This document summarizes a student's responses to online discussion questions for an American Diversity and Design course. The student discusses how the course influenced their awareness of social issues and different perspectives. They provide examples of how class discussions showed various solutions to problems. The student also notes being surprised by the widespread nature of societal problems and how little they are addressed. Overall, the document reflects on the student's learning experience in the course and increased understanding of diversity and design issues.

1. University at Buffalo – State University of New York
ARC 211 - American Diversity and Design - Spring 2017
Online Discussion Questions
Alex Guzek

2. https://geneticliteracyproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/human_diversity.jpg

3. The diversity and design class has influenced me due to the fact that I was never really aware of how much is actually affected by the
issues of that were presented in this course. The course influenced me since it brought to light the multiple issues that are facing
society today, and how many people are affected by these issues. What I learned throughout this course was how many different ideas
there are to solve the same question. In the discussion board we were all tasked with answering the same question and everybody in
the group discussions came up with different solutions to the same problem, and I thought it was amazing how many different ways
there are to achieve the same goal. Finally, I the thing that I found was the most compelling about the course was how many different
problems society faces today, I did not realize that these problems are everywhere we look, and how little these issues are addressed.

4. 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 Alex Guzek

5. 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?
An innovation that had an impact on society would be the discovery of alternating
current. This was first discovered by Nikola Tesla in New York City to go up against the
more popular but more dangerous direct current. Alternating current would soon
become the heavy favorite and be used in endless applications. This gave the US a
chance to have power in more homes than ever and be able to light streets, power
trolleys, and would eventually lead to the electricity run society we know
today. Electricity is used everywhere, your house, car, phone, appliances, and
computers; as a result, this innovation would give an advantage to anybody who had
electricity, due to the fact that you could have light all day, power machines, factories,
and homes. Those without electricity would be at a disadvantage due to the fact that
without electricity you couldn't use nearly half of the stuff you need today. Some social
impacts that occurred would be that early on only the rich could afford electricity, and
this gave them another luxury the lower classes couldn’t afford, and an impact today
would be that we can't really live without electricity. A group that could be negatively
impacted by this innovation would be the ones who supported the direct current
because the safer alternating current practically made direct current obsolete.
https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-9389066-stock-footage-light-bulb-on-black-background-full-
hd-video-footage.html?src=rel/1831187:3/gg

6. Response to "Introduction" from Diversity and Design
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?
I would have to say the program of Meals on Wheels. This is a service that was
established in 1974 in the U.S. and provides food for the elderly and or people who are
unable to make or purchase their own food. This changed circumstances for the elderly
because it allowed elderly people to stay in their own homes and not go into nursing
homes and those who couldn't afford food can now receive their own food right to their
door without leaving their houses.
http://content.cbs19.tv/photo/2017/05/01/MEALS%20ON%20WHEELS_1493644340928_9330870_ver1.0.jpeg

7. 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?
The photos that were shown in the TED talk were very inspirational. The video included
a lot moving images that highlighted major events in history and images that were so
moving that they created history. These images were made even more relevant due to
the fact that they were shared worldwide and people who were on the other side of the
world were able to see these images and understand what was really happening outside
of your own backyard.
The image I choose was President Barack Obama as he was the first African American
president in the history of the United States. He created his own history and this picture
captures that moment. This photo plays in the communication due to the fact that is
shows the first African American president ever in the United States of America.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/presidents/barackobama

8. Response to Articles on Hats as Communication Design
NOTE: Use the first three part of the SEE-IT method of critical thinking (State,
Elaborate, Exemplify) to address the following questions:
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 first hat is pink because it represents the women’s march and the red hat represents
those that are supporting the candidate of Donald Trump. These are vehicles of design
because they show the public what one is supporting and everybody is able to see that. I
think the meanings on the red and pink hats, are important to articles of media because
it shows how hats can be elements of social media, due to the fact that people can
express an idea based on what they are wearing and do not necessarily have to use their
own words to express that specific opinion or a belief that they have. They are also
different since they represent two different topics and ideas.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/10/06/hey-lets-all-
make-our-own-donald-trump-hats/?utm_term=.eb5621d64c3c

