Curitba-ReDo

Curitba is described as one of the most innovative livable cities in the world due to excellent urban planning.  The population density is very high in Curitba but the urban planning that was created makes the city run much smoother.   Transportation in Curitba is unlike any other city is the world as it was created specifically to foster the mobility and sustainabilty of the community. 

In class we watched a speaker named Jamie Lerner whom gave intelligiable ideas on how to make large cities more livable.   Lerner suggested that creating more efficient communites was not a monetary issue but an issue of redesigning a city to maximize its full potential for efficiency.   During the sixties Lerner was the mayor of Curitba and he suggested a master plan to reduce traffic and make public transportation affordable by all.  Sophisticated bustops, rapid bus routes (with a lane dedicated only for the bus), allocating an amount of green space for every citizen , and zoning for more effcient land use all were successful in making Curitba the most livable city.  Personally I believe Phoenix, Arizona could learn a lot from Lerner and Curitba’s master plan.  Phoenix is large city that fails to properly deliver affordable accesible public transportation to all.   The Arizona Department of Transporation in my opinion has adopted the light rail or metro without careful thought and execution.  Unfortunately, the light rail only spans twenty miles, and is not easily accesible for all.  Phoenix needs to implement urban planing like Curitba if we plan on continuing to grow and live in this constantly expanding city.

Class Reflection

As I wrap up my senior year I am pleased to have chosen this course as it bolsters my experience at Arizona State.   The topics and discussions in the classroom were always very intersesting and involved a lot of class participation. My experience in small classes has previously been that maybe three or four brave students speak out and the rest sit there with a “dont call on me look.”  No one could really excercise their “don’t call on me” look in this class because I believe that atmosphere was very laid back and comfortable.  As a teacher I feel that you have a great attitude and give us the opportunity to voice our opinions no matter if they are your view or not.  It is great to be in a classroom where respect is given in the end I think showing respect pays off for all involved.  I find you( Merylna Lim) to be a very interesting and knowledgeable teacher because you have so much knowledge,stories and unique perspectives to share with us all. I learned a great deal from hearing of your travels and outlook on how technology affects all.  Prior to this class I probably would have never viewed technology as something that poses inequalities to individuals that are not as fortunate.  I feel like a more conscience and aware individual from this class. It is very easy to get caught up in the glitz and glamour of technology and forget about the effects it has on the world.  From now on I will be more educated and strive to educate others on the inequalities of technoloy.  P.S. I am really glad that you choose to bring your guitar to class!!! It was a lot of fun!!! I hope you get to taste all of the beers of the world like in your office one day!! lol

Week 13

   This week we discussed science and technology in two very developing countries.  While both countries are making significant progress in technology China has had much more development and technological successs than Vietnam .   China’s technology market alone has a major impact on the world and specifically US stock market.    I read an article telling the story of an American’s experience with the immense amount of available technology in China.  His experience was incredible as he experienced free wifi everywhere, the ability to purchase prepaid sim cards, sophisitcated rail way systems and more.    It seems as America’s capitalist society has halted its development in the realm of technology.  China although communist may benefit from their centralized control of the technology market.  Almost all of the United States’ technology is manufacture in China and other Asian countries.  Asian countries have the tools and capabilities to create new innovative technologies at low costs and proliferate it to the rest of the world.  The United States should have the same capabilities but is no where near the technological advancements of countries such as China and Japan.  Even China and Japan’s car technologies has outsold the American Vehicles.  The Asian markets are making technology and advancing according to what society needs in order to become more effective as a whole.  Vietnam is taking great strides to do the same but is at a disadvantage as their country was plagued by war for so many years.  Their progress is very impressive despite the events that have occured politically in their country.

Local Initiatives

  My generations faces a large challenge that previous generations may have not been as concerned with. As the global population and its usage numbers increase the carbon print damge does as well.  Globally we are living larger and consuming more precious natural resources than ever before. This generation has the right motives to envoke a global change for the preservation of society as we know it.  The first step that everyone can take is small local initiatives. Transportation is one of the most important factors in reducing our carbon imprint.  For example a family with four people living in the same household does not require four cars or more.  If we reduced that number to one and used public transportation or carpooled where it can be accomplished than we would be consuming and producing less harfmul effects on the environment. 

