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Theme Reading Response (Space)

I really liked all 3 of the readings and the video as well. For me the three have somewhat of a common thread. Space exists, kind of by definition, in between things. So in order to define a space we need to first have a division between two things. In the case of The Forgotten Space the sea is a division between where goods are produced and ultimately purchased or distributed. In The Poetics of Space, spaces are defined by the structure of a house and objects within it. In Archipelagos of Design spaces are the characterized by the categories and labels placed on people and places. I guess a way to think about the three pieces together might be that a physical space (like in Poetics) is built from physical materials that arrive via the “forgotten” space of the ocean via shipping container. These materials and objects are then the building blocks that form the foundation, basement, walls, floors, and roof of the building. Then from Archipelagos there is the question of who is allowed to fill that space and how are they to do it? I’m not sure if that makes sense at all, but it kind of helped me connect the three of them.

As some additional thoughts, I like how Forgotten Space highlights how as consumer and a society as a whole we are very disconnected with how goods actually reach us. I am totally one of the people who assumed almost everything comes by land or sky and that boats are kind of a thing of the past. I intuitively knew that was not wrong (since I see boats going through NYC) but I definitely didn’t think that 90% of goods are transported by ship! Also, I loved the idea brought up in Poetics about how a space is changed by what an individual brings into that space. When we fill a house with objects and memories it becomes a home and takes on its own personality and traits. I also really liked the idea that those traits transcend the individual and become part of the space itself. It totally explains why certain spaces have a vibe or feeling associated with them. It’s like hearing the echoes of everyone and everything that once occupied that space in some capacity or another. I also really like how Archipelagos touches on that idea as well but from the opposite perspective. That empty spaces have a resonance because of what they were and what they may one day become.

Group 3 – Borders Reading Response

I am struggling to capture a specific structure towards my post for our readings, so I wanted to write out a few of my responses and how they resonated with me. Maybe they will act as foder for discussion within our group or start the thread or spark of curiosity to lead to a larger through line.

The reading from Gloria Anzaldua’s Borderlands has particularly resonated with me. Outside of my general curiosity on the topic of borders that I noted in our first class meeting, paired with my recent travels across many state borders, driving from the east to west coasts, this topic has been very timely as I have skimmed the US/Mexico border multiple times on this trip. This sentiment of “other” was extremely poignant entering into California from a US state and still being subject to a giant checkpoint to enter the state. I found this very jarring, and could only imagine what it is like to live in the boarder lands, living your normal life, minding your business with this ominous structure and feeling attached to it, as Anzaldua notes:

Hatred, anger and exploitation are the prominent features of this landscape.

When I think of the necessity of borders, I think back to our readings in Emergent Strategy, as well as some of the topics we discussed in the summer in Concepts, Cultures, & Critiques class; regarding who holds the power and the gaze that interprets, draws and enforces these borders?

Going further and exploring the topic of borders as parameters explored in society, self, sexuality, and norms was also very interesting to delve into in the context of “otherness” within your own community. As Anzaldua writes:

The queer are the mirror reflecting the heterosexual tribe’s fear: being different, being other and therefore lesser, therefore sub-human, non-human.

So again, I wonder, what is the true purpose of borders? A line of demarkation to enforce different laws, whether from a government, our gender expectations, or familial obligations. Shouldn’t we all as humans should be living under the basic laws, freedoms, and choice?

I am reminded of an exhibit I saw the the Brooklyn Museum this summer from artist Guadalupe Maravilla, titled; Tierra Blance Joven (Young White Earth). In this work, Maravilla showcases the life of an undocumented cancer patient, exploring the themes of care and migrant crisis from El Salvador. While slightly different context, the idea of freedoms and rights, and who is deserving of them rang true to me.

Additionally, I spent this past weekend with my future mother in law and sister in law, both immigrants of the Phillipines. As I spoke about wedding and family traditions and the desire to fuse my American traditions with my fiance’s Filipino heritage, the topic of the assimilation in the context of migration and American culture was largely discussed. I found our conversation harkening back to some of the ideas and themes described in the Borderlands text. Especially around otherness/whiteness, gender roles, and marriage. No matter the culture, these constructs, or borders, are a universal topic that both separates and unites us. (An idea I am fixated on when thinking about my sub-topic of canals as well.)

There were so many quotes I jotted down and noted while reading Anzaldua’s text, but this one stood out most:

Like a turtle wherever I go I carry home on my back.

