346). It is a win-win situation whereby “it involves minimal risk on the part of the lender with potentially lifechanging results for the borrower” (346).
The prime example given in this chapter is the case of Raghu, a poor laborer working in Central India, whose wife, Vimala had received a microloan from SEWA, Self-Employed Women’s Association. From the thousand rupees (about twenty-two U.S dollars) that she had borrowed, she was able to establish a steady income in raising chickens and selling the eggs. In just a few years, Vimala and Raghu’s lives were transformed—“they have conquered poverty and built a stream of steady income, which will ensure that they maintain and increase their standard of living in the years to come”(348).
It is quite comforting to know that there are now over hundreds of organizations offering microcredit services to millions around the world. As relevant as this is, my alternative spring break this coming year is tackling the issue of urban poverty in America. One of the destinations is Rhode Island, where students are going to be placed in a microcredit organization to learn the ways and interact with those in need of help. Although I will not be going to RI because I have been stationed this spring break to go Detroit to help the homeless, I think it is great to have this understanding of one of the many ways that we may be able to help in the near future.