ARC 211: American Diversity and Design: Stephanie Tsuei

University at Buffalo - State University of New York
ARC 211 - American Diversity and Design - Spring 2017
Online Discussion Questions
Stephanie Tsuei
http://its.ucsc.edu/about/diversity.html

Introduction
ARC 211 American Diversity and Design was more varied and
relatable than I originally thought it’d be. Although we did
cover topics such as architecture and race like I thought we
would, I learned that diversity encompasses so much more,
taking into account age, disability, and other factors. The way
everything, from our clothes to the buildings we inhabit, is
designed greatly impacts the development of how people
come to fit into such established socio-economic classes.
Something I found particularly compelling in this course is the
first extra credit when I attended Dr.John Powell’s lecture. He
gave an example of a person in a wheelchair approaching an
escalator and yielded the question of whether the disabled
person or the design of the escalator is at fault. That opened
my eyes to something I’ve never thought of before. This course
has influenced me to pay more attention to my verbal context and gage how each of my actions affect
others. I don’t look at the world differently, however, I do feel more aware.
The following pages document my responses to the online discussion questions in the Spring 2017 version of
ARC 211 American Diversity and Design at the University at Buffalo – State University of New York.
Photographer: Jay Wang

Week 1 Module - Thread 1: Introduction
This thread provides you with an opportunity to "meet"
each other and initiate a connection with participants in
your group. In responding to this discussion thread, please
introduce yourself and provide us with one interesting fact
about yourself. After posting your introduction, take a look
through and reply to some of the others. The purpose of
this exercise is to develop a sense of community. You
might find that you share similar experiences and can
help each other in many ways throughout the semester.
Hi everyone,
My name is Stephanie Tsuei and I'm from Staten Island,
New York. I travel a lot because I'm grateful to have a
mother who is a flight attendant. Last summer was the first
time I went to Europe. The countries I visited were
Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Taiwan and
China. Also, come meet me at Asian American Student
Union club. I'm the treasurer and love meeting people!
Photographer: Stephanie Tsuei

Week 1 Module - Thread 2: Response to "What is design?" from
Hello World
The author opened her chapter with the example of Ying Zheng,
the ruler of the Qin empire, one of the most powerful and
enduring empires I the history of China. She explained how
design innovation contributed to Ying Zheng’s success. For
example, in the development of weaponry, he resolved many
problems by standardizing parts, and this single innovation gave
his armies great advantage over other armies.
For this discussion, let’s move away from 246 B.C. China, and into
the U.S. Describe an innovation or invention (can be current or
historical) that gave advantage to a group of people in the U.S.
or to the population as a whole. What were the social impacts of
this innovation? Were any groups negatively impacted by this
innovation? For example, the telegraph, developed and
patented in the United States in 1837 by Samuel
Morse, permitted people and commerce to transmit messages
across both continents and oceans almost instantly, with
widespread social and economic impacts. This heightened
communication speed allowed business persons to make
decisions with up-to-date information, often resulting in big
profits. Those without access had to rely on out-
dated information, which put them at a disadvantage.
http://www.cypruspws.com/wp-content/
uploads/2016/06/featured.jpg

Patented in 1928, sliced bread was an invention that caused
revolutionary change in the distribution of a food critical to the
average American's diet. In the United States from 1800s to 1900s,
bread was sold as whole loaves. Otto Rohwedder decided to
invent sliced bread because he heard a popular complaint from
many housewives. The process of buying dozens of loaves of
bread and slicing them was often difficult, time-consuming, and
even dangerous. Stale loaves can get hard enough so that only
sharp knives could cut through them and the slices were often
uneven anyways. Although the invention faced countless critics,
including the U.S. government, the results of the first commercial
selling of sliced bread were instantly popular. The press, along
with housewives all over the country were delighted to be
spending less time cutting bread and more time with their
families. In 1943, the U.S. Food Administration banned the sliced
bread because of conservation efforts during World War II. They
argued that sliced bread required heavier wrapping paper,
which would affect the economy and the manufacturing of
bread and paper. The unexpected ban caused outrage and the
ban was lifted. Once again, all Americans were able to enjoy the
convenience of sliced bread. Since then, sliced bread has
become a staple in the American diet.
http://www.rutgersprep.org/kendall/7thgrade/
inventions/cycle_D/ad-sliced%20bread.jpg

Week 1 Module - Thread 3: Response to "Introduction" from
Diversity and Design
Describe a design that was impacted by a diversity group.
How and why did it change form and/or
circumstances? (Note that a design can be anything
requiring planning and development prior to the
production of an action, system, visual, material object, or
environment. Also, keep in mind that, for our purposes, a
diversity group is a group of individuals who are
underrepresented in society in some way—children, older
adults, the economically disadvantaged, those with
cognitive disabilities, etc.)
Unisex bathrooms are public restrooms available to people
of any gender or gender identity. Beginning in the late
1800s, Americans were required to use particular restrooms
according to their biological sex. The first law that
actualized this design was passed in 1887 in
Massachusetts. Since then, more than 40 states have
passed similar regulations. These laws were passed to
assure women of their protection and ease social anxiety.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/af/b9/dc/
afb9dcddb7dde83cd42d617ef6b72cc3.jpg

More laws involving the separation of men and women were also
passed, such as the adding in of buses only for women and
single-sex schools. Although sex-segregated bathrooms are what
many Americans have been accustomed to, there has been a
rising voice of concern for those who identify as a gender that is
different from the one assigned to them at birth or for those who
have not been assigned a gender. The growth of this population
over the past decade has pointed out the need for
desegregation of sex discrimination so that this underrepresented
group of people has the same access to all resources.
Transgender people have been marginalized and denied fair
access to such a necessity that is part of our daily lives. The result
is the unisex bathroom, which has been growing in popularity
since. Even our university's newest library has incorporated a
gender-neutral bathroom. We've all been taught from childbirth
to identify ourselves. This is evident in the forms we fill out and the
territories we section ourselves in. This change has not only
allowed the transgender community to be more included in
society, but has also caused uneasiness amongst those who are
against the idea of disregarding traditional standards. It has also
brought to light the gender fluid community and has supported
the need for equality for the LGBTQ community. A growing
number of supporters for these diverse groups has also brought a
fluctuating number of protestors, causing both a sense of anxiety
and unity in the United States society.
http://barbaricpoetries.blogspot.com/2012/05/equal-
earning-power-in-male-dominated.html