While I understand the context in this situation, I believe this quote can be taken in many different ways, which makes it that much more beautiful. No matter our circumstances, immigrant or otherwise, this is a shared sentiment of the human experience. We all carry our homes on our backs, and it is what makes us who we are, for better or for worse, no matter how far or close we are from our homes.

Where reading Anzaldua’s text may inspire the thought of open borders, the reading from Metahaven Reading ” Captives of the Cloud” evokes the feeling of anxiety and need for security, when thinking of the 9/11 attacks and other spy activity on the internet.

The people on the internet live in territories. They have citizenship. But this feedback loop doesn’t activate political agency. What, after all, really is the connection between these things?

Alternatively, we walk a fine line when we think about personal data an shared data. When you throw in the fact that access to the internet is also a disproportionate scale, it further tangles the web of how do we shape this space to be both inclusive and safe for everyone?

Lastly, I find it very interesting that both of these readings have such relevance in what we are dealing with here in the US  between the controversial actions of DeSantis and transporting migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, or our former president not being held to similar standards of national security. Through this lens, it will be even more fascinating to see how these issues play out and how this study will further my insights in the matters at hand.

 

I hope this doesn’t read too much like rambling! I enjoyed the sentiments of both readings and look forward to discussing further with you all. 🙂

Systems Map Landfills (Space)


 

What I learned:

I learned that landfills are actually incredibly complex systems with more stakeholders and parts than I could fit on the mind map. They may seem very simple (just a bunch of trash being stuffed under some dirt) but there are serious impacts on economic oppertunities, local ecology, climate emisions, local government, local property value, groundwater contamination, and so many other effects.

Systems Thinking Response

Response to Q1: 

My understanding most closely aligns to stakeholders in system 3. I took an environmental studies class in high school, and we spent a couple of weeks focusing exclusively on food systems and GMOs. Invasive species can be devastating to existing ecosystems and can cause harm beyond just the replacement of existing crops. Certain plant and animal life can be rendered extinct as invasive plants come to overwhelm to the ecosystem. Another key issue is that it would be nearly impossible to contain the spread of a GMO if it were to leave containment. Even more alarming is that the GMO could spread at a pace that could quickly devastate surrounding areas. A recent example of an invasive species (nonGMO) is the cane toad in Australia which is spreading at an insane rate and completely destroying wildlife and habitats with little to no solution.

Some of the stakes for these stakeholders are: contamination, ecosystem collapse, limited ability to respond in the event of GMO escape, and the unpredictability of the consequences.

 

Response to Q2: 

There are a lot of stakeholders for landfills, but for the three I will choose (1) the land itself, (2) environmentalists, and (3) government officials. The first is an ecosystem that is often irreparably changed by the presence and maintenance of the landfill. Not only does the landfill require vast amounts of land, it can be difficult to contain with potential to seep chemicals into ground water and eviscerate surrounding plant life/wildlife. The second worries about the carbon and greenhouse gas emissions generated by the landfill. The third operates in a political system requiring them to balance the benefits of landfills (storing trash out of the public eye) and the environmental and economic impacts of landfills (reductions in property value etc).

Kinship: Response to Slanted Things and The Companion Species Manifesto Readings

As I go through the readings assigned specifically about kinship, I have a lot of ideas swirling around my head, and am struggling to get them organized enough to have an idea to write about. So I thought I’d just get writing and see what comes out.