9. 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? Please provide your
own example of a product that uses Cradle-to-Cradle design. Describe and cite
sources.
I have never looked at pictures of China's air pollution, but seeing them now it shows
what a large problem this is. The use of the pictures showed how the pollution is getting
to a dangerous level and hopefully these pictures can help others open their eyes to
what is actually going on, and maybe persuade others to do something about it.
https://assets.bwbx.io/images/users/iqjWHBFdfxIU/i1HCpMvyZOo4/v3/-1x-1.jpg

10. 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?
I think the production line will change in the next twenty years by being more advanced
than the production lines we have today. I believe that production lines will become
more automated and introduce more robots to do the work and as a result have less
and less human involvement in the process. Next, I think these new production lines of
the future will significantly decrease the work force needed and then result in less jobs
for society. I also think that this new type of production line will have a positive impact
on consumers as the prices to produce will go down and so will the price the consumer
has to pay.
http://corporate.ford.com/content/dam/corporate/en/innovation/moving-assembly-
line/Innovation_Moving_Assembly_Line_Carousel1.jpg

11. 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 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?
If Talen, Larson, and I were given the task of rebuilding the Pruitt Igoe in ways that
promise to be more successful, we would approach it in three different ways. Talen's
strategy would be to bring in more diversity to the housing project, instead of just the
same group of people all throughout the building. Talen would most likely accomplish
this by limiting the number of buildings there are from 33 to a smaller number, and
trying to bring people of varying ethnicities, and incomes levels into one complex that
would create a connected and community like vibe to it. Talen states that "The
neighborhood can be used as a framework to channel individual choices toward
something tangible that is collectively experienced." Next, Larson's plan might be to
make the housing project more technologically advanced, to make it more desirable and
convenient for the tenants of a particular unit. Larson would most likely use the idea he
states in his TED talk "Now, the most interesting implementation of that for us is when
you can begin to have robotic walls, so your space can convert from exercise to a
workplace" so one unit is infinitely customizable for each person's requirements. He
would also use state of the art lighting that is efficient and saves on energy costs and
cars that make the parking needed smaller resulting in a lower payment forhttp://www.pruitt-igoe.com/YAMA/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/P-I99.jpg

12. the tenant making it more desirable. My strategy would be to make the buildings more
aesthetically pleasing on the outside, give the buildings some design to it so it looks
more welcoming and looks like what the community we are trying to achieve. I would
also move the location of the project to a more central location and not
somewhere that is so remote and desolate, I would probably move it more towards
downtown St. Louis. Finally, our strategies would be more effective due to the fact that
these ideas change the negatives of Pruitt Igoe by, more diversity, more technology, and
more architecture. These approaches would make Pruitt Igoe more appealing and as a
result more people would be attracted to the building and want to live there.

13. 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?
I have lived in Lewiston, New York, right by Niagara Falls, all my life and have noticed
these planning ideas that add character. In Lewiston, Center Street runs right down the
middle and is pretty much the connection to everything in Lewiston, from restaurants
to stores and bowling alleys, Center Street is the main road. This planning defines the
characters of Lewiston because Center Street offers a great community feel due to the
fact that it is always full with people and that you can access every place you need to
go by using Center Street. Also, Center Street has brick cross walks, Christmas lights in
the winter, and an ice rink that all adds to the character and to the community of
Lewiston. In addition, Center Street runs right down to the water and is closed down
during the summer for multiple festivals, which adds to the vibrant life that you can
see while using Center Street. In continuation Lewiston has a park right next to Center
Street which is used for the ice rink in the winter and an annual Peach festival in the
fall that has rides, food, and vendors all in one place. With all these activities going on
around the clock Center Street adds an amazing atmosphere to Lewiston that would
otherwise be a boring and ordinary street. Since Center Street has all this, it is
everything but an ordinary street and that is all due to the planning that defines the
character of Lewiston since Center Street is so centrally located and a catalyst for
activity.
http://www.rdgusa.com/crp/cedarfalls/files/Future%20Land%20Use_5.2.12-01.jpg

