William Burroughs challenged students to take something simple as walking down the street into a challenge to be inspired. Phia Bennin and Brendan McMullan, the writers of the article “Color Walking”, work on a podcast called Colors. Their main goal is to, “illuminate ideas, and the boundaries blur between science, philosophy, and human experience”. Many Americans are constantly on the go with their only purpose in mind is getting to their planned destination. People will rarely stop and see the vividness surrounding them. To participate in the experiment, participants need an hour of uninterrupted time and are able to focus their mind on a particular color. This experiment challenges participants to be highly aware of their surroundings and notice small details that are not usually noticed.

Atlanta is a fast past city, filled with corporate and small businesses. The way the city of Atlanta is built defines itself and the people who live, work, and visit. The built environment has the ability to control an individual’s perception, such as, what type of people live in an area and what they are like. The built environment consists of any manmade structures with the purpose of human use. The built environment has the ability to influence what I like or dislike and even who I am as an individual. Most individuals do not understand the extent in which their built environment can influence every aspect of their lives. The built environment shapes who and what a person can become in the future. The built environment promotes a system of social hierarchy. In Atlanta and throughout the United States everyone is not treated equally. The built environment fosters the idea of inequality through architecture. The city of Atlanta, like other places, is defined by what consists inside of the area and who maintains it.

During the time I truly looked at environment (Atlanta), I noticed a social hierarchy based on the built environment or space in which different individuals live or are constantly around. I noticed how the built environment can define an individual. Depending on where a person lives, certain assumptions or judgements can be made about them before they speak or show any actions. People who live in the inner city, communities outside of the city, and the homeless have three distinct built environments. There are certain advantages and disadvantages in each environment.

While visiting the Oakhurst Community in Decatur, Georgia there was a high sense of community unlike in the city. There were parks and green spaces available. There were also nicely made homes that are pleasing to the eye, sidewalks, reminders to pick up after dogs, and a town center with restaurants. Seeing people taking an early morning run or walk with their dogs, gave me a sense of normality. There are Marta bus stops available in the neighborhood which allows more people access to the area. A mural in the neighborhood promotes diversity with a group of children of different races plating in a park. Without noticing, I had made preconceived notions about how the people in the neighborhood were based on the built environment they lived in.

The individuals were defined by their built environment (middle class Americans). There are certain advantages of living in a community outside of the city. The presence of green spaces allows residents a space to enjoy without the hassle of driving to find a green space. According to the Playing Field, “there is a clear correlation between regular use of good quality natural environments and improvement in health and wellbeing”.  The residents of the Oakhurst Community have a greater chance of an active lifestyle because of their built environment. Green spaces are linked to better sleep, physical activity, and greater social interaction. The lack of noise and heavy traffic makes residence more likely to take a walk or go outside. The Oakhurst Community positively impacts the residents. On the flip side some individuals may not be able to afford to live in area that has properly built homes with a positive living environment. Some individuals are forced to live in the inner city.

The city of Atlanta is home to a very diverse group of individuals. The city has a plentiful amount of businesses, buildings, shopping areas, and is home to thousands of people. Individuals in the city of Atlanta have many different advantages and disadvantages because of the built environment. Atlanta is very fact past and because of the abundance of businesses there is media and promotions around every corner. People in the city are bombarded by the media they see and are often influenced to spend their money. The city of Atlanta is like a business marketing to people who have money. The built environment of cities is seen as a travel destination. Atlanta is a major workplace with many roads, highways, buildings, and skyscrapers. These building may intrigue outsiders to visit and increases revenue from travel. Those who have businesses in Atlanta have an economic opportunity because the abundance of people. Bike lanes allows an alternative option of travel in the city. Bike lanes expands traveling limits in the city. People who live in the city may be characterized as constantly busy or on the go. I have noticed that horns are honked more frequently in cities. Unlike in close knit communities, drivers are more easily frustrated with slow drivers in heavy traffic. Traffic is a major obstacle for people living in Atlanta. Certain individuals in Atlanta are deemed more important than others in this type of built environment.

The city of Atlanta has a high population of homeless individuals. The homeless that reside on the Georgia State campus are viewed as being on the bottom in a social hierarchy. The good environment of Atlanta does not have a place for the homeless. The homeless often reside in parks or areas that do not serve a purpose for many individual. The homeless individuals are judged based on their built environment. The homeless are seen as not having a home or place to go. Homeless individuals seem, to many people to be imposing on everything and everywhere they go, see, and touch even if the item is not in use. Sarah Schindler describes architectural exclusion in New York City. Architectural exclusion explains how the built environment purposely excludes certain individuals. Irina Nersessova illuminates readers’ minds by showing pictures of individuals who are classified as homeless but actually are not. The same exclusion, discrimination, and lack of respect is in Atlanta today as in New York City. While most homeless individuals do not have a stable home, they have spaces where they sleep and interact with other individuals. The homeless are not seen as people especially in a city with vast opportunity. People walking past a homeless individual may feel as though they are nothing like them. Most people will not and cannot relate to the homeless living outside on sidewalk and alleyways. The homeless individuals in Atlanta are treated as they are not human beings and are often overlooked.