Week 2 Module – Thread 1: Response to Media/Society Chapter
and TED Talk on Photographs
Where would you place the images shown in Photos That
Changed the World into Croteau and Hoynes' diagram entitled
“Model of Media and the Social World”? Identify a mass
media photograph taken in your own lifetime that has served as
an icon of an event. What roles does this photo play in the
communication of the event?
I believe that the images displayed in Photos That Changed the
World belong in the 'readers or audience' category of the
"Model of Media and the Social World" diagram. Jonathan Klein
in his TED talk, states that "we bring to each image our own
values, our own belief systems, and as a result of that, the image
resonates with us". This statement leads me to believe that the
images we view in society are different in each person's mind
because we impose our own thoughts onto the same picture.
We give photos their importance based off of what we hold
significant. For example, take the pictures of children during the
Vietnam War. Americans viewed the photos and felt sympathetic
because those were children depicted and anger because they
could never let something like this happen to their children.
http://www.softpanorama.org/Skeptics/
Political_skeptic/Corporatism/National_security_state/
Total_surveillance/Images/in_defence_of_liberty.png

Whenever I see a photo of Edward Snowden, I immediately
think of national security. Although most pictures I googled do
not depict anything that has to do with security, the event
during which Snowden leaked information about the NSA is tied
to both his name and the image of him. His photo has become
the face of huge controversy involving US surveillance on phone
and internet communications. It's been used in memes to depict
a hero or a traitor to the United States and spread rapidly
around the world.
https://twitter.com/thirdwaynatsec

Week 2 Module - Thread 2: Response to Articles on Hats as
Communication Design
Typically, we do not think of hats as elements of mass
media or social media. However, the two hats (red and
pink) discussed in the articles certainly have taken on that
role. Why are the two hats (red and pink) mentioned in the
articles vehicles of communication design? What
meanings do each of the two hats carry? In terms of
communication design, how are they similar? And how are
they different from one another?
Although it is common to think that media is the only way
to spread our values, beliefs, and hopes, there are other
means of spreading messages. Hats can be thought of as
elements of mass/social media because they are a means
of self-expression. For those who agreed with Trump's belief
in drastic change, Trump's hat can be compared to the
symbolization of hope for the American people. Especially
for those who were undecided in their choice for
president, they ended up choosing the candidate that
seemed to have a clear objective in which his campaign
was steered by. http://www.vogue.com/article/protest-fashion-politics-safety-pin

Structurally, this hat is a traditional baseball cap, which holds a very
familiar and homey feeling for Americans. This, combined with the
printed motto, carried an intention to make the United States return to
its roots when Americans were once proud and inspired. The pink hat in
opposition to Trump's baseball cap symbolizes the disapproval that
women have towards Trump's campaign. It is a refreshing way of
protesting that is different from traditional screaming and yelling. In
terms of communication design, the inspiration for each hat is different.
Trump was trying to gain as many supporters as he could for his
campaign, the result being him taking an idea and attempting to
impose it on as many people possible. The pink hats, on the other
hand, were made for the purpose of giving a diversity group a
voice to be heard. The women don't try to appeal to as many
other groups as they can but rather attempt to show to everybody
else that they are part of a community that imparts its own values. Both
hats seem to take ownership of a strong visual color to stand out and to
make a politically charged statement. Another similarity that both hats
share is that anybody choosing to wear either hat is looking to support
the ideas the accessory is emphasizing. Trump supporters wear the
"Make America Great Again" hat to show that they agree with Trump's
forward campaign. The women wearing the pink hats are also in an
agreement with some collective political viewpoint. Just like wearing a
certain brand says something about yourself, wearing these articles of
clothing with slogans on them reveals something about what values you
hold important through elements of color, phrasing, and design.
https://www.amazon.com/Neverthess-She-
Persisted-Political-Statement/dp/B06VVK7GTX

Week 3 Module – Thread 1: Response to “Industrial
Design” by John Heskett and "The Incredible Inventions
of Intuitive AI" by Maurice Conti
In his chapter on industrial design (written in 1987),
historian John Heskett claims that the methods of mass
production introduced by Henry Ford in the U.S.
involved new concepts of the standardization and
integration of the production line that were adopted
across the world. With Ford’s method, work could be
completed by relatively unskilled workers; it was more
efficient and with this method, products were made
more quickly and cheaply than previously possible. 
What were some of the social consequences of Ford’s
production line? In other words, how did this system
change our U.S. society? Do any of those changes
remain with us today? Now consider Maurice Conti’s
TED Talk, and the predictions he makes about
production. How do you think manufacturing processes
will change in the next twenty years? How do you think
these changes will affect our U.S. society?
http://detroitmovesme.com/Gallery.html

Henry Ford's method of production created a new trend
of the mass production of products. Under the
perception of social change, Ford's production line
brought people together. It unified the masses in creating
products together. Rather than a bunch of small business
running a trade, one large corporation could finally
become the main producer of one type of product. One
thing that resulted from this change in industrialization is
that the middle class had emerged. From this, a minimum
salary wage was established and many people without
specific skills finally had jobs. In the present day, we have
become more centered on production. The government
has established limitations on huge corporations and
businesses that require mass production has expanded.
The increase in the number of people around the world
meant the increase of the middle class. Companies such
as Apple outsource jobs to countries outside of the
United States, establishing more an economic unification
of nations. I believe that in the next twenty years, we will
be even more "augmented", as Maurice Conti states in
his TED Talk. He uses the example of comparing a human
to a robot in construction work.
https://clipartfest.com/categories/view/
d67508d156415ee3ee53081c0a0faef19cc8b575/clipart-
production-line.html

Humans are aware, have perception, and make
decisions while robots are repeatedly precise. In the
future, robots will probably continue to replace humans
working in the manufacturing industry or at least be more
integrated with manual labor. They work without fatigue
and complaints. Pay and working conditions doesn't
matter to them. This will negatively affect society in that
increasing numbers of people, especially those in the
working class, will be let without jobs. The economy will
be negatively affected by the increase in
unemployment. However, there will be an increase in
demand for those who create and repair these
machines. Products will also be manufactured and
distributed much more efficiently than before.
http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/SWwhDqZtPojC7VZYk5CoFL/
The-best-homegrown-AI-startups.html