    I think it is easy to ignore the signs that as  nation and global community we have hurt our current and future generations.  We all need to accept the one person at a time approach to this problem.  Phoenix needs to adopt more public transportation options along with the lightrail in order to promote less car usage. Currently it is not feasible to tell someone living in gilbert that works in tempe to use public transportation to get to work. More local initiatives need to be put in place in order to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to reduce our community and globe’s carbon imprint.  Change can be made if the message of togetherness is promoted  to further the cause of saving our environment.

Gabriel’s Lecture

The video that was presented in class was very interesting because I found it to be a somewhat true depiction of the average college classroom.  In the video the students were in a huge lecture hall with their laptops and other distractive tools.  I do not believe that it is the technology or the students fault that they are distracted by these devices I blame it on the structure of the university. As a freshman all of my classes were huge and I found them very difficult to learn in .  The teacher was one tiny person amongst this sea of uninterested individuals.  This type of learning environment makes it nearly impossible to focus let alone learn anything.  Second semester of my freshman year I basically rarely showed up to these classes because I could accomplish the same grades by teaching myself at home and studying.   So as for the topic discussed in class : does using your laptop or being on facebook affect learning..I would have to say no in most cases.  The four year education has evolved into a money making machine.  Education has become less of the focus while massive numbers and profit has superceeded the needs of individuals.   I am speaking form a personal experience at ASU smaller universities may provide more of a personal education .  ASU is trying to in my opinion is trying to maximize profits any way that they can.   In the end I feel that this is going to have a major backlash as students will learn of their hidden agenda and either choose to go to a community college because its comparable or just choose another university. Even though most four year degrees do not provide you with the tools necessary to do well at your future job they do provide the foundation for your academic and professional future. It is important that students are getting a quality education in a learning environment instead of a corporate profit seeking atmosphere.

Election Day

 

    This year marks the first time that I was elligible to vote and I proudly did so.  I believe that it is really important for young people to vote and show an interest and represent our generation.   Clearly this election has produced more young voters than ever and it is a great thing!  The topic that I would like to discuss is the media’s role in this election and the negativity of this campaign year from both sides.  As a college student I find it inappropriate for some of my professors to talk about their party affiliation or where they stand in the election.  Even amongst my peers I find italking about politics to be a very sore subject in discussion. Whether you are for Obama and McCain or simply chose not to vote for personal reasons I do not believe that it is healthy for others to chime in with their opinions.  During this election season I felt uneasy answering questions about whom I was voting for in fear or being judged by my decisions.   People have had such strong opinions about who they choose to vote for that is created uneccessary division and to some extent conflict amongst American Citizens.   In these economic and global hard time I feel that our nation and the world has enough anamosity for each other that we do not need to add fuel to the fire by disrespecting each others opinions.

   Moving on to the media it is very scary that certain channels and outlets have basically chosen to support one candidate over another. How can American get the facts when you have biased networks and organizations? The answer is you simply cannot and that is unfair.  I like reading the news and watching it on televison but i have become upset by the route that the media has chosen to go. It is up to the candidates to battle it out and make accusations against each other not the media.  The media is there to represent important information not opinion. I felt that Obama and McCain parties were heavily impacted by the medias biased representations.   For future elections I hope that as American citizens we have the opportunity to get just the facts and not contrived stories from our media sources.

   On a positive reflective not I am looking forward to what the next presidency will bring America.  This election has accomplished many great things for this country.  As a justice major it is wonderful to see a female run for president and vice president along with an african american being elected president. America has come a long way from its beginning and we should embrace the open equality and new opportunities for all.

Dr Jw Smith

Dr Smith in person with all do respect was a little bit too over zealous and hard to understand although when I researched his theories I was very intrigued. On his website it states that there are three primary causes for poverty and war.  The second states that  property rights law, as applied to nature’s resources and technologies, deny others their rightful share of what nature offers to us all for free.  I could not agree more with this notion.  Globally we have claimed , patented and trademarked entities that are not meant for the taking. Oil is the largest cause for both poverty and war yet is a non synthetic natural resource.  If oil were a commodity that was free and everyones to use as it a  natural resource I am sure that there would be less conflict. People would feel inclined to protect it as a natural resource and an equal amount could be a lotted instead of several monopolies controling and claiming this natural resource as their own.   As a whole society is far to focused on this whole “mine!”,”mine!” attitude.   This attitude creates  many problems and hardships for everyone. 

