Original writing on politics, health, identity, pop culture, current events, and education from the perspectives of Gen Z.
]]>By Zikora Akanegbu
It is with a very full heart that I write that this is the last post on GenZHER™. The site will stay up, but will no longer be publishing new articles. As much as I have loved running GenZHER™ for four years (since April 10, 2020), I have beyond achieved the mission of GenZHER™: to provide the young women of Generation Z from around the world an accessible online platform to not only read about important news but to also have their own thoughts heard loud and clear.
To everyone who has written an article published on GenZHER™: thank you. Thank you for your courage, standing up for the issues that matter to you.
Thank you to all of GenZHER™’s managing editors from the past four years: Hasti Soutehkashan and Emily Stokes. Thank you for caring so much about our community. Thank you both for your vision and your passion for GenZHER™’s mission. For believing in it and supporting me.
Thank you to you, reading this. You made GenZHER™ with us, and its spirit will live on in whatever comes next for us all.
Sincerely,
Zikora
]]>By Violeta Mihaela Ungureanu
Russia, a large country with harsh weather, has long been plagued by difficulties brought on by its difficult environment. Even though Russia usually experiences extremely cold temperatures and never-ending snowfall during the winter, the winter of 2024 is expected to be especially harsh and severely strain the nation's heating infrastructure.
Beyond a harsh winter, Russia's 2024 heating system disaster was a result of years of poor management and systemic problems.
The majority of Russia's heating infrastructure consists of antiquated systems and pipelines from the communist era that are unfit for the needs of contemporary life. It seems that these historical relics, remnants of a vanished era, pose a threat to Russia's heating network.
The primary source of the problem is district heating, a centralized heating system that produces heat in large central facilities and distributes it via a network of pipes to residential and business buildings. Although this method is theoretically effective, it frequently breaks down, particularly in inclement weather. Decades-old pipes are rusted and worn out, increasing the likelihood of leaks and failures. It is the legacy infrastructure's fault. Moreover, the long promised reparations are only done on paper.
Russia has had heating issues in certain places in the past during hard winters. However, the countrywide heating system failure in 2024 markedly deviated from other events. Millions of people were left freezing in their own homes due to the crisis' unprecedented scale, which infuriated the population and negatively impacted towns from Vladivostok to Moscow.
As part of its response to the crisis, the Russian government has committed to undertaking modernization and reconstruction projects for its infrastructure.
But when hard realities set in, these promises start to look hollow. Russia's financial reserves have been severely depleted by the protracted conflict with Ukraine, leaving limited space for big investments in domestic issues such as heating infrastructure.
People wonder whether this freezing hell that Russians are going through will prove to be the tipping point for them, the moment that all the suppressed frustrations on a government that does not satisfy even their most bare needs finally begin to boil over. The answer from the analysts is that we should not raise our hopes. As one analyst told Politico: “People have short memories. After winter, spring comes.”
Sources:
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/01/16/why-the-kremlin-is-fiddling-as-russia-freezes-a83740
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/01/18/russians-are-fed-up-with-heating-blackouts-and-local-authorities-inaction_6444010_4.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko4fBM9Dr08
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxrHVebNSuQ
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/01/10/total-disgrace-anger-frustration-as-mass-heating-failures-across-russia-leave-thousands-in-the-cold-a83676
]]>By Ayah Kurdi
A sleeping baby, a fluffy dog, miniature food--all have something in common: they are cute! I remember all throughout my younger brother’s tiresome nights of crying as a baby, he never failed to uphold his irresistible cuteness. I noticed the varying reactions people experienced when they would interact with him. Many were eager to hold him, while others were more awkward.
But there was another reaction: the aggressive one.
I’d hear things such as, “I just want to bite his arm!” Interestingly, before my little brother, the baby in the house was my pet Sheila, who is a bearded dragon. Although she has scales, spikes, and a tail, which are not typically features associated with cuteness, I’ve always found Sheila exceedingly adorable and fascinating, the way she snuggles when she wants to sleep, and how she licks the air to explore the environment she is in. Others are not always as zealous in interacting with her. People often find Sheila frightening, even though she is completely harmless. So what makes an individual perceive something as cute, and how does this affect one’s behavior?
Cuteness is often categorized as a physical characteristic; however, it is also an emotion as it creates hormonal responses and affects behavior.
In the Oxford University article “How Cute Things Hijack Our Brains and Drive Behaviour,” Morten L. Kringelbach describes what occurs in the brain when encountering something cute, “it ignites fast brain activity in the orbitofrontal cortex region, which are linked to emotion and pleasure” (Kringelbach). The orbitofrontal cortex is a part of the prefrontal cortex; it is located at the very front of the brain. This area is in charge of regulating emotion and decision-making. When these emotions are not being regulated, the feelings become overwhelming. The article “Emotions and the Brain – Or How to Master “The Force”,” by Raschle, Tshomba, Menks, Fehlbaum, and Stadler, explains that when anger is not regulated, it can be expressed through violence (Raschle et al). Anger is in reference to negative emotions, but this same concept of how overwhelming emotions are expressed can be applied to positive emotions.
When there are overwhelming emotions of cuteness, it can be expressed through cute aggression.
A Yale study by Oriana R. Aragón, Margaret S. Clark, Rebecca L. Dyer, and John A. Bargh explores various reactions in positive situations that would normally be reserved for negative expressions. The team defines this with the term dimorphous which “occur during situations…when they perceive that a point has been reached at which their emotions have become unmanageable” (Aragón et al). Dimorphous expressions occur when there is intense positive emotion during situations of graduating or the birth of one’s children. A survey was conducted on dimorphous items where “Participants were assigned randomly to view the more-infantile or the less-infantile photographs and to endorse statements designed to capture an overall positive appraisal of the stimuli and how those stimuli made the participant feel” (Aragón et al). It was found that more-infantile images were associated with being cute, morally good, they provoked more overwhelming positive emotions, and caused more expressions of care (Aragón et al). It is not intended to harm, but rather the brain’s way of regulating the positive emotion from the cuteness.
In terms of cuteness, babies often come to mind, which reveals cuteness from an evolutionary standpoint. The relationship between parents and infants is a complex biological connection, because babies are completely dependent, so their cuteness can be seen as a protective mechanism to ensure survival.
In the report On Cuteness: Unlocking the Parental Brain and Beyond, Kringelbach together with Eloise Stark, Catherine Alexander, Professor Marc Bornstein, and Professor Alan Stein explored how cuteness can enable nurturing instincts. Cuteness can trigger empathy and compassion, which can transcend one’s morals of consideration. This emotion is used commonly with marketing by including images of babies or animals which can encourage money for charities (Kringelbach). Different functions in babies impact biologically relevant stimuli on brain networks related to motivation, pleasure, and learning in adults which causes them to perceive children as cute.
This biological connection in relation to cuteness is relevant to various stimuli. For example, when babies cry, as frustrating as it can be at times, it is very alerting and it immediately catches attention.
The crying signals something is wrong and triggers nurturing instincts as it is an automatic response to worry. This same nurturing instinct can come to be triggered in response to cuteness. Cuteness is often identified through physical features: large eyes, round cheeks, and a large head relative to body size. However, in the report On Cuteness: Unlocking the Parental Brain and Beyond by Kringelbach, it is established that cuteness can be found through all human senses. Similar to crying, laughing ignites brain processes of protection from cuteness by sound, even though it is a positive stimulus. The article “Emotions and the Brain – Or How to Master “The Force”,” by Raschle, Tshomba, Menks, Fehlbaum, and Stadler explains what emotion is, “Emotions are feelings that (1) are caused by situations that are meaningful or important to you, (2) are something you feel or show through your body language” (Raschle et al). Scents associated with certain situations can be described as cute, even though they themselves may not typically be. Scents of playdough or baby powder are positive stimuli that can create a nurturing attraction to babies because of their relation to babies, demonstrating that the nurturing instinct caused by cuteness goes beyond only visually; it can be triggered by scent and sound.
Along with babies, animals are commonly associated with cuteness.
Pets are domesticated animals, so they have a similar dependence on babies, and need care; however, some wild animals are also identified as cute, so it is not limited to pets. The connection between babies and animals is stimuli. Professor Nittono defines the concept of baby schema as a set of physical features that elicit a cute feeling, proposed by Konrad Lorenz in 1943. The seven features are: a large head relative to body size, a high and protruding forehead, large eyes below the horizontal midline of the skull, short and thick extremities, a plump body shape, soft body surface, and chubby cheeks (Nittono).
While babies have these physical features, the concept of baby schema is not only applied to them. When compared, Professor Nittono observed that babies of baboons and macaques, though more biologically similar to humans, do not have baby schema, while baby polar bears and Siberian tigers do. This confirmed baby schema can be applied to babies and young animals, which both possess a theme of young age. Professor Nittono conducted a surveyed experiment, and it was found that an elderly man smiling was high in terms of kawaii but low in infantility. So features of baby schema relating to cuteness were successfully applied to a range of things with different ages and species. Through these observations, it is evident that cuteness is independent of infertility, though there is intersectionality between them.
With all these aspects considered, cuteness at its core is an emotion that is triggered by a variety of stimuli and is identified by anything that has a baby schema.
When humans encounter something cute, it releases feelings of pleasure, nurturing, and care, and when these feelings are overwhelming, they can be expressed through cute aggression to regulate the emotion. And this concept of cuteness is ambiguous across different cultures, similar to how beauty standards are. In the conference “Beyond Cuteness: An Emerging Field of the Psychology of “Kawaii,” Professor Hiroshi Nittono spoke about the psychology of the Japanese term “kawaii,” which is a culture of cuteness by observing the diversity in the things that humans identify as cute. The studies used to collect data were conducted with participants of a variety of races, and each was compared. For example, Japanese culture overall demonstrated a trend of being more tolerant in the range of things identified as cute. Comparing the perceptions of cuteness amongst different cultures allows connections to social constructs to be identified.
Some people may not find Sheila cute because she does not have much baby schema and they are not used to lizards being considered socially cute. I have been with her for seven years, so I know her little behaviors; I know the fresh scent she has when she has just taken a warm bath; I know the way she snuggles into things when she wants to sleep; and I take care of her so I have those nurturing instincts in some ways. As for my little brother, it is because he had a baby schema which created an overwhelming positive emotion of cuteness for some people. So the urge to squish something cute is okay, as long as you don’t go too far with it!
SOURCES:
Association for Psychological Science. (2015). Dimorphous Expressions of Positive Emotion: Displays of Both Care and Aggression in Response to Cute Stimuli. Yale University. www.associationforpsychologicalscience.com.
Kringelbach, Mortel. “Babies Don’t Just Look Cute, Scientists Find.” University ofOxford. (2016, June 7). www.universityofoxford.com.
Kringelbach, Mortel. “How Cute Things Hijack Our Brains and Drive Behaviour.” University of Oxford. The Conversation. (2016, June 4). www.universityofoxford.com.
Nittono, H. (2019, September 5). Beyond Cuteness: An Emerging Field of the Psychology of “Kawaii” by Professor Hiroshi Nittono [Presentation session]. The 7th Asian Conference on Psychology & the Behavioral Sciences, Kobe, Japan. www.youtube.com.
Raschle, Tshomba, Menks, Fehlbaum, & Stadler. (2016, September 12). “Emotions and the Brain– Or How to Master “The Force.”” Frontiers for Young Minds. www.frontiersforyoungminds.com.
Trends in Cognitive Science, Kringelbach, Kringelbach, Mortel., et al. (2016, July). On Cuteness: Unlocking the Parental Brain and Beyond (No. P545-558). www.universityofoxford.com.
]]>By Violeta-Mihaela Ungureanu
We inhabit a modern world where accessing information is effortless, connecting with thousands globally is routine and humanity's major challenges—war, famine, diseases, poverty, etc.—are at historic lows. In comparison to any previous human society, we are not just the most advanced and developed, but we also possess unparalleled opportunities. Nevertheless, a significant portion of the youth expresses a sense of feeling lost and hesitant about taking the next steps in life.
Dave Blanchard, the CEO of The Og Mandino Leadership Institute, aptly stated, “Our habits of thinking impact every facet of our lives, from our emotional state to the decisions we make, the actions we take, and ultimately the results we create.” We are what we think we are—nothing more, nothing less. Our self-fulfilling prophecies about our destinies, influenced by increasing levels of anxiety, depression, self-doubt and overthinking, often take on a dark and meaningless tone. Consequently, passion wanes, scrolling through life on phones becomes a refuge and self-doubt reigns supreme.
The antidote to this existential void, to silence the nagging voice questioning our abilities with doubts like “What if you mess up? You'll make a fool of yourself. What will people say? You're just not smart enough, talented enough, capable enough, experienced enough.” is the pursuit of rejection. While seeking rejection may seem counterintuitive, in practice, it yields vastly different outcomes.
