University at Buffalo - State University of New York American Diversity and Design - Spring 2017 Online Discussion Questions

1. University at Buffalo – State University of New York
ARC 211 – American Diversity and Design – Spring 2017
Online Discussion Questions
Tyler Chau
http://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/780x440/public/images/oxfordsky2.jpg?itok=e_PzZ0XF

2. Welcome to my Diversity and Design Profile!
First, by being connected to all of my other classmates, I was able to
converse with them on their views on certain topics as well as inviting my own
ideas to the conservation. Also I’ve read of their own experiences and was able
to gain more and new perspectives. Certain past architectural creations, authors,
designers, creations and ideas caught my attention, specifically the one about
“visualizing gender.” All of which are all trying to create a more diverse
community through design. And not simply just design as in the creation of
something physical but the design of management, connections and ideas. One
part of the course that I found quite compelling was the second engagement
opportunity. While assisting the community by cleaning up the trash near the
river, I noticed how the area was poorly designed due to multiple factors such
as, being under a highway, and near abandoned and rusted buildings. Thus the
community near the Scajaquada Creek didn’t want to walk around the area
because it was undesirable, which is the reason why I only saw volunteers
around the area and not any neighbors. After these experiences, I have become
more open to accepting new ideas, while still being defensive on certain
perspectives where I believe a certain answer is correct. 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.
Taken by Devin Lam

3. Response to "What is design?" from Hello World
On “What is design?” from Hello World: Where Design Meets Life
by Alice Rawsthron
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 outdated information, which put them at a disadvantage.
One invention that allowed us to communicate much more easily and access the web in mere seconds was the invention of the smart
phone. And it became a huge hit when the iPhone was first released. This easy access allowed an arsenal of tools for the user to use
such as google maps, phone calls, text messages, online searches, online purchases, social media, apps and many more other tools.
Although the invention of the smart phone was greatly praised as one of the most innovative inventions, many people have begun to
rely solely on their phone because it allows them access to the internet, which allows the user to pretty much do anything. Basically
this means that the smart phone is a double-edged sword since it is a helpful tool for all, but also a tool of distraction from more
important work. One group that was negatively impacted by the invention of the smart phone are students. Every day when I am in
class, I see other students staring at their phones for almost the whole class instead of paying attention to the professor.
http://freshlytechy.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Digital-Dementia-The-
Long-Term-Effects-of-Smartphone-Usage.jpg

4. Response to "Introduction" from Diversity and Design
On “Introduction” from Diversity and Design: Understanding Hidden Consequences
The editors state that “diverse participation in the design process, from
both professionals and public citizens alike, yields more equitable
results.” This makes sense, but typically has not been the case.
Nonetheless, many marginalized groups have impacted design in ways
that have changed our visual and physical worlds as well as our
systems, policies, and institutions. For example, in the 1960s, disability
rights advocates designed media events to raise awareness about
barriers in the physical environment. They persisted with their efforts
for decades, and, finally, in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act
became law. It mandated accessibility in public accommodations such
as restaurants and stores, public transportation, communication, and
other areas of public life. This dramatically changed our physical
environment (from curb cuts to ramps to automatic doors) and the
results made public life more equitable.
Now it’s your turn. 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.)
A diversity group that helped form a new organization was cancer patients. A non-profit health organization was specifically created
to aid cancer patients with their needs, and this organization is known as the American Cancer Society. Formed in 1913 by a group of
physicians and businessmen, they focus on providing different aids to cancer patients. Non-profit means that the organization almost
solely relies on donations from others. None of the money donated is given to some higher up position, rather the money is used to
help find a cure for cancer or to simply aid cancer patients. For example, through different medical procedures, the cancer patient may
be able to obtain more time and be able to live longer with their families. Also depending on the type of cancer, whether all the cancer
cells are bunched together or not, the doctor may be able to remove almost all of the cancer cells in a tumor from the patient, which
allows the patient to continue their fulfilling lives again.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/47/American_Cancer_Society_Logo
.svg/1200px-American_Cancer_Society_Logo.svg.png

5. 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. (Feel free to add an attachment.)
What roles does this photo play in the
communication of the event?
I would place the images shown in Photos
That Changed the world into the Media
Message or Product. This is because
photos taken by people could be spread
throughout the world more easily and
everyone could have their own
interpretation on them.
This photograph was taken by a man who
was running a food truck in Manhattan.
This event was quite important to me
because it was the day that my friends and
I competed in the Euro Challenge and
although the results weren't what we would have wanted, it was still one of my most favorite days. After we had finished our
presentation, we just walked about the city and talked about our lives and what we had hoped for in the future. It was taken around
three years ago and it marked a shift in my life because of that lost I wanted to try and study harder and make my life more fulfilling.
Taken by a street vendor

