jimi thing

Marcy Open School: Overview

2006-12-06T16:48:02Z

In retrospect, my experience at Marcy Open School was very enlightening. At the beginning, I questioned the application of volunteering and architecture class, but now it seems so clear. I've always like volunteering, so I didn't mind the fact that it was required for this class. I never really experienced a typical class day in an elementary classroom until a couple weeks in because I my job had always consisted of reading with Shanice in a small, secluded classroom. One day, when she was absent, I was sent to Teresa's room to help a group of younger boys read. My first observation was how well Teresa could direct her class on the classroom activities. However, I scanned the room and noticed instantly the clutter that lined each wall. After I finished reading with the boys and Teresa took her kids down to "circles", I had some time alone with her filing papers to ask her questions. She mentioned the problems with her classroom, shelving being the largest. She showed me the mess above the cubbies and the lack of adequate shelving for her materials. Although she had done a good job compartmentalizing everything on the shelves, the clutter was inevitable. The problem seemed more deep then just the physical for her. I began to connect the problems with shelving and everyday classroom activies and realized the struggle she faces. How do you have children do problems on the board when necessary shelving occupies the space below so that they cannot reach? How do you access shelving with doors when there is a table blocking the shelving? She seemed to utilize the minimal space efficiently through having tables istead of individual desks and other quick fixes of this sort; however, with the growing number of students many problems continue to surface. Thus, shelving solutions could be an efficient way to solve such problems of overcrowding.

Gershenfeld and Kahn

2006-12-04T09:07:00Z

While Gershenfeld discusses the complexity of objects creating other objects and the prediction of the creator being available to everyday consumers. He compares this producation to the human body itslef in order to demonstrate the reality of it. He describes the production of "fab labs" and the underground natue of them in order to inform the public of their possibility of existence. As technology progresses, they will become more previlant and less expensiv with their purpose to "make, measure, and modify the physical world of atoms as well as the virtual world of bits" (13); however, the only obstacle is the lack of knowledge that exists worldwide. While Gershenfeld encourages bringing the digital world to the physical world in which we live, Kahn encourages bringing ideas into reality thrugh our "desire for the yet not made" (230-231). This discussion provokes comparison of Gershenfeld's "fab labs" to Kahn's discussion about creating things. He describes building things as "corrective projects" (233) because one simply builds on anothers previous ideas. As technology progresses, people develop better/easier/more convenient ways to do and create things. Instead of building computers, Gershenfeld promotes the production of the personal fabricatiors that create them. Kahn similarly promotes the creation institutions such as universities. Instead of building ideas, Kahn promotes building the institutions which aid in invoking those ideas (i.e. uiversities). Finally, these two readings can be summed up through Kahn's words "a mind capable of realization can inspire a technology, and humiliate the current one" (234).

]]> McCullagh, Declan. "Declan McCullagh Photography." Glasses. 4 Dec 2006 .

Technopolies

2006-11-27T07:06:12Z

Technology provides advances in business, entertainment, health, and various other aspects of life ,attempting to achieve the greatest and most updated invention to appeal to consumers. However, technology can be a double edged sword in the same regard. As it satisfies many with convenience, speed, and effectiveness, it also can be detrimental. Postman describes technopolies as means of technology used to alter a culture completely. While corporations thrive with new and improved machinery, increasing their capabilities, the number of factory workers necessary to operate the machinery diminishes. Thus, those depending on these types of jobs have been struck by the wrath of technology. Techologies steals the jobs, forcing them to seek a new job and a new way of life.

Another repercussion technology possesses involves the medical field. Doctors and medical professionals wok in order to concoct treatments to any medical ailment and have been succesful thusfar. The average lifespan over the years has skyrocketed and the overall awareness of prevention of medical maladies is fairly widespread. While medical professionals strive to develop cures for cancer, biomedical engineers devise machinery fit to stabilize dying patients who struggle with terminal illnesses. Our country lacks an adequate number of options for terminally ill patients due to the illegality of physician aided dying. Thus, some medical technological advances serve only to extend a terminally ill patient's suffering.

In developing such machinery in attempt to revive and stabilize terminal patients, biomedical engineers prolong the "lives" of patients as well as their excruciating pain. Thus, in doing som their quality of life has decreased drastically considering their state for the last moments of their lives. Technology offers conveniences and assistance in many beneficial ways to the world. It can save lives and assist them greatly in minimizing the work load. However, without careful monitoring, technology can also be harmful to the community.

Math and Architecture

2006-11-06T04:04:59Z

The photos of the Cathedral of Montreale naturally make me consider the process by which the art was created. The ideas of Norman King William II clearly incorporate art with geometry in his intricate work. The symmetry that exists within the ceiling emulates geometrical shapes or the combination of different shapes molded together. Thus, typical geometrical shapes transform into artistic forms when enhancing them with color. The shapes and lines formulate a certain appearance that the artist wanted to achieve. In addition, there is a sequence of geometrical themes of symmetry. Different pictures show different utilization of different shapes and lines. Specific spacing is used between the shapes to have a certain effect on the observer. The sizing of certain shapes emphasizes specific images and shapes within the ceiling, while others serve as merely the background. Not only does the construction of the ceiling itself involve mathematics with the different shaped domes, planks, and pillars, but also the art itself incorporates mathematical tactics.

