1. University at Buffalo – State University of New
York
ARC 211 - American Diversity and Design – Spring
2017
Online Discussion Questions
Yudong Du
2. Welcome to visit my responses for the American
Diversity and Design. My name is Yudong Du, an
international student from China. This course is very
interesting and I was attracted by “Diversity” at first.
I believe thinking diversely and critically is
important for the future. The questions in the course
is just as its name. By responding these questions, I
learned how to view a question from all kinds of
points. In addition, there are also topics like people’s
right, race problem, and culture difference, which are
interesting and worth to think. Through learning this
course, I believe that my viewpoint got improved and
had a better idea of critical thinking.
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.
3. 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?
In my opinion, I would put the images from Photos That Changed the World in the "Media
Message or Product" section. The images showed in the video are so famous that I can figure out
most of them even I'm from China, and they can represent the section perfectly. Besides that, the
effect that brings to the reader by these images are so unique and strong, so it can follow up with
the section " Readers and Audience".
I came up with plenty of iconic images, but I decided to choose a quite controversial image. This
image was taken in 2008, during the torch relay. A supporter of the independence of Tibet was
trying to rob the torch from the torch bearer, who is a girl with the disability. This girl protected the
torch with her body and soon became famous in China because she protected not only the torch
but also the dignity of China. However, in another hand, this "rioter" can also be described as a
warrior who scared by nothing. And that's the very power of media has in nowaday's world.
Image link: http://2008.163.com/08/0409/07/492QR6E800742K6N.html
4. 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?
These two hats can play the role of media because they have a specific
meaning behind them, in another word, they are not only a hat. Pink is a
color that liked by most of the women in the world, so it is easy for
people to connect pick and women together. So in the Women's March,
people use pink as their symbol to tell the world they stand for themselves
and they have their own request. And the red hat designed by president
Trump used "Make America Great Again" as his symbol. It is a sentence
that easy to remember and can set up the connection between his idea and
the hat. These two hats both have the connection behind them and both
stand for a will which is the most important part. The only difference is
can the people accept the will they stand for, and that is what make these
two design different.
Image link:
https://www.vox.com/2016/3/30
/11332074/donald-trump-
nuclear-weapons-japan-south-
korea-saudi-arabia
5. 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 production line is a huge step in the development of the economy. It not
only increased the efficiency of the factory but also offered plenty of
opportunity for jobs. As a result, more people got the chance to work and it
made car become a common product that most of the people can afford. The
production line still plays an important role in today's economic system, and
I don't think machines will replace workers' space soon. It's true that
machine is more efficiency than human and will make less mistake(or even
no mistake), but it also means higher cost and higher prices. In addition, if
the factory chooses to use the machine, it means all the workers who
worked in the factory lose their jobs. It will cost mass of society problems.
So, maybe machine will take part of the characters in the factory, but it
won't play all the roles.
Image link: http://moneyinc.com/10-
auto-industry-jobs-will-die-due-
automation/
6. Response IDEAAwards and Cradle-to-Cradle Video
Which of the 2016 IDEA Gold Award products seems to defy the
Cradle-to-Cradle concept developed by architect William
McDonough and chemist Dr. Michael Braungart? How does this
product resist or disregard the concept? Provide an example any
products that embraces Cradle-to-Cradle design? Please describe
and cite your source.
The product I think defies the Cradle-to-Cradle concept is BMW X1.
According to the description, it is a good car for the outdoor people,
but I do not think the design of the vehicle has any connection to the
C2C concept. Since it is designed for outdoor and sports, the cost of
fuel should be higher than the normal vehicle. And I don't think drive
an ASV around the natural environment is a good idea. The one that
embraces C2C concept is a Prawn Peeler. I noticed the design because
I don't like eat seafood. However, it is a good design for saving the
resource. Even I don't eat seafood, I still know that it's hard to get all
the meat of shrimp. With this peeler, it will be a simple thing. The
peeler saves both people's time and the natural resource(meat is good
haha). It is an important thing when we are lack of all kinds of
resources.
Image link: https://chi-
athenaeum.org/household-products-
2015/2015/12/21/prawn-peeler-2013-
%E2%80%93-2015/
7. 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?