6. 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?
The two hats mentioned in the articles are
vehicles of communication design because
they both represent different meanings.
Both the vibrant red hat, which says "Make
America Great Again" supports Donald
Trump, while the other bright pink hats
support the "Woman's March on
Washington." Both hats represent the
desires of the wearers in supporting what
they believe in. Both of them are eye-catching and easily spotted on social media and new channels and represent what the wearers
want to spread so others may support and even join in on their cause. The hats also have text on them that immediately helps others
understand what they are supporting and trying to change. Both of the hats may be similar in catching the attention of the viewers, but
they convey completely different messages and opinions.
During the presidential debates there were many of those who opposed the idea of Donald Trump becoming president. For example,
the “Woman’s March on Washington” wore bright pink hats that simply said “NO” to show that they were completely against his
election. Although it is simple and short, it is eye catching for its color and can easily be spotted when worn. In large crowds it may
http://www.newyorker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Tolentino-
TheSomehowControversialWomensMarchonWashington-1200.jpg

7. seem like bright pink sea and it is trying to prove to the world that Trump shouldn’t be supported. On the other hand, those who
supported Donald Trump had a vibrant red hat that read “Make America Great Again.” This is the slogan line for Trump, the same
like that Ronald Reagan used during his election. This became extremely popular at the time and was at a much larger scale as
compared to the “Woman’s March on Washington.” These two hats were similar in ways of catching attention to them and easy to
understand but they had completely opposing views and this is the importance of communication design and how things may seem so
similar but are actually completely different.

8. 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?
The Ford production line may have seemed extremely practical and effective but overtime many suffered from social consequences.
Skilled artisans were no longer needed because of the factory line, which unskilled workers could be utilized because every part of the
production was split so workers could easily follow the production. A major problem for skilled artisans was that they were hired for
high pay so they stayed with the job and lost pride in the work they created. And even if the skilled workers did quit they could easily
be replaced by unskilled workers for less pay. This system created by ford changed the U.S society because of the mass production of
automotive vehicles. Many citizens continued to buy cars because they are advertised as common and more useful for traveling than
buses and trains. A major problem with this is that the earth's ozone is slowly diminishing because of the release of excess carbon
dioxide. This means that our earth is slowly becoming more vulnerable to the sun increasing global warming more than it is now.
Even today factory lines are commonly used because of its effectiveness and this could easily be seen in food production, vehicle
production and almost every production in the world today.
According to Maurice Conti's TED Talk, the manufacturing processes will change in the next twenty years because he believes that
we are living in the beginning of the augmented age. This is where our lives will become cognitively augmented through technology
http://corporate.ford.com/content/dam/corporate/en/innovation/moving-assembly-
line/Innovation_Moving_Assembly_Line_CarfortheMasses.jpg

9. and digital nervous systems. Rather than simply worrying about robots stealing away jobs from us, he believes that humans and
technology will work together to augment each other's creations and designs. Rather than wanting obedience from technology, we will
want more autonomy and connectedness. Rather than searching for solutions on our own we will create intuitive robots, who will be
able to generate more intuitive solutions, which is only possible with human interaction. For example, Conti mentioned that a group of
scientists created a system known as the "Dream Catcher" that helped calculate values of forces that hit the car when the world class
driver was getting values. Together with humans and technology, they were able to create a self-driving car that did crazy stunts that
seem almost impossible. These solutions will help better the earth through aggregation so then there will be less pollution and reliance
on coal burning for electricity and heat. In the future there will be a lot more human and technological interactions to form a more
connected society.
“The Incredible Inventions of Intuitive AI" by Maurice Conti

10. Response IDEA Awards and Cradle-to-Cradle Video
NOTE: Use the first three part of the SEE-IT method of critical
thinking (State, Elaborate, Exemplify) to address the following
questions:
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? Provide an example of
any product that embraces Cradle-to-Cradle design. Please
describe and site sources.
The Moto 360 (2nd Gen.) with Moto Maker is simply made with the
idea for men and women to choose the style that best fits them. It
ignores the Cradle to Cradle idea and simply "Take, Make, Waste" all
the materials for the design. Rather than being environmentally
friendly, it only focuses on delivering information to you and aesthetic
purposes. There is no thought in the idea to "minimize or "rethink."
The Foldable Straw follows through with the Cradle to Cradle idea.
Instead of using the usual PVC and PP plastics, the foldable straw
completely relies on safer paper for the environment and it can be folded and then recycled. It follows through with the "rethink"
method where the creation is completely environmentally safe and can be compacted to save even more space when shipping out in
large packages. It celebrates diversity, is renewable and all the materials are in a continuous cycle.
Many items today do not follow the concept of Cradle-to-Cradle, rather they enforce an idea of what is popular to the current culture
and what is considered slick and eye-catching. For example, the Moto 360 (2nd
Gen) is made to be ideal to both men and women. But
rather than endorsing an environment friendly design, the watch simple follows the ideal of “Take, Make, Waste.” It is more focused
on aesthetics and design to get people to buy it and support their cause. On the other hand, the Foldable Straw follows the idea to
“minimize and rethink.” Rather to using the typical PVC and PP plastics that are causing high population rates to the environment, the
Foldable Straw is made to be environment friendly. Not only this but when it is ship to companies, it endorses the idea of compact
space thus decreasing the amount of packaging needed for straws. More ideas should follow the Cradle-to-Cradle design like the
http://my.ifdesign.de/upload/award_img_310/oex_large/183481_01_310-2-
183481_Foldable_Straw_1.jpg