When self-doubt governs our thoughts, we lack an objective understanding of our capabilities, often passing on opportunities due to perceived inadequacy.
Our perception of reality shapes our destiny because, as the saying goes, destiny doesn't come at you; it comes from you. If you believe you can't, you won't. Yet, our self-understanding, marred by self-doubt, is profoundly flawed, causing us to underestimate ourselves and let life pass by.
Seeking rejection, taking risks and embracing opportunities are the paths to overcoming self-doubt. If we attempt things we fear we might fail at, our outcomes will surprise us. Our self-worth will rise, and self-doubt will diminish. Imagine envisioning your dream job but hesitating to apply, fearing inadequacy. Now, picture the same scenario but taking a chance, applying without being certain of success. You might get hired, or you might not, but one thing is certain—you won't live with regret, pondering 'What if?'
Attempting this mindset shift once won't lead to significant change; the secret to progress lies in consistency. If practiced daily in all aspects of life, this approach will transform your reality into the life you dream of. Never say no to yourself, never utter 'I can't.' Let others voice those doubts. You are the master of your life, and that realization should not intimidate but empower you.
SOURCES:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/margiewarrell/2017/12/09/doubt-your-doubts/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30907262/
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/10/05/health/cnn-kff-mental-health-poll-wellness/index.html
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/why-is-gen-z-depressed#stats
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnYQNDhylks
By Sofia Levorchick
After a year packed with successful movies that topped box office records, the 2024 Golden Globes was supposed to be an event of celebration and laud. Celebrities arrived bedazzled from head to toe in designer gowns and suits, unexpectant of the ensuing controversy.
Celebrities prepared for a night to celebrate movies and their directors, actors, soundtracks, and producers. However, the moment host Jo Koy opened his mouth to begin his monologue, things took a troubling turn.
Jo Koy was the host for this year’s Golden Globes, selected two weeks before the event. Typically, hosts offer comedic relief to those attending the ceremony and those watching it on television from their homes. We have seen the controversy surrounding hosts of award shows in the recent past: Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards with the G.I. Jane joke directed at Jaida Smith resulting in a slap from her husband, Trevor Noah at the 2023 Grammy’s calling Harry Styles a sex symbol, and the list goes on.
Nevertheless, in the case of the 2024 Golden Globes, Jo Koy did a poor job of entertaining his audience, perpetually making some socially unaware commentary that was both offensive and irritating, fostering a rather unsettling atmosphere.
Koy tries to weave pop culture into his humor, using some nominated movies, such as Barbie and Oppenheimer, to facilitate a sense of relevance; yet, that worked to his disadvantage as his jokes surrounding Barbie did not offer comedy at all, only misogyny.
After throwing in, “Oppenheimer answered a lifelong question that’s been on my mind for years… Yes, scientists do get laid,” he played on the whole “Barbenheimer” concept, connecting the two films by segwaying the premise of Oppenheimer into his skewed interpretation of the basis of Barbie, which was one of the many comments that ticked off spectators.
“‘Oppenheimer’ and ‘Barbie’ are competing for cinematic box office achievements,” he said, “‘Oppenheimer’ is based on a 721-page Pulitzer Prize-winning book about the Manhattan Project. And ‘Barbie’ is on a plastic doll with big boobies.”
Immediately after, a dry laughter barely filled the room, and the Director of ‘Barbie,’ Greta Gerwig nodded, with a look of disappointment but expectancy plastered on her face. To surmount the noticeable tension, a laugh track played after Koy’s contentious punchlines – an obvious and weak effort to create a facade for broadcasting purposes, falsifying a positive reaction to this senseless, sexist, and misogynistic “joke.”
‘Barbie’ was made to combat the normalization of sexism and misogyny in our society, depicting a woman’s arduous journey to self-actualization; yet, a host on live television at an award show dedicated to film made a sexist joke out of the movie.
In essence, this joke undermined the film's central idea while also supporting its overall ethos, serving as an example of how prevalent the sexist sphere is in the real world. His blatant misogyny essentially corroborated why the Barbie movie was made.
Cognizant of Koy’s immaturity, very few of the celebrities were laughing at his irksome jokes; in fact, camera footage displayed that they were cringing with disappointment and so were many at-home spectators, who immediately reacted on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
His words, inevitably, also sparked utter enragement across social media, with platforms on Instagram, X, and TikTok calling out the blatant misogyny and sexism within Koy’s commentary.
Matt Bernstein, a.k.a @mattxiv on Instagram, posted a criticizing meme that states, “Greta Gerwig: goes truly unthinkable lengths to create a film that explains the basic principles of feminism in the most accessible way possible” with a picture of Koy below it captioned “average man: ‘Barbie is based on a plastic doll with big boobies.’”
Though making harmless jokes to pester actors – a common comedic tactic by hosts – Koy offended and disturbed many in attendance, such as Selena Gomez, who was seen facepalming in her seat after another of Koy’s immature takes on Barbie.
"The key moment in Barbie is when she (Barbie) goes from perfect beauty to bad breath, cellulite and flat feet — or what casting directors call ‘character actor,’" he said.
Ryan Gosling, who played Ken in ‘Barbie,’ was seen wincing with embarrassment in his seat as well, most likely thinking the same thing as a lot of the spectators: Did you miss the entire point of the movie?
It’s clear that Jo Koy’s hosting was contentious and rather unprofessional, but this is just one instance of the mediatization of sexism – a societal construct rooted deep within the patriarchy of America’s history. ‘Barbie’ was an excellent effort, to propagate awareness about this issue, but there is still more to be done.
Sexism runs rampant in society, which is why movies like ‘Barbie’ were made and directed by women for women; movies as such speak out about these issues in a realistic light without hiding the raw experiences that many women endure throughout their lives. Unfortunately, Koy and many other men struggle to understand the purpose of the movie, which proves its point, making the themes of ‘Barbie’ applicable and apparent in our modern society.
Following Jo Koy's 2024 Golden Globes performance, it is unequivocally evident that his misplaced attempts at humor not only backfired but also reduced the significance of 'Barbie' to a superficial interpretation.
As time passes and Jo Koy sends apologies trying to mend his reputation, the limelight gradually dims on this incident. Nevertheless, it is still imperative to keep in mind sexism still is prevalent globally and Jo Koy’s commentary was just one televised instance with many sexism incidents not being broadcasted.
‘Barbie’ highlights the struggle for women to earn full respect in society; Gloria (America Ferrara) said, “It’s literally impossible to be a woman” and Barbie (Margot Robbie) said “Men look at me like I’m an object” – two scripted phrases that are said by the everyday woman. ‘Barbie’ made clear that the issues of sexism and misogyny need to be rectified as it portrayed how women are treated and are subjected to a deeply rooted patriarchy.
However, progress against sexism and misogyny can not only be made in cinema; women and girls across the globe must raise their voices to combat and acknowledge the pandemic of sexism, even if that means just standing up for oneself or signing a petition. As world-renowned writer and activist Maya Angelou said, “Each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women.” And that’s what Barbie did in the movie, Jo Koy. No, she’s not just “a doll with big boobies”; by standing up for herself and finding her true identity in the real world, she becomes a woman representative of all women.
SOURCES:
Cain, Sian. “The joke's on Jo Koy: Golden Globes host delivers a bad gig for the ages.” The Guardian, 8 January 2024, https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/jan/08/jo-koy-golden-globes-host-2024. Accessed 23 February 2024.
CBS. The Golden Globes. 2024. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvSHHnucouo.
Lang, Cady. “Jo Koy's Worst Golden Globes Joke Was About Barbie.” Time, 8 January 2024, https://time.com/6553085/jo-koy-golden-globes-barbie-joke/. Accessed 23 February 2024.
Li, Shirley. “Jo Koy’s Biggest Mistake at the Golden Globes.” The Atlantic, 8 January 2024, https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2024/01/golden-globes-jo-koy-host/677054/. Accessed 23 February 2024.
Walsh, Savannah. “Jo Koy's Jokes Draw Stony Silence at the Golden Globes 2024.” Vanity Fair, 7 January 2024, https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/jo-koys-jokes-draw-stony-silence-at-the-golden-globes-2024-awards-insider. Accessed 23 February 2024.
]]>By Violeta-Mihaela Ungureanu
In recent years, the landscape of media consumption has undergone a transformational shift, largely influenced by the meteoric rise of podcasts. These on-demand audio experiences have surged in popularity, captivating audiences worldwide and reshaping the way we engage with content. From fulfilling the need for social interaction to catering to the thirst for knowledge and productivity, podcasts have emerged as a multifaceted medium that extends beyond mere entertainment.
The reasons underpinning the exponential growth of podcasts are diverse and deeply rooted in the human psyche. One significant factor contributing to their popularity is the intrinsic need for social interaction. Particularly evident during the global lockdown of 2020, podcasts became a lifeline for many, offering a sense of companionship and camaraderie. The intimate nature of spoken word content, delivered directly into the ears of listeners via headphones, fosters a sense of closeness and belonging. The conversational tone and niche topics forge a bond between the host and audience, satisfying the yearning for human connection in an increasingly digital world.
Moreover, podcasts serve as an invaluable resource for knowledge dissemination.
They provide unparalleled access to the insights and expertise of intellectuals, allowing listeners to engage in immersive "conversations" with experts on diverse subjects. The passion and familiarity with which hosts present information significantly impact the reception and retention of knowledge. This auditory medium, devoid of visual distractions, demands heightened engagement from the listener, stimulating the brain to remain focused and absorb information more effectively.
An additional allure of podcasts lies in their cost-effectiveness to produce. Unlike traditional media formats requiring elaborate production setups, podcasts are relatively inexpensive to create, enabling a wider array of voices and perspectives to enter the media landscape. Furthermore, in an era where productivity is revered, podcasts offer a means to optimize time. They accompany mundane tasks, transforming moments of routine into opportunities for intellectual nourishment, thereby satisfying the need to feel productive while engaged in everyday activities.
However, as podcasts continue their meteoric ascent, concerns regarding misinformation have arisen. The proliferation of podcasts has led to an exponential increase in content, raising apprehensions about the spread of unchecked or misleading information. With the democratization of content creation, the authenticity and accuracy of information disseminated via podcasts have come under scrutiny. For example, the popular podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience” has been criticized by the medical and scientific experts for spreading false claims about the coronavirus pandemic, vaccines and unproven treatments.
The growing dominance of podcasts also sparks apprehensions about the future of traditional radio. While podcasts offer unparalleled accessibility and customization, there looms a concern regarding the potential eclipsing of radio, potentially altering the dynamics of broadcasting and listener-ship habits.
In conclusion, podcasts represent a paradigm shift in media consumption, catering to diverse human needs for connection, knowledge acquisition, and productivity. However, as this medium evolves, it brings forth challenges regarding information credibility and the potential restructuring of established media formats. Navigating this dynamic landscape requires a concerted effort to uphold authenticity and critical thinking while embracing the transformative potential that podcasts bring to the forefront of media innovation.
SOURCES:
https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/training/motivation/g28757854/best-podcasts-runners/
https://blog.google/products/search/press-play-find-and-listen-podcast-episodes-search/
https://www.buzzsprout.com/blog/podcast-statistics
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/OIR-04-2017-0119/full/html
https://www.statista.com/topics/6908/podcasts-in-the-uk/
https://www.thepodcasthost.com/listening/podcast-industry-stats/
https://www.buzzsprout.com/blog/podcast-statistics
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcast
https://www.thepodcasthost.com/mindset/why-are-podcasts-so-popular/
https://riverside.fm/blog/podcast-statistics
https://medium.com/@formidableaziz8/why-we-love-podcasts-19fabd1374d4
https://www.npr.org/2022/01/21/1074442185/joe-rogan-doctor-covid-podcast-spotify-misinformation
]]>By Ahona Mitra
When was the last time where we spent an entire day without checking our social media? Most people probably would trace the date back to the early 2000s. It's quite normal for anyone to say so. We all have been cuffed by the irons of this digital era where the key has been thrown off to a place unknown.
There were days when a person had access to less than 20 movies playing in the theatre or the movies. But now we can get 10000+ movies and TV shows in a single app on our phone.
This is not only limited to movies. Let's talk about music. It's fascinating how from the era of music being heard only on CDs, cassettes, and radio we shifted to the era where just through a single app we can play any music by anyone in this world in just a few seconds.
Life has become easier with the advent of the digital era. But again what glitters is not always gold. The advent of the digital era whose original purpose at the very beginning was to connect people has rather pushed people away from each other or placed them against each other.
The internet has evolved into a realm of opinions, where one feels that they are better than most people. A significant proportion of these people turn into little minions who spread the message of the self-declared leader.