14. 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?
Frederick Law Olmsted claim that Buffalo is the best planned city, as to its streets, public
places, and grounds, in the United States, if not in the world, is based on the fact that
unlike other cities, Buffalo had a plan for not one but three parks in the city, and all
three of the parks were connected so one could actually visit all three of the parks and
never have to leave the park area. This also made travel across the city easier since
parkways were connected throughout the city of Buffalo. Also, the fact that the parks
were planned are an integral part of the city and act as a "spine" to the city, rather than
just a parked being randomly placed in Buffalo. Next, I think that Frederick Law Olmsted
would not make this claim today because people don’t really use it since most people
have cars and that is more efficient than walking through each park, and the parks are
not kept in that good of condition, as a result Buffalo is probably not seen as the best
planned city in the world today.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/Buffalo_City_Hall_an
d_Monument.jpg

15. 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).
I would want to memorialize my hometown's role in the Underground Railroad. I know
this was a long time ago, but Lewiston was the last point before escaped slaves could
reach Canada, and played a vital role in saving thousands of lives. The picture I have for
this memorial would be more of a park with a statue/wall in the middle with all paths
around the park leading to it. First, the statue/wall would have names of those who
escaped and those who helped inscribed on the wall, and would have an outlined path
on it, and the path is the one those who escaped took and made it to safety. Next, the
park would have paths that lead all around to benches, flowers, and bushes. In addition,
the park's paths would not be straight lines, rather curvy and random turns to represent
the uncertainty and complex paths slaves would follow all the way up to Lewiston.
This memorial park would tap into the history of Lewiston and serve as a reminder to
the role it played. The park would allow people to use it as a normal park, like walking,
jogging, talking on benches, but still have that connection to Lewiston's past all in one
place.
https://voiceofniagara.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/harriet_tubmasouth-boston-2010-harriet-tubman-park.jpg

16. 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.)
Some of equityXdesigns design principles can be seen in the MLK Memorial, these
design principles would be making the invisible visible and speaking to the future.
EquityXdesigns principle of making the invisible visible is conveyed by the whole
memorial itself, due to the fact that the memorial brings attention to the past and what
Martin Luther King Jr. did during the Civil Rights Movement. The memorial makes all
those who were part of the movement visible since they are now forever part of history
and cannot be forgotten with this memorial. The next design principle that can be seen
in the memorial would be speaking to the future. Speaking to the future is a design of
the memorial since people see it every day and are constantly reminded of the Civil
Rights Movement and what Martin Luther King Jr. did during it to achieve what he
wanted. Also, like equityXdesign principle states "With no guide, we must speak this
reality into existence.", so the memorial is kind of "speaking" Martin Luther King Jr.'s
reality of racial equality into existence with the memorialization of what he
accomplished and the affect it had so many people.
http://www.frumforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/MLK.jpg

17. 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.)
I interpret this image as a message to society about how big of a problem racism really is
in our country, and how wide spread and out of control the problem of racism is. The
meaning of this image it to show that racism is taught and that we are not born being a
racist, a baby doesn't automatically start discriminating against a certain group right
when it leaves the hospital. That racism is such a huge problem that it is actually being
"taught" to adults and children and they are believing the discriminatory facts that the
people around them are saying. A young child of any cultural background might see this
image and interpret the message that they don't have be taught/learn the same racist
ideas as others around them, that they can believe whatever they want and do not have
to conform to the racial and incorrect views of those around them, that they are free to
decide for themselves and can have no boundaries with all different cultures. Both of
https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/52303413398
3805440/EdxinjG0_400x400.jpeg

18. our interpretations would be pretty much the same, although differences with other
interpretations about racism being taught and not being born with it could come down
to those around you, if everyone around you is discriminating against a group, you
probably will too as it seems normal and not realize how wrong it is, which shows that
you were actually "taught" the racist view since you probably didn't discriminate
towards a group before you picked up on the influences around you.