Week 3 Module - Thread 2: Response IDEA Awards and
Cradle-to-Cradle Video
Which of the 2016 IDEA Gold Award products seems to
defy the Cradle-to-Cradle concept developed
by architect William McDonough and chemist Dr.
Michael Braungart? How does this product resist or
disregard the concept? Please provide your own
example of a product that uses Cradle-to-Cradle
design. Describe and cite sources.
The Kelvin Coffee Bean Roaster Concept is apparently
the first product to allow an easy way to roast fresh
beans in the comfort of home rather than going out to
buy freshly roasted coffee. This idea focuses on coffee
lovers and the continuously growing number of that
population. It seems to defy the cradle-to-cradle
concept because it does not consider other diverse
groups. This product is limited only to those who enjoy
coffee and not other beverages. In addition, this
product would take away from small businesses that
may specialize in freshly brewed coffee because some
of their customers may find that they no longer need to
go out and buy that product when they can produce it
themselves.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/innovation-ipr-
startups-inventors-v-invention-rutwik-kishan-rao

This will also affect the companies that base their
products on quick and easy to make coffee. This
machine is focused on efficiency and is not meant to
be recycled, however, it does use fewer materials than
traditional coffee machines. Unlike the C2C concept,
it is not designed based on the concept of recycling
all of it's components.
The SAtm: The Umbrella Reimagined is a geometric
umbrella created for efficiency and recyclability for
all. A product featured on Kickstarter, the creators
formed the product around function and ease. The
canopy is created from just one material which has
been recycled and renewed and is easily repairable.
It is a unibody, meaning it can be removed and
swapped for other designs. This incorporates
consumer customization to the product. It's strong
against winds and all components of its materials is
"made with highly recyclable, waterproof plastic." Like
the C2C concept, this product is environmental
friendly and considers all groups of people. Everybody
needs protection from the weather.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/860103721/satm-the-
umbrella-reimagined?ref=most_funded

Week 4 Module – Thread 1: Response to All Module
4 Materials
Your readings and viewings this week present
different ways of thinking about architecture. Mies
Van der Rohe describes architecture as “The will of
the epoch [a time] translated into space.” Andrew
Ballantyne describes architecture as the
background for life. Jeanne Gang describes it as
the act of building relationships. All agree that
architecture can change based on context and
culture. Choose two works of architecture from any
of your materials this week—one with sensibilities
about the past and one with sensibilities about the
present and/or future. How do each of these
buildings either reflect or challenge their cultural
contexts?
http://wareham-ma.villagesoup.com/p/1046224

Jeanne Gang discusses the Aqua, a Chicago
residential building, as a tall building purposed for
creating relationships between the residents. The
shape of the balconies is shaped in that neighbors can
see and communicate with one another. It also breaks
up wind patterns, making it more comfortable for
people to want to go outside and therefor increasing
the possibility of interactions. Its success lead to the
creation of an organic community garden on the
rooftop. This building connects the residents to a
community of the past. Houses in suburban areas were
synonymous and neighbors would interact on the
streets, in schools, or other community areas.
Residential buildings, however, don't provide the
opportunity for people to interact as much as they
would in a traditional neighborhood. Aqua created a
community in which people living under different
circumstances are provided that opportunity of the
past.
http://studiogang.com/project/aqua-tower

The Wainwright building was the first building to use
height as an aesthetic. In the 1880s, tall buildings used
metal skeleton frames in their construction instead of
traditional masonry to hold up that many floors, which
were usually hidden behind the physical appearance
of the building. The triparte design that the architect
conceptualized forced a viewer to look up at the
vertical piers projecting height and assess the scale of
the broken horizontal blocks. The bottom and top
layer interrupt the dimension of the middle layer to
give the building a sense of secureness. During this
decade, many corporations were looking for office
spaces and tried to solve the higher real estate prices
issue with taller buildings. The Wainwright building
demonstrated America's new age of booming cities
and fantastic business corporations through its
appearance. The fact that the building doesn't hide
its skeletal frame celebrates the groundwork of
something that isn't traditional(masonry), emphasizing
the difference between epochs. It clearly displayed
the dominance of growing cities and would continue
to do so over time as it inspired other skyscrapers to
use the same construction.
http://www.zbaren.com/wainwright-building/

Week 4 Module - Thread 2: Response to Ballantyne and
Zumthor Articles
Andrew Ballantyne and Peter Zumthor present ideas
about architecture that seem to value the sensorial
and material elements of life. How are Ballantyne’s
and Zumthor’s viewpoints on architecture alike? More
importantly, how do they differ?
Ballantyne and Zumthor both believe that architecture
is infused with life and has become habitual to all
aspects of our existence. Ballantyne states on page
one of his journal that we need to examine "how they
[architecture] became part of who we are" and
Zumthor on page seven of his paper describes
architecture not "primarily as a message or a symbol,
but as an envelope and background for life which
goes on in and around it…." Both point out the
realization that just the construction of architecture is
not the only meaningful part of its presence. The
actual function for a piece of architecture
demonstrating its domestication to life is also part of
the entirety of its meaning.
http://pcparch.com/firm/bibliography/essays/the-architect-
s-role-in-urban-regeneration-economic-development-and-
sustainability

Ballantyne, on one hand, does not see the abstract
models that architects formulate as important as the
accommodations that a building offers. His
understanding of architecture is based on people's
daily use of its features. Someone who carefully
observes architecture is simply appreciating the
harmonization of life and the building. Zumthor on
the other hand, stresses the importance of his work
as an architect. Before even designing a building,
he must think about the "functional and technical
requirements"(8) first and then continue to think
about its presence and other details. Unlike
Ballantyne, Zumthor sees the construction of
architecture as a multifaceted approach. The
appearance, function, history, and concept are all
of importance to the overall meaning of a building.
http://davidjbatista.blogspot.com/2010/08/mediterranean-
cruise-report-day-1.html

Week 5 Module – Thread 1: Response to Levy Article
John Levy’s article, “An Overview: The Need for
Planning,” discussed ways in which planning can
determine the characteristics of a place. For example,
some smaller towns restrict the heights of buildings to
maintain a certain scale. How did planning define the
character of the place in which you grew up?
I have grown up in Staten Island, New York, which is
essentially a suburban residential area. John Levy states
that "a land development decision is a traffic decision as
well." Because the area consists primarily of residential
housing, children in the neighborhood played on the
streets, which enabled me to interact and become
friends with most of my neighbors. Nearby my house,
there's a small supermarket, a fire department building,
and my elementary school. Even with these places
easily accessible, there are other facilities that are not as
easy to get to. For example, there's only one hospital on
the island and few restaurants in the area. I live right by
the train and important bus routes so that has made
travel easy for me.
http://www.silive.com/guide/index.ssf/2015/03/
mass_transit_options_on_staten_island.html