11. foldable straw. I haven’t seen this idea in my life before thus it isn’t being put out there as important, but people have to see that global
warming is becoming problem now and they have to finally accept that there has to be something that is done to stop it.
http://www.idsa.org/awards/idea/personal-accessories/moto-360-2nd-gen-moto-maker
http://www.idsa.org/awards/idea/student-designs/foldable-straw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMsF1P-_vWc

12. 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 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? (Use the SEE-IT
method to respond to this question.)
The Virginia State Capitol building is a clear
example of architecture with sensibilities about the past. Thomas Jefferson didn't like the common colonial styles since it was a
design from Britain, which is why he looked back to old classical styles of Rome for inspiration. He wanted to follow the Roman's
ideal of architecture through pure geometry. Thus when he created the state capitol building he created an exact replica of the Roman
temple known as the Maison Carree to gain architectural independence from Britain. Jefferson brought back an older Roman style to
show that he no longer wants to rely on Britain architecture for building and to show off his independence from them.
An example of architecture with sensibilities of the future would be the Dulles International Airport. It captured how air travel was
grand and unbelievable since Eero Saarinen, the architecture wanted to capture the look of a 20th century gateway to the nation's
capital. By creating columns to hold the swooping concave roof, it looks as if the roof is as light as a feather. Saarinen wanted to
capture the airport to act as a gateway into the city rather than a tiresome checkpoint to enter the city. The design of Dulles challenged
its cultural context because it seemed impossible for a roof to be concaved like that. This is why many future airports were built with a
swooping roof or something rather similar through Saarinen's marvelous design of the Dulles International Airport.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/Washington_Dulles_International_Airport_at_Dusk.jpg

13. http://www.pbs.org/program/ten-that-changed-america/10-buildings-changed-america/

14. 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? (Use the SEE-IT method to respond to this question.)
Both Andrew Ballantyne and Peter Zumthor present their own ideas, which are similar
but more distinct from each other about architectural design through the value of
sensorial and the material elements of life. Zumthor mentions how he is intrigued by
the way Joseph Beuys uses his materials. He believes that by generating meaningful
situations for the materials, the architectural building or object will shine through its
poetic qualities. While Ballantyne believed in a woman known as Eileen Gray who
believed in the opposite of Le Corbusier. Gray explained that "A house is not a
machine. It is a man's shell, his continuation, his spreading out, his spiritual
emanation." Zumthor and Ballantyne, both agreed on the idea that the design of a
building brings out a deeper meaning to its representation rather than simple designs
and patterns from which it may seem. But for Ballantyne he believed in designing
around a "habit." A designer will choose certain designs on a building based on what
they deem is right through pure instinct. On the other hand, Zumthor followed the idea
of feelings and what felt right in designing the building. They both may have similar
ideas on how the final architectural building will represent, but their ideals conflict
with how the designer will achieve that final point in their building.
http://www.skibbereeneagle.ie/web/wp-content/uploads/blogger/-
-BtLYWwaBcc/TZOfl7-X-
BI/AAAAAAAAMi8/MtSPFHXS7KM/s400/eileen-gray-340.jpg

15. Response to Levy Article
Here is your discussion question on the Levy article. Please post your own response, and respond to at least two other students'
responses.
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?
Although I didn’t grow up in Long Island, Old Westbury, I
have lived here for 2 years so far. I didn't have my driver's
license and the area I lived in was completely isolated and
private to each house and property. The area was
specifically for cars to get around because there are no
buses in my area and there are no sidewalks to walk to
other places. Plus, even if you did walk, the closest
restaurant to me would be around 2-3 miles away. Another
interesting fact about the traffic lights in the area is that the
yellow lights take a long time before they turn red unlike in
the city because the speed limit here is 40 miles per hour.
This makes it obvious that you shouldn't walk anywhere
because it would be extremely dangerous. Also you can
turn right on red lights in Long Island as well! Each private
property basically owns their own "block" because to get
from one house to another, it would take a good 5 to 8-minute walk. Each house has a specifically different design suited to fit the
owner's specific needs and wants in the comfort of their own home. By the way, I finally got my license about one year ago so I was
actually able to get around myself rather than having to rely on my parents or sisters every time.
http://forgotten-ny.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/36.linden.234.jpg

16. Response to Pruitt Igoe Project, Talen, and Larson
Here is your discussion question on the Pruitt Igoe
project, the Talen article, and the Larson lecture.
article. Please post your own response, and respond to
at least two other students' responses.
Imagine that you are part of an 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?
Emily Talen would rebuild the Pruitt Igoe by specifically allowing easier access for the people there to travel and engage themselves
with the society. A major problem with the Pruitt Igoe is that it was completely secluded from the neighboring buildings and basically
existed as an island separated from the community. With no transportation, parkways or plazas, the residents in Pruitt Igoe weren't
able to connect with each other for more diversity and some didn't even have access to their job because of the architectural design of
Pruitt Igoe. Rather than making so many of these buildings, some of the areas could've been used to make stores or different buildings
that the people would need to communicate and be able to purchase their daily needs and wants.
What Kent Larson would do is allow the residents to personalize their own rooms through technological infills so then the residents
could design their homes with what they needed more of and what they didn't need as much. Since the Pruitt Igoe took up so much
land and property, the rent was expensive and not many people moved in because of that. This is why there were more empty rooms
than filled ones. Rather Larson would allow people of a lower economical stance to move in because he would design a small area that
is comfortable and preferable through technological advancements. Similarly in Asia, there is an architect who is designing rooms of
similar statures to allow for the large population in China to live in more popular areas with lower cost from the advancements in
http://www.pruitt-igoe.com/YAMA/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/P-I99.jpg