19. 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?
A room in my home that is representative of my ethnic background would probably be
my living room. My family is part German and Polish, so are living room is full of
antiques and old pictures from our past family members in Germany and Poland. I
would consider my living room to be ethnic because the pictures and old objects
remind us of our roots and our past family members and the history of our family. I
would keep the pictures and objects in my own home in the future due to the fact that
this would remind myself and my kids every day of where our family came from, and the
antiques are a cool way to see things like plates and furniture that was actually used by
my ancestor.
The community of Lewiston is very historical and that has influenced the culture in our
community. Lewiston played an important role in the Underground Railroad and the
underrepresented group in this context would be the slaves who escaped. These
cultural influences can be seen all throughout Lewiston, there are about two or three
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjAwWDgwMA==/z/u8QAAOSwPe1T17UW/$_32.JPG?set_id=880000500F

20. statutes that commemorate the role Lewiston played, also there was a house that was
rebuilt that had multiple basements to hide runaway slaves. This is being preserved for
future generations with the statutes that remind people of the role Lewiston had and
the rebuilt house that shows the history is still being acknowledged today and will be for
future generations.

21. 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?
I believe that sports teams should be able to use ethnic references in their name, the
teams have their own right to create their name, and that is all they are doing. Nobody
goes into a meeting to create a sports team and decides to make it their goal to come
up with a derogatory name. Don't get me wrong some names are offensive to ethnic
groups, like the Redskins, and those should be changed, but then you have a name like
the Boston Celtics that calls into the history of Boston as a city that has a large Irish
population and the team was one of the original teams in the NBA. So, my point is that
ethnic references should be allowed in team names but should be monitored and
changed if those name are offensive to an ethnic group.
http://prod.static.redskins.clubs.nfl.com/nfl-assets/img/gbl-ico-
team/WAS/logos/home/large.png

22. 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?
I believe people should be able to use any bathroom with the gender they identify with.
For the why argument I would say that it is your choice to identify with whatever gender
you want and you should be able to use any bathroom regardless of what gender you
were at birth. It is your freedom to identify with any gender you want and you shouldn't
be denied the use of a certain bathroom just because you chose to express a different
gender than the one that is printed on you birth certificate. For the why not argument I
would say, the gender you have at birth is the type of bathroom you should use since
using an opposite bathroom might be awkward for others in the bathroom, they might
not know that you identify with the opposite gender and not understand why
someone of the opposite gender is in the same bathroom. Another point is that people
could take advantage of using the bathroom of the gender they identify with and walk
into the opposite gender's bathroom with bad intentions, and just say they identify with
that gender and walk on in. As a designer I would just make whole bunch of single
person unisex bathrooms, so matter what gender you identify with, everybody uses the
same bathroom
https://4.imimg.com/data4/HB/SY/MY-11355000/bathroom-door--250x250.jpg

23. 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?
In this image the approach is "get the idea". The designer uses this approach to
communicate the gender issue of the wage gap. With the saying of "Women, like men
only cheaper" shows the fact that women are paid significantly less than men and are
viewed as a cheaper alternative. The image shows the way society sees women in the
work place as someone who is does the same amount of work but at a cheaper price. I
think this approach is effective due to the fact that it makes the point about the wage
gap between men and women. Also, this image is effective because the women appear
to be happy/joking around in the picture which resembles how foolish and laughable it
is that the wage gap still exists in society today. I think this graphic is already pretty
good, and maybe to improve it there could be a quick fact or statistic about the wage
gap which would make it part of both approaches, but I think that would make it more
affective in conveying the idea of the wage gap.
http://www.thebvnewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Gender-Wage-Gap.jpg