We didn’t sign up for the digital lives we now lead. They were instead, to a large extent, crafted in boardrooms to serve the interests of a select group of technology investors.
How often you have come across this statement: “You are not a real fan if you-”
These days everyone feels superior if they have streamed their favorite artist’s music more than 50 times or have watched the music video of their favorite artist within the first few minutes of its release. A person is called a real fan if they have watched the first show of a movie at the theatre or have watched a movie on Netflix the day it got released. This questions the authenticity of a fan not following them.
But the question arises why is this crown of superiority being handed by us to the hands of these people? Why are people called fake fans for not streaming the music enough or being shamed for not watching the movie on the release day?
The only answer to all these questions can be traced back to a simple yet the most dangerous concept: Consumerism.
Consumerism in this context does not refer to daily necessities but rather the digital world that rules us and expects us to think and speak like the person labelled as superior.
This quest for superiority is rooted in the concept of consumerism.
If I am not streaming my favorite band’s music from 1o or different devices from different accounts and on different apps then I am not a real fan but rather an imposter in front of their eyes.
If I am not watching my favorite director’s movie the day it comes out or within the week it comes out then I can no longer call them my favorite.
Art was meant to be felt and enjoyed by common people but in today's age sadly it's not the same anymore. The joy that people feel has turned into a fear of getting judged by these social media superiors.
But has this only affected the common people or has it also spread to the ones who are involved in the creation of art?
“No one, of course, signed up for this loss of control. They downloaded the apps and set up accounts for good reasons, only to discover, with grim irony, that these services were beginning to undermine the very values that made them appealing in the first place.”
-Cal Newport
Consumerism has fostered an environment for the growth of short attention spans.
People may be compelled to jump from song to song without properly listening to it. This can cause songs to be judged superficially and also result in pressure on the artist to prioritise attention-grabbing songs over a song that is more unique and true to themselves. This can become a problem as it can lead to an overall hom*ogenous sound of popular music that lacks authenticity and depth.
People are hell-bent on finishing the series in one day or watching a movie at 2x speed just for the sake of watching it and posting on social media faster than others.
We are connecting to the social media world but at the price of losing ourselves. Fandoms of any famous artist are nothing less than cults and no fandom is never not toxic. They create these rules for themselves and think that someone not following those rules can never be a true fan.
Artists are now compelled to make shorter films to attract this audience or make the trendiest song to catch hold of their ears. But the true meaning of art gets lost somewhere in this path.
Of course, there is a good side of this digital world to those who are still trying to preserve the art in this world but this side gets overshadowed by the superior side and its minions.
One can only hope that we all start listening to music and watching a film just like how it was originally meant to be. But consumerism and capitalism would still be the shackles holding us back.
SOURCES
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210120-how-the-world-became-consumerist
]]>By Kaylee Chou
What allows one to feel comfortable in a space? For some, it may be living near parks and playgrounds. Perhaps it’s having easy access to city services. Or maybe it’s being in a residence close to a bustling city. Regardless of what it may be, everyone wants to feel comfortable, safe and welcomed in their environment. Just think: what makes your city accessible for you to live in? Now imagine if those amenities were taken away–how would you navigate your life; what would be different for you?
That being said, oftentimes architecture is overlooked when it comes to making space accessible for all– specifically when it comes to transportation.
Architectural exclusion, as defined by Sarah B. Schindler in, “Architectural Exclusion: Discrimination and Segregation through Physical Design of the Built Environment” is “discrimination and segregation through physical design of the built environment.” This can be seen in different features of an environment such as access to transportation systems.
Public transportation is a service that many people rely on. Aside from being a more sustainable and cheaper way to navigate the city, it provides a means of connection for people to reach their families, homes, and careers. Without it, people must rely on other methods of transportation such as cars, which may not be affordable to some, or bikes, which are not always convenient due to long distances or certain weather conditions.
According to the American Public Transportation Association, in 2019, 9.9 billion trips were taken on public transit. However, despite this proven reliance on public transit, 45% of Americans do not have access to it.
In Canada, according to Statistics Canada, there were 1.2 billion public transit trips in 2022. Canadians living in bustling cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver are generally able to better access this transit, while rural areas have expressed a need for more convenient public transit. It makes a world of difference. In communities that are unable to access public services and facilities by walking, public transit means access to healthcare, careers and education. However, with many people still lacking this, disparities in these areas will only continue to grow. There is a history to this.
In, “Architectural Exclusion: Discrimination and Segregation through Physical Design of the Built Environment,” it is highlighted how those who rely most on public transit are low-income and people of color. Therefore, areas that do not welcome or lack public transit are much more difficult for them to reach. While multiple reasons exist for this, racist policies and ideologies have contributed to the current transit systems society experiences today.
For instance, Atlanta, Georgia, is ranked as one of the worst U.S. cities for public transportation being that the average commute by transit takes close to an hour. Part of this is rooted in how Atlanta’s transportation and housing policies were implemented.
Reported in a study by Leah Binkovitz at The Urban Edge, in the mid-1990s, these policies, “subsidized suburban growth for white homeowners, leaving the city core underfunded and crippling the ability of black families to build wealth.” Being that white families were residing in the suburbs, there was a bridge needed to connect them to much of the economic ventures that occurred in the city. This brought in networks, like the freeway system and MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority).
For one, these freeway systems often cut through the neighborhoods and communities of people of color, affecting the area’s social and economic development, and adding health risks such as pollutants from vehicle fuel. In addition to this, with the separation between suburbs and the city, “business elites still maintained an interest in making downtown economically vibrant and facilitating connections to the suburbs to manage traffic,” as reported in The Urban Edge. This marked the start of MARTA.
Upon MARTA’s legislature, the organization faced much backlash from Black voters who did not approve of the proposed design's emphasis on suburb-to-downtown access,” and wanted a greater say in MARTA’s development.
MARTA complied by altering their development plans to reach more Black neighborhoods, which helped them gain the votes of people of color for their future funding. However, in two out of the four counties where MARTA was set up, this initiative failed. As mentioned by The Urban Edge, “The two counties, notes the report, were rural and largely white. Racial fears were certainly part of their opposition." MARTA would be referred to as, “Moving Africans Rapidly Through Atlanta–” an idea that seemed to scare some, and make it increasingly difficult for Black people to access transit. The impacts of this have lasted to modern day, with Alex Karner, a city planning professor with the Georgia Institute of Technology and co-author of the report from the Partnership for Southern Equity, saying, “Those policies fueling residential segregation were inextricably tied to transportation in the region.”
In Canada, lack of transportation access has had lasting impacts as well. British Columbia’s Highway 16, otherwise known as the Highway of Tears is notorious for the many women and girls, particularly of Indigenous background, that have gone missing or been murdered while on it. The highway connects the northwest coast of Prince Rupert to the inner city of Prince George, with 23 First Nations surrounding it. The area, as defined by The Canadian Encyclopedia is, “characterized by poverty and, until 2017, lacked adequate public transportation, which forced many locals to resort to hitchhiking as a form of transit.”
This risky form of transportation puts these women and girls in an incredibly vulnerable position and with the ruralness of the area, help is not exactly easy to get.
The exact number of the women and girls that have gone missing or been murdered along this highway is blurred. While the RCMP reports 18 cases of murder from 1969-2006, many First Nations groups say this is inaccurate and that the real number could exceed 40. It is important to note that many of these cases remain unsolved– with much of the reasoning for this being the lack of attention and regard the government has given Indigenous issues.
While bus services in 2017 began, much work still must be done to ensure better transit access for all people living along Highway 16. In an article by the Vancouver Sun, it reported that, “Gladys Radek, whose 22-year-old niece Tamara Lynn Chipman disappeared while hitchhiking in Prince Rupert in 2005, told the inquiry she knows people who have to hitchhike just to go to work.” She mentioned that these services should be free, adding that, “I’ve even picked up a young lady, just outside of Smithers, to take her back to Moricetown because she had to go see a doctor. She was nine months pregnant.” As people risk their lives to gain access to the services they need, it is further called into question how long it will take to implement a transportation system. Over the 2024-2025 year, British Colmbia’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has dedicated $10.2 million to a five-step plan, created to guarantee the safety of all people traveling along the Highway of Tears.
However, until this plan is implemented, residents will be left to the devices they have—which, evidently, are not enough.
Discrimination exists in many forms– and it can manifest differently. Architecture, while it may blend into the day-to-day lives of people, holds immense power in the lifestyle one can live. Demonstrated throughout history and seen in modern day, architectural exclusion has impacted the well being of many, particularly those living with low incomes and who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC). From racist policies, lack of inclusion, to disregard for issues affecting BIPOC communities, we must not neglect how we can harness architecture in bridging disparities. In the case of public transit, it is more than being able to catch a bus or train ride– it means access to healthcare, careers, education, and community.
SOURCES:
https://www.apta.com/news-publications/public-transportation-facts/
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/230220/dq230220e-eng.htm
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/230711/dq230711b-eng.htm
https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/toolkits/transportation/1/needs-in-rural
https://atlanta.curbed.com/2019/5/3/18528037/atlanta-worst-cities-commute-public-transit-car
https://www.ce.washington.edu/files/pdfs/about/Highway-to-inequity.pdf
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/highway-of-tears
https://sites.gsu.edu/adavis176/2016/01/22/commentary-schindler/
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/highway-of-tears
]]>By Zikora Akanegbu
I. Introduction
The number of Americans living without homes, in shelters, or on the streets continues to rise at an alarming rate. In fact, in 2022 there were approximately 582,462 homeless people living in the United States (Department of Housing and Urban Development). It is important to note that it is difficult to count the number of people who are unsheltered because some individuals live in their cars, couch surf, or live in properties that are difficult to access. Housing insecurity disproportionately harms low-income people, people of color, indigenous peoples, women, LGBTQ people, and immigrant communities. Furthermore, those experiencing homelessness have varied and complicated stories and they include victims of domestic violence, the mentally or physically ill, and veterans.
In addition, even those who are employed with a stable job cannot always afford to pay rent. For every $100 increase in median rent, homelessness increases by nine percent (National Alliance to End Homelessness). In other words, as rent prices are increasing across the United States, so has the homeless population. People who are currently paying too much for rent, having trouble finding a place to live, or are facing eviction are at risk of becoming homeless.
The underlying problem of homelessness is the lack of affordable housing (The Pew Charitable Trusts). Some people work several jobs and long hours to avoid the possibility of eviction. When someone has a limited income to begin with and they are paying so much of it to keep a roof over their head, they are one financial shock away from missing rent, potentially facing eviction, and in worst cases becoming homeless. This raises an important question: how did a nation with such wealth and prosperity end up with millions of people living on the streets with no roof above their head? In this essay, I will dive deep into America’s homelessness crisis, and what can be done about it.
II. Addressing Homelessness Among New York City Youth
In New York City, the harsh reality of homelessness stands in stark contrast to the image of prosperity. New York City is home to the second highest population of homelessness in the United States (U.S. News & World Report). In September 2023, there were approximately 87,907 individuals in New York City living without homes (Coalition For The Homeless). Although this statistic is alarming, it likely understates the true extent of the crisis due to inadequate data collection. An accurate count of New York City’s houseless population remains elusive which results in underreporting and underfunding, perpetuating the cycle of homelessness.
Nearly forty percent of New York City’s houseless individuals are children (Daniel Neiditch Charitable Foundation) who are struggling to survive instead of experiencing the security and stability of youth. Roughly 1,000 youth are discharged from New York City’s foster care system each year (A Better Childhood) and one in four youth find themselves homeless within four years of leaving within the system (NPR). New York City stands tall as a hub for non-profit organizations with over 35,000 in operation (Independent Sector). These organizations are incredibly diverse in their missions with many of them focusing their efforts on social welfare programs, specifically addressing homelessness. Despite the large number of resources, the homelessness crisis in New York City remains largely unabated. With such an abundance of resources, why does the problem of homelessness persist in New York City? The answer lies in how although resources are bountiful in the city for the fight against homelessness, their access is complicated and insufficient.
Making significant headway in tackling homelessness requires an approach that is not only resource-abundant but also innovative and inclusive. As such, ClearPath New York City developed a platform to address the most pressing needs for those experiencing homelessness in the city. ClearPath NYC is a non-profit initiative led by young people, for young people. It has taken matters into its own hands to radically change how New York City’s youth and young adults access social wellness resources. ClearPath NYC makes it possible for the city’s youth to be able to instantly connect with the wide-ranging resources available across the city. The platform bridges the gap to essential services for housing, mental wellness, academic, and professional development. In addition, the platform caters to a variety of needs from shelters and mental wellness services to food resources, academic support, and job opportunities (ClearPathNYC). ClearPath NYC’s mission is clear: eliminate barriers to ultimately encourage individual empowerment in the pursuit of socio-economic stability.