However, because there's only one train that runs from
one end of the island to the other, some residents have
no choice but to experience extra travel time. Most
residents have a car because it's hard to get anywhere
quickly enough without some sort of public
transportation. There's the Yankee stadium, which brings
together most of the people on the island when there
are games or graduations being held inside. There's also
large parks that are safe and host a lot of community
events. Even though there is only one mall, people
always see each other at the mall and get to converse
and meet others.
http://new2dev.mta.info/staten-island-railway/system-map

Week 5 Module – Thread 2: Response to Pruitt Igoe Project, Talen,
and Larson
Imagine that you are part of a urban planning and design firm
working with Emily Talen (author of “Design That Enables Diversity”)
and Kent Larson (who gave the TED Talk "Brilliant Designs to Fit More
People In Every City" The thee of you have been tasked with
developing a plan to rebuild Pruitt Igoe in St. Louis. City officials told
the three of you that that they want to do it right this time. Identify
three strategies for rebuilding Pruitt Igoe in ways that promise to be
more successful. What would Talen do? What would Larson do?
What would you do? How would your strategies differ from those of
the original urban planners/designers of the project? Why would
your strategies be more effective?
The first strategy in the rebuilding of Pruitt Igoe would be to
reimagine the architecture of the housing area. I would not make
residential buildings as tall all eleven floors. At most I'd make them
five floors, so that stairways are accessible. Stairs promote physical
activity and are safe escape routes in the case of fires. I would
change the small incinerator to large dumpsters and put them
outside of the building, away from the elevator and away from the
rooms where people live to keep the smell of the garbage
separated from living spaces.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pruitt–Igoe

This may also provide jobs for people in the community in that
there will now be a need for the collection and disposal of the
garbage. Another strategy would be personalize the interior of the
rooms to how the tenants would like them to be. People who are
paying for a living space should be allowed to paint their walls
and watch television without restrictions if they can afford to do
so. And lastly, there should be more energy efficient technology
integrated. Using different lights can conserve waste.

Talen would probably want to build more parks, schools, and
other recreational areas because "cities should be focused on
ways to attract human capital…" which "…naturally leads to an
elevation of the qualities of place" as stated on page 238. These
places would want to bring people together and promote a
community. More interaction amongst the residents would
probably mean more diversity.
Kent Larson would put more technology in the homes to enable
people to live the way they want to. If they want a personal gym
inside their homes or are having guests over, the living space
could adjust to their needs.
http://makethemwonderblog.blogspot.com/
2012/09/how-to-create-your-own-robot-decor.html

Week 6 Module – Thread 1: Response to F.L.
Olmsted
Displaying his plan at the 1876 Centennial
Exposition in Philadelphia, Frederick Law Olmsted
stated that "Buffalo is the best planned city, as to
its streets, public places, and grounds, in the
United States, if not in the world."  What was the
basis for this claim? Would Olmsted still make that
claim today? Why or why not?
As stated in the article "When Parks Were
Radical", Nathaniel Rich says that Olmstead
"urges us to use our increasingly sophisticated
tools to make our global landscape more
beautiful—more natural." Olmsted clearly had a
preference for building around natural
landscapes, which is exactly what he did with
Buffalo. For the first time, a city was built within a
park, not the other way around. The three main
parks to be built were near waterways around
Buffalo, with miles of parkways connecting them.
Now people could walk outside of their homes
and be within a park in almost any direction. Also,
in a way, people could experience history while
being in Buffalo.
https://www.ci.buffalo.ny.us/files/1_2_1/Mayor/
COB_Comprehensive_Plan/section_245101657796.html

During the 1800s, it was a booming city primarily
because of the Eerie Canal and the Great
Lakes. Buffalo residents are able to be
surrounded by the waters that industrialized the
city and made it what it became. When
Olmsted made plans for Buffalo, he intended
on having the center as Niagara Square and to
have streets radiating outwards of the center.
Today, the radiating city plan still holds true.
Along with the street plan, the parks located
near the waterways still exist today. Some of
them are not as large as they once were, but
the most important one at Niagara Falls still
resides. It is always flowing with tourists and
members of the community, which I believe
Olmsted would continue to be proud of today.
Although there are more cars being driven
than people walking in the streets, the point of
Olmstead's plans were to expose the natural
landscape and to work with that. Today, there
is very much the same template in Buffalo that
was established by Olmstead. Traveling around
Buffalo, I almost always bump into greenery or
a waterway, even though there may be more
buildings around.
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/46

Week 6 Module – Thread 2: Response to
Walter Hood's Work
Identify something that should be
memorialized either on UB's campus or in
your hometown. Imagine that you are the
person who will oversee this project, and
that you are using Walter Hood's 'triad of
investigations' as your approach to the
project.  What would your landscape
intervention commemorate/memorialize?
How will you use Hood's 'triad of
investigations' to design a new landscape
intervention? What do you imagine that
the design will be?
In Staten Island, I live right by a beach,
which runs along half of the island. As you
from one end of the beach starting from
under the Verrazano Bridge to the other
end, along the boardwalk there are small
playgrounds, parking lots, roads,
construction sites, and a bike path.
http://www.unitalianoanewyork.com/le-4-migliori-spiagge-vicine-a-new-york-city/

In the span of the whole beach, there's one restaurant and one food stand
by the main entrance of the beach and about three bathrooms scattered
around. For this reason, there was always the greatest congregation of
people at the main entrance of the beach. When I think of the beach at
home, I have so many memories from when I was a child, like learning how
to ride a bike on the boardwalk, collecting stuff in the sand, and other
activities. Growing up, I stopped going because of how dirty the beaches
got. Sewers broke out into the water and the garbage ridden sand
prevented families from spending their days along the shore. Nowadays,
there's fewer people on the Staten Island boardwalk than ever before,
despite community attempts at bringing people together through outdoor
movie nights and mini concerts. I imagine my design of this landscape
intervention to be like that of Coney Island. Although Coney Island has a
problem of overcrowding, I feel that it has a strong sense of community. My
friends who live there are proud of belonging to that community, which is a
quality I'd like residents in Staten Island to have. Steps I would take to bring
back and even to preserve the atmosphere of this landscape would be to
attempt to bring life back to the beach. I'd want to clean up the beach so
that it'd be more desirable to go there as well as build more restaurants and
bathroom facilities along the boardwalk. Residents shouldn't have to go too
far and inconvenience themselves just for being hungry or needing to use
the restroom. I'd also take those empty parking lots and build either park
projects or host events there so that the space can be utilized productively.
The poles used to put up volleyball nets would be rebuilt to be sturdy and
more would be built closer to the main entrance of the beach.
http://www.silive.com/eastshore/index.ssf/
2014/10/things_to_know_about_the_frd_b.html
http://www.silive.com/eastshore/index.ssf/
2014/10/things_to_know_about_the_frd_b.html

