Project 4 - Manifesto

Project 4 - Promotional Poster

Project 4 - Manifestation

Project 4 - Manifesto Draft

Shannon, K. (2012). Design for the Other 90%/Design with the Other 90%: Cities, Journal of Landscape Architecture, 7:2, 87-87. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com.helicon.vuw.ac.nz/doi/full/10.1080/18626033.2012.749603

Orr, A. & Nazrul Islam, A.S.M. & Barnes, G. (1991). The Treadle Pump: Manual Irrigation for Small Farmers in Bangladesh, Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service 1-17. Retrieved from http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/pnabx290.pdf

http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats

Project 4 - Concept

How it Really is

My concept is that we in the western world take for granted how dire the rest of the world is. From our point of view everyone has a house, clean water, goes to school etc. but in reality 80% of our worlds population are in poverty. Approximately 6,000 people die each day from illness's that clean water could have prevented with the global killer being diarrhea. More people die each year from diarrhea than from cars, guns, cancer, nuclear missiles, and everything else. Attempts at solving this problem through design have been made with the best example being the "LifeStraw". The "LifeStraw" being a swiss made large plastic tube that when sucking through dirty parasite filled water, purifies it making it drinkable. This is a great attempt but not enough to solve poverty. Because of this I plan to bring this to light and create a manifestation reflecting "How the the world is" and "How it really is". I am hoping to create some sort of drinking apparatus where the user has to put a lot of effort in just to get a couple of drops of water, mirroring the efforts of what majority of the world have to go through each day.

Project 3 - Final

Globalization

The Sole Cause of Denationalization

Jordan Coleman

CCDN 331 Project 3 – Critical Writing Vanessa/Stream 2

Intro

“It has been said that arguing against Globalization is like arguing against the laws of gravity.”

- Kofi Annan (Former UN Secretary-General)

Globalization has connected cultures all over the world; it is however the sole cause of loss of culture and denationalization.

Globalization being the integration of culture between the western world and the rest of the globe is never quite portrayed in a positive light. Although there are many beneficial elements of globalization such as medicine and education, they come at a cost as it drains many countries of their culture and independence. As designers we have the option to mend this issue by designing with the culture and beliefs of countries in mind, so that their cultural heritage is not lost nor ruined by modernization.

History

In 1944 just before the end of World War II, the United States and Great Britain set up the World Bank and IMF (International Monetary Fund), with the notion of providing low income nations short term loans in order to improve their economies. These loans however come with a price as there are restrictions to which the applying country has to abide. These restrictions (known as a structural adjustment program or SAP) allow foreign investors to purchase resources, utilities and property. Because the largest shareholder of the World Bank and IMF are the United States, this essentially allows them full access into the economy of these under developed countries resulting in true globalization.

Invasion of the Western World

With economic globalization comes cultural globalization. The arrival of the internet allowed information to be easily shared between countries.  Although there are many benefits to this sharing of information such as the collaboration of scientist and other individuals working on solving global issues, opponents of globalization argue that the exchange of cultural ideas sometimes threatens to destroy local traditions and identities (Globalization, 2014). This modernization can cause debate in other countries. For example, Muslim societies have strong traditional cultures that are often backward looking rather than towards the future, although gradually adopting new ideas there is a risk through modernization that they will lose part of their culture and heritage. Because of this risk there has been an increase in protests and extremist groups. Moisés Naím states that the number of people killed or injured by terrorists has gone from about 7,000 in 1995 to more than 25,000 in 2006 (Naím, 2009). These attacks are empowered by globalization. Because of their refusal to conform, terrorist organisations respond with deadly force.

Educating Youth

When television channels such as MTV made its way to undeveloped/uneducated countries, there was no stopping it influencing young people with American culture. Advertising it as cool and hip, young people had no option but to conform or miss out on the new rising trend. The result of this was loss of culture and independence.  “This increasing commodification of culture has been stimulated by the fact that cultural products – films, television programs, music, books and magazines – represent the largest single export of the USA and this is having adverse effects on indigenous cultural development in Muslim countries. This is because the local cultural products have difficulties in competing in the market place with the imported ones.” (Mancini, 2012, p.50). With this overload of western culture and the fact that 50% of Muslim countries’ population are under the age of 21, it is impossible to stop their youth from experiencing western culture and losing their own traditional culture and customs at the same time. Attempts to fight this conversion have been made with examples such as “4shbab TV” and “The 88” the former being a television channel mirroring MTV but with Islamic ideology integrated into it and the latter, a comic book series with superheroes that present Muslim values and display the 88 attributes of the Qur’an.