III. Housing First: A Proven Solution to Homelessness
Many states in America approach homelessness with the idea that the person living on the street should sort out their problems first while living at a shelter. Then, they can get access to permanent housing. This has been called the staircase approach because the homeless person is expected to gradually move up through different levels. Homeless people are expected to make progress on any mental health or addiction issue they may have and must pass a certain standard before being housed. Only once they have demonstrated some change, which is difficult to achieve without housing stability, then permanent housing can be their final reward (European Observatory on Homelessness). The problem with the staircase approach is that it is not very effective. Quitting drugs or managing serious mental health issues is difficult for people who have a home. In other words, people who are experiencing homelessness are expected to do what many people who live with the stability of permanent housing cannot even do. It is not surprising that most homeless people get stuck on one level of the staircase as they fail to complete the tasks to move forward.
Finland realized that the traditional staircase approach is not very effective. In 2007, the Finnish government instituted a ‘Housing First’ program (Connecticut General Assembly) which is a unique program for getting homeless people off the streets and back into society. Housing First follows two tenants: first, the most effective solution to homelessness is permanent housing; secondly, all housing for the homeless should be provided immediately without any preconditions, such as employment. The way Housing First programs work is simple: people who are experiencing homelessness receive independent housing in the form of small individual apartments that are looked after by a team of about twenty on-site social workers. The social workers provide support with everything from job hunting to getting access to addiction or mental health treatments. Over time, the newly housed begin to finance part of the cost of their housing to the degree that they can afford it (The Homeless Hub).
During the late 1980s, there were more than 16,000 homeless people in Finland. According to national estimates, this statistic has decreased to just 4,000 in 2020 (Ecoscope). In the country’s capital, Helsinki, no one sleeps on the street because that type of homelessness has been completely eliminated (BBC). Between 2010 and 2018, Finland had a thirty-nine percent decline in their homelessness rate (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). Critics of Housing First argue that it may not be as cost effective as it seems. However, a study of financial costs shows that Finland saves up to 15,000 euros annually on every homeless person it houses (World Habitat). The Finnish government does spend a lot of money on buying apartments and turning them into housing for homeless people as well as heavily subsidizing the rent that they pay, and employing many social workers. However, these costs are cheaper than the cost of emergency care, policing, and all the costs that come with having homeless people living on the streets. Ultimately, housing people saves money in the long term on comparatively expensive policing which declines when people’s needs are taken care of preventatively.
It is important to acknowledge that it is not easy to simply take what Finland is doing and apply it somewhere else. For example, in 2016 California adopted the Housing First initiative statewide but it has not seen the same results as Finland (CATO Institute). California has strict development rules and expensive real estate. Although Finland has some unique advantages, the Housing First model can be applied elsewhere but in order to be successful, it requires a lot of invested resources, the ability to commit long-term, and it needs to be a part of a wider well-functioning system of social safety nets that help people from getting off the ground.
The Biden Administration showed a return to the Housing First approach. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 included 70,000 emergency housing vouchers and 350 billion dollars in state and local fiscal recovery funds in an effort to aid homelessness and housing instability across the country (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development).
IV. Voting Barriers Homeless Citizens Face
In a typical election year, about one in ten people experiencing homelessness vote (National Coalition For The Homeless). People who are homelessness can register and vote in all fifty states. However, the number of people experiencing homelessness that vote is low due to the several obstacles that prevent them from becoming registered, active voters. One of these obstacles is not having a mailing address. Voters are required to have proof of address in order to register to vote. Since people who are experiencing homelessness do not have a permanent address, on the federal voter registration form and on many state forms they can put the address of a homeless shelter, a bus station, a park bench, or a street corner. In Oregon, homeless voters are allowed to use the county election office’s address as their mailing address (Oregon State Government). However, without a mailing address people experiencing homelessness are less likely to receive flyers about elections and campaigns to be able to learn about the candidates that are running for office.
In addition to proof of address, in many states proof of identity is often needed for voter registration to prove the prospective voter’s U.S. citizenship and age. The majority of U.S. states require voters to show a state-issued ID, birth certificate, social security card, or a driver's license before they can register to vote. However, those who are homeless may not be able to easily obtain IDs or may lose them.
People experiencing homelessness face additional barriers, such as difficulty accessing resources to learn about voting. They are also less likely to have reliable transportation or resources to be able to go to the polls. For instance, they are less likely to have the money to pay for a bus ticket or taxi. The issue of transportation is exacerbated if public transportation is not conveniently located near polling sites. It is important that people from historically disenfranchised populations, including people experiencing homelessness and low-income tenants, are able to exercise their right to vote.
V. Conclusions and Proposed Solutions
The United States has long relied on the staircase approach to homelessness which requires those who are unhoused to meet specific requirements, such as sobriety or completion of treatment, in order to qualify for a home. However, the best way to end homelessness is by simply getting people into housing as quickly as possible.
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) does fund certain programs intended to address homelessness; however, these programs are robust in only a few cities and states. No matter the nature of the program – whether it is Housing First or another program – funding is far too low. The HUD’s budget and municipal aid funds have steadily declined over time. As a result, programs scrape together a budget from the general public and several different local and federal funds, rarely ever amounting to what they need to provide effective services (HUD Office of Policy Development and Research). To effectively address the homelessness crisis in America, the Housing First initiative should be implemented in numerous communities across the nation because it tremendously benefits those experiencing homelessness by allowing them to no longer live on the streets. In our society housing should be a right and not a privilege; every American deserves a safe and stable place to call home.
Legislators should develop close relationships with organizations that have the mission of helping people who are experiencing homelessness. They can require that voting services are made accessible to those who do not have stable housing. Since people experiencing homelessness may have difficulty getting to a polling site on Election Day, there should be an increased number of early voting options available to allow them to have more time to register to vote and get to a polling site. Furthermore, homeless people who would like to vote by mail or absentee would benefit from laws that allow others to collect and return their ballots as well as better access to stamps and drop-off locations. Additionally, there should be an increase in the number of polling sites available on Election Day, especially in areas where many people experiencing homelessness tend to be. Polling sites such as libraries, shelters, or food banks could increase voter turnout among the homeless population. Local governments and states should urgently step forward and find ways to make it easier for their homeless residents to vote. People who are experiencing homelessness deserve to have a voice in shaping their future.
SOURCES
“Basic Facts About Homelessness: New York City.” Coalition for the Homeless, updated November 2023, https://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/basic-facts-about-homelessness-new-york-city/. Accessed 25 November 2023.
Boone, Laurence, Cournède, Boris, Plouin, Melissa, “Finland’s Zero Homeless Strategy: Lessons From a Success Story.” Ecoscope, 13 December 2021, https://oecdecoscope.blog/2021/12/13/finlands-zero-homeless-strategy-lessons-from-a-success-st ory/. Accessed 26 November 2023.
Calder, Vanesssa Brown, “Evidence Likewise Calls California’s ‘Housing First’ Homelessness Strategy: Lessons From a Success Story.” CATO Institute, 31 January 2023, https://www.cato.org/blog/evidence-also-calls-californias-housing-first-homelessness-strategy-question. Accessed 11 November 2023.
“ClearPathNYC – About.” ClearPathNYC, https://www.clearpathnyc.org/about. Accessed 24 November 2023.
“Facts About Child Homelessness in New York City.” Daniel Neiditch Charitable Foundation, 13 June 2016, https://danneiditch.org/facts-about-child-homelessness-in-new-york-city/. Accessed 14 November 2023.
Foley, Evan, “Finland’s Housing First Policy.” Connecticut General Assembly Office of Legislative Research, 7 June 2023, https://www.cga.ct.gov/2023/rpt/pdf/2023-R-0109.pdf. Accessed 24 November 2023.
Haines, Julia, “The 25 U.S. Cities With Largest Homeless Populations.” U.S. News and World Report, 22 March 2023. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/slideshows/cities-with-the-largest-homeless-populations-in-the-u-s. Accessed 18 November 2023.
Hall, Andrew, “Rising Rents and Inflation Are Likely Increasing Low-Income Families’ Risk of Homelessness.” National Alliance to End Homelessness, 17 June 2022. https://endhomelessness.org/blog/rising-rents-and-inflation-are-likely-increasing-low-income-families-risk-of-homelessness/#:~:text=In%20a%202020%20study%2C%20researchers,historically%20high%20rent%20prices%20and. Accessed 18 November 2023.
Hanco*ck, Ella, “Helsinki Is Still Leading the Way in Ending Homelessness – But How Are They Doing It?” World Habitat, 6 October 2022. https://world-habitat.org/news/our-blog/helsinki-is-still-leading-the-way-in-ending-homelessness-but-how-are-they-doing-it/#:~:text=Recent%20reports%20from%20Finland%20has,services%2 0and%20criminal%20justice%20involvement. Accessed 12 November 2023.
“HC3.1. Homeless Population.” Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 27 May 2021, https://www.oecd.org/els/family/HC3-1-Homeless-population.pdf. Accessed 14 November 2023.
“Housing America.” United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, https://www.hud.gov/house_america. Accessed 12 November 2023.
Horowitz, Alex, Hatchett, Chase, Staveski, Adam, “How Housing Costs Drive Levels of Homelessness.” The Pew Charitable Trusts, 22 August 2023. https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2023/08/22/how-housing-costs-drive -levels-of-homelessness. Accessed 22 November 2023.
“Housing First.” The Homeless Hub, https://www.homelesshub.ca/solutions/housing-accommodation-and-supports/housing-first. Accessed 25 November 2023.
“HUD Releases 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report.” United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, 19 December 2022, https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/hud_no_22_253#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20%2D%20The%20U.S.%20Department%20of,single%20night%20in%20January%20 2022. Accessed 16 November 2023.
“New York City.” A Better Childhood, updated September 2023, https://www.abetterchildhood.org/new-york#:~:text=about%20the%20NYC%20foster%20care%20system&text=Each%20year%2C%20approximately%201%2C000%20New,of%20them%20w ind%20up%20homeless. Accessed 15 November 2023.
“State Profile – New York.” Independent Sector, 8 January 2020, https://independentsector.org/resource/state-profile-new-york/. Accessed 20 November 2023.
Tainio, Hannele, Fredriksson, Peter, “The Finnish Homelessness Strategy: From a ‘Staircase’ Model to a ‘Housing First’ Approach to Tackling Long-Term Homelessness.” European Observatory on Homelessness, 2009, https://www.feantsaresearch.org/download/feantsa-ejh2009-evaluation-16622178144273146290. pdf. Accessed 20 November 2023.
Trewern, Mat, “The City With No Homeless On Its Streets.” BBC, 31 January 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-46891392#. Accessed 24 November 2023.
“Voting – Homeless Voters and Those Wishing Confidentiality.” https://sos.oregon.gov/voting/Pages/homeless-confidential.aspx. Accessed 17 November 2023.
Zhao, Jin, “Why We Should Care About the Homeless Vote.” National Coalition For The Homeless, 9 August 2012, https://nationalhomeless.org/care-homeless-vote/. Accessed 10 November 2023.
]]>By Violeta Mihaela Ungureanu
In our era of instant information access, self-diagnosis has become increasingly prevalent. The ability to research symptoms, cross-reference medical databases, and engage in online communities has empowered individuals to actively manage their health. However, this surge in self-diagnosis, notably amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, raises critical questions regarding its reliability, impact, and the delicate balance between empowerment and potential harm.
The COVID-19 outbreak acted as a catalyst for the widespread adoption of self-diagnosis. Lockdowns and limited access to healthcare facilities prompted many to seek answers on the internet.
Social media platforms emerged as gathering spaces where individuals shared experiences, symptoms, and potential remedies, creating a sense of community but also contributing to a surge in self-diagnosis. Undoubtedly, self-diagnosis offers certain benefits. It enables individuals to proactively understand their health, initiate necessary discussions with healthcare professionals, and even expedite the diagnostic process. In cases involving rare conditions or misunderstood symptoms, self-diagnosis can prompt individuals to seek timely medical attention they might otherwise have postponed.
However, the perils of self-diagnosis loom significantly. The vast expanse of online information lacks quality control, often resulting in misinformation and misinterpretation. These misinformation can lead to unnecessary anxiety, inappropriate treatments, or delays in seeking professional medical advice, potentially worsening conditions.
The pharmaceutical and self-help industries have capitalized on the market’spotential for self-diagnosis. Advertisem*nts and products marketed as remedies for self-diagnosed ailments inundate social media platforms. This perpetuates the cycle—self-diagnosis leading to self-medication and the consumption of products promising miraculous results, often without scientific basis.