Week 7 Module – Thread 1: Response to the Brookes
How a viewer sees an image is dependent upon his/her social,
economic, and cultural position. Keeping this in mind, find
another iconic graphic that addresses racial issues and post it
for others in your group to view. How do you interpret the
graphic? What is its meaning?  Now imagine that someone
from a racial and cultural background different than your own
is looking at the same graphic. Briefly describe this person. How
might s/he interpret its meaning? How might this differ from
your interpretation? What are the possible reasons for these
differences? (Consider the three assessment principles
mentioned in the article to help you: a technology of vision, an
instrument of empathy, and a symbol of control.)
http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/cover-story-
maximizing-profit

This image is a depiction of an African American girl walking to
school, escorted by U.S. Marshals. It demonstrates the racial
discrimination that black children faced while growing up in a
segregated American society. I noticed that the men in the front
have darker colored hands and the girls walks closer to them.
Within this picture, there's a clear separation. Even when people
are aiming for the same goal, there's still prejudice holding back
productivity. Using this example, all four marshals should be
closely walking with the girl for her protection but they all aren't,
probably because they don't want to be associated. This picture
shows how there's people who don't believe that black children
deserve a right to education and the injustice of it. A black
person may look at this and be upset because they could relate
to the discrimination portrayed. I look at it and feel concern for a
child's safety but can also relate. Even as model minorities, Asians
get discriminated against. A white person may look at this picture
and deem the actions justifiable. That person may have strong
prejudices against black people, which exists due to racial history.
African Americans, Asian Americans and other people of color
have faced racial discrimination while white Americans have not
experienced it as much. Another important thing to consider is
that there's always a natural want to protect children, so a parent
of any race would look at this different from someone else.
https://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/
562/the-problem-we-all-live-with

http://museumofuncutfunk.com/2011/10/19/president-obama-dedicates-the-
mlk-memorial/
Week 7 Module – Thread 2:
Response to Charles Davis and
equityXdesign's Work
Critique either the MLK Memorial
or the National Museum of
African American History and
Culture using equityXdesign’s core
beliefs and/or design principles
The MLK Memorial is specifically
designed to demonstrate the
openness of democracy and
inspires the strive for an equal
society. This monument utilizes
the equityXdesign by speaking to
the future. People from all types
of diverse groups visit the
memorial daily, feeling the
importance of this historical figure
and reflecting on the past. Just
by walking through the memorial,
they learn a little about the past.

The issues discussed in the past are as
relevant today as they once were
because discrimination still occurs,
even if it is not as obvious than
before. The equityXdesign also
stresses the importance of
recognizing and acknowledging the
uncomfortable topic of prejudice,
which is exactly what the memorial
does through the display of Dr. King's
quotes on a 450 foot granite wall. The
stone represents the concreteness of
ideas involving democracy and
through the memorial's many
entrances welcomes those ideals
with open arms. Even going through
the narrow centerpiece of the
memorial represents going through
struggles. The Stone of Hope feature
gives people a voice against
segregation and discrimination. The
memorial as a whole communicates
important concepts.
https://www.tripsavvy.com/martin-luther-king-memorial-photos-1039259

Week 8 Module – Thread 1: Response to “Landscape
Stories” Chapter
First, let’s start with your own home. Describe a place in
your home (indoors and/or outdoors) that you think of as
representative of your own ethnic background and discuss
why you consider this place to be ‘ethnic’. –OR-- Describe
an object in your home that you think of as representative
of your ethnic background and discuss why this object is
considered to be ‘ethnic’. (If possible, add photo/s.) Is this
object or place something that you will keep or continue
when you establish your own home? Why or why not?

Now let’s move into your community. In “Landscape
Stories,” the authors show how landscape architects
develop a historical narrative that sifts through and
interprets the culture and material of underrepresented
groups. Think about the community where you grew up.
Describe and discuss any evidence of cultural influences
on the physical environment in your community. If possible,
describe evidence of the cultural influence of an
underrepresented group. (If possible, add photo/s.) Is this
cultural influence being acknowledged or preserved from
future generations? Why or why not?
http://asiasociety.org/new-york/asia-society-celebrates-
asian-pacific-american-heritage-month

My parents have tried to preserve Chinese customs since the
first meal that I've had on the dinner table, which is the only
piece of furniture in the house that we have never upgraded or
replaced. Whenever I would eat on the table, my grandma
would always teach me to practice eating quietly and with my
mouth closed. This custom is different than a traditional
American dinner in which families converse while they eat. I
have also been taught to try everything and to not waste food
or "thunder will come down and strike you" as my mother would
say. If I didn't comply, my parents would find me rude and
breaking tradition.

At my elementary school, there were activities that required the
combined efforts of all the students. One of the major things
that the school began was the community garden, which can
still be seen by the public today. The mural that the students
had painted on the wall started off as a depiction of children of
different races holding hands. Each year, the 5th graders get to
tend the garden and plant seeds, sometimes painting over the
mural. The garden allows them to be a part of the entire school
community. The contributions that they made are preserved
through the school's efforts to maintain the garden. People can
go back and see what they have painted or see the plant that
they have planted and know that they worked with others to
create something together.
http://www.visiontimes.com/2016/01/15/chinese-dining-
etiquette-guide-eight-dos-and-dont.html

Week 8 Module – Thread 2: Response to Article on Sports
Branding
Recent controversies about sports branding focus on
ethnicity. The Washington Redskins team is just one
example of the larger controversy, but it receives the most
public attention due to the name itself being defined as
derogatory or insulting in modern dictionaries, and the
prominence of the team representing the nation’s
capital. Should sports team branding designers use ethnic
references (Fighting Irish, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Braves,
etc.)? Why? Why not? What are some of the complexities
of this issue?
Teams shouldn't be allowed to use ethnic references in
their branding because it only reinforces stereotypes
about different groups. It can be offensive and spreading
an image that faces disapproval would only bother more
people. Sports is a popular activity and even more
popular to watch. Associating an activity that is
important to people with such inaccurate depictions is
bad because it conflicts with those who want to join the
team or follow the team's progress. Allowing teams to use
such branding also implies approval of the stereotypes
that groups have, which is a step backwards.
http://glantz.net/blog/controversial-logos