The architecture that I think has sensibilities about the past is the Virginia
State Capitol which was designed by Thomas Jefferson. It is different from
the colonial buildings that built by Britain. This building is a copy of a
Rome Temple from South France. The straight line and the clean decoration
made it different from the Britain, which is what the American people
wanted. In this example, I can see that how the design of the architecture
can stand for the willing of the people. The building that has the sensibilities
of the present is "Aqua" that built in Chicago. Cooperation is one of the
most important things in the modern world. However, people who live in
tall buildings may only meet each other in the elevator. The design of this
building used the different location of the balcony make people can meet
right outside their home. It really helped people to know each other and start
to work with others. It is a great design to help the community stay together
and make people live better.
Image link:
http://interactive.wttw.com/tenbuildings/vi
rginia-state-capitol
8. 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?
I think that both of them agree that the building's primary function is for the living. The building needs to fit
for what it build for. However, they clearly have different ideas on the design or the artistic part. Ballantyne
believes that the function of the building is definitely important than design. He wrote
"tourist's gaze" to reveal that the artistic
design will attract the tourists for sure,
but that means nothing to a building.
However, Zumthor thinks that the building
should have some meaning beyond its
function, so the artistic design is as important
as the building's function. In another word,
the design or the decoration is also part
of the meaning of the building.
Image link: http://www.wallpapers-
web.com/beautiful-building-wallpapers.html
9. 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 born in a city named Xi'an, which was the capital for six dynasties in
ancient China. However, I don't have much memory about it because I
moved to another city with my parents when I was four years old. The city I
moved to is Tianjin, which is a city next to Beijing. Tianjin became a big
city during Qing dynasty because there are lots of rivers in Tianjin, and
"Tianjin" can be interpreted as "emperor's harbor". So the whole city was
planned by the river. Because of the convenience of transportation,
businessmen came to the city; the government chose Tianjin as the
backstage; even the foreign countries chose Tianjin for their concession in
China. After all these years, Tianjin becomes the third largest city in China
with 15 million population. Nowadays, Tianjin is basically like other big
cities in China. The heart of the city is the city hall, and around that area is
the business center and other important part of the city. Beyond the most
bustling part is two famous colleges in China and living area. The whole
urban part of the city is spread out like spider's net.
Image link: http://www.tourist-
destinations.com/2013/04/tianjin-china.html
10. 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 is definitely a great designer in landscape
and was famous for designing Central Park and Delaware Park. If
he said "Buffalo is the best planned city in the United States", I
would definitely agree that in the 1900s. Back to that age, Buffalo
was one of the industrial centers in United States. The park system
he designed was fantastic. It made the city connected together by
the park and made a great balance between industrial and nature.
This design made Buffalo a better city and this will help the
development of Buffalo for sure. Thus, I do believe "Buffalo is the
best planned city in the US" at that time. However, in nowadays.
with the develop of the society, many cities catch up with Buffalo.
Besides that, because of the development of Buffalo, plenty of the
designs changed in order to help the industrial development. As a
result, I don't think Frederick Law Olmsted would still claim
"Buffalo is the best planned city in the United States".
Image link:
http://www.pbs.org/wned/frederick-
law-olmsted/learn-more/olmsteds-
buffalo-park-system-and-its-
stewards/
11. Response to Walter Hood's Work
Identify something that should be memorialized either on UB's campus or in your hometown. Imagine that you are the person who
will oversee this project, and that you are using Walter Hood's 'triad of investigations' as your approach to the project. What would
your landscape intervention commemorate/memorialize? How will you use Hood's 'triad of investigations' to design a new
landscape intervention? What do you imagine that the design will be?
In my hometown, the cultural symbol that I would think about is the main river which flows through the city. This river is the reason that
my hometown became an important city in China. Near the river was the foreign concession during Qing dynasty, so the design of the
buildings are from eight countries. This made that area become
a famous place and a proud of the city. Other than that,
there is a train station beside the river and people can
travel by the high-speed train from the station. All
these reasons make that area become a cultural and
international center of my hometown. According to
Walter Hood's three elements, I believe this river fits
for "Commemoration" and "Everyday and mundane".
So I think I will design something about "Lifeways".