The reliability of self-diagnosis remains a point of contention. While some adeptly use available resources to make accurate assessments, others fall prey to confirmation biases, resulting in self-fulfilling prophecies or overlooking crucial symptoms indicating severe conditions.
Moreover, self-diagnosis can foster a hypochondriacal mindset, magnifying minor symptoms and causing unnecessary stress and increased healthcare utilization.
The crux lies in striking a balance. Education about reliable sources, fostering critical thinking, and understanding the limitations of self-diagnosis are imperative. Encouraging individuals to consider self-diagnosis as a starting point for discussions with healthcare professionals rather than a definitive conclusion is essential.
Healthcare providers need to acknowledge the prevalence of self-diagnosis and engage patients in informed discussions. Empowering individuals with accurate information while discouraging self-medication based on unverified online advice is crucial.
In conclusion, the surge in self-diagnosis following COVID-19 has both positive and negative implications. While it promotes empowerment and proactive health management, it also carries risks of misinformation, unnecessary anxiety, and inappropriate treatments. Balancing the benefits of self-diagnosis while mitigating potential harm requires a joint effort involving individuals, healthcare professionals, and industries benefiting from this trend. Ultimately, an informed, cautious approach supplementing self-diagnosis with professional medical advice is crucial to safeguarding individual health in this digital age.
Sources
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7224-7_6
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10439-023-03298-8
]]>By Syona Vashisth
Although it was only in the headlines for a couple of days, the recent volcanic eruption in Rekkjanes Peninsula, Iceland,was unexpected and caused many conflicts for residents. The Reykjanes volcanic system located in the Southwestern region of Iceland has been dormant for around 800 years, so locals didn’t expect an eruption, even though seismic activity, movement of earth’s tectonic plates, had been increasing over the past few months ever since October 2022 many earthquakes had recently occurred; around 1400 to be exact in only the span of 24 hours which resulted in the closing of the popular tourist destination, the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa. The town of Grindavik, located within 30 miles of Reykjanes, was also evacuated for safety.
On the night of Monday, December 18th, the sky turned red as lava flowed down the volcano and smoke engulfed the air. An anonymous witness stated that the volcano erupted violently for almost two to three hours with huge amounts of lava flowing out. The police of Reykjavik issued a state of emergency, where many more tourist hotspots closed down as the lava spewed over thousands of meters across the Reykjanes Peninsula. Most of the lava flow ended up avoiding major infrastructure such as the town of Grindavik and the Svartsengi power plant, which was a relief for residents.
The lava flow was the heaviest by late on Monday night, where the lava created enormous fountains of one hundred to three hundred feet tall. By around 2am the next morning, the eruption started to slow down and become less harsh.
Almost everyone had evacuated their home in time, so there were little casualties; but it is hard to tell when it will be safe for residents to return.
The eruption resulted in a variety of effects for Iceland and other European populations. There have evidently been many flight delays, as it is not safe for anyone to travel in or out of the country at the time. In 2010, a similar incident occurred where over 100,000 flights were delayed due to the eruption of another volcano, affecting over 7 million people, and also led to a decrease in 4.7 billion dollars of the global GDP. The airline industry lost around 1.7 billion in revenue losses. Additionally, Iceland’s air quality has significantly worsened as smoke overtook many nearby towns and cities.
SOURCES
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/19/world/europe/iceland-volcano-eruption-lava.html
]]>By Rhea Ravi Kumar
As a South Asian girl growing up in a country with a predominantly white population, TV was entirely fictional to me. I couldn’t draw any parallels between my life and the lives of the characters on my favorite Nickelodeon show, but my friends seemed to fit the profile perfectly. When I expressed my discontent about this to them, they would always draw my attention to the one brown character in the show, confident that Baljeet from Phineas and Ferb or Ravi from Jessie were perfect reflections of me. Unfortunately, they were wrong. In fact, I doubt any brown people truly feel represented by such caricatured characters. In that aspect, brown representation really is fictional in the sense that it will forever just be a dream of a reality people in the community will spend eternity fighting for. In recent years, many figures in the media have been working to right this wrong. Mindy Kaling is one such person.
Kailing is a writer and actress who has created many TV shows led by Indian women and is attempting to change the trajectory of media by placing brown girls in the spotlight.
When Mindy Kaling wrote the Netflix original Never Have I Ever, desi girls worldwide were clouded with the hope that they would finally get the representation they deserved. Many were, however, disappointed after watching the show. Never Have I Ever follows Devi Vishwakumar, an Indian-American teenage girl experiencing the trials and tribulations of high school while also grieving her late father, and navigating a complicated relationship with her mother. In many aspects, Devi’s character was a breath of fresh air. She had all the core qualities of the typical rom-com YA fiction protagonist. Still, they were balanced out with her Indian identity, showing that the two can and do coexist: creating a sense of normalcy for marginalised brown girls.
This was true for the protagonists of some of Kaling’s other creations, like Bela from The Sex Lives of College Girls (2021), and Mindy Lahiri from The Mindy Project (2012). Both of these characters also undergo typical rom-com events just like Devi, and their identities as brown women do not change this. Furthermore, with these characters, Mindy shies away from the stereotypes that are typically associated with Indian girls. Devi’s intelligent, driven, Princeton-bound character conforms to the stereotype that all Indians - and all Asians in general - are smart and nerdy. Mindy, who is an OB/GYN, also conforms to this stereotype. This is contrasted with Bela, who is an aspiring comedian and takes a neuroscience class only as a means of appeasing her parents. Some argue the stereotype that all Indians are intelligent is not inherently harmful as it is not an insulting thing to be characterized as. While this is true, reducing Indians to this stereotype perpetuates the idea that academics are the only thing Indians are capable of.
Mindy does lean into this stereotype with Devi, but she does not make it her core quality. Alongside being nerdy and academically driven, Devi is also a typical teenager who goes to parties and dates boys. She gets the best of both worlds without compromising any aspect of her identity.
This is an impactful message for young Indian-Americans to hear, as it often feels as though two identities that are so different from each other cannot coexist, which causes many to repress their Indian identities.
One of the biggest stereotypes that Mindy breaks by introducing characters like Devi, Bela, and Mindy into the scene is the stereotype that brown girls are unlovable. Brown girls became accustomed to never seeing themselves represented as other people’s lovers in Western media. This being said, however, many have reservations about the portrayal of characters like Bela, Devi, and Mindy because it is explicitly stated that these characters had to undergo massive glow-ups in order to become attractive to the male gaze. In the opening scene of The Sex Lives of College Girls, Bela talks about how she had to “get medical-grade botox injected into her armpits” as part of her glow-up. This shows how there is a constant emphasis on the need for a drastic glow-up in order for Indian girls to become worthy of love. While this sentiment is shared by many other brown girls, Mindy’s shows have the influence to change this mindset instead of contributing to it. In Never Have I Ever, Kamala’s character challenges this slightly. Kamala is portrayed as being conventionally attractive, but this is not something she is overtly aware of. Kamala is one of the few examples of brown girls who are portrayed as attractive without having to undergo massive physical changes.
While all of these shows made history for representing brown girls, they also received significant amounts of backlash for the same reason.
Many felt that the brown characters were still typecasted and that Kaling still leaned into stereotypes. To me, one of the biggest stereotypes I noticed was the forced Indian accent some of the characters in these shows spoke with. In an interview, Richa Moorjani who plays Kamala in Never Have I Ever, mentioned that she had to take accent classes to learn how to speak with the accent she uses on the show. While she admits she started using it for the sake of authenticity, there is nothing authentic about it, if anything, it does more harm. The Indian accent has been mocked relentlessly in recent years and used as the butt of every offensive joke. Putting on this fake accent further caricaturizes the characters in the show, and only leans into the stereotypes Kaling aimed to break.
Another problem that many have highlighted about Mindy’s shows is the fact that the protagonists of her shows always end up with White men as their love interests.
Throughout the 4 seasons of the show, Devi had four main love interests, only one of whom was White. At the end of the show, she still ended up with the white love interest. This seems to be a common theme with Mindy’s shows, as Bela and Mindy both end up with White men as well. Mindy defends her choice to pair all her characters with white men by highlighting that in other sitcoms, “White women always end up with White men”, but when it comes to her, she’s expected to ‘stick to her own’”. This argument falls short as Mindy is trying to make TV more diverse, and not follow in the footsteps of White writers. Mindy has the power to change this expectation, and she needs to be held accountable to make this change before she perpetuates more stereotypes.
This considered, it is important to remember that this is just a starting point. The representation that Mindy provides us with is far from perfect, but at the very least she is giving Brown girls the opportunity to see themselves on screen. On the other hand, viewers still have the right to have high standards for Mindy, and representation will only improve if we make our opinions heard.
SOURCES
Angelo, Megan. “Ranking the Mindy Project Boyfriends From "Total Waste of Time" to "Come Back to Us, Please!".” Glamour, January 15, 2014. https://www.glamour.com/story/ranking-the-mindy-project-boyf.
Lee Kong, Stacy. “What Do We Do With a Problem Like Mindy Kaling?.” Friday Things, January 20, 2023. https://www.fridaythings.com/recent-posts/mindy-kaling-controversy-velma-reviews.
Lerner, Jamie. “Everyone Is Hating on Mindy Kaling and Not Just for 'Velma' — We Dig Into the Controversy.” Distractify, January 26, 2023. https://www.distractify.com/p/mindy-kaling-controversy
Irfan, Anmol. “The messy representation in Never Have I Ever is crucial for South Asian women.” Independent, August 14, 2022. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/never-have-i-ever-muslim-south-asian-representation-b2144773.html/
Kadikar, Rachana. “‘Never Have I Ever’ been satisfied with partial representation.” September 20, 2022. https://dailytrojan.com/2022/09/20/never-have-i-ever-been-satisfied-with-partial-representation/
Schwedel, Heather. “Maybe We Were Wrong About Mindy Kaling.” Slate, January 20, 2022. https://slate.com/culture/2022/01/mindy-kaling-sex-lives-college-girls-hbo-max-netflix.html.
Silva, Rayleen. “Why Bela & Eric Need To Break Up In Sex Lives Of College Girls Season 2.” Screen Rant, December 1, 2022. https://screenrant.com/sex-lives-college-girls-season-2-bela-eric-breakup/.
Siva, Gayathri. “As a South Asian woman, Never Have I Ever is harmful.” The Varsity, November 27, 2021. https://thevarsity.ca/2021/11/27/why-i-dont-like-never-have-i-ever/.
]]>By Bo Wang
What are microtrends? Microtrends are short-lived trends that gain a lot of influence in a short period. In our new social media-based world, trends come and go faster than ever before. Thanks to social media apps like TikTok and other digital platforms, microtrends have become a driving force in shaping personal style. Additionally, due to sites like Shein, fashion is now accessible at a low price. However, it’s crucial to recognize the often-unseen consequences they bring to the environment and the diminishing sense of individuality in personal style.
One of the most significant environmental impacts of microtrends is the worsening of the fast fashion industry. As microtrends encourage rapid changes in clothing styles, consumers feel pressured to keep up, leading to increased production and disposal of clothing items. Microtrends often are in the form of single-use products or items with a short lifespan. Whether it's a specific type of phone case, home decor item, or novelty accessory, these products contribute to a throwaway culture that results in more waste and environmental degradation. This often leads to overconsumption. As most fast fashion brands are not ethically sourced, the manufacturing processes associated with microtrends are typically not environmentally friendly.
Mass production to meet the sudden surge in demand often leads to increased energy consumption, resource depletion, and emissions of harmful pollutants.
This not only harms the environment but also contributes to climate change. A study by the University of Arizona finds that fast fashion is the second most environmentally harmful industry, contributing 10% of total carbon emissions and 20% of global wastewater. By overconsuming, consumers are contributing to the excessive resource consumption, pollution, and exploitative labor practices done by these companies.
Developing a personal style is, in essence, a journey of self-discovery. However, the fast-paced nature of microtrends can impede this process. Individuals may not have the opportunity to explore and understand their preferences fully, as the next fleeting trend sweeps them away. This lack of self-discovery can result in a superficial, trend-driven style that fails to capture the depth of one's personality.
Microtrends, by definition, are short-lived and often lack the staying power of broader, more enduring style movements.
As a result, individuals who chase microtrends may find themselves constantly changing their wardrobe, leading to a lack of consistency and coherence in their style. This nature undermines the development of a distinctive and lasting personal aesthetic. If everyone participates in microtrends, then this rush to conform can lead to a hom*ogenization of style, as people start wearing the same clothes and accessories. The result is a sea of individuals dressed in nearly identical ensembles, diminishing the uniqueness that personal style should have.