  • With regard to colonial organisms:
    • In some types of colonial organisms, there are different zooid types, that have different jobs. Some are the protectors, some are the navigators, etc. At first I assumed that each zooid was equal with one another, regardless of their “job”.
    • I’ve been struggling a bit to understand the difference between colonial organisms, and organisms that live in a colony. My high level understanding of colonial organisms are organisms that are comprised of lots of smaller organisms (zooids). The zooids are attached to each other (I think), and would not survive without each other. Organisms such as coral are easy for me to identify as colonial organisms. But what about ants? They live in a colony, and I don’t think they would survive very well solo. But they’re not physically connected – is this a requirement to be considered a colonial organism?
    • After reading the introduction to Slanted Things by Lynn Margulis and Dorion Sagan, I couldn’t get the concept of Gaia out of my head, and Margulis and Sagan’s simple definition: “Gaia theory… views Earth’s biosphere (the place where life exists) as a single, self-regulating entity: the Earth is alive.” Could Earth be a colonial organism? Maybe my desire to have an exact definition of what a colonial organism is and is not really isn’t that helpful. Everything on earth is connected to each other in some way – even if it’s by air, and gravity, energy. And I think that all organisms on earth require some sort of relationship with another organism in order to survive.
    • “Strictly speaking, to be symbionts individual members of at least two species myst touch each other most of the time”
    • “… all living things on Earth are in physical contact through tis water, atmosphere and soils, and that they all dwell in a coating on the surface of a limited planet”
    • At some point, I began to wonder if there is any sort of hierarchy in the structures that zooids make. Are the navigators more important than the feeders for example? Is there any sort of subjugation amongst the zooids? Are the colonialist colonial organisms?
    • What does it mean to be an individual?
  • With regard to my guide project:
    • At first I thought I wanted to do something similar to the Parable of the Polygon by Nikki Case. I was thinking of showing the relationship between zooids in a colonial organism by allowing the user to drag shapes that represent different zooids around on their screen. But as the past few weeks have shown, time spent doing technical work in front of a computer is not something my life is lacking at the moment. Between Connections Lab and my day-to-day work, I am in front of a screen a lot! Maybe it would be beneficial to do something a bit more analog for this class.
    • I’ve been thinking about kinship in terms of connection, and one way that I understand connection is through physical contact with the work that I’m doing. This would lend itself to a more analog exploration.
    • As I was brainstorming some ideas for my guide, this Instagram post came up, which shows people making paper doll cats out of paper with brass fasteners to hold the joints together. Something with paper form, that are connected with yarn or something could be an interesting physical representation of what a colonial organism is.

Systems mapping – plantation

This is the concept map I made for the topic plantation.

This is a casual loop map.

This is a borderline map.

When I’m making the concept map based on my researches, I started to think in a more systematic way, especially inside each branches. Every branch forms a smaller system, and when thinking about the connections between each nodes, it became easier for me to find missing pieces in the system. If there was something I missed, the system would not be complete, driving me to do more research to fill up the gap. What’s more, my mind become clearer. Last time, my thought was mostly driven by the research results. I took down what I gathered from my researches and put them there. Now that I’m looking at the topic in a more systematic way, the processes of finding the connections in the system, completing the systems provide me with directions and smaller topics for me to research on.

Systems Thinking

  • Which system (type of stakeholder) that Easterbrook identified did you find your own understanding of GMOs most aligned with? Why? What are some of the stakes of these stakeholders?

I am the supporter of “a system of scientists doing research”. In this system, the stakeholders are scientists who purely pursued the applied research of GMOs which is expected to have practical function for agriculture. I am more understandable for these scientists as their research might bring huge financial and food supply’s benefits. For those stakeholders who are worried food safety issue, their worries had been considered by scientists and they had trials at Rothamsted for testing the new GMO. For stakeholders who are ethnical review board member, their stakes are “beneficence”(value versus risk). For stakeholders who are advocate for ecosystem health, their stakes are protecting the balance of ecosystem in the specific area. For stakeholders who are the members of corporations, their stakes are how to make more profit from the intellectual property rights they controlled. 

  • Using your own topic for research, can you Identify 3 stakeholders (groups or phenomenon) with different perspectives, and then describe the system (the stakes) from which they are operating? For instance, if the subject is “Safari Parks”, 3 stakeholders could be (1) Animal Rights activists, (2) the region’s Board of Tourism, and (3) the local land itself. The first operates in a system of ethics around the treatment of animals; the second in a networked system of economic benefits for the community (hotels, food, and attractions), and the third, in an ecosystem that the safari park may put at risk, by introducing pollutants from animal waste and fertilizer, and ecological competitors such as escaped non-indigenous plant products used in the landscaping of the Safari Park.

My topic is kinship & quilting, 3 stakeholders could be (1) female in poor family (2) user(consumer)’s satisfaction of objects that are made by quilting and (3) quilters’ community.

The first operates in the expression of value and important family role of female, because in some area’s poor family, women take the role of quilters in order to make warm clothes for their family. Also quilting could be their unique language to express their thought and aesthetics.

The second operates in whether the function of quilting object has good quality(thickness, material of cloth, etc). Also, users care about whether the quilting object has good looking. 

For the last one’s operation, quilters’ community could gain benefit from quilters(saving money by using leftover cloths, and increasing affinity and cohesion with neighbour). Besides, quilters could also gain a positive feedback from their community. They could gain a sense of achievement and be respectable by family and friends.