Week 9 Module – Thread 1: Response to
“Visualizing Gender” Chapter
In their chapter “Communicating Gender,” Maya
Ganesh and Gabi Sobliye discuss two primary visual
advocacy approaches: 1) get the idea, and 2)
stories in data. 
Find a new example of either of the two visual
advocacy approaches to gender issues, and post
it in this thread. Cite the source.
First, identify the approach. Then explain how the
designer uses the approach to communicate a
gender issue. Is the approach effective in this
example? Why or why not? How could this graphic
be improved?
This illustration uses visual techniques to get the
idea of gender inequality. Visually, in order to
reach the same height, the female is portrayed as
having more struggles to overcome than the male.
The female has a child and luggage to add on
weight and still has to climb a ladder compared to
the male, who has nothing but the clothes on his
back and an escalator to bring him up.
https://cake.youthkiawaaz.com/2016/06/23/what-is-gender-inequality/

This demonstrates the huge difference between
the steps that each sex is required to achieve
success even though they start from the same
level. It's effective because the connotation that
ladders have compared to escalators already
shows a difference in the level of difficulty. The
message is very clearly demonstrated and gives a
good understanding of how challenging it is for
women to achieve the same goals as men. This
graphic would be better if the tops of the ladder
and escalator were shown, with the ladder ending
shorter than the escalator. Realistically, women
need to work harder for the same goal but
typically are not always able to achieve those
goals even with all the work put in.
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/weight-gender-roles

Week 9 Module – Thread 2: Response to Bathroom Bill
Last year, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory
signed into law a bill that repealed local LGBT anti-
discrimination laws, and required people to use the
bathroom that corresponded with the biological
gender written on their birth certificates. This
prompted massive backlash. McCrory stated, “You
know, we all have to make adjustments in life. And
we’ve had the proper etiquette situation for decades
in our country, and all of a sudden through political
correctness we’re throwing away basic etiquette.”
Just this past Thursday, the North Carolina General
Assembly passed a bill to repeal the law while placing
a moratorium on nondiscrimination measures.

Should people be required to use the bathroom that
corresponds with the biological gender written on
their birth certificate? State why AND state why not. In
other words, to receive full credit for this question, you
need to present an argument for both sides of the
issue. As a designer, how would you solve this gender
dilemma?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brynn-tannehill/debunking-
bathroom-myths_b_8670438.html

Everyone should be provided the basic right to safety when performing
important daily actions. If someone identifying as a "male" has the right
to use spaces allocated just for males, why shouldn't the same apply to
people of all genders? Otherwise, social progress is halted. All peoples
include those who don't identify with either one of the two socially
created terms, "male" or "female", which were formed from the idea
that there are only two options for specifying gender. To have gender-
specific bathrooms only continues the idea that gender is binary.
If people are required to use bathrooms corresponding with their
biological gender, some will feel uncomfortable because the idea of
gender-fluidity goes against established attitudes. Biologically, sex is
determined to be one of two options. Also, most people have grown
up to identify social and biological differences between "male" from
"female" and generally speaking, people are uncomfortable with
change. People may feel offended to the idea that what they
recognize is in opposition to other people's point of view. Another
argument is that if there were more than two restroom options, people
who don't agree with what their biological gender is are singled out
even more.

This same argument, however, can be used to say that there should be
facilities that don't require a preference. A solution to both sides of the
situation would be gender-neutral bathrooms. Anyone can use them
and feel safe while doing so.
http://www.jubilee-centre.org/gender-fluidity-bible/

Week 10 Module - Thread 1: Response
to Hidden Ways
Author Steven Flusty categorized five
types of disciplinary architecture that
perpetuate what he calls urban
spatial injustice: 1) stealthy, 2) slippery,
3) crusty, 4) prickly, and 5) jittery. Go
out into the city of Buffalo, and find/
photograph two examples from the list
of five. Identify what type of space
you’ve photographed and why it
might discriminate against a specific
population. Identify the location
where you took the photographs, and
make certain you are in at least one
of the two photographs.
http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2007/03/06/anti-user-seating-in-
oxford/

The first place I have is Allen Street
Hardware Café in Allentown. On
this street, there are no benches.
There are a bunch of plants on the
side of the café that probably
obstruct people from walking more
than it provides people public
walking space. Through this
structuring, people are forced to
enter the café or another store
nearby if they're looking to rest their
legs. People who can't afford to live
in such a populated area consisting
of local businesses probably live
further away from Allentown. More
businesses meant more attraction
of people and that would also
mean that the cost of space there
would increase.

The second photo I have is of an
open area next to Veterans Drive
that is fenced off from the road. This
area have a grassy part and a
cement/road segment and is near
the water. No building or
organization seems to own it so the
government probably owns the
property. This large space should be
open for public use but the fences
throw people off on whether or not it
is a public space. The fence makes it
a crusty spot, especially since there's
no entrance around the fence but
through it. People who live nearby
and are too far from walking
distance of another park should be
allowed to use this space for
community events.

Week 10 Module - Thread 2: Response to
People Like Us
After almost two decades of public
assistance, Tammy Crabtree took herself and
her family off the welfare rolls. But her job
cleaning bathrooms at a local Burger King
barely paid the bills. Crabtree wanted to do
better and hopes to go to college and
become a teacher.
Imagine this scenario. You are a designer
who works at the well-known firm, iPD
(Integrated Planning and Design). You work
on a team with planners, urban designers,
policy designers, architects, and social
designers. You have been tasked to develop/
design a way for Tammy Crabtree and her
family (and others with situations similar to
Tammy’s) to move themselves out of poverty.
What will your team to do to help Tammy
and her family achieve their goals? What
approach will your team take to address this
difficult problem?
http://volanteonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/
volante_cartoon3-770x470.jpg