While microtrends unquestionably inject excitement and dynamism into our fashion future, it is imperative to recognize the environmental repercussions and the influence on personal style. As consumers, it's important to keep a conscious and deliberate involvement with trends that take into account both personal style and the well-being of our planet.
SOURCES
https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/AG_microtrendsillustration-900x315.png
https://www.tbsnews.net/sites/default/files/styles/big_2/public/images/2022/02/06/fast_fashion.png
https://acuoptimist.com/2022/03/micro-trends-are-a-danger-to-gen-z-and-the-plant/
]]>By Zikora Akanegbu
I. Introduction
In the midst of the darkness of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City, a bright ray of optimism arrived on the site of Pier 55: Little Island. The man-made park is suspended above the Hudson River, the river that separates Manhattan from New Jersey. It sits on the edge of Chelsea’s Pier 51, a formerly working-class neighborhood that has become among the wealthiest neighborhoods in Manhattan (Plitt, 2019). The area that Little Island is located in was already a tourist hotspot due to the High Line being located nearby, an elevated railroad track that transformed into a public park in 2009 (Friedrich, 2021). In addition, the Hudson River Park was formed in 1998 when local donors and officials decided to transform the waterfront (Foderaro, 2015). According to Google Maps, Little Island is a five minute walk from The High Line and a thirteen minute walk from The Hudson River Park. Furthermore, the premise of Little Island being located in a luxury, affluent part of Manhattan creates a sense of exclusion. Arguably, building another green space in an area that already contains The High Line and Hudson River Park was not a wise location choice. While Little Island encourages local residents and tourists to escape the busy city and experience both nature and art, it ultimately is a public space that does not truly serve an unmet need for the area it is based in.
II. A Brief History of the Development of Little Island
Hurricane Sandy struck the New York City shore in October 2012, damaging much of the already brittle nearby Pier 54 and several other piers along the Hudson River (CBS Sunday Morning, 2021, 2:45-3:02). In November 2014, Barry Diller, a media mogul, and his wife, Diane von Furstenberg, in partnership with the Hudson River Park Trust announced a plan to replace the terribly deteriorated Pier 54 into a high-concept public park that would be centered on Pier 55 and replace Pier 54 altogether (Hudson River Park).
III. The Long Dispute Over Little Island
Douglas Durst, a real estate developer, was annoyed that the Hudson River Park Trust allowed a billionaire to decide what is built on public land. Durst bankrolled a series of lawsuits filed by the non-profit City Club of New York. Adversaries sued and battled in court to stop Little Island; they expressed how the creation of Little Island was done in secrecy and that the park had been planned without input from the public because it was intended for the affluent (The New York Times Editorial Board, 2017). In addition, some environmental organizations expressed that Little Island could potentially impact the ecosystem of the Hudson River by increasing water pollution and disrupting fish habitats (Kothari 2022). In 2017, Diller decided to pull the funding for Little Island after seeing no end in sight to the court fights. However, Andrew Cuomo, the Governor of New York at the time, stepped in and saved the project by brokering a deal (Kimmelman, 2021). Diller agreed to revive the project. In 2019, the name of the project changed to reflect its design: Little Island. Previously, its name was Pier 55 (Robbins, 2019). The public park officially opened to the public on May 21, 2021 (Little Island).
IV. Little Island: A Futuristic Floating Park
The $260 million project was primarily privately funded by the Diller Von Furstenberg Family Foundation which was the largest donation to a public park in New York City history (Rooney, 2014). The couple pledged to donate an additional 120 million dollars for maintenance and programming costs for the next twenty years (CBS News, 2021). Also, Little Island was partially financed using public funds. Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio continually pushed for the development of the park. New York City contributed seventeen million dollars to the project and New York State contributed four million dollars, respectively (WestView News, 2021). However, addressing the real problems the city and its residents are facing should be the first priority when it comes to funding large budget projects.
V. Little Island Offers Locals and Visitors an Oasis of Nature and Art
At Little Island, people can walk along the pathways of the park amidst the greenery and view a wide-array of awe-inspiring public art displays. In the book, “The Granite Garden: Urban Nature and Human Design,” Anne Whiston Spirn paints the city and nature as one spectrum with the ends of the scale being urban development and nature which are often pitted against each other. Spirn states, “The city must be recognized as part of nature and designed accordingly. The city, the suburbs, and the countryside must be viewed as a single, evolving system within nature, as must every individual park and building within that larger whole” (Spirn p. 5, 1984).
Although urban environments may make humans feel disconnected from nature, Little Island was thoughtfully designed in tandem with nature. Additionally, the park offers programming for all ages which includes the following: dance, thetater, music, comedy, art, and poetry. Little Island also has an open air, wooden-benched amphitheater (known as “The Amph'') which serves as the main performing area for music performances and plays; it seats up to 687 people. A smaller, more intimate stage and lawn space in an area called the Glade hosts additional performances (Hudson River Park).
VI. Conclusion
Little Island is a public space that was wished into existence by a billionaire. Mack Travis, an experienced real estate developer, states the following in his book Shaping A City: “Most real estate transactions take place behind the scenes. The public is never even aware of them until they are announced” (Travis p. 103, 2018). This scenario proved to be correct for the case of Little Island. The designers gave the donor what he wanted by responding to the needs of the few over the many. The best gifts are not about the donor, but rather they are about the recipient which often entails asking them what they want. Looking to the future, large-scale nature based projects in cities will be partly driven by private investors who intend to attract well-to-do visitors to the areas that they help develop. However, to include biophilic design into urban life there are more cost-effective ways than large-scale green projects. In an interview, Diller states, "We're lucky. We've got resources, so we could build something that was unexpected. Do we have the right to? No, but in fact, this was a torn-down pier in which nothing but a flat space was gonna replace it” (CBS Sunday Morning, 2021, 4:12-4:31).
Little Island is more of a tourist attraction than an actual park. In fact, Little Island attracts more than seventeen million visitors each year. Importantly, the Hudson River Park attracts seventeen million visitors yearly (Hudson River Park) and the High Line attracts eight million visitors yearly (Matthews, 2019). Clearly, the public spaces nearby Little Island have also attracted a lot of attention. Furthermore, the creation of Little Island came at the grave expense of some local residents who are not thriving. New York City did not need a whimsical park. The money could have instead been donated to the city to improve public transportation or fund crime prevention projects and underfunded public libraries and schools. Additionally, the money instead could have been used to fund affordable housing programs since New York City is home to the second highest population of homelessness in the United States. Barry Diller built a tiny park in an already affluent neighborhood when he instead could have found a better use of his money by contributing to resolving pressing issues. Ultimately, while Little Island may be Diller’s ideal park, it does not line up with the expectations or needs of local residents.
SOURCES
Foderaro, Lisa W. “How Diller and von Furstenberg Got Their Island in Hudson River Park.” The New York Times, 5 April 2015, https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/05/nyregion/how-diller-and-von-furstenberg-got-their-island-in-hudson-river-park.html. Accessed 1 December 2023.
Friedrich, Michael. “Escape From Little Island.” The Baffler, 10 June 2021, https://thebaffler.com/latest/escape-from-little-island-friedrich. Accessed 1 December 2023.
Green, Jackie Wei. “Little Island Opens Today Unlocking Over Two Acres of Public Park and Performance Space Above the Hudson River.” Arup, 21 May 2021. https://www.arup.com/news-and-events/little-island-park-opens-in-new-york-city. Accessed 1 December 2023.
Kimmelman, Michael. “A New $260 Million Park Floats on the Hudson. It’s a Charmer.” The New York Times, 20 May 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/20/arts/little-island-barry-diller.html. Accessed 17 November 2023.
Little Island, 2021, https://littleisland.org/explore-the-landscape/. Accessed 16 November, 2023.
“Little Island – Hudson River Park.” Hudson River Park, https://hudsonriverpark.org/locations/pier-55-little-island/. Accessed 17 November 2023.
Margolies, Jane. “How Hudson River Park Helped Revitalize Manhattan’s West Side.” The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/19/business/hudson-river-park-development-manhattan.html. Accessed 1 December 2023.
Matthews, Karen. “NYC’s High Line Park Marks 10 Years of Transformation.” NBC New York, 9 June 2019, https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nycs-high-line-park-marks-10-years-of-transformation/1646268/. Accessed 9 December 2023.
“New York City’s Little Island.” YouTube, uploaded by CBS Sunday Morning, 25 June 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ6kxYxyvI4. Accessed 16 November 2023.
“New York’s Newest Island, A Man-Made Gift to the City,” CBS News, 25 July 2021, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/little-island-new-york-city-hudson-river/. Accessed 1 December 2023.
“NYC’s Little Island at Pier 55 Is Now Open Along the Hudson River.” New York Family, 21 May 2021, https://www.newyorkfamily.com/little-island-at-pier-55-new-york/. Accessed 1 December 2023.
Pintos, Paula. “Heatherwick Studio, MNLA and Arup on their Collaborative Design for New York's Little Island Park.” ArchDaily, 15 December 2021, https://www.archdaily.com/973517/heatherwick-studio-mnla-and-arup-on-their-collaborative-design-for-new-yorks-little-island-park. Accessed 1 December 2023.
Plitt, Amy. “The Richest Neighborhoods in New York City.” Curbed New York, 27 December 2019, https://ny.curbed.com/2017/6/27/15881706/nyc-richest-neighborhoods-manhattan-brooklyn. Accessed 9 December 2023.
Kothari, Khusi.“Project in-depth: Little Island at Pier 55, New York,” Rethinking The Future, 2022, https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/case-studies/a9635-project-in-depth-little-island-at-pier-55-new-york/. Accessed 10 December 2023.
Robbins, Christopher. “Diller Island Shall Henceforth Be Known As 'Little Island,' An 'Oasis Of Everything Fun.'” Gothamist, 13 November 2019, https://gothamist.com/news/diller-island-shall-henceforth-be-known-little-island-oasis-everything-fun. Accessed 1 December 2023.
Rooney, Ben. “Billionaire Diller’s $130 Million New York City Floating Park.” CNN, 27 November 2019, https://money.cnn.com/2014/11/17/news/barry-diller-nyc-park/#:~:text=The%20%24130%20million%20project%20is,in%20New%20York%20City%27s%20history. Accessed 9 December 2023.
Spirn, Anne Whiston. The Granite Garden: Urban Nature and Human Design. Basic Books, 1984.
“Then & Now: Pier 54, 55, and Little Island.” WestView News, 2 July 2021, http://westviewnews.org/2021/07/02/thennow-pier-54-55-and-little-island/gcapsis/. Accessed 1 December 2023.
The New York Times Editorial Board, “How New Yorkers Sank a Floating Park.” The New York Times, 15 September 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/15/opinion/pier55-diller-floating-park.html. Accessed 1 December 2023.
“Transforming Hudson River’s Pier 55 Into a Whimsical Urban Park and Performance Venue.” Arup, https://www.arup.com/projects/little-island. Accessed 17 November 2023.
Travis, Mack. Shaping a City: Ithaca, New York, a Developer's Perspective. Ithaca, NY, Cornell University Press, 2018.
]]>By Syona Vashisth
India’s pollution problem is no surprise to many; the deadly air quality fogs up the sky and people mask up just to go outside. Every year before winter, the air quality decreases, especially around the capital New Delhi, which houses 35 million people. The amount of smoke in the air is caused by a variety of things, such as the farm fires in northwestern India. Every November, farmers burn off straw after the rice harvest to have space for the next crop — but this smoke ends up spreading across the country, including New Delhi. Other factors include cars and other vehicles, industrial factories, and other fires used for heat and cooking.
The hazardous air quality got so bad this year that they had to close schools. Children are deprived of their education because of the pollution of their own country.
Diesel-burning vehicles were ordered to get off the roads and construction projects were halted as a measure to minimize the deadly air quality. People were asked to stay indoors so they wouldn’t inhale the oxygen outside. However, many people can’t just stay inside all day; many have to go out and work every day in order to support their families. One man from Gorakhpur, in the north of India, claims that at the end of his day, it’s as if he has smoked 20 cigarettes. This is just one of the examples that shows the extreme effects pollution has had on citizens worldwide.
When Canada had wildfires earlier this year, New York was affected with orange skies. This was such a shock to residents; it looked like an entirely different planet for those few days. Unfortunately, this is the reality for many Indians. In early November, the air quality index reported a score of over 500, a number so high that some experts believe it will shorten people’s life spans by over ten years.
In 2019, India launched the Clean Air Programme in an effort to reduce air pollution and raise life expectancy. This initiative meant reducing the use of coal based power plants, setting up air monitoring systems, and banning burning of biomass.
Since India is such a populated and diverse nation, it is more so up to the governments of each state to implement these strategies. Some states have been able to improve air quality, but the lack of enforcement from governments as well as coordination has halted or slowed down progress.