System Thinking

  • Which system (type of stakeholder) that Easterbrook identified did you find your own understanding of GMOs most aligned with? Why? What are some of the stakes of these stakeholders?

 

I think I’m more aligned with system 1: A system of scientists doing research; system 6: A system of global food supply and demand; and system 7: A system of potential threats to human health and well-being. I’ve learned about GMOs during high school and college, I’ve even conducted scientific research and experiments on GMOs. I understand that to scientists, GMOs are their research projects, aiming to gain more knowledge of GMOs and create better gene-modified plants. And I believe one of the greater goals for creating better crops lies in system 6, producing more and better food for people in this world. Although the main cause of hunger and poverty is the unequal redistribution of resources, but increasing food production is also important. However I also picked a opposing system, system 7, because I think gene-modified crops is not a fully developed technology, we haven’t understand everything about gene and its modification, thus there are still potential risks in GMOs.

 

  • Using your own topic for research, can you Identify 3 stakeholders (groups or phenomenon) with different perspectives, and then describe the system (the stakes) from which they are operating? For instance, if the subject is “Safari Parks”, 3 stakeholders could be (1) Animal Rights activists, (2) the region’s Board of Tourism, and (3) the local land itself. The first operates in a system of ethics around the treatment of animals; the second in a networked system of economic benefits for the community (hotels, food, and attractions), and the third, in an ecosystem that the safari park may put at risk, by introducing pollutants from animal waste and fertilizer, and ecological competitors such as escaped non-indigenous plant products used in the landscaping of the Safari Park.

There are several systems that could be taken into consideration about “plantation”.

  1. The local economic system.

This system includes the landowner, the workers in the plantation, the workers family, local villagers, etc. The owner of the plantation pays money to hire workers to take care of the plantation. The workers earn money for themselves and families. After they have money, the workers and their families would buy things, benefiting more people in the village, increasing local economy.

  1. The world market system.

One key feature of plantations is that they only grow one kind of crops in order to increase the efficiency of the production. Each country or region has a particular type of plantation. So in order for us to get different foods and crops, countries trade for different kinds of crops in the world market. There are sellers who sell crops they grew in their plantations. And there are also sellers who want certain types of crops. The sellers can also be the buyers.

  1. The economic system

Plantations are all artificial, meaning that the area of plantation was not naturally that way. Manmade plantations cause changes to the original environment and ecosystems. For example, some native species might not able to survive in artificial plantations; the original animal habitats would be destroyed; animals and plants would die, decreasing the biodiversity.

Topic I Development: Bored and Migratory Birds

Initial Approach

         When I got my topic, which is Migrated bird.  It reminds me of my first years when I stepped into this country, I have been invited to a Christmas party by one of the professor’s houses in Washington state. I saw a lot of birds out of the window, landing on the ground. Two birds were always vigilant watching around, I asked the professor, and she told me they are from Canada, and they visited her place every Christmas. That’s the very first time, I realized this is one of a kind of Migrating bird, and we are so close.  They cross the bored all the way to travel to the destination that they used to. Splendid nature.

Just like the short story that I have mentioned before, bored and Migratory birds always meet up, and faded away from each other, but will make the essential connection again.

I think those two topics are very good demonstrations for us because I never thought about those two topics can be related, but after I dinged deeper, I just related most of everything that can be related, remark, and re-definition again. and remind people to think about nothing related topics. for example, my topic is the border and migratory bird, after research, I just know about 40% of birds are faded away from people’s sight. people need to pay attention to it.

Personal Definition:

Bored: The edge, line, or boundary of something to make a piece in different parts and near each other.

Migratory bird: A great creature that constantly changes itself in order to adapt to an unfavorable environment.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/the-basics-how-why-and-where-of-bird-migration/

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/border

Week2_maps

From the map, I find that ancient Indian yoga is actually quite different from modern yoga. Ancient Indian yoga mainly focuses on practice, and there are many different branches in ancient yoga, but its core idea is to achieve the goal of harmony between heaven and man and secularization. However, modern yoga has basically shifted its focus to physical exercise and added many modern fitness poses. Gradually, it has become a commercial sport. Yoga has developed into a business worth billions of dollars worldwide, involving courses, teacher certification, clothing, books, videos, equipment and holidays. The United Nations General Assembly designated June 21 as the International Yoga Day. On December 1, 2016, yoga was listed as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.