The homeless are not the only group of overlooked individuals in the Built environment of Atlanta. Those with physical disabilities do not have equal access to certain places in Atlanta. While visiting the Municipal Market in Atlanta, I noticed how difficult it can be to navigate in a wheelchair. This disability inhibits customers from viewing menus high up and the ability to reach certain items or products. The interior and exterior built environment does not accommodate diversity of people very well. Some businesses and buildings do not have wheelchair access which prevents individuals from entering. Atlanta’s accessibility for everyone can improve to make the city better.

The internet and social media has a major impact on many individuals lives in Atlanta. The digital built environment also markets to certain groups and individuals. The way a website or app is made defines the site or product. The visual outlay of the digital environment is important in gaining or maintaining a buyer’s interest. The online built environment markets to certain individuals and maintains them by the content they provide. The way a website looks, how up to date it is, and its level of usefulness determines its popularity. Digital environments are designed in ways to keep interest in individuals. The digital environment is another way the built environment can shape and impact people. Those who do not use the internet are not equally represented as those who do. In Atlanta the use of technology is evident in everyday life. The lack of technological use can inhibit individuals from certain opportunities. @The built environment of Atlanta caters to certain individuals over others creating a social hierarchy. Opportunities for able bodied, independent, technologically inclined individuals with a stable home are endless. But for those who are homeless, disabled, and do not use technology, are not given the same opportunities as those who are not.

I challenge each individual not to judge a person based upon their built environment. A built environment can place limitations on a families and individuals, but it does not stop them from being a human being. The built environment can serve as an opportunity to some but a disadvantage. No one should be defined entirely by their built environment. Businesses can accommodate everyone instead of limiting an individual. Individuals do not have to place value over one individual over another.  America is a land of opportunity despite living in Atlanta or any other place. Individuals in the hierarchy of Atlanta can break chains by fighting for more rights, voting for state officials, and most importantly by keeping an open mind. The built environment has a major impact on the lives of those who live in Atlanta but it does not have to define who we are. We can use the built environment to benefit all individuals instead of those at the top of the social hierarchy of Atlanta.

NERSESSOVA, IRINA. “Tapestry Of Space: Domestic Architecture And Underground Communities In Margaret Morton’s Photography Of A Forgotten New York.” Disclosure 23 (2014): 26. Advanced Placement Source. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.

SCHINDLER, SARAH. “Architectural Exclusion: Discrimination And Segregation Through Physical Design Of The Built Environment.” Yale Law Journal 124.6 (2015): 1934-2024. Academic Search Complete. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.

“I DARE YOU TO JOIN. LETS PARTY BLOGGING STYLE. – Librarians Are Humans Too.” Accessed April 28, 2016. https://theonettiencube32.wordpress.com/2015/04/24/i-dare-you-to-join-lets-party-blogging-style/.

For the title of the Essay, I was thinking about The Hierarchy of Space in Atlanta or The Meaning of Architecture in Atlanta. For my Built Environment Analysis, I want to write about the effects of design in the built environment. Also I want to write about the impact of the space we chose to live in and how it determines who we are.

The article, “Better Online Living through Content Moderation”, People have the option to block or restrict certain content that they do not want to have in their lives. In certain cultures victim’s abuse online is not treated with the intensity that it should. Online bullying provokes violence and caused a great amount of stress to victims. The writer argues that people should not have to explain, or get ridiculed if they decide to block certain things from their online experience. People should not have to be forced to accept being labeled as weak and sensitive. Online bullying is not the same as exposure therapy. Exposure therapy is used to gradually combat anxiety through exposure. Online bullying is not therapeutic. Online bullying is random unnecessary attacks against people who want relief from the harassment they receive. People should have a say in how their personal story is being portrayed online so there are options to block and ways to limit what others can see.

The writer also states that the public is not informed in the ways a person can get PTSD. Most people believe only veterans can contract PTSD. Bullying has a severe impact on mental health. Symptoms from PTSD are depression and even suicide. PTSD from bullying can be prevented or blocked from content control. The misconception of online harassment causes hurt and mental problems.

Some people are opposed to blocklists. They feel as though their internet experience is being hindered because of another person. Although they may not be involved in the bullying process they are still opposed to blocking. Online bullying is very vicious and can be constantly persistent. Gamergate threatens people into silence. They will also go as far as threatening a person’s family members. Content control allows victims to protect themselves from the vicious people who sit behind their computers. One of the best things victims can do is to takes the necessary steps to keep them safe physically and mentally. Intimidating tactics designed to silence people is illegal.

Women are large targets for online bullying . Women who are in male dominated areas are more subject to sexism and harassment. Sexism online is not something a woman should just “get over”. Women may want to go online and enjoy games just as a man would, possibly to get away from sexism and harassment in real life. Dealing with the constant bombardment of threats and negativity can definitely cause PTSD for women.