17. technological infills. By inviting more people into the community through lower cost, the area wouldn't feel so deserted and
dangerous. Since the Pruitt Igoe didn't inhabit that many people, there were many crimes and fights that scared the residents and
caused a lot of property damage, which lead to even more people to avoid the area.
Finally, an idea that I would propose for rebuilding the Pruitt Igoe is to redesign the buildings based on the population in the area.
Rather than making too many of these large buildings, the project could've started out smaller to see the reaction and who would move
into the building first instead of building them all at the same time. Another idea is to either creating easier pathways for the residents
to get around like through bikes or compact the buildings closer to the community so then the Pruitt Igoe wouldn't look like it
belonged on its own island.

18. 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?
During his plan at the 1876 Centennial
Exposition in Philadelphia, Frederick
Law Olmsted was proud of the system he had
created in Buffalo. The most important design
to why he considered the city of Buffalo to be
the "best planned city" is because of the
unique urban park system he created. Each
path, street and parkway helped form
Buffalo's beautiful, green city. Utilizing
natural formations such as the lakes and trees,
Olmsted was able to create a city full of life.
Especially by incorporating the beauty of
Niagara Falls, which made the city of Buffalo
seemed like it was the most perfect place. But
all of his hard work has changed throughout the years. Today with more buildings and infrastructures, Buffalo is no longer like the
"green city" it used to be. No longer did Buffalo rely on the connecting paths and parkways to reach each part of the city, but rather
today there are other paths that are more reliable and efficient such as the highway or freeway. With the decrease in the use of public
parkways, Olmsted would no longer consider the city of Buffalo as the "best planned city." Rather it is more like a dream that was
once true but now gone.
http://lalh.org/wp-content/gallery/place-study-buffalo-park-system/image3.jpg

19. 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? (Either written or visual
descriptions are acceptable).
Although I no longer live there, I always considered
Bayside to be my hometown and the installation known as
Fort Totten should be memorialized. It was built as a
seacoast defense for the United States and the construction
began during the year 1862, during the Civil War. Then in
1869, the Engineer School of Application established more
defenses and protection mechanisms to ensure the safety of
the coast. General Joseph Gilbert Totten was the Chief of
Engineering in the school, thus to commemorate him and his work the installment was named Fort Totten. Today Fort Totten followed
with life ways and slowly turned into a public park that houses a museum, where one can learn about its history. Also the area has
been renovated to house a fire department with a training center. Located near Little Neck Bay, where there is a man-made rock
formation where many people come to visit every day because it is along a beautiful jogging path overlooking the bay. By utilizing
Hood's 'triad of investigations,' I would incorporate more fields for sports. The reason for this is because I often see people there
playing soccer, football, badminton, ultimate Frisbee and there is even a rink for roller skating! By adding more courts to play on then
people will be able to play basketball, tennis and etc. A major factor that will help bring more people to walk along the bay's path is if
the area was cleaned. This can be done easily by hiring more workers or increasing the amount of garbage cans there because of
constant littering.
https://www.nycgovparks.org/photo_gallery/full_size/10109.jpg

20. Response to the Brookes
The abolitionist poster, the Brookes, is an iconic
image that often is included in exhibits that
explore issues of race and power. It was
commissioned by Thomas Clarkson in 1788, and
the Committee of the Abolition of Slavery used it
to inform and shock the public. While some
consider the poster as an important component
of the abolitionist campaign, it recently “has
been strongly criticized by some individuals and
groups of African heritage as providing a very
limited view of the history of the transatlantic
slave trade, resistance and abolition (Hudson
2007).” The lesson here is that 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. (Add it to your response by clicking on
the picture in the tools section. Do not add it as
an attachment that needs to be opened.) 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.) (NOTE: Limit your response to less than 250 words.)
The Burning Monk, 1963
Here is an image of a Vietnamese Mahayana Buddhist monk named Thích Quang Duc. His act of self-immobilization is a form of
fighting oppression to the South Vietnamese Diem Regime's pro-catholic policies and discrimination towards Buddhist beliefs.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ul72G5EX-Pc/VYjrTroozbI/AAAAAAAAJ54/b-
fLE0bNd9Q/s1600/The%2Bburning%2Bmonk%252C%2B1963%2B%25281%2529.jpg

21. Through my point of view, as a son whose parents are Buddhist, I see a man who is willing to give up everything to evoke a change of
heart in other people. I feel some of the emotions he must has felt if my parents had been in a similar situation as his. As a final act to
end all of the resentment, to display how important Buddhism is to him and others around him, he sacrificed what is most important in
this world, life.
A person who would've had a different approach to The Burning Monk shown above would be someone who is not religious at all.
They may have not seen any reason to give up one's life to prove the importance of religion and beliefs to the world.