Loss of Culture

Because of globalization many businesses are taking advantage of poorer countries and are invading them with their products resulting in these countries losing their culture. McDonald’s is a prime example for the loss of culture as it moves away from traditional foods into a more Americanised diet (hamburgers, fries, etc.). Although McDonald’s argues that it strengthens culture as its overseas stores are locally owned and caters its menu dependant on its region for example not serving beef or pork in India as the cow is sacred to the Hindu religion and Muslims do not eat pork. McDonald’s still enables loss of culture as locals and tourist will then chose to eat there instead of trying local Indian cuisine and getting a real taste of the culture. It’s not just the food that ruins culture but the modern buildings with the tacky logo that with many stores all over the country clash with traditional Indian architecture such as temples or market places. McDonald’s alongside other western businesses strongly contribute to India’s trash problem, with all their rappers, bottles and other plastic ware which litters the street you are constantly reminded of the loss of culture that has plagued the major cities of India.

Universal Products

Products such as the IPod can be found all over the world. This American product has reached the furthest most hidden parts of the world, don’t be surprised if you visit a third world country where clean water is scarce and food is non-existent and you come across a child jamming on an IPod. Although this easy access to American products no matter where you are from might appear to be a privilege, it is in fact far from it. Instead of perhaps gathering together and playing some traditional music as a group, people might just listen to their IPod (most likely loaded with western songs) instead. “It seems that as far as the vast majority of mass-produced industrial products are concerned, the overall uniformity in product design does not seem to be a source of serious problems. In some cases, however, ethnic-cultural variation is seriously conflicting with the uniformity principle of mass-production.” (Diehl, Christiaans, 2006, p.1). I feel that the mass production of these products do conflict with these cultures as it is so far on the opposite spectrum, that in comparison it ruins their cultural heritage with digital tackiness and stares them away from their unique traditions.  

Fixing the Problem with Design

How can we as designers fix this problem? Many attempts at solving this problem with design have been successful but only on a small scale. For example as a traditional Barbie doll does not exert traditional Muslim values a more appropriate substitute was created named “Fulla”. Fulla was designed as a more suitable role-model for Muslim girls, displaying how they are preferred to dress and behave.  

“Understanding the needs, tasks and environments of the people for whom products are designed is the key for cross-cultural product design.” (Diehl, Christiaans, 2006, p.4). Designers need to take the culture style of who they’re designing for in mind when creating as not to lose their culture in the process. Although products such as a ball point pen or television set are not very culturally diverse due to the fact that consumers all around the world generally use these products the same way, does not mean that all products should be westernised for functionality or lower cost. For example the Barbie dolls share the same purpose; to entertain girls, except Fulla has been stylized to fit the cultural needs of Islamic children in the Middle East. If more products were amended to adapt to cultures around the world cultural globalization would begin to be less apparent. I believe this too be the most suitable solution to this issue as it only repairs damage that has already been done rather than create a new problem.

Summary

Globalization has connected cultures all over the world, but it has also denationalized them and stolen them of their independent culture. Because of organisations like the IMF wealthy countries can take over the economy of poorer countries allowing them full access into the culture and views of said countries. With this invasion of ideas and western customs local traditions and cultural beliefs get washed out, upsetting many in the process resulting in protest and terrorist conflict. Western television and other forms of media influence the youth of these countries, inadvertently forcing their ideology and customs onto them resulting in loss of culture and heritage. Businesses like McDonalds take advantage of these situations and build stores all over developing countries ruining their culture with Americanized food and rubbish. We as designers have an opportunity to solve this problem if not at least make the transition more smooth. When designing for foreign regions, taking in to account the culture and beliefs of the user can make a positive impact into what’s being designed. With examples like the Fulla doll, not only does it approve with Islamic beliefs and traditions but it also helps to preserve their culture without western customs interfering too much and destroying their cultural heritage. Globalization is not purposely set out to destroy culture but because of the consequences it brings it has inadvertently done so. In my opinion the only way to solve this crisis without much backlash is to reconsider all future design with foreign countries and instead of mashing both cultures together try to mesh them, intertwining both cultures so that both sides experience the others culture. An example of this could be Japanese food such as sushi making its way to the western world just as western food has made its way there.  