24. 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.
I agree with your statement on the cemetery being a stealthy location since most people
do not realize that there is such a beautiful place to be in a cemetery, do you think
people people would go there if they knew it was a there, or would still not go even if
they knew about it because it is a cemetery?
I like your statement about the building being a crusty environment as it very
dilapidated, and is easily understandable why people would not want to be around
there.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/Buffalo_City_Hall_and_Monument.jpg

25. 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?
To help Tammy, and others in similar situations, to move themselves out of poverty, I
would first create a program that helps people in poverty get matched with a job that
pays higher than minimum wage, and they can use that money to go to college to get a
degree that would help them even more. The program would split the money made
between the price for courses and the price for Tammy's family. Also, those who are in
poverty I would have them relocate to more central location so they are closer to all
other classes, since one of Tammy's son wants to appear in a higher class to make
friends, he will be practically next to them and the whole family would be able to see
other possibilities to get out of poverty, and not be surrounded by lower class homes
and communities around them. Finally, I would offer them a car, kind of like ride sharing
where you get to use the car as long as you are in the program and multiple cars would
be shared between everyone in this offer. This provides them their own transport so
they can run on their own schedule instead of having to work around a bus or subway
schedule, and to travel farther.
http://www.businessinsider.com

26. 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 happens for the older people living in the new and
improved Regent Park, there should first be a change with the sections of the housing.
The tenants shouldn't be divided by age and if the residents weren't divided by the
age, this would lead to more interaction between all of the residents no matter what
age they are, because they would be living next to others of different ages. Secondly,
older residents should be placed closer to services, like transportation, food, retail, and
just be closer to the lower levels so they can leave their apartments more easily, and get
to the services more easily as well. This would also make their apartments more
accessible for people who have wheel chairs or walkers and can just stay on one level.
Finally, there should be a central location in the Regent Park that is central for all
residents and would make a nice place for those who live in the housing to co-mingle
and interact with the other residents of any age without leaving the Regent Park area.
http://i2.wp.com/shawglobalnews.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/regent-park-
aerial.jpg?crop=2px%2C0px%2C617px%2C411px&resize=720%2C480&quality=70&strip=all&ssl=1

27. 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?
If the assertion of living to 120 years of age is true, there would be a major effect on our
societies and built environments. I think our societies and communities will see a
massive change in population and more buildings for housing would have to be put up
to accommodate this new population. Societies will have people living longer and
families getting larger and more people in general that are living in the same
community. Also, there would probably be a even taller and larger housing projects that
will literally reach new heights. Next, some new issues designers might face would be
how to design a housing project that can hold all these people and keep them in an
organized and simple design that doesn't make this new population secluded from
others. Also the designers would have to work with the fact that since people are living
longer that there will be several different generations living at the same time and each
generation lives differently and grew up with different technology, so it would be a
challenge for a designer to make a space that can hold and satisfy these
different generations all in one location, and if that's not possible make different spaces
for each generation.
http://mccallsmakeupmorgue.weebly.com/uploads/1/3/5/7/13576481/6700775_orig.jp
g

28. Response to PPT, Smithsonian, and Roy
The two most frequently mentioned models of disability are the ‘social’ and the
‘medical’ models. The medical model of disability views disability as a medical
‘problem’ that belongs to the disabled individual. The social model of disability, in
contrast, draws on the idea that it is society that disables people, through designing
everything to meet the needs of the majority of people who are not disabled. There is
a recognition within the social model that there is a great deal that society can do to
reduce, and ultimately remove, some of these disabling barriers, and that this task is
the responsibility of society, rather than the disabled person.
In the Smithsonian online exhibition, the story about the superhero hand, and Elise
Roy’s TED Talk, you saw examples of ways to engage disability that use the social
model rather than the medical model. In the Disability and Design PowerPoint, you
were introduced to the concept of Universal Design (UD) (sometimes called inclusive
design, design-for-all, or human-centered design). Certainly, UD embraces the social
model of disability. In this same PowerPoint, you saw positive and negative examples
of each of the seven principles of universal design.
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.
I chose the principle of equitable use. The first picture would disempower people
because those with a wheelchair, walker, cane, and or crutches would it find very
difficult if not impossible to go on to the sidewalk due to the raised curb and having to
step up and over to access the sidewalk. If you can't go on the sidewalk you would have
to walk on the street, and that makes it more dangerous for everyone, so those who
have a disability and can't access the sidewalk, it would disempower them to go outside,
https://www.redmond.gov/Transportation/Resources/Neighborhoo
dTrafficCalming/CurbBulbs/