22. 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. (Use the beliefs or
principles that are most relevant to your
critique rather than all of them.)
(NOTE: Limit your response to less than
250 words.)
Through the core belief of learning to
see: historical context matters, the MLK
Memorial was based on the quote from
MLK himself: "Out of a mountain of
despair, a stone of hope." King was located past two tall pieces of granite standing at 30ft tall. This symbolic meaning shows even
through his many struggles, MLK managed to push through all that seemed impossible to reach his dream and hope.
By using the design principle of making the invisible visible, the previous beliefs maintained bias practices and power dynamics so the
two towering stones stood as the "mountain of despair," which symbolized how there were many racists and biases against African
Americans, thus it was taken into account the hardship to push the limits of what they believed was right.
Finally with the belief foreseeing: process as product, the MLK memorial is located at West Potomac Park, which is southwest of the
National Mall. And other memorials such as the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial are near the MLK memorial as well to
symbolize his importance to the Civil Rights Movement and the equity given to both influential figures.
https://www.nps.gov/mlkm/learn/images/mlk-panorama.jpg

23. 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? (Limit your response to 250 words.)
In my living room, there is a shrine and a statue that represents my family's belief in Buddhism. My parents grew up believing the path
of Buddhism and tried to incorporate these ideals onto me as well. Although my sisters and I are not as religious as our parents, we
would pray occasionally with my grandma. Buddhism is a representation of my ethic background because I agree with certain ideas
and even follow them as well. I will most likely have Buddhist items such as necklaces and bracelets in my household but I will most
likely not have an actual shrine in my own home in the future.
In my hometown, there still exists a diner that is still popular called Jackson Hole. The dinner still has the typical retro feel to it with
its glimmering red cushioned seats and jukebox for the whole restaurant to listen to. The diner did affect the physical environment of
my community because near the diner is a small neighborhood called the Bayside Gables and it is where all of the upper class and
http://jacksonholeburgers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/about-us-2.jpg

24. mostly Caucasians live. And typically many of them go to this restaurant or order from it since it is pretty popular in Bayside. The
diner has existed for ages and I believe that it will continue to influence the area and the future generations.

25. 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? (Limit your response to 150 words.)
I believe that current sports team names are completely acceptable
in anyways. Rather I believe that each team name represents the
more popular culture in the area as well as the history so then the
people who reside there will more likely support the team because
they can relate to the name in some way. Although I do not usually
keep up with sports, I believe that most team names not only
represent their area and history, but also tries to find an attractive
way the name is spoken so in a way it sounds more invigorating
when it is heard. For example, the name Atlanta Braves and
Fighting Irish give off an invigorating sense to get more people
"hyped" for the sport games themselves.
http://inthepastlane.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ND-logo.jpg

26. 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? (Limit your response to 200
words.)
In this visual approach used in this Pantene commercial is get the idea. The designer had an image of a woman and a man side to side
and went through out their days and they have the same occupation. Throughout the video, the man is considered as a boss,
persuasive, dedicated, while the woman is considered bossy, pushy, and selfish. And in this specific image, while both of them are
doing the exact same thing, society would view the man as simply being neat, while the woman has an excessively high opinion in her
appearance, abilities and worth. The approach is effective because these cases actually hold true because of what advertising and
history has done to obstruct our view of woman. By bringing attention to the idea of equality, women are simply judged for no
apparent reason even if they do the same acts as men. The advertisement brings into light the current issues with gender and how
contemporary advertisement is continuing to ruin the image that woman have tried to build up for themselves. This graphic image can
be improved if the woman as well would be wearing her underwear and simply a white t-shirt over it.
https://khwargo.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/shampoo-brand-takes-on-gender-stereotypes.jpg?w=1400

27. 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? Use the SEE-IT method to respond to this
question. (Limit your response to less than 250 words.)
In my opinion, people should not be required to use the
bathroom that corresponds with their biological gender that is written on their birth certificate. Rather than having the person deciding
himself/herself which bathroom to enter, the law requires that the person follows their birth certificate. After passing the law, instead
of simply entering the bathroom one is comfortable with, now both the other guests in the bathroom have to endure an uncomfortable
sense of having another gender in the bathroom and the trans gender is forced into that bathroom or else they could be arrested if
another person were to call the police on him/her. The law was only passed because people were uncomfortable with having a man in
a woman's restroom, which is quite understandable. Now that a law was passed to force the trans gender into their respective
http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1298267.1364210768!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/d
erivatives/article_750/107256145.jpg

28. biological restrooms, now the trans gender person is forced into the other restroom while they are the complete opposite gender now.
A simple solution as a designer would be for this dilemma is to create unisex bathrooms and I myself have seen many restaurants and
stores incorporate this idea already. Now that the law has been repealed, the problem is all up to morals now. Although unisex
bathrooms would work, the cost would increase and the efficiently would decrease, people all have different morals and viewpoints, a
better solution still needs to be made to satisfy both the cost, efficiency and morals of the people.