What I think about is a path along the river in the foreign
building area. I would build one path, which closest to the
river, for walking and another one next to it for the bicycle.
These two paths can help local people have a better idea about this area and for any celebration. It can also help the visitor to have a straight
view of the culture of the city.
Image link: https://read01.com/zOJLmo.html
12. 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?
This is a famous and iconic graphic in China even though you can't find it in China. This graphic
is about a really controversial event happened on June 4th, 1989. At that time, people in Beijing
believed the government was not doing the right thing for the country, so a protest happened at
Tiananmen Square. As a result, the government sent out that army to finish the protest. I think
most of the American will shock by how the government treats the people because the founding
of the U.S. was based on democracy. Procession and protest are not something special in U.S.
Besides that, back to that age, the propaganda of how evil the communism is will also affect
people's view. However, what I can see through this graphic is a country that lack of confident.
The people doesn't have confident about the government's policy; the government doesn't have
the confident to believe people will still follow its lead. So the only way was force people to do
so. Because the history background is very complex during that age, it's hard to judge the whole
event and that is one of the reasons that makes the foreign people have a different view of the
graphic. But through the "umbrella revolution" happened in HongKong two years ago, I can tell
that China is more confident now
Image link:
http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com
/222324/today-china-blocked-
these-64-tiananmen-related-words/
13. Response to Charles Davis and equityXdesign's Work
Critique either the MLK Memorial or the National Museum of
African American History and Culture using equityXdesign’s
core beliefs and/or design principles.
The MLK Memorial was built mainly for Martin Luther King Jr.
who was the leader of African-American Civil Rights Movement
and gave his life for his goal. According to equityXdesign, the
memorial fits the belief "learn to see the historical context matters"
really well. However, I don't think the memorial fits for other two
beliefs. Firstly, the memorial only includes one race, African-
American's, and not others. EquityXdesign believes that "this
design work must happen across racial difference." Although it
does include a racial difference, it does not include any other races
in design. Secondly, the memorial also had a controversy in which
the quote on the stone that says, "I was a drum major for justice,
peace, and righteousness." This doesn't help the design because it
should instead speak to the future. This quote relates to the past of
MLK and doesn't help to design towards the future.
Image
link :https://www.theodysseyonline.com
/reasons-why-black-lives-matter-black-
girl-magic-and-the-natural-hair-
movement-are-necessary
14. Response to "Landscape Stories" Chapter
This is a two-part question. Please post your own response by Friday, March 31at 10:00
am, and respond to at least two other students’ responses by Sunday, April 2 at 10:00 pm.
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 interpets 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?
So the object I choose to describe is the "cover": not only the cover for the controller as I
showed in the picture, but also the cover for almost every important stuff in home. It's ethnic
because thrift is always one of the most important traditions in China, so people wants to keep
their items as new as possible. Besides that, the use of the cover started around my grandparents
age because China was not quite wealthy at that time. As the economy getting better, the use of
the cover also getting less and less And I don't think I will keep this habit because I believe as
long as the item works during the time it designed for, it worth. The cultural evidence I thought
about is people's believe in gods. You can see all kinds of gods in the temple because one god in
charge for one industry. In most part of the China, people believe in Buddhism or Taoism, and
there are also people that believe in Islam. People always worship the god that in charge for
their job during the big festivals, and some people also put a statue of the god in their house in
order to worship more often. I believe this culture will be acknowledged from the future
generation because it's one of the most important parts of Chinese culture.
Image link: budda
https://detail.1688.com/pic/45203903206.h
tml
Cover
https://www.aliexpress.com/chea
p/cheap-protect-tv.html
15. 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
In my opinion, the use of ethnic references in sports team's name is
nothing wrong. America is such a diverse nation that includes many
different ethnicities, so people should have the rights to show their
culture and image through the sports team's name. As long as the name
is not very offensive for other groups, it is the most direct way to show
the people from other places how the local culture is like. Besides that,
it was a long time ago when most of the famous sports teams named, so
the situation is not the same. The name that we think alright today may
not be agreed in the future, so I think people should be tolerance about
this kind of things.