Oppositions

2006-10-23T12:53:16Z

Opposition: Man versus Climate and Enclosure
Problem: Rain
Solutions:
1. Umbrella: a collapsable frame covered with a waterproof material that folds out into a bowl shape. It allows a person to walk outside in the rain underneath it without getting wet.
2. Awnings: a covering that is located above a door or window in order to protect from precipitation or provide shde. They allow one to stand right outside the door without getting wet. For those who smoke, can do so with out any interference with precipitation.
3. Ponchos: plastic/waterproof jacket or large covering with a hood to protect one from precipitation (i.e. rain). Allows one to remain dry with rain outside.

Whether it is a quick fix or a well thought out architectual solution, people resolve oppositions every day. From designing buildings to fit the building codes and to survive natural disasters and creating airplanes with wings to fly and survive major turbulence to umbrellas for the everyday use, all are solutions to everday oppositions. Nature and the physical world is the place in which we live; thus, we must design in order to survive within in. In cases such as rain, enveloping the opposition is necessary. Letting the opposition sculpt its form would cause unwanted damage (regardless of its miniscuity); thus, developing quick fixes is the most realistic idea.

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Iron VS. Steel

2006-10-16T15:20:53Z

There is a common misconception that iron and steel are interchangable. However, this is a fallacy. Iron is a word used to describe all metals of which pure iron is their main consituent. Because iron lacks carbon, it is very soft. Thus, it can be molded easily and even easier once it is heated. On the other hand, steel contains iron and carbon. Depending on the amount of carbon, the firmness of the metal can be determined. The more carbon makes the metal harder. The effect of heating steel depends on the amount of carbon the metal possesses. Metals containing more carbon will be more temperature sensitive. Alas, there is a difference between iron and steel. It is simple; however, simplicity does not equal insignificance.

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Phenomena

2006-10-09T03:18:40Z

Culturally, the most obvious phenomenon to me is computer technology. Computer technology contains a multitude of things, which are the files on each individual computer. These things are connected in frameworks, which are the individual computers. These frameworks are then connected worldwide through the clockwork of the internet. Over the years, the internet has expanded from a mere source of limited information to an infinite world of information, a source of communication, and a source to complete tasks at one’s fingertips. Within the internet system, a hierarchy exists of credible information and inept authors publishing their information via the internet. Thus, along with its accessibility inevitably comes the importance of knowing the sources of the information received online. There exists a hierarchy of credible to less credible frameworks connected in the internet clockwork within the phenomenon of computer technology. Overall, computer technology serves to connect people and their individual things through the clockwork of the internet.

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Genius Loci

2006-10-02T13:25:46Z

My "family" room in Wauwatosa, WI. The name itself denotes the value of the room as much more than just another room in the house. The room serves two purposes because of its location. We have a very small kitchen; therefore, we have our kitchen table on the right side of the “family�? room where we eat our meals. On the left side of the room, a stone fireplace serves as the foci for two large couches with luxurious blankets for a cold winter evening. Hard wood floors lay beneath the soft rug, which hosts the floor pillows as well as the bed for my dog, Bailey. Black and white photos intermingle with hand made art projects and line the ledge of the fireplace. Ansel Adams photographs cover the walls between windows, which provides the majority of the lighting for the room accompanying two or three dim lamps. The genius loci of the room seems to be the kitchen table, which serves to gather my large family together at the end of the day to enjoy not only our food, but each other’s company. Between the grains of the antique wooden table rests memories and laughter. I live with a family of seven; therefore, five children ate their first bites of food, had their first lick of ice cream, and spoke their first words around this table. The chairs provide a welcoming and communal atmosphere initiating conversation. The connotation for the word “home�? seems to be in this room. No matter how far away I end up from this house, when returning to this room I will always feel a sense of belonging and happiness. Not only are the couches physically comforting, but also emotionally. Sitting around the fireplace with the people that I love the most replaces insecurities at that time in my life with an inexplicable ecstasy. Overall, the photos, homemade art, and Bailey’s bed integrate to give the room its essence.

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Social-Design Issue

2006-09-25T00:55:42Z

UN-HABITAT/UNESCO developed an idea to combine urban development and social equality in the "Right to the City", "which would basically consist of the right of all city dwellers to fully enjoy urban life with all of its services and advantages, as well as taking direct part in the management of cities." (http://portal.unesco.org/shs/en/ev.php-URL_ID=9105&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html) Both organizations percieve urbanization of impoverished areas as a right of the citizens. In this, their approach is to allocate resources by publicizing the rights of the citizens in order to attract the attention of those who are better off.

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Midtown Market Madness

2006-09-18T23:22:21Z

The first thing I noticed upon arriving at the midtown market was the vast variety of people. Despite the groups of people from differing cultures, the people did not remain segregated according to their cultural background. They intermingled as part of a greater community and exchanged energy through their creation of food and art. It made me immediately feel apart of the culture despite my many differences from the people around me. I could not help but to contrast the cultural diversity to New York City, where each culture occupies a portion of the city where they go about their daily business. In New York, the cultures release their energy through their food, art, and music; however, because the different cultures are not blended in one market location, the exchange of energy between cultures is delayed. Overall, although the midtown market seems crowded and overwhelming, it is vibrant and bursting with energy.