The first thing I'd do would be to move
Tammy and others like her to homes closer
to busier areas. If Tammy were closer to her
job at Burger King, she would save a few
hours from commuting and have more time
for her kids. She can even learn a new skill
with the extra time. As far as policy, I'd
make sure that if Tammy deserved a raise
after working for so long that she'd get one.
I also believe that if their home was closer
to busy places, Tammy's children would
have to recognize the very real situation in
which their living arrangements are different
from those of people around them. Her sons
might do more to clean up the place if
there were people to judge the
appearance of their house, especially
when the oldest son cared so much about
his own appearance.
http://www.thedailysheeple.com/working-60-hours-a-week-at-3-part-time-
jobs-and-still-living-paycheck-to-paycheck_052016

Week 11 Module - Thread 1: Response to Carroll
Article: “(Re)forming Regent Park: When Policy Does
Not Equal Practice”
The development of Regent Park is phased, and
there are several more phases to the project. What
actions could be taken to ensure more social
integration for the older people living in the ‘new
and improved’ Regent Park?
The residents of Regents Park are within the low-
income bracket or have physical disabilities so
changes would have to be made to increase social
interaction and make things more accessible. There
could be a way to prevent unhappy residents by
allowing residents to give feedback to housing
authorities. Then the government could realize the
lack of funding and maintenance, helping them
work towards better housing. The building should not
be as tall as 22 floors and should have elevators that
make it easier for the residents to move about. It
should also be situated closer to amenities such as
grocery stores and banks.
https://ufhealth.org/news/2014/study-proves-physical-activity-helps-
maintain-mobility-older-adults

More importantly, the project should be close to
neighborhoods, schools, and churches, which are
places in which social integration thrives. The
elderly has the least mobility so moving them
closer to other people will give them a sense of
belonging and will cut down on the feeling of
being left out. There should also be community
activities such as a garden or exercise groups that
allow cultivates social interaction.
http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/bob-filner/writing-old-central-
librarys-next-chapter/

Week 11 Module - Thread 2: Response to Enriquez
TED Talk: “What Will Humans Look Like in 100
Years?”
We are living longer than ever before in human
history. Enriquez argues that, because of advances
in bio-medical technology, the possibility of living
to 120 years of age and beyond is quite possible
for many of us in this D+D class. Assuming that his
assertion is accurate, how do you think extended
life spans will change our societies and built
environments? What new issues might designers
face because of extended life spans?
The first thing to consider is the costs of living for so
long. As the price of living increases, it becomes
gradually harder to afford the costs of medication
and care as well as providing for family members.
Longer life spans would increase the size of families,
ultimately changing everything about private and
public spaces. For example, rooms and furniture
would be bigger to accommodate for more
people. We'd also need to sacrifice more of Earth's
resources as there are more people to provide for.
https://boxcanyonblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/losing-battles.html
https://www.emaze.com/@ALWOLRFW/Presentation-Name-copy2

Designers would have to consider what this new
age bracket means in terms of status in society
because they'd have to design products that are
proper for these consumers on top of everything
we already have. On the other hand, having
longer lives gives the opportunity to do more within
a lifespan other than school and work. People can
spend more time with their families and further
develop family bonds while others have more time
to contribute to research and the economic
market. We'd have time to further educate
students, thus advancing the workforce.
http://images.jumpshell.com/image/upload/v1466530305/r0ym
4ad2vmgrznkyh79i.jpg

Week 12 Module - Thread 1: Response to PPT,
Smithsonian, and Roy
For the Module 12 Thread 1, please select one of
the seven universal design principles, and post
photographs that show both a positive and a
negative example of the principle. Then address the
following question: How do your examples
empower or disempower various people? Describe
the specific features of the positive example and
the specific features of the negative example.
Discuss ways that the positive example could be
even further improved.
http://www.mcc.edu/disability_services/

The first picture is of these signs in the airport and is
a positive example of perceptible information. The
signs have several ways to clearly display
directions. They use a sharp contrast in color and
have different colors to represent different types of
directions. There's also pictorial instructions that tell
you the direction and what the destinations are,
as well as a smaller text on the side that expresses
the similar text in three other languages.
The second picture is the opposite, in which the
signs do not give a clear understanding. Although
there is one contrast in color, black vs. white, there
aren't more to differentiate the different directions.
There's also a lot of small text and numbers that
may be hard to understand when driving by.

Week 12 Module -
Thread 2: Response to
Survey, FIXED, and
Stelarc
What lessons do you
think we should learn
from history when
thinking about
emerging
enhancement
technologies and
 reproductive
technologies? What are
some of the possible
consequences (both
positive and negative)
of being able to design
our bodies and the
bodies of our children?
What ethical
quandaries do these
technologies pose?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4061132/What-humans-look-like-100-
years-Expert-reveals-genetically-modified-bodies-ll-need-survive.html

Enhancement and reproductive technologies are fairly
new but over time, we will learn more about genetics
and ways in which we can improve our bodies. We
can live longer and healthier lives, which probably
could equate to happier lives considering that there is
less worry about sicknesses. Parents could prevent their
children from having genetic diseases. Another pro of
this technology is that it may reduce the likelihood of
abandonment because in places such as China,
parents are allowed one child and it is common if the
baby is not male gendered for it to be abandoned.
On the other hand, we don't fully understand the
negative effects of altering human genes on a large
scale. It may be morally wrong to design your own
baby because your child had no say in the matter.
These technologies are expensive so only certain
people could afford enhancements, which would
enlarge the gap between the rich and the poor. The
poor would be fulfilling stereotypes of poor health
and this would just be another thing to separate the
groups. There comes into question the functionality of
the body and its impacts on social structure. People
are divided amongst race but altering genes can lead
to the loss of ethnic genetic makeup.
http://journeyofmylifendestiny.blogspot.com/2012/05/
designer-babies-creating-perfect-child.html

Week 13 Module - Thread 1: Response to Titicut Follies
The state of Massachusetts tried to ban the 1967
documentary Titicut Follies, arguing that director
Frederick Wiseman had violated the patients’ rights by
not getting written permission to film them. The case went
to court, and Wiseman argued that he had consent from
their legal guardian, the institution. After a judge ruled in
favor of the state, the legal appeals carried on for
several years: in 1969, Massachusetts allowed the film to
be shown to doctors, lawyers, and health care
professionals; in 1991, a superior court judge ruled it could
be released for the “general public,” as privacy
concerns were no longer at issue, so many years later.
Should Wiseman have been allowed to film the residents
of Bridgewater Massachusetts Correctional Facility? Why
or why not? How might this film be of value to designers
(communication designers, product, designers,
architects, interior designers, planners, landscape
designers, systems designers, and/or social designers)? In
other words, what might they gain from this film that they
could use in their work?
https://ididitforjodie.com/2015/10/09/the-giggler-
forgotten-boston-serial-killer-sometimes-laughter-is-
not-the-best-medicine/