29. 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. List the location of
where you took the photograph,
and make certain that you are in
at least one of the two pictures.
This is an example of jittery because
while I was walking down this street
I noticed that this store was the only
one with a security camera. The
camera may make others feel
uncomfortable because they are
being watched outside of this store.
Although it is simply there to record
anyone who may raid the store.
In this second image, this is an example of prickly because not only are these benches placed outside in the cold but also that they
have these metal bars that make it uncomfortable for a homeless man to fall asleep on, trust me I tried it myself. Also some of the
Taken by Helen HuangTaken by Tyler Chau

30. other benches in Roosevelt Plaza are made of stone while still having these metal bars on them making them not only are they cold but
also hard and uncomfortable.
During my experience walking in downtown Buffalo, I’ve come to see and realize that there are many incorporations of architecture
disciplinary ideas around. There are five types of architecture disciplinary ideas, which are stealthy, slippery, crusty, prickly and
jittery. The ones that I found to stand out more commonly were jittery and prickly. Looking at the image on the left, we can see a
camera placed outside of the store. This may give off a vibe or feeling of jittery because unlike the rest of the stores on the street, it is
the only one with a camera placed outside of it. This may cause other feel uncomfortable as they are being watched for their every
move, but rather the camera is more for the protection of the store from robbers rather than common citizens walking around. The
image on the right shows an example of prickly because of all of the benches in Buffalo, these are one of the few that have these metal
bars between them that create a separation between people sitting. The reason for this is because many homeless people fall asleep on
benches and the metal bar there prevents this from occurring since it becomes uncomfortable but also cold. Although it is not shown in
the image, there were some stone benches nearby Roosevelt Plaza with the same bar thus being hard and even more uncomfortable for
the homeless. Also trust me I tried to comfortably lay on them but it just didn’t work out so well.

31. 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?
Working in the iPD firm, I would create a system that helps assist people in finding better job opportunities. And at these jobs they
will gain experience and be able to slowly move up the ladder and earn more money. Tammy and her family will easily benefit from
this because of how hard working she is since she walks over 10 miles a day to go to work at Burger King. Given the opportunity,
Tammy will continue to work hard to reach a higher social status for not only herself but also for her family. My team and I will first
search the surround areas for possible job opportunities and set up a procedure for people to be able to get the jobs. Then we will
continue to assist them with knowledge and tips to bettering themselves.
If I were to be working in the iPD firm, I would create a system that monitors how everyone of the less fortunate or homeless people
are willing to work hard to get an appropriate job. Then I would research job opportunities that I believe that would best assist the type
of person. For example, in Tammy’s case, I would understand her struggle to walk over 10 miles a day in the rain just to work at a
faraway fast food place. Knowing how dedicated she is I would search for a better job opportunity for her that is either closer or has
http://www.salvationarmyflorida.org/fortmyers/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2014/06/Job-
Opportunities.png

32. public transportation but also a job that she can fully handle with her dedication. The iPD firm will be set up in a building complex
that doesn’t seem too threatening and more welcoming to allow the poorer individuals a chance to become an enthusiastic and law
abiding citizen.

33. 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?
To ensure more social integration for the older adults living in
the 'new and improved' Regent Park, the older seniors should
be allowed to live in any area in Regent park rather than
forcing them into the highest floor in senior buildings. By
doing so would allow seniors to interact more easily with other
cultures and ages to increase the diversity in Regent Park as
well as the content with each other because no longer would
the seniors be restricted to mostly meeting certain people,
which are mostly all seniors. An obvious way to increase the
amount of social interactions in the area would be to create
local events that are close by and involve tasks where people
have to interact with each other while enjoying the event. It is
quite similar to how college events for freshman students were done so many people could meet and become closer. This worked out
for me since I'm close friends with the people I met at orientation now. The events could be placed indoors or outdoors so the elders
would enjoy a more interactive and active life rather than staying in their senior building with the bare necessities of what they need.
To ensure that the events are effective, there could be surveys or group meetings to see what the older adults would enjoy doing as
well as the younger generation to create more diversity within the park, thus increasing the social interactions between the population.
http://urbantoronto.ca/sites/default/files/imagecache/display-
slideshow/images/articles/2013/05/7608/urbantoronto-7608-26570.jpg

34. Response to Enriquez TED Talk: “What
Will Humans Look Like in 100 Years?”
For this question, we will focus on Juan
Enriquez’ Life Two civilization, which
alters fundamental aspects of the body. 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?
Although living the see the world change over
a decade sounds mesmerizing, there will be
many problems that arise. Currently, people
are already living much longer than expected a
few decades ago and with the increased
population, designers had to find more
innovative ways to conserve resources and effectively care for the older adults who want to "age in place," which means that they
want to be able to live independently rather than in a hospital. This basically means that older adults will need engineered technology
that can measure their health and perhaps robots that assist them when they reach an age where they are unfit to care for themselves. If
humans were to live even longer, the population would drastically increase even more, which means that designers will face similar
challenges now but on a more radical extent. Another example of what other challenges designers will face would be how to
effectively fit everyone comfortably in a smaller room because of the increased population, which means there will be less space for
the whole population. This means that our built environment would be more compact and every necessity can be easily access their
online delivery or within walking distance.
http://www.idesignarch.com/wp-content/uploads/SoHo-Smart-Apartment_1.jpg

