Are Humanitarian Designers Imperialists?
The topic of "design imperialist" is a topic that I would take beyond design humanitarians but humanitarians in general. Especially in our western culture we tend to ignore the culture of others when its discussed how they can be helped. We have all seen the images of a rich men giving gifts (maybe a teddy bear or such items) to smiling poor hungry african children as they present these villages with a new church that will serve as a place to get food and education while tossing that western mans belief system on them. It became quite insulting for these people giving other help in a place where he has no understanding of the culture they have. From there I can understand the notion design humanitarians should stay locally and out of places where there is a cultural disconnect. Even here in the US there are place that need lots of humanitarian assistance that often get overlooked in favor of third world countries. I think Emily's approach to do good in her own hometown is a great idea that needs to start happening everywhere. My hometown was once riddled with gang violence and drug trafficking that lead to a lot of poverty and violence fortunately its gotten a lot better but I could still use some help because unfortunately the crime rates some how brought a large amount corporations in a town with a lot of diverse immigrant culture which should be embraced!
The topic of "design imperialist" is a topic that I would take beyond design humanitarians but humanitarians in general. Especially in our western culture we tend to ignore the culture of others when its discussed how they can be helped. We have all seen the images of a rich men giving gifts (maybe a teddy bear or such items) to smiling poor hungry african children as they present these villages with a new church that will serve as a place to get food and education while tossing that western mans belief system on them. It became quite insulting for these people giving other help in a place where he has no understanding of the culture they have. From there I can understand the notion design humanitarians should stay locally and out of places where there is a cultural disconnect. Even here in the US there are place that need lots of humanitarian assistance that often get overlooked in favor of third world countries. I think Emily's approach to do good in her own hometown is a great idea that needs to start happening everywhere. My hometown was once riddled with gang violence and drug trafficking that lead to a lot of poverty and violence fortunately its gotten a lot better but I could still use some help because unfortunately the crime rates some how brought a large amount corporations in a town with a lot of diverse immigrant culture which should be embraced!
Politics Please, We’re Social Designers
This one is more my style the idea of using design to "amplify" social innovation is a world that I feel we need. The idea behind Amplifying Creative Communities is that designers don't claim innovative ideas but instead enhance already existing innovations. The writer encourages that the designers need to start being ethical but avoid the politics, this does not mean to ignore the politics but the avoid getting into a political kerfuffle. We must be aware that social innovation many sometimes not be legal.
Human Dignity and Human Rights: Thoughts on the Principles of Human-Centered Design
The main take away I got from this reading is how human-centered design should not be reduced down to user-centered design. Although UCD method are carried into HCD there is more to it than usability. Its about human dignity and an ongoing search to support and strengthen it. I was pretty intrigued by how the writer described Dr. Kadir Asmal's high understanding of design and its importance. I think more people in power need to start to consider what design can bring to the world.
The main take away I got from this reading is how human-centered design should not be reduced down to user-centered design. Although UCD method are carried into HCD there is more to it than usability. Its about human dignity and an ongoing search to support and strengthen it. I was pretty intrigued by how the writer described Dr. Kadir Asmal's high understanding of design and its importance. I think more people in power need to start to consider what design can bring to the world.
Massive Change
The main topic this reading tackles is the need to address the poverty and disease epidemic in the worlds. We all see on TV the charity campaigns where we can donate the change in our pocket to help this movement but out pocket change is nothing compared to the pocket change that the top 1percenters hold. In the article the writer stated how the income of the rich world is estimated to be $25 trillion and the amount of money need to launch a serious attack on disease it the poorest location is only about $25 million. I find that pretty absurd that there is so much excess in some places while there is nothing at all. This probably could lead into a discussion on communism and such but the fact is that the highest income earners have enough money to give up even after that their lavish spending. Don't get me wrong plenty of wealth individual give plenty of money to charity the poor so this obviously this isn't addressing them. But in conclusion the world has a few main issue that need to be address that are extremely feisable to solve if we could all unite and work for the same cause.
The main topic this reading tackles is the need to address the poverty and disease epidemic in the worlds. We all see on TV the charity campaigns where we can donate the change in our pocket to help this movement but out pocket change is nothing compared to the pocket change that the top 1percenters hold. In the article the writer stated how the income of the rich world is estimated to be $25 trillion and the amount of money need to launch a serious attack on disease it the poorest location is only about $25 million. I find that pretty absurd that there is so much excess in some places while there is nothing at all. This probably could lead into a discussion on communism and such but the fact is that the highest income earners have enough money to give up even after that their lavish spending. Don't get me wrong plenty of wealth individual give plenty of money to charity the poor so this obviously this isn't addressing them. But in conclusion the world has a few main issue that need to be address that are extremely feisable to solve if we could all unite and work for the same cause.
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