Wiseman should have been allowed to film the residents
only if he had permission from either the residents or a
family member for those who can not decide for
themselves. In the design for dementia video, this woman
whose mother has Alzheimer's said that disabilities affect
the entire family. Documenting the private lives of
people is problematic because it can make residents or
people close to them uncomfortable. However, this film
was important in positively changing the conditions in
which people with disabilities are treated. Designers who
watch this film can see what designs had failed in
providing residents safe and comfortable living
conditions and can work to change the design of
clothing, structure of the facility, and the treatment that
the service delivers.
https://ididitforjodie.com/2015/10/09/the-giggler-
forgotten-boston-serial-killer-sometimes-laughter-is-
not-the-best-medicine/

Week 13 Module - Thread 2: Response to PPT, The Architecture of
Autism, Public Space
The Scenario: Imagine that you and your four children live in Amherst,
New York in a $650,000 home at the end of a cul-de-sac on the edge
of a ten acre woods. The town has purchased a one acre lot three
houses away from yours, and plans to build a group home for ten
intellectually challenged adults.
As a resident of the neighborhood, would you support or oppose this
proposal and why?
You've learned additional information about the residents of the
proposed group home in your neighborhood. In 2013, three of the ten
intended residents exhibited challenging behaviors including
screaming, public masturbation, repetitive rocking, and echolalia
(elective incontinence). However, these behaviors have not occurred
since then.
How would this change your opinion about the construction of the
group home in your neighborhood?
The residents in your neighborhood voted (14-3) to reject the town of
Amherst’s proposal to build a group home in the neighborhood. Town
officials agreed that the home would not be built in your neighborhood
if you and your neighbors could develop a workable alternative.
What are some possible solutions that would allow the residents of the
home to be provided with “the same basic human rights as the rest of
the population”?
http://buffalonews.com/2016/09/13/parents-
lawsuit-blames-state-for-shortage-of-group-homes/
http://www.pcc.edu/resources/disability/
contacts.html

I'd have no problem with a scenario in which ten
intellectually challenged adults moved into the
neighborhood, even if they had exhibited such behavior
that may seem undesirable. Every human deserves to live
where they want to live. By bettering the conditions in
which they live and how they are treated, these residents
have the opportunity to live more normal lives. The
behaviors explained are not common amongst more than
half of the 10 people and was only an occurrence in a
year that was a long time ago. The chances of this
happening again is low. Besides, we don't know their living
conditions when they had exhibited such behaviors.
In the same way that Sweetwater uses practical designs
such as high-impact walls, private bedrooms, and kitchens
that use induction cooktops and solid planks at the
bottom of a surrounding fence to address safety concerns,
this group home can be built so that it addresses the
concerns of both the current Amherst residents and the
group home residents. Using an somewhat successful
example, maybe the Amherst residents would feel more
comfortable with the group home. Disability services
should be provided as well to maintain the progress of the
intellectually challenged adults.
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/
its-time-to-normalize-disability

Week 14 Module - Thread 1: Response to The Connection
Between Religion and Urban Planning by David Engwicht
In his article, David Engwicht discusses the fact that
religions (of all types) have played major roles in the
development of our cities. Today, places of worship are
primary components of almost all urban centers. Author
Lorne Daniel writes “From their often active role in
supporting people who live in city centers to their iconic
influence on design and use of space, religious structures
tell us a lot about our history, our current needs, and
where we might be headed in the future. This is an aspect
of our urban future that planners and urbanists should
attend to.”
Identify a place of worship with which you are somewhat
familiar. (If you are not familiar with any places of worship,
do a bit of research on one in your own city or town.)
Show a photograph of this religious structure. (You may
use photographs from the web.) What roles has this place
served in the development of your city/town? How has it
influenced the design of the area around it? How has its
role changed over time? What roles could this place of
worship play in the future development of your city/town?

I'm not religious but every year during Chinese New
Year, my family and I go to the Mahayana Buddhist
Temple in Chinatown, NYC. At the temple, there's a
line that goes on for blocks and blocks. This temple is
important to the community because it brings
together families from different boroughs to
celebrate a special holiday. I've personally gone
every year since I could remember, making this an
tradition amongst my family. This temple is not only a
place of worship but is also a means for families to
pay respects in memory of dead relatives. It is
located in the heart of Chinatown and is surrounded
by local businesses run by Asian Americans. It is the
temple that ties together religion and social life in
Chinatown. Over time it has been constantly used
for special events. In the future, I imagine it to
continue bringing together a community to establish
bonds and celebrate traditions.

Week 14 Module - Thread 2: Response to Prospects for
the Future of Diversity and Design
Consider the quote in your syllabus from educator
Michael J. Shannon: “Design, as vision in action--the
intersection of understanding and creation--is a
universal human capability that can play a
fundamental role in social evolution, in the process
that transforms resources, energy, and information
to make our world.”
At the beginning of this course, we discussed the
idea that we are all designers regardless of our
profession or field of study. We’ve asked some big
questions along the way, and the conclusion section of
our textbook raises additional issues that require input
from people who might not consider themselves to be
part of the formalized design professions.
Think about your own major and/or future profession.
What is the biggest challenge, problem, or question that
your field needs to tackle right now? What do you plan
to do to address this challenge, problem, or question
either as part of your studies or professional life?
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I'm a digital media study major and I believe that two
crucial problems in this field are security and our
exposure to information. Because national security
has intensified in priority, the government uses data
mining to collect user information. This puts the
privacy of our personal lives at risk. Some of the
projects I've seen in my classes work to expose the
government or corporations that pay for our data,
attempting to make the general audience realize the
importance of how we reveal personal information
when contributing to online profiles. I'd want to look
more into this topic and create a media project in
which people can learn to be more careful about
giving up their data. Also, the internet is booming with
information, which means that not everything is true.
People need to be able to distinguish between the
facts and the lies because everything we view does
affect our judgment. For example, the recently
disclosed United Airlines incident brought attention to
race issues. Not every person who heard of that story
knew the entire truth and yet they called the airline
company racist. My studies would call to question the
validity of the information we give and receive and
how we should handle the data.

ARC 211: American Diversity and Design: Stephanie Tsuei

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