29. or go anywhere that requires walking because they can't reach the sidewalk. The second
picture has a sidewalk that has lowered curb that is flush with the road and can make it
easily accessible for everyone because you no longer have to step up and there is
nothing preventing wheelchairs or walkers to go on to the sidewalk. This type of
sidewalk empowers people because they can be safe on the sidewalk and they do not
have to worry about access to the sidewalk or walking on the street. Finally, ways that
the positive example could be improved would be to make more lowered curbs to allow
or more access or make the whole sidewalk lower so people wouldn't have to worry
about where to find an access point and could enter and exit the sidewalk everywhere.

30. Response to Survey, FIXED, and Stelarc
Our 2017 Design-A-Baby survey yielded the following characteristics as indicated by a
majority of you:
 Sex: Male (47%)
 Hair Color: Dark Brown (22%)
 Hair Texture: Wavy (33%)
 Eye Color: Blue (26%)
 Race: Caucasian (36%)
 Height: 5’-10” to 6’-1” (45%)
 IQ: 131-140 (20%)
 Memory: Excellent (43%)
 Athletic Ability: Excellent (43%)
 Weight: Average (79%)
 Disease Carrier: None (85%)
 Beauty: Somewhat attractive (46%)
 Empathy: Very empathetic (38%)
 Creativity: Very creative (37%)
Sounds like an all-around lovely person!
Currently, we have the technology for you to choose many of the survey
characteristics in your future child, and this ability to choose poses some ethical
questions. Of course, we all want the best for our own child. However, as we move
into a more collective situation, we need to consider how the consequences of
majority choices for children might change who we are as a species.
In the film trailer FIXED, you were introduced to the dilemma of living in a culture in
which the “science-fiction of human enhancement” has become almost a way of life,
from prenatal genetic screening to bionic body parts. In the video, “A Man with Three
https://www.scientificamerican.com/sciam/cache/fi
le/D6867EAF-CD49-4941-
A30D93F5784383D5_source.jpg

31. Ears” you are introduced to an artist who is using current technology to move humans
beyond their current abilities. Last week, Juan Enriquez asked us if it is ethical to
evolve the human body. All of these videos suggest that the concept of disability ‘as
we know it’ could cease to exist in the future.
This leads us to this week’s discussion question:
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?
The lessons that we should learn from past would probably why we haven't done this
before. Sure there wasn't the same technology but there must be other reasons why we
haven't fully gone to selecting the traits you want for your child, one aspect would
probably be what could go wrong, messing up the procedure to get the right traits could
lead to more problems than it would fix. Next, some positive effects of being able to
design our bodies would be that you could literally design your ideal human whether it
would be yours or your child's body. Also, designing a body would most likely get rid of a
lot of birth defects and problems that could occur without designing your body. Some
negative consequences would be, based on the percentages above, that a lot of people
would look similar and have the same traits. People would no longer be that unique
from each other, since most people would choose the same traits. Finally, some ethical
quandaries with this technology would be that you are totally eliminating the natural
selection from the parents and from nature and scientifically making a body that is
perfect and exactly the way you wanted.
http://www.st-ives.cornwall.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Science.jpg