Blocking is not a silencing tactic but is a way to shelter those who have been victimized. The writer suggests that people should be in charge of their own online experience. Those who are against blocking lack empathy for those experiencing trauma. Most people do not think of those with mental problems and those who are not like them. People do not think about other’s mental state so they tend not to care about feelings other than their own.

Online harassment can be stopped if individuals were more sensitive to the lives of others.

As I first ventured through the King Center website, the first thing I noticed was how dark it is. The main color of the website is black which could have any meaning for the King’s cause. Since the website is very dark, it is not very appealing to the eye. The other main color of the website is green. The right hand side of the website have a large profile of Martin Luther King Jr. while in the middle of speaking. This incorporation of King’s face shows his powerfulness. I can see the drive, ambition, and passion in his eyes. This immediately made me inspired and grateful for his activism. The photo of King lets people visiting the site know who’s site it is immediately other than the name of the website. The website attempts to preserve his legacy and keeps the focus on Martin Luther King Jr. the website is also focused on donating to the King Center. There is only one image of the symbol for the center.  There are about six tabs which are focused on learning more about the King’s. The King Center website has a digital archive which has pictures, letters, and other images regarding or concerning King. The website has news about King which keeps his legacy alive today. The websites tabs and options are all in block form. The websites font is also blocking and gives off a formal tone. The way the website is set up allows people to go directly to what they want. There not any distracting factors which allows me to stay focused on all the content of the website. There are social media accounts for the site which allows people to gain information in a different way. The website could be made in a better light. The color scheme is very dark and depressing. There could be more images and colors. The website has a section to add individual dreams. This option seems to give individuals an opportunity to create and share their own dreams like Dr. King. I feel the website is made for an older audience or those researching King or the site. The website does not appeal to children. The website is very dull and children would lose interest quickly. The website lacks interactive features. 

On the King Center website here is a tab labeled Learn. It is a drop down tab. The last option inside of the Learn tab is called books and bibliography.  The website offers a list and description of work written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The website emphasizes the books because they are on a white background. In  the margins are handwritten words on paper. The creators of this website matched to mood the the page along with the content. The books and bibliography page is concentrated on the books because there are not any distracting factors such as advertisement. The lists of books are important because it allows individuals who come to the site, a chance to go further in depth to learn about the King’s. The website gives its visitors to the site a lot of information about the King’s. The books show individuals more about the impact and legacy that the King’s left behind.

The King Center website has about five tabs. The last tab is a tab called Dream. It is a dropdown tab with three options. Once clicked upon it has enlarged words such as Education, Family, Peace, and many other words. The website has an opportunity for those inspired to post their dreams. Marin Luther King Jr’s famous speech continues to inspire other. the website give an opportunity for people to post their dreams and others to view them. The dreams are organized by  specific topics. The layout is not boxed but each word is individually spaced. Depending on how many dreams there are for each specific topic the word gets bigger. In the background is a hand written letter showing that it is an area to type.

The purpose of this art of the website is to preserve the ideology of Dr. King and to allow others to share their dreams.

The website The King Center as interactive features including social media. Having  social media options gives opportunity to reach more individuals. The King Center has an account for many popular sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Those may never been on the King Center website can be linked to it through social media. Social media accounts can give the most up to date posts coming from the King Center. The Civil Rights movement happened some decades ago. Having social media and even the website itself keeps the King Center current and relevant. The YouTube availability is great because it gives individuals who want to learn more a chance to actively watch videos. The placement of the social media is at the top of the website which makes it easy to see. The social media option gives individuals an option to follow the King Center to make it more convenient  to get the information.

Home

On the King Center Website, the first tab is an About tab. It is in drop tab form. Having the form gives the website visitor the opportunity to choose what they want to learn about in depth.  Since the About tab is first it shows that learning about the King Center and who it is dedicated to is the most important thing. First in the drop tab is About The King Center. Learning about the overall site seems to be the thing of most importance. The next thing to learn about are the King’s themselves, including both Coretta Scott King and Martin Luther King Jr. Lastly it includes the King Philosophy. Having the About tab first suggests the meaning and purpose of the website. The most important thing of the website is actually learning about the King Center, those who inspired it, the continuous impact, and legacy of the King’s.

http://www.thekingcenter.org/donate-get-involved

On the right margin is a box with the location of the King Center. It is the only thing on either side of the margins. The location is very clear and also has a number attached for any questions. The number alongside the address is important because people may not be familiar with the location and may need assistance. This is very important so potential visitors do not have to search the entire website to find the location. This makes it easier and more likely for people to visit if there is not a lot a hassle to find the address. The King Center is a historical site therefore a main component of the website would be knowing where it is located. The word location is in green which makes it easy to see with a grey background surrounding it. There are not a lot of distracting features or popups from the website.

http://www.thekingcenter.org/donate-get-involved