35. 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.
The design principle that I chose was "Low Physical
Effort." Many people today use a dishwasher to easily
and quickly clean all of their dishes in one go with little
effort. Unlike in the past when dishwashers didn't exist,
many handicapped people who are unable to wash the
dishes themselves would struggle with this task. A
specific example being usually the elders who have
Parkinson’s disease, which makes it near impossible for
them to even try this task. Many devices that allow for
lower physical effort either cost more money or produce
excessive amounts of waste that is unneeded.
An obvious negative feature of dishwashers is that they
often use excessive amounts of water that is
unnecessary to clean all of those dishes. And this waste
of clean water could be used in less fortunate countries where people are barely able to get their hands on a gallon of water for their
daily uses. A way to improve dishwashers to be even more effective would be to make them eco-friendly by perhaps using the same
filtered water over a certain amount of times.
http://maxglobal-appliancerepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/install-dishwasher.jpg

36. 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?
To learn whether or not emerging enhancement technologies and
reproductive technologies will become beneficial rather than a way
to control the market in this field and milk money off of people who
want perfection, we have to analyze the past to compare what other
emerging technologies brought more harm rather than good. There
are clear negatives to endorsing such a process to make what
someone considers to be the perfect baby. An obvious one being
that once put into market, it can easily be manipulated by the
company to overprice this process causing gaps between the rich
and poor. Thus when a "perfect baby" is born compared to a normal
baby, there will be clear differences and perhaps even "racism" and
bullying between the two. Rather than focusing on trying to make
someone perfect and improving them before what is normal, this enhancement and reproductive technology should focus on allowing
those babies who may have a high chance of becoming disabled in some way to be able to live a normal life and not go through such
unnecessary treatment that nobody should have to be put through at such a young age. Or rather allow an infertile woman to be able to
become pregnant for the first time, which I believe will grant her inconceivable amounts of happiness. This technoloy should be
focused on trying to improve or grant those who were unable to live a normal life. But I believe this is impossible because someone
out there will want a perfect baby or to earn as much money as they can.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Blausen_0060_Assisted
ReproductiveTechnology.png/280px-
Blausen_0060_AssistedReproductiveTechnology.png

37. Response to Titicut Follies
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?
Wiseman had the right to film the
residents in the correctional facility because the residents are incapable of making their own decisions. By gaining the consent from
the resident's legal guardians that would suffice as consent from the residents. These residents are probably unaware that they're being
filmed, so it would not make sense to ask them for consent. Many different types of designers can take away a lot of useful
information regarding the residents. These designers can pick up on flaws with the current designs within the correction facility and
use the flaws as a means of improving their own designs. Architects, for example, can redesign a home for those with metal illness in
order to improve their lives and make it easier for them to navigate around the house. All of these benefits can only be experienced by
designers once they have seen the film.
Although some may disagree with the opinion of having someone else make the decision for a patient, in my opinion I believe it to be
completely just for one’s legal guardians to be able to make a decision for the patient if he is unable to himself. By gaining the consent
of the guardian is gaining the consent of the patient. This is not silencing the patient, if the patient is able to make the decision himself
then he can do so but if not then his guardian will or someone who knows him best. Wisemen did have the right to fill these residents
since he gained consent. Through the flaws in this correctional facility, other designers can learn how to redesign the home for those
with metal illnesses the right way. Thus improving future correctional buildings and making it easier for those who live there to feel
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/24/94/96/249496a6666dbc355f24043d74de762f.jpg

38. more connected to other people and families. These films benefit all and he was given consent thus it was right to use the film for the
necessary improvement.

39. 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?
How would this change your opinion about the construction of the group
home in your neighborhood?
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”?
I would not support this proposal because intellectually challenged people
should not be forced into a home since it would be unethical. After having some
personal experiences with the disabled, I've come to learn that what they want
most is independence and a sense of trying to be normal. Thus there should be
no reason to force the three residents into a home due to some disabilities. This
is basically the same as forcing them into a mental institution against their own
will.
My stand would remain the same even if we needed a workable alternative
instead. A simple solution would be to assist them with their life, which the whole neighborhood will join in on. The neighbors can
assist by accepting them into their homes and making them feel as they are a part of the neighborhood rather than a reject. People are
never defined by their disabilities but rather they should be defined by what makes them, themselves. This could be their hobbies,
interests and personality towards others. A solution that would allow the same basic human rights as the rest of the population would
be to let them live how they want to, independently. If they do need assistance in some physical way, the neighborhood can assist in
ways that still lets the disabled live independently.
https://images-na.ssl-images-
amazon.com/images/I/51Z42BJ1VJL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