Source Citation

Naím, M. (2009). GLOBALIZATION. Foreign Policy, (171), 28-30,32,34. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/224027022?accountid=14782

Globalization. (2014). Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection. Detroit: Gale. Retrieved from http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=true&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=OVIC&action=e&catId=GALE%7C00000000LVWW&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CPC3021900074&source=Bookmark&u=vuw&jsid=79b1116e2e0cd58d61fc043b980c2b9c

Mancini, J. A. (2012). Globalization. Partnerships Modernization, and Future Perspectives, Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com.helicon.vuw.ac.nz/lib/vuw/docDetail.action?docID=10683412

El Feki, S. (2009). Shereen El Feki: Pop culture in the Arab world [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/shereen_el_feki_pop_culture_in_the_arab_world#t-222063

Diehl J.C., Christiaans H.H.C.M. (2006). GLOBALIZATION AND CROSS-CULTURAL PRODUCT DESIGN, 503 – 510. Retrieved from http://www.designsociety.org/publication/19040/globalization_and_cross-cultural_product_design

Images

Globalization[Drawing]. (n.d.). Retrieved August 27, 2014 from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpGzWnYuDe-z1g_utMzenjmVTl-iEjL3U2Xawgm4x0dWHFkVg0VJqfrhFsodXEgbB8tuXjnhKoo0U_B-eg3gDNYC5Tc6UxAP0E0pwfz8mRdjHrDTJz_DqEZfk3f6R9_54cHEQJw1Qv-I/s1600/globalization.jpg

[Quote from Koffi Annan]. (n.d.) Retrieved August 27, 2014 from http://arts.brighton.ac.uk/__data/assets/image/0018/2628/study-globalisation-uk-brighton.jpg

[Photograph of Shereen El Feki holding Barbie dolls]. (2009). Retrieved August 27, 2014 from
http://geographyeducationdotorg.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/barbie.jpg

[Edited photograph of woman with burger and coke]. (n.d). Retrieved August 27, 2014 from
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY39_BnN6nVICQu2dXOVCJg-qFrIjJguJ92Uf3ELmEilk0a9fVroxZGJU4hWf599lJYurhZC3csGp5IRPzvk21mwlHshb22o6mA_GKkvg0Q8I33notWq4yjY95wbxnNJnDLqEZEPw1s6Mo/s1600/globalisation.jpg

[Drawing of Uncle Sam holding globe]. (n.d.). Retrieved August 27, 2014 from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePSntTV6C6epJ4NUeiwx2eM6JVH9CyifGTb2UkWGYl17NnblRguj1xoumJJuu0wwdbHTgdZUlG_bMAWbj3c6UOu13VT9qSCjWoRErcKVdx8mU6u-eTyWBLVvUhyphenhyphenS_W-hYefXehCZvbp0g/s1600/try-stop-us-transparant%5B1%5D.png

[Picture of Americanized world map]. (n.d.). Retrieved August 27, 2014 from http://www.wermodandwermod.com/newsitems/Americanization.JPG

[Edited Picture of person with IPod]. (n.d.). Retrieved August 27, 2014 from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBowoK_wJBpDhZDQcSOZDlc_kDCyoqpeB85liXMp0CnUh-DPBxbVN9JLBeVoQ74jOhZx1VyzDRzTIW44Q_aU87UqpUOsYBFkP2g0HIDQFPsuc_gRlvph5x8M1AQgsWYLSU6I3P2PoA_oI/s1600/globalisation.jpg

Project 3 - Thesis Statement + Sources

Thesis Statement: Globalization has connected cultures all over the world; it is however the sole cause of denationalization.

GLOBALIZATION – Foreign Policy

By Moisés Naím

This article explains how globalization brings economic inequality and only benefits rich people as 3^rd world countries suffer from it. It also goes on to explain that globalization has decrease the amount of wars between countries but has not necessarily made the world a safer place, as terrorism has drastically increased and domestic conflicts have raised due to internal debates over religion, politics and other forms of denationalization.

Naím, M. (2009). GLOBALIZATION. Foreign Policy, (171), 28-30,32,34. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/224027022?accountid=14782

Globalization

By Opposing Viewpoints in Context

This article covers cultural globalization and how new age media such as internet, movies etc. has connected the world sharing useful information such as the collaboration of scientists and other individuals working on global problems, but has also encouraged the exchange of cultural ideas which can destroy local traditions and identity. The article also explains how international organizations such as the World Bank and IMF (International Monetary Fund) that are designed to assist poor nations often use these programs to benefit richer countries like the US, Japan, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.

Globalization. (2014). In Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection. Detroit: Gale. Retrieved from http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=true&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=OVIC&action=e&catId=GALE%7C00000000LVWW&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CPC3021900074&source=Bookmark&u=vuw&jsid=79b1116e2e0cd58d61fc043b980c2b9c

Globalization – Partnerships Modernization, and Future Perspectives

By Joseph A. Mancini

This book highlights several topics relating to globalization, including modernization and education in Muslim countries. Muslim societies have strong traditional cultures that are often backward looking rather than towards the future, although gradually adopting new ideas there is a risk through modernization that they will lose part of their culture and heritage. The book also covers how globalization has resulted in the USA gaining economic dominance post WWII.

Mancini, J A. (2012),Globalization. Partnerships Modernization, and Future Perspectives, Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com.helicon.vuw.ac.nz/lib/vuw/docDetail.action?docID=10683412