32. 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?
I believe that Wiseman should have been allowed to film the residents of Bridgewater
Massachusetts Correctional Facility because a correctional facility is payed for by tax
payers and the fact that the facility was hiding such horrendous conditions for those in the
facility that they did not want people to find out the truth is a terrible reason to not allow
someone to film. The film of the Bridgewater Massachusetts Correctional Facility
http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/titicut-
follies-1968

33. exposed the outrageous conditions and ultimately helped to reform these institutions, so
the the designers learned what not to do when a building a similar facility. They could
also learn how important their design actually is to those who occupy the buildings, that it
actually effects the people who are in there, and learn to humanize these facilities so they
don't alienate those who are in it. One final thing to learn from the film would be have a
better floor plan for the different services in the correctional facility.

34. Response to PPT, The Architecture of Autism, Public Space
Prelude: Wolf Wolfensberger's seminal work "The Origin and Nature of Our
Institutional Models" posited that society characterizes people with intellectual
disabilities as sub-human and burdens of charity, He argued that this
dehumanization, and the segregated institutions that result from it, ignored the
potential productive contributions that all people can make to society. He pushed
for a shift in policy and practice that recognized the human needs of those with
intellectual challenges and provided the same basic human rights as for the rest of
the population.
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.
http://blog.credit.com/2014/08/benefits-of-living-in-a-suburb-91781/

35. 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”?
I would support the construction of a group home in my neighborhood, since it would not
affect or change anything else in the neighborhood. Even after learning about the
previous behaviors I would still be in support of the construction because the group home
would allow the people who live there to be a part of normal and everyday life, they
would be able to be a part of society just like everyone else. Also, hopefully the building
of group home would benefit both the residents of the home and the people of the
neighborhood due to the fact that those in the group home could lead relatively normal
lives and those who already live in the neighborhood will become more accepting and
understanding of people who live in group homes. Finally, some solutions to allow the
residents "the same basic rights as the rest of the population" would be to offer them all
of the services they need so they can stay in one place and wouldn't have to leave, so that
would help them feel comfortable and be convenient for them. One more thing to do

36. would be to make the house as home like as possible, for example sufficient amenities for
everyone.

37. 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?
This is the First Presbyterian Church in my home town of Lewiston. My family and I are
not too religious so we usually go during Christmas, Easter, and other holidays services at
the church. So, the church offers a place for us to go with others from the community to
worship together. This church has played a development in my town because it provides
http://www.newyorkupstate.com/western-
ny/2016/04/a_day_in_lewiston_photo_essay_of_people_places_in_upstate_ny.html

38. a place to for people to come together with family and friends to worship in one location.
Also, the church is a main meeting place for people to congregate and have clubs like
Boy Scouts, and other things like bingo, as a result the church has become a central point
to meet. Next, the First Presbyterian Church has influenced the design of the area around
it by being a place where people can meet, and most homes and buildings are centered
around the church. The role of the church has not really changed over time since the
building was first built. Finally, this place of worship could play a part in the future
development of my town the same way it plays a role now, by being a central location to
come together to worship.

39. 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?
I am a mechanical engineering major and the biggest challenge that the mechanical
engineering field needs to tackle right know would be improving electric cars so they are
a great and reliable alternative to gas powered cars, and they can help eliminate the need
for fossil fuels and the carbon emissions that are produced from gas and other fossil fuel
powered cars like diesel. I would plan to improve the range of the batteries so one could
travel farther on one charge and try to have the shortest charging time for the battery so it
https://www.tesla.com

40. would be more convenient and practical for everyday use. The need for electric cars is
growing as gas prices and oil reserves may soon reach a maximum, so the need for an
alternative form of transportation is needed as soon as possible. I would want to address
this challenge as a part of my studies because I believe that working on this as a part of
my studies would benefit me the most in completing this challenge as I could focus what
I learned directly from the classroom and the lab to the challenge of making electric
vehicles a viable option over fossil fuel powered cars.