SOURCES:
https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/16/india/new-delhi-beijing-pollution-levels-intl-hnk-dst/index.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/11/09/india-air-quality-smog-new-delhi/
https://nytimes.com/2023/11/03/world/asia/new-delhi-india-pollution.html?searchResultPosition=1
]]>By Ahona Mitra
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”
― Desmond Tutu
Everyone with access to a phone must know by now that a genocide is unfolding in front of our eyes while we have to sit and watch it helplessly. A common man can't save the victims. But what are people with the power handed down by society doing?
Over 11,100 Palestinians had been killed as of Nov. 10 — one out of every 200 people in Gaza — according to its Health Ministry, which says it can no longer provide an official death toll because of the intensity of fighting and repeated communication breakdowns. At least 1,200 people were killed in October.
It's quite visible that this is not a war where both countries have equal power, but rather injustice in the name of a war. But are all people siding with the right side? Or are they siding with the opposite side? But there comes another side-
NEUTRAL SIDE
Since the beginning of this war, several protests have been hosted both on the streets and on social media. Donations have been arranged, awareness is being spread, and common people are trying their level best to help Palestine in any way possible.
Meanwhile, there are remain people who are misusing their power and are influencing the people. Thankfully no one is letting these celebrities, influences, and politicians get away easily. They are getting bashed on the internet for all the right reasons this time.
Gal Gadot, who previously served in the Israeli army, said Israel was “at war,” adding it “deserves to live as a free and safe nation.”
“I pray for the victims and their families. I pray for this unimaginable hostility to end, I pray for our leaders to find the solution so we can live side by side in peace,” said Gadot.
People were quite dissatisfied with her stance and that she didn’t use the word “Palestinian” even once in her statements.
Rihanna, who has been vocal about several issues in the past also posted: “My heart is breaking with the violence I’m seeing displayed between Israel and Palestine!”
“I can’t bear to see it! Innocent Israeli and Palestinian children are hiding in bomb shelters, over 40 lives lost in Gaza alone, at least 13 of whom were also innocent children!”
She added: “There needs to be some kind of resolve! We are sadly watching innocent people fall victim to notions perpetuated by government and extremists, and this cycle needs to be broken!”
But her comments were criticized soon on social media. People said that Palestinians don’t have bomb shelters, they don’t have any protection. There is no shelter.
Palestinians in Gaza have nowhere to hide and nowhere to go. Palestinians have no military, no nuclear weapons, and they are not bankrolled by billions of U.S. dollars.
“I’ve been taking a break from social media because my heart breaks to see all of the horror, hate, violence, and terror that’s going on in the world. People being tortured and killed or any act of hate towards any one group is horrific. We need to protect ALL people, especially children, and stop the violence for good. I’m sorry if my words will never be enough for everyone or a hashtag. I just can’t stand by innocent people getting hurt. That’s what makes me sick. I wish I could change the world. But a post won’t,” Selena Gomez wrote via her Instagram Story.
Everyone was very quick to point out how she didn’t try to create awareness or change. She is one of the most followed people on Instagram yet she still thinks it's okay to take a break and remain silent because it will not create any change whereas at the same moment, thousands are getting killed in the grounds of Palestine.
Lieba Nesis, entertainment writer for The Jewish Voice, stressed how celebrities "have the most influence" in American society, they're afraid of being cancelled. Hollywood people live in a bubble. They're in their little world. They never go out there and see real people. So they just fraternize with each other and they all hold the same opinions. If you diverge from that, you threaten your career, you threaten being boycotted.
It's quite sad to see how people with so much influence and power are still standing on the neutral side.
The list of all the celebrities supporting Israel was truly disheartening to see for any commoner. The fact that these people who only have to face first-world problems are the decision-makers or influencers for the people suffering is truly disappointing.
In these current times, it's very important to hold influential people and the media accountable and to remember how the people of Palestine are suffering, getting killed, and losing families. With the support of America, Israel is targeting Palestine and Palestinians are facing genocide. There is no neutral side to this war.
We must restore the faith of people in humanity in this situation. We have to try our best to get educated, generate awareness, and try in every way possible to help make a change in this world.
SOURCES:
Lobell, Kylie Ora. “Celebrities Supporting Israel During the War.” Aish.com, 26 October 2023, https://aish.com/celebrities-supporting-israel-during-the-war
“What's the Israel-Palestine conflict about? A simple guide.” Al Jazeera, 9 October 2023,https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/9/whats-the-israel-palestine-conflict-about-a-simple-guide
Wulfsohn, Joseph A. “Hollywood stars 'afraid of the backlash' if they side with Israel over Palestinians, Jewish critic says.” Fox News, 18 October 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/media/hollywood-stars-afraid-backlash-side-israel-palestinians-jewish-critic-says
]]>By Zikora Akanegbu
Oftentimes, I find myself wanting to spend more time in nature rather than spending my time indoors watching television or working in front of a computer screen. Although it is difficult to completely get away from technology and urban life, it is important to me that I find a healthy balance for my body and mind.
On one Saturday morning in late June, I felt that I had scrolled through the depths of social media. Continuing to scroll through my social media feed was not going to fulfill me at that moment. As much as I enjoy scrolling through the internet, there are days I am eager to engage with the physical world around me. Thus, I decided to spend my morning exploring a botanical garden. As soon as I arrived at the botanical garden, I immediately stopped to take in the aroma of jasmines as I felt the texture of flowers between my fingers while watching the clouds above me slowly move by. I felt at ease when I was surrounded by the exemplary collection of botanical features that the garden offered, which were a variety of colorful flowers, shrubs, herbs, and trees. While strolling through the garden, I noticed how the birds singing their morning song pleasantly filled my ears and I felt a cool breeze blow over me as the sweet smell of crisp morning air enveloped around me. It is these acts of connecting with nature that bring me a great amount of peace as I am provided with a beautiful and quiet getaway from my busy life.
Some people who have disabilities or health concerns may argue that nature is not equally accessible to all; however, I have found that the biophilia effect is accurate because being in touch with nature allows the cognitive development of children with ADHD to become enhanced, strengthens prosocial behaviors, and improves physical health. The connections humans have with nature is not only important, but also biologically hardwired.
The Importance of Outdoor Play for Children with ADHD
If children in elementary school and middle school in the United States were allotted more time for recess, then there would be less of a need for children who have ADHD to have to heavily rely on their ADHD medication. Furthermore, nature should be seen as medicine because the more time that children with ADHD spend outside surrounded by nature, then the more enhanced their cognitive development becomes. If elementary and middle school aged children in the United States could be allotted more time to spend outside during the school day through recess, then children with ADHD would be likely to focus and pay attention more throughout the school day without being disruptive. Arguably, it is crucial for children with ADHD to spend a frequent amount of time in nature or consequently their ADHD symptoms are likely to worsen.
The Surprising Benefits of Having Indoor Plants
Indoor plants not only add more greenery to a room, but they also allow people to connect with nature from the comfort of staying indoors. It is important to acknowledge that biophilia works in many settings, even if that is simply taking care of an indoor plant that sits on a windowsill. In a research study published by the National Library of Medicine, titled “Social Contacts as a Possible Mechanism Behind the Relation Between Green Space and Health,” approximately 10,089 residents of the Netherlands were surveyed. The research study was conducted by Jolanda Maas, Sonja Dillen, Robert Verheij, and Peter Groenewegen. The researchers meticulously calculated the percentage of green spaces for each individual’s address within one and a three kilometer radius around the postal code coordinates.
Ultimately, feelings of loneliness were associated with people who lived in less green space. That being said, the greenery of indoor plants leads the prosocial behaviors of people to become more strengthened. In addition, potted plants have the power to make people feel a stronger sense of community. When someone tends to a plant, then they are generously taking the time out of their day to take care of it. A person may take care of a plant by watering it frequently and by placing it in direct sunlight. That being said, a person who takes care of a plant is more likely to be generous to other human beings by taking time out of their day to help other people.
There are many social inequities and racial inequities prevalent in Western society. One could argue that many people are disconnected from the natural environment. Many people are facing a lot of problems in modern life, such as the following: obesity, inactivity, diabetes, depression, and more; arguably, a lot of these problems are diabetes of the indoors.
While public parks are technically open to everyone, some people may argue that barriers to the outdoors for people of color have been built into our infrastructure, such as the pushing of low income people into inner cities. However, in order to fulfill the biological need for connecting with nature, the biophilia effect can also be created indoors through the presence of an indoor plant. Although the sight of an indoor plant may seem unable to offer any significant benefits, they are able to provide people that are unable to connect with nature outside, such as people that are hospitalized long-term, a feeling of being outside. Nonetheless, people that have a health concern that requires them to stay indoors are able to experience the scents as well as sights of nature while being indoors. Ultimately, the key to the biophilia effect is to prioritize connecting with nature whenever it is possible to do so.
How The Biophilia Effect Can Improve Physical Health
The experiences and sight of nature have the power to positively impact the physical wellbeing of individuals. Dr. Roger Ulrich explored the physical benefits of nature in a 1984 case study titled, “View Through a Window May Influence Recovery from Surgery.” In the case study, patients from a suburban Pennsylvania hospital recovering from gallbladder surgery were observed between the years 1972 and 1981. Half of the patients received a view of nature in their recovery room. The other half of the patients only had a view of a brick wall. The results of the case study revealed that the view out one’s window does make a difference. The patients that had a view of nature healed faster, received more positive nurse’s notes, required significantly fewer strong pain medication, and had far shorter hospital stays (Ulrich). Ultimately, the case study allowed people to begin to understand the impact of nature. Why would the view out of one’s window make such a big difference? Dr. Roger Ulrich’s case study is evidence for the idea of biophilia. Clearly, nature can be used as a way to reduce stress and as a result increase the happiness and morale of individuals.
Researchers at Washington State University were able to support the findings from the gall bladder patient study by exploring how the exposure to plants may affect a person’s pain tolerance. The researchers at Washington State University conducted their study in a room decorated with potted plants. The control groups of the experiment either sat in an empty room, or in a room that was decorated with objects that were rated as similar in “beauty” and “interest” to the potted plants. The researchers asked the participants who were a part of the experiment to place on hand in a bowl of ice water. Then, the researchers timed how long the participants were able to leave their hands in the freezing water.
Participants who were a part of the study in the room with the potted plants were much more likely to keep their hands in the freezing water for the maximum five-minute limit than either of the two control rooms. Evidently, the exposure to plants and green spaces have the power to change the pain humans feel because it reduces the need for strong pain medications. The results of the case study conducted by the researchers at Washington State University brings up an important question: could doctors start prescribing green spaces as part of pain management strategies? Evidence suggests that being exposed to green spaces and nature can significantly suppress the feeling of physical pain.
The benefits of the biophilia effect are also increased when exercise and nature are combined. A physical benefit of green spaces is that they promote exercise. Public parks are a great outdoor space for running, yoga, outdoor sports, and dancing; the biophilia effect is present because it has the power to soothe people directly. Exercise is helpful for mental health reasons such as endorphins from good cardio, a higher self-esteem from building a daily workout routine, excitement from getting out of the house, gaining control over one’s health, and also the sense of community that arises through athletic activities. Ultimately, walking or doing any form of exercise outside in nature is beneficial because it provides people with a sense of calmness as a result of the biophilia effect.Everyone deserves access to not only a healthy body, but also a healthy mind.
Physical activity is proven to promote lung health and overall longevity, reduce health complications associated with obesity, and reduce the risk of heart disease. Simply taking a walk in nature can increase feelings of peace, gratitude, calmness, and serenity. Green spaces provide a crucial escape from the stresses of life, allowing people to be able to connect with their outdoor environment, which increases feelings of fulfillment and happiness. Simply taking a walk outdoors can lift the spirits of people, especially those who are feeling down or anxious.
Shinrin-Yoku, also known as Japanese forest bathing, means to take in the forest atmosphere. Shinrin-Yoku is often used to improve mental and physical relaxation. A case study conducted by five doctors titled, “The Physiological Effects of Shinrin-Yoku: Evidence From Field Experiments in Twenty-Four Forests Across Japan,” took place in Japanese forests. The case study included twelve male university students for each of the twenty-four experiments. The subjects were observed walking around the forests as well as urban environments. The results showed relief from stress and pain because the natural lighting of the forest landscape reduced anger. Additionally, the results of the case study found that the forest atmosphere reduced depression and the low relative humidity reduced fatigue (National Library of Medicine). Clearly, there are many restorative effects of access to green spaces in one’s daily life. Above all, the view of nature is able to significantly impact the physical wellbeing of individuals.