40. Response to The Connection Between
Religion and Urban Planning by David
Engwicht
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?
During my middle school years, I always
remembered walking past a church on my
way home every day. It is called the Korean
Presbyterian Church of Bayside. This was a
place of worship and was more directed
towards Koreans. It was located right next to
Marie Curie 158, my middle school. Usually
after class many of my friends went there with their families and friends and they told me that there were plenty of non-Koreans that
attended as well. The area was pretty populated due to the fact that it was right next to a school. As a matter of fact, another building
was created after I left middle school that was called the educational center of Korean Presbyterian Church. The church expanded to
teach others more about their religion, specifically the children. These popular locations often led many of the children to play at the
playground after and there was even added speed bumps around the area to ensure their safety. The creation of the church may be a
reason to why Bayside was populated with many Asians.
https://cdn.patchcdn.com/users/100055/2011/11/T600x450/c09461d9113d5a302de08f81c966f70a.jpg

41. The Korean Presbyterian Church of Bayside wasn’t a place of importance to me, but it was definitely a place that my friends will
remember. The reason this church came to mind was because during my middle school years at Marie Curie 158, after class my
friends and I would walk home in this direction and past the church every time. And almost every day, some of them attended the
church as a place worship. Even though it is a church that is more inviting for Koreans, my friends who attended often told me that
there were some other ethnicities that attended who were treated just as kindly. I remember clearly during the end of 8th
grade, the
church was building an educational center of Korean Presbyterian Church right across the street. It was meant for a place to learn
more about their religion and culture, specifically for children. Not only was the church and school across the street from each other,
but they both bought many children around the area. This may be a reason why there were more stop signs than usual and as well as to
why there were a higher ratio of Asians in Bayside, my hometown as well.

42. Response to Prospects for the Future of Diversity and
Design
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?
Currently a major problem in my profession is the cost of
medication for patients due to the drug development
process that does not only take millions of dollars but
also over a decade before they can be FDA approved.
The reason for such catastrophic prices that many
citizens cannot afford at times is because that after the rat
testings are finished, the process moves onto the clinical
trial, where human testing begins to determine the best
possible prescription. In my field of study, I want to be more focused on how can personalized medication not only decrease the cost
of the current drug development process but also determine the best medication for each individual person. And currently a way that
may make it possible is the field of tissue engineering. By replicating human organs from a patient's DNA, engineers will be able to
run tests on this replica to find the best personalized medication without harming the patient through the process. This will also
decrease the price of the clinical trial since tests could be run on a replica rather than an actual human being. But many factors have to
be taken into account when creating these replicas. For example, how can the replica tissue become a fully functional heart if there
isn't a way to make the heart beat or have passive tension when circulating blood. Also if the drug positively affects that specific organ
how will it affect the other parts of the body as well. These field still need to be further researched but tissue engineering seems to
make personalized medication possible and perhaps make prescription drugs more affordable.
By creating replica organs from a patient's DNA the drug development process, specifically the clinical trial will not only decrease in
the amount of time, but also the cost. The image below shows the drug development process and you can see that the clinical trial is
both the most time consuming and expensive. For example, there was a drug called Cisapride that became FDA approved and sent out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWr9FdpLxrg

43. to be available to patients. Many doctors even recommended this drug to patients that were having gastroesophageal reflux disease.
But there was an error during the clinical trial testings because the drug was taken off market since it had caused many fatalities. The
reason for this is because when the drug was tested, it was tested on healthy patients, rather than what it was specified for. Let's say
that replica organ's at existed at the time, the drug, Cisapride, could've been tested on a patient's DNA that had this disease, thus the
engineers and doctors would've known that this drug was not safe and still needed more tests to be run. Also there would be no harm
to the patients with the disease since it would simply be a replica of their organ.
Personalized medication is literally perfect for those with rare diseases. And you have to take into account that 10% of the world's
population are diagnosed with a rare disease in their life. And 35% of infant deaths within their first year are caused by rare diseases.
Even though it's rare, it still affects a large population in the world. Also genetics are a major part of what cancers, illness and diseases
a person may have in the future.
Finally, this brings in the idea doesn't personalized medication cost more since it will be focused on each individual person. Obviously
this is true because everyone in the world can’t have a medication just specifically for them. To explain this, I will talk about another
approach to personalized medicine. An example of this is DNA micro-array chips and these basically trying to find cancer cells within
genes through this small chips that can either attract or repel these cells giving the researcher more information on the patient's
specific cancer cells, which he will then be able to predict which drug the patient should take. This is what personalizing medication
means. Basically trying to find the best medication for each patient. You don't have to create a new medicine for them but rather find
the best existing one for them.
This may be a little extra but if you want to know, the way that prescriptive drugs are currently handled, it often increases the
development of resistances without competent medical benefits and this inflates medical costs because of cases that are challenging to
identify. For example, the way cancer patients are cured today is basically through the basic method of trial and error. Of course it's a
little more than this because of the results given from one drug leads doctors to try a drug that may work better for the patient. This
isn't working because cancer cells are specific to each person so one drug may be more effective than another depending on the
patient. It's more than just the money and time but also finding the most optimal prescriptions to steer each patient to the right drug
and right dose each time.