Applying outside ideas to your analysis of the built environment: An example

T. Decatur square’s design seemingly invites the mingling of different races and classes, particularly given the central location of the Decatur MARTA station and the Dekalb county courthouse; but a close analysis of materials and walkways of the space comprising Decatur square reveals an environment built to carefully maintain division and the perception of a one “pure,” common culture.

"Old Courthouse..." by Laura Grace Bordeaux

“Old Courthouse…” by Laura Grace Bordeaux

Revision via application:

T. Decatur square’s design seemingly invites the mingling of different races and classes, particularly given the central location of the Decatur MARTA station and the Dekalb county courthouse; but a close analysis of materials and walkways of the space comprising Decatur square reveals an environment built to carefully maintain a culture that values “the consumption of commodities to be the supreme activity,” and promotes a system that is “hegemonic,” in which “property rights dominate all other claims to the space.”

I. Decatur square’s design seemingly invites the mingling of different races and classes.

II. A close analysis of materials of the space comprising Decatur square reveals an environment built to carefully maintain a culture that values “the consumption of commodities to be the supreme activity,” and promotes a system that is “hegemonic,” in which “property rights dominate all other claims to the space.”

III. A close analysis of walkways of the space comprising Decatur square reveals an environment built to carefully maintain a culture that values “the consumption of commodities to be the supreme activity,” and promotes a system that is “hegemonic,” in which “property rights dominate all other claims to the space.”

C. The sheer clarity of divides evident in the way people of different races and classes occupy (or don’t) the space of Decatur speaks to the success of its design as an implement of a culture’s dominance over others. This success is both fascinating and troubling, and evokes many questions.

Example: Annotation of “The Innovation Campus” by Alexandra Lange

First, something must be said for the title, I think. It doesn’t suggest objectivity, that’s for sure. 

NYT article by Alexandra Lange (Aug 2016)

NYT article by Alexandra Lange (Aug 2016)

“Building Better Ideas”? This article reads more like propaganda than journalism. It’s easy to get caught up in the “sexiness” of new technologies and the youthful cultures that tend to accompany them, and this author seems to indulge. There’s so much missing in this article. A bias towards celebrating tech corporate cultures (under the assumption that the design cultures they promote are foundational to their successes) does nothing to help inform the public as to whether or not such cultures are good for us, are good for learning, are good for colleges (particularly liberal arts colleges).

“Where once the campus amenities arms race was waged over luxury dorms and recreation facilities, now colleges and universities are building deluxe structures for the generation of wonderful ideas” (par. 1). Notice the war metaphor. Particularly masculine, capitalistic. Sets the tone for the rest of the article; there’s no intention by the author to question the values system promoted by the corporate/tech design aesthetic. An aesthetic created by and promoted by a famously misogynistic and racist network. (See popular and scholarly discussions.)

In conversation with Mohammed and Charlie yesterday in class, I get the impression that there is a clear divide between those who kind of automatically feel excited by the design style of STEM and technology job-like atmospheres and those who feel skeptical, always. Do we associate success with a particular design style (Google-style, tech-start-up-style)? And if you’re a woman, are you a lot less likely to feel an automatic appreciate for that style of design? 

“Recognizing Campus Landscapes as Learning Spaces”: thoughts and conversations

 

Screenshot from the online article: "Holistic landscapes" section

Screenshot from the online article: “Holistic landscapes” section

“…increased technology use within today’s multitasking society is likely to hijack a student’s attentional resource placing her/him at risk of underachieving academic learning goals and undermining success at a university (Fried, 2008; Tennessen, & Cimprich, 1995; Wentworth & Middleton, 2014)” (paragraph 3).

Is it possible that “older” people, who grew up with less digital technology have a harder time valuing the kind of attention required of the kind of rapid tech living we do today?

“Although university culture places demands on students’ cognitive abilities, campus natural open spaces have not been systematically examined for their potential in replenishing cognitive functioning for attentional fatigued students.” (paragraph 3).

Ah… exigency. This is the “gap in the research” these authors aim to address.

Kaepernick Protest: gestures speak

"Colin Kaepernick takes a knee during the national anthem at a preseason game in San Diego. (CBS)"

“Colin Kaepernick takes a knee during the national anthem at a preseason game in San Diego. (CBS)”

I appreciate this image of Colin Kaepernick’s initial “silent” protest especially given the image of people behind him with their hands on their hearts and the people in front of him in military uniform. The image seems to capture a good deal of the argument against Kaepernick. People claim that by kneeling during the anthem Kaepernick disrespects those who serve in the military. So the angle of photograph here is really poignant.

Kaepernick’s use of gesture as protest resonates with much of what we will talk about in class. The rhetorical situation is such that the speaker (Kaepernick) knows his audience (NFL fans) value loyalty and patriotism. By moving his body in a way that thwarts their expectations, he is communicating disagreement, disunity. Because we hear arguments against police shootings of black women and men all the time we’ve become rather deaf to them; they cease to create change. Kaepernick’s use of the gestural mode, given his popularity (by the way his jersey is selling out since he began his protest) and status as an entertainer/athlete, really kicks the conversation to a new level.

Kaepernick later iterated explicitly his reasons for protest: As relayed by NFL reporter, Steve Wyche, Kaepernick told the media, “‘I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color’…’To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.'”

What do you think about Kaepernick’s argument and the way he communicates his argument?