Image link:
http://www.motherjones.com/pol
itics/2013/10/timeline-history-
offensive-sports-mascots-
redskins-snyder
16. 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 graphic, the designer uses two colors to stand for two
genders, and both colors have fifty percent of the graphic. This
reveals that all gender should be treated equally, but the word in
the graphic shows that the truth is not like what we think. By the
word in the graphic, people can easily get what the designer what
to show and people will also think why it is inequality. What I
think can be improved is reveal in which part the two genders are
inequality, such as inequality in rights, opportunities, and attitude.
These can help the graphic more clear about what it want to reveal
Image link: http://www.mycity-
web.com/workplace-issues-is-gender-
equality-in-the-workplace-in-fact-a-myth/
17. 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 that people should use the bathroom that corresponds with the biological gender written on
their birth certificate. This is not only about using bathroom because I think when people are
allowed to use the bathroom by the gender they think themselves are, the same right will be asked
for fitting room or everything else has the gender difference. By this way, people can just say that
they believe they belong to another gender and get into this kind of private place. This will make
lots of awkward, misunderstanding, and worry for all the people to get in this places. This may also
increase the crime rate of rape and obscene.
However, in another hand, this rule is unfair for the LGBT group for sure, especially for the male
who transfered gender. They will face all the situation above when they use this kind of places.
They also facing the risk to get hurt, both mentally and physically.
I think a way to solve this dilemma is make a all gender bathroom, so people can get prepared when
they use this kind of bathroom. And the all gender bathroom should be built like female bathroom to
provide a private space for all the people. Or we can change the rule a little bit to "people should use
the bathroom that corresponds with the current biological gender they are".
Image link:
http://www.mydoorsign.com/blog/gender-
inclusive-restroom-signs-for-transgender-
citizens/
18. 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?
I think the most important step in helping Tammy Crabtree to achieve her goal would
her location. She would need to immediately move to an area within walking distance
of many job opportunities or with a reliable public transportation system that could help
her get to these places. The first would be the Ideal option since it would not require
any money. To do this, it would be best to locate her near a city with a low-income
housing area so she can afford to live there and have many job opportunities nearby.
Also, when she saves the money, there will most likely be colleges within the same
feasible distance if she is near a city. After college, there would be plenty of schools
nearby for her to teach at, so this would not be just a temporary solution to her problem,
but she would actually be settled in the place where she can establish her better future.
Image link:
http://www.amherstlincolnrealty.co
m/noho/
19. 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?
in my opinion, to ensure that there is more social integration
for the older people living in the 'new and improved' regent
park you need to create unity with all people of age. If older
people become more involved, there are studies that have
been made that say, there is a greater life expectancy when
becoming more active, so that is something that you could
hint at with older population. I mainly believe that unity is
100% key to more social integration. If an older person feels
close or unified with their surroundings they will feel more
comfortable in doing what needs to be done and i beleive
that this is for sure the best way bit i could be way off.
Image link:
http://www.timetravelturtle.com/2011/09/st
aying-young-in-old-china/
20. 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?
Juan Enriquez believes that it is unethical not to evolve the human body. If our bodies change and alter in our extended life
spans, societies will become rebuilt
to fit that change. If we can evolve the human body
so that we can travel long distances, maybe our built
environments would not need roads for cars and
instead of the roads, we could have wider sidewalks
or more nature. Moreover, if our bodies evolve,
society will change to fit and there will be new ideas
and beliefs. Some issues that designers will face
because of extended life spans are that people will be
different and depending on the differences, there will
be a lot of diversity that they will face. There will be
a greater difference on buildings or urban environments
because people will be diverse, or there will be little diversity and everything will remain the same, which is difficult for designers.
Image link: http://www.peckmeout.com/what-body-
shape-am-i/
21. 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 choose third universal design which is, simple and intuitive use as example. The first image
which is a push door with handle would be a negative example in my view. When people see a
handle, the first idea people will have is to pull, but it is "pull to open". In this situation, if
people is in a hurry, they could easily run straight into the door and hurt themselves. The second
image is a positive example. The image on the door not only said how to open the door, but also
showed how to do it. This will help a lot because when people are walking, they usually don't
pay attention on this kind of things
Image link: with handle
https://www.blog.theteamw.com/201
1/01/19/100-things-you-should-
know-about-people-53-people-see-
cues-about-how-to-use-an-object/
Push sign
http://www.pushpullsigns.com/
22. Response to Survey, FIXED, and Stelarc
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 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?
