As seniors in college, many of us have to grapple with the predictable and agonizing questions about our post-graduate experiences, plans and goals. Although these conversations are invariably personal and rife with uncertainty and hesitation, we find ourselves frequently cornered nonetheless. This week, we welcome Yara Farahmand to explore the various dynamics within these questions, proper responses and how we might best juggle these inquiries for peace of mind and self-confidence.
Episode 70: "The End of Thirst"
“According to the United Nations, 1.2 billion people already suffer from severe water shortages, and that number is expected to increase to 1.8 billion over the next decade, in part because of climate change.”
“Water recycling is a proven technology: California recycles hundreds of millions of gallons each day for irrigation and other uses. So what’s stopping recycled wastewater from going directly to our taps? Human psychology. The very idea of drinking it disgusts many people. They view such water as irredeemably dirty, little better than toilet water.”
Although many of us may not think about it, water has always been and continues to be a precious resource for life on Earth - human and otherwise. As the global population has increased, however, supplies of fresh water have begun to dwindle. Various scientists, governments and communities around the world have started to think of solutions in response to the potential problem. This week, we react to an article in The Atlantic which deals with this issue. What are our preconceptions surrounding water and what ends would we consider pursuing for our own survival as a species?
Further Reading:
The Atlantic, "The End of Thirst"
Episode 69: Whole Foods, Race and the Englewood Food Desert
“The grocer, which has built its fortunes and reputation anchoring condo developments in wealthy enclaves, has never gone into a neighborhood like this. But last year, to the disbelief of many, the company announced plans to open a store in 2016 here, in one of Chicago’s most economically depressed neighborhoods.”
“We wanted to know, Whole Foods, are you going to hire people with records? We had been previously told that hands-down no, they aren’t going to hire anybody with records...Whole Foods really heard our concerns as a community and they are now coming up with a program to hire people with records at that store.”
While the distinctions between healthy and unhealthy food products are often evident to consumers, some communities lack the resources to acquire and store nutritious items. This week, we take a look at Englewood, a formerly thriving commercial suburb of Chicago whose prosperity in the 1930's has become a modern food desert in 2015. It is a predominantly black community of approximately 60,000 faced with poverty and high crime and unemployment. The grocery chain Whole Foods sees an opportunity and plans to open a branch in 2016. We thought it pertinent to discuss this complex relationship between food, opportunity and race in our discussion this week.
Further Reading:
The Chicago Tribune, "As Whole Foods ventures to Englewood, many eyes on Detroit store"
The Washington Post, "Why Whole Foods is moving into one of the poorest neighborhoods in Chicago"
DNAInfo, "Englewood Whole Foods Is Already Hiring, A Year Before Opening"
WBEZ, "As Whole Foods breaks ground, Englewood residents make their pitch"
DNAInfo, "Englewood Whole Foods Will Open in August 2016, Co-CEO Says"
Episode 68: The Holidays and Commercialism
“How is the United States at once the most conservative and commercial AND the most revolutionary society on Earth?”
“I think commercialism helps Christmas and I think that the more capitalism we can inject into the Christmas holiday the more spiritual I feel about it.”
As we conclude the 2015 holiday season, we felt it worthwhile to discuss our modern commercial relationship with these annual celebrations. How do they affect our relationships and perceptions of compassion, generosity and gift-giving? We reflect upon our own experiences with gifts around the holiday season and what they say about us as individuals and as a larger culture.
Episode 67: "Robots Have Emotions Too"
“In our research, we showed how a simple, small robot could pressure people to continue a highly tedious task—even after the people expressed repeated desire to quit—simply with verbal prodding.”
“Research has shown people feel less comfortable around robots who break social norms, such as by having shifty eyes or mismatched facial expressions. A robot’s personality, voice pitch or even the use of whispering can affect feelings of trust and comfort.”
This week we analyze and respond to an article written by Dr. James E. Young. He and fellow researchers conducted studies to determine the current sentiments human beings have towards robots. Their research indicates that people have an inherent impulse to personalize robots and imbue them with intentions, emotions, social abilities and attachments. He theorizes that in future, steps should be taken to facilitate productive, prosperous working relationships between people and robots in a variety of settings, including combat and other dangerous environments. We use this article as an entry point to discussions about humanity as it relates to robotics and how robots may substantially affect our lives in the future.