   I also agree with dr smith to the extent that these global commodities add not benefit to our lives. The only people that economically benefit or have a better quality of life are those who own and control these “mine” commodities.  Our labors and efforts are not rewarded by any of this private investors or large companies. Overally Dr. Smith has some great points but just in lecture needs to address the topics separately in lecture.

Nuclear Force

The topic of nuclear power, energy and proliferation stirs a lot of mixed feelings and debate. From this weeks discussion it was very intersting to hear the thoughts and opinions of the class.   Having read a lot and studied the country of Iran which is the most controversial country concerning nuclear proliferation I feel bothered by the current media attention.  In my opinion I feel as if the United States is acting like bullies rather than the world’s police. During the seventies the United States and Iran had an amicable relationship and the US gave Iran the tools to create nuclear power.  After the Shah took over Iran the relationship betweent the two nation states became soured.   We have known and always known that Iran has the capability to go nuclear! Duh!  It is is appaling that the un needs to send in teams to search and conduct field tests when we know that they have it.  The sanctions placed on Iran pose so many inequalities for its people .  The people of Iran are deeply suffering by all of the sanctions and various results from the United States approach to their country. I have Iranian friends that have told me about the horrible things occuring as a result of the US not wanting Iran to go nuclear. Why does the United States have the right to tell Iran that they can not possess nuclear weapons when we have them and are not conceal the fact that we do? In fac,t we have even flexed our muscles and used them on innocent people before.  The United States needs to focus more on helping its citizens and less on bullying other nations.

:Climate Change

  Previously I had not thought about the inequalities that climate change poses  those with lower economic statuses.   The topic of climate change is such a relevant issue in the current election and many other intellectual circles.  From the research presented in this week’s articles and things that I have personally read I feel that there is no denying that the world’s abuse of resources has attributed to the change.  Inevitablly the world will be in dire straights if change does not occur quickly.  Many regions are being affected daily by the lack of rain and other natural resources that used to be their financial means of survival. 

   The only way that the developed over consuming world will realize the affects of our excessive ways is to directly be affected by the change. I believe that all of the recent hurricans(katrina) and tsunamis are a warning to us all.  The question as discussed in class is how can we make this change? Change cannot occur overnight or as quickly as we would like because everyone is not in the same state of mind.  The United States consumes more unrenewable energies than all of europe but we are the least responsible.  It is not necessarily the majority of the people’s fault either. I hold the government responsible as they are not allowing these new renewable technologies to transform our daily lives. European countries have elected smaller cars, renewable energy resources etc… I hope that this new presidency will strive to gradually and as quickly as possible change the way we consume our earth’s slowly dissolving resources.

How Much Justice Can Technology Afford?

  This Thursday’s discussion was very engaging and provoked a lot of questions concerning the United States’ adversarial system.  In the article titled How Much Justice Can We Afford The Impact of DNA technology on equality and Criminal Justice ?  the notion of paying for justice was discussed.  Justice unfortunately in the United States is based upon a silent known hierarchical system of class.  The more wealth , power and stature an individual has the less likely they are to be convicted of the crime.  Money and contacts can buy the best lawyers as seen in the O.J. Simpson trial .  The best lawyers have more drive to work harder and seek justice for the large sum of money they are paid because their reputation is on the line. High cost lawyers base their fees upon how many cases they have won and whom they have representing.  This is great for those that can afford an expensive lawyer but for those that cannot their justice is simply injust.  We have all heard the miranda rights stating that we all have the rights to a lawyer.  What the rights do not tell you is that you have the rights to a state lawyer that may not be experienced or have far too many cases to thoroughly represent you. Without proper representation the fate of your case lies in someone elses hands.  Justice should be fair and equal for all  but it is simply not.  All of my fellow classmates that choose to go into the field of law need to work hard in order to seek more justice for all.