History shows us how inhumane technological advancements can make mankind; we invented
everything from guns to radars to tanks and they are all used to violently and barbarically
destroy human lives. But, now we want to integrate advanced technologies into the human body.
This will transform us from allowing ourselves to make inhuman decisions to actually becoming
inhumane ourselves. Stelarc describes how over his career, as he develops art that control the
human body more and more, he feels as though he loses control of his body and who he is. As
we make these advancements, we lose ourselves and what makes us human and allow machines
to take over. Not only are we mechanically changing ourselves, but we can use scientific
research to genetically alter human beings as well. This would make human populations less
diverse as society has certain standards of dominance as we can see from the survey. One
historical example of genetic control is the Holocaust that wanted to assert the dominance of
white people with blond hair and blue eyes. Positives of these advancements would be improved
quality of life because we could genetically prevent disabilities and diseases while
technologically fixing them if they occur anyways.
Image link:
https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/5490873
79545702581/
23. 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 think that Wiseman should be accepted to film the residents' life condition in
Bridgewater Massachusetts Correctional Facility. Because I think what he films is useful
for the research in many areas. What the government worried about is the privacy of the
resident, but this concern can be fixed by use mosaic to cover the residents' faces. By
filming the residents' life, the outside can know better about how their life looks like, and
what situation they are facing everyday. Besides that, researchers might find better way to
help them through watching their behaviors because it's more clear and comprehensive by
this way. What's more, by watching the film, people could see things in the residents' view.
As a result, the designers can find a more proper way to help them by thinking in the
residents' way.
https://www.123rf.com/photo_2
7761366_stock-vector-a-rubber-
stamp-with-an-accepted-
seal.html
24. 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.
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 agree on this plan about build a group home for the intellectually challenged people. First of all, they are all
people like us and they have the same right to live in the neighborhood like we do. And I think it's an opportunity to teach
my children to help other people and give them an idea about all people are equal. Even they showed bad behavior in 2013,
but it was 4 years ago and it was only 3 out of 10 of them. The information about the behaviors have not occurred again
give me enough confidence to trust their behaviors after they move in. Besides that, if those behaviors ever shows up, I
think they can improve the group home by putting a fence that tall enough to block children's view around the house. I
think we can go visit them to have a better idea of how they really like instead of just the idea of "intellectually challenged
people". By this way, the resident people can have a better view about how everything will change if they move in and I
think they will have more confidence to let them move in.
https://howdoyoumeasure525600
minutes.com/category/equal-
rights/
25. 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 image is a temple in my hometown Tianjin. My hometown is located on the
coast of a river which connect to the ocean. Because of the advantage of the
transportation, lots of business boats go through the city at the old time. However,
there were lots of accident happened after the boat reach the ocean, so the
government at Qing dynasty built this temple to pray for safety of the boats which
will go aboard. After that this temple became famous around the city and people
came to pray for all kinds of wishes. The culture of pray to the god passed on to
nowadays and people still go visit the temple during the festivals. I believe this
culture will pass on to the future generation cause people always want a good luck
for themselves.
http://folkmit.pixnet.net/blog/post/176
55898-
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%8E%E5%AE%AE%EF%BC%88%E5%A4%A9%E6
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%E7%89%A9%E9%A4%A8%EF%BC%89
26. 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?
My major is environmental studies, the biggest challenge that my field needs to
tackle is the transition from oil and coal to more clean energy. Right now coal is
the most used source of energy in the united states which is bad because while it
is the cheapest and we have enough coal to power our power plants for over 300
years coal is the dirtiest energy source that we use. I plan to go into politics to
help encourage the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy like solar and
wind power. Right now there are not enough incentives to transition to renewable
energy the biggest thing that should be done is encourage people to buy electric or
hybrid cars so we can ease out of our oil needs then we can work on building
wind and solar farms around the county to help replace coal before it is too late.
http://usgreentechnology.com/venture-
capital-investment-clean-energy-rising-
europe/