There are different ways that one can experience nature in the built environment; some of the ways are very direct such as seeing nature out a window or bringing plants inside a building. Nature exists on a spectrum from vast forests to public parks, botanical gardens, and even indoor plants. People who connect with nature, even if that is simply remembering to frequently water an indoor plant or placing it in direct sunlight, as a result will experience positive emotions which simultaneously increases prosocial behaviors. Biophilia truly is the human connection to nature. The biophilia effect is accurate because not only does being in touch with nature make it possible for the cognitive development of children with ADHD to become enhanced, but it also strengthens prosocial behaviors and improves physical health.
Sources:
Bum Jin Park, Yuko Tsunetsugu, Tamami Kasetani, Takahide Kagawa, and Yoshifumi Miyazaki, “The Physiological Effects of Shinrin-Yoku (Taking In The Forest Atmosphere or Forest Bathing): Evidence from Field Experiments in Twenty-Four Forests Across Japan.” National Library of Medicine, January 2010. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2793346/. Accessed 27 July 2023.
Lohr, Virginia, “What Are the Benefits of Plants Indoors and Why Do We Respond Positively to Them?,” Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Washington State University, 2010. https://public.wsu.edu/~lohr/pub/2010LohrBenefitsPltsIndoors.pdf. Accessed 27 July 2023.
“Social Contacts as a Possible Mechanism Behind the Relation Between Green Space and Health,” Health and Place, vol. 15, no. 2 (2009): pp. 586–595.
Ulrich, Roger. “View Through A Window May Influence Recovery From Surgery.” National Library of Medicine, May 1984. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6143402/. Accessed 26 July 2023.
Williams, Florence. The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative. W. W. Norton, 2017.
]]>By Reesa Venterea
The Hispanic community in the United States has systematically endured and transitioned between different labels on the basis of their ethnic origin. Some of these titles have been advocated for by the culture itself, while other categories have been forced upon with desires to further assimilate or constrain the community to the racial binary.
Before the 1970s, the now-coined Latino/Hispanic community had been referred to as “Spanish-American,” which we know explicitly minimizes a variety of Hispanic countries and cultural origins.
We understand that this address does not account for those of Central and South American origin, and likewise, implies that those of a Hispanic ethnic identity originated solely from Spain. Such descriptions wrongly placed Puerto Rican, Mexican, Venezuelan (and many more) social and political practices under an inaccurate umbrella category.
It was not until a group of Hispanic members of the Ad Hoc committee (which was composed of people from a variety of backgrounds to decide upon different cultural group labels for federal consensus data) recommended to Richard Nixon the transition to the encompassing “Hispanic” and/or “Latino” terminology to properly represent all aspects of descension. These terms, along with the now evolving “Latinx” title, are used interchangeably in the modern day to classify an ethnic group that makes up approximately 19% of the United States population (according to 2020 census data).
For the purpose of this article, I will be using the term Hispanic to refer to the Spanish/Latin community of the United States. I am of Mexican descent, specifically, and I prefer to identify with the Hispanic label, but it is important to recognize that other community members are partial to another address.
Latinx: a non-binary address
The first usage of the Latinx label surfaced in 2004 and was academically published in 2013 in an article by a Hispanic scholar. This individual advocated for the term’s construction in rejection of the Spanish languages’ insistent gender binary of masculine and feminine: Latino and Latina, respectively. Serving to challenge an androcentric framework riddled across global cultures and politics, Latinx introduced an alternative to the confining binary and fostered support for the growing non-binary and LGBTQIA+ populations. The gender-neutral label, now commonly accepted among many non-Hispanic cultural groups, is actually less heard of within the culture itself. In fact, Pew Research found in 2020 that only 25% of Hispanic Americans have actually even heard of “Latinx'' and only 3% use it to describe their own identity.
Perpetuating Colonialism
This label has been argued for by Hispanic and academia members and has been incorporated into a variety of activism platforms with an emphasis on intersectionality and proper inclusivity guidelines.The suffix -x has become increasingly popular in diversifying racial identities and serving as the English literary symbol for inclusivity. However, this suffix fails to appear in the Spanish language and is excluded from any Hispanic dialect or vernacular. That said, scholars have argued that X itself has origins in the Indigenous Nahuatl language, and terms like Xicano (in place of Chicano) convey the diversity of different Hispanic identities. Still, however, Hispanic critics emphasize that Latinx does not follow traditional grammar and disrespects conventional Spanish. A wide debate now emerges, from all sides of the cultural spectrum.
In manufacturing the Latinx term, has a culture of advocates inadvertently sustained a historical cycle of assimilation and white-washing? Linguistic Imperialism, discussed thoroughly in Robert Phillipson’s 1992 book, is widely defined as the imposition of a dominant language onto people with a different and historically ‘lesser’ way of communicating. This controversy embodies this conception wonderfully, in which the international, white, language precedes that of the Hispanic community’s own practices. Although the addition of the suffix -x served to diversify a binary-specific and heteronormative culture, it, too, has contributed to misunderstanding, perceived prejudice, and cultural ignorance.
Minimization
Practicing respect for a community or ethnic identity different from your own is so important, but doing so successfully is no easy task. Our own cultural and predisposed attitudes, practices, gestures, and frameworks, differ from those around us. This makes it challenging to uplift another culture while refraining from enacting a harmful perspective of minimization. Minimization, in Social Justice work, is the possession of a “we are all the same deep down” mindset. This perspective fails to take into account the niches of each differing identity and assumes one assumption is that of everyone else’s. This outlook, usually stemming from a genuine desire to place equity into practice, effectively diminishes the sociocultural differences that make a diverse society that much more significant. In order to practice equity in an uplifting way, we must acknowledge that we each hold a set of notions and values towards the world that differs by every sub-group and intersectional category. In regards to Hispanic culture, refraining from a practice of minimization means embracing the specifics of each community.
Respect and Alternatives
I am grateful to live in a time where deciphering accurate cultural labels is relatively mainstream. Of course, stigma prevails in all aspects of racial, religious, and ethnic understandings. It is important to be a source of safety for individuals from all walks of life.
This begins with curiosity! No, do not go asking everybody and their mom where “they are really from.” But instead, spark a conversation through genuine interest. This is applicable to all social and ethnic groups. In regards to the Hispanic identity, there are a plethora of sub-group affiliations that you should learn about from your own community members.
When talking about or citing a specific individual, it is important to personalize the way they are represented. Like gender pronouns, one’s cultural identity and racial label are self-defining and should be explicitly clarified. Many Hispanics prefer to be labeled within their individual culture: Puerto Rican, Colombian, Argentinian, Spanish, Mexican, Cuban, and so forth. Other individuals may also stick with the identification of Hispanic or Latin. If you do not know, are not in a position to ask or find out, or wish to address the broader group, the term Hispanic and Latine is inclusive of all genders and sub-groups. The term Latine has been produced and incorporated into news outlets and academia more recently with the purpose of quelling grammatical concerns with the Spanish language. Read more about the rise and usage of this term here.
Each cultural group has a right to the way they are depicted and addressed. Over the decades, Hispanics have struggled to be treated justly in the United States. Neither White nor Black (both of which are gender-neutral racial determinations), the Latine culture deserves platforms and symbols of visibility endowed to others. I hope you begin to incorporate different racial terminology into your own vocabulary and stay vigilant in minimizing other social experiences.
Gracias por leer.
SOURCES:
]]>By Ahona Mitra
According to a study report, 8 out of 10 individuals are ready to throw capitalism under the bus in exchange for a socialist life. (The Guardian, 2021)
Let’s understand the capitalist and the socialist mindset before delving further into the topic.
In a capitalist society, an individual's reputation and their status in society are valued by how much they earn. People living with a capitalist mindset tend to engage in a lifestyle of excessive materialism.
Whereas people with a socialist mindset, feel good about community, sharing, and collaboration over competition.
Now we get to the question: Why is our generation moving towards an anti-capitalist mindset?
One of the major reasons for this is none other than the shifting economy. The economy being so affected by the 20th century has put generations working under a great load of stress.
Gen Z has started to raise their voices against the unequal and minimum pay along with the extensive hour culture. They've allowed their voices to be heard through social media. They have also started to support technology and AI as they will be better alternatives and much more efficient. The rise in resignations among people has also been at a high rate. There is no doubt that in these harsh conditions, more competition has risen and people have started caring only about themselves and no other, hence resulting in loneliness.
But is this all? No, there are other sides to the story. It has been observed that people in this generation prefer a better quality of life than higher pay. The rise of complete dependency on the law of attraction and delusional thinking has also helped in contributing toward this mindset. Also, most people in this generation prefer to enjoy their life rather than to spend it climbing up the corporate ladder.
There has been a rise in financial nihilism among Gen Z, hence adding the fire towards the anti-capitalist mindset.
But what is financial nihilism?
Financial nihilism is a mindset that rejects the traditional significance and value placed on financial success and wealth accumulation.
Gen Z has started rejecting materialistic values as their source of happiness. They are also skeptical of traditional financial systems-considering them flawed or unfair. They prioritize internal growth and increase personal relationships.
Generation Z's anti-capitalist mindset and the rise of financial nihilism reflect a collective desire for a more meaningful, balanced, and humane approach to life, setting the stage for transformative changes in the economic and corporate landscape.
The new attitude among this generation will soon lead to changes in economic and financial reforms. This will have a lasting impact on the corporate industry- leaving us wondering... what does generation Z have in store for the future?
SOURCES:
Nguyen, Terry, and Bea Hayward. 2022. “Gen Z’s war on modern-day work.” Vox. https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/22977663/gen-z-antiwork-capitalism.
Jones, Owen. 2021. “Eat the rich! Why millennials and generation Z have turned their backs on capitalism.” The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/sep/20/eat-the-rich-why-millennials-and-generation-z-have-turned-their-backs-on-capitalism.
]]>By Rhea Ravi Kumar
The early days of YouTube saw a rise in vlogging. Regular people with cameras filming their everyday lives without high-end lighting and camera crews was a refreshing concept to the masses, many of whom had long grown tired of the seemingly unattainable world of glitz and glamour they were constantly exposed to by the media.
Before it was given a name, Family vlogging was a simple concept of parents filming their kids' everyday lives. To many, they were glorified home videos, created to become mementoes and sources of nostalgia for the future.
Shay Butler from the YouTube channel “Shaytards” was one of the first people to start vlogging in this style. In an interview regarding his success, Butler said “I thought, ‘Who would watch these, who’s gonna watch this home movie?’ That’s like the definition of boring, right?" Butler was soon proven wrong with this assumption, as his channel grew overnight, garnering audiences from all corners of the world. There were many other families, mostly from small towns in America like Shaytards, that began vlogging in the same style, like the LeBlanc family from the channel “Bratayley”, and the Franke family from the channel “8 Passengers” to name a few. To some of these families, their channels have been the source of endless opportunities in various industries, but to others, their channels have been the cause of their downfall.
Family vlogs have always been subject to criticism, caused mainly by concerns regarding the ethical factors involved. As these channels began gaining massive revenue, viewers felt that the children in the videos were being exploited. The content was centred around the children, who appeared on camera much more than their parents or other adults in the vlogs. A lot of the children who appeared in these vlogs were under ten years old, which viewers thought was too young an age to understand the implications of having their lives posted all over social media.
Viewers were also put off by the fact that some channels were successful enough to become the primary source of income for the family. In many cases, the parents running them were able to quit their jobs and vlog full-time. What was so off-putting about this was the idea of the parents living off their children’s income. While child labour laws apply to other industries like entertainment, they are still inapplicable to vlogging. Because of this, in the case that children are actually being exploited, legal intervention is quite difficult.Furthermore, the lack of consideration for the children’s comfort was also a cause for concern to viewers.
Some vloggers would film their children in vulnerable or tense states, making viewers question whether or not the child’s consent was received before filming and posting such moments. Many also voiced concerns about the safety of the children, as it is impossible to keep them safe from predators online. Cyberbullying and hate comments are not uncommon either, and they can have detrimental effects on the well-being of children.
The concept of family vlogging has been tainted severely recently, with many incidents involving vloggers coming to light. The messiest and most recent among them involves a family channel formerly known as “8 Passengers”. The controversy started years ago but was heightened when Ruby Franke, the woman running the channel, was arrested along with her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt. Ruby’s channel has been under fire since it started for its promotion of parenting techniques that many considered to be unconventional and outdated.
The parenting decision that garnered the most hate for Ruby, however, was when she and her husband Kevin decided to send their teenage son to a wilderness therapy program. The reasoning behind their decision was not revealed, but regardless of their justifications, wilderness therapy is an extremely harmful environment for any child and can be abusive. A short while after returning from the therapy, the son pulled a harmless prank on his younger brother, for which he got his bed taken away for over 7 months. To a lot of viewers, this was the last straw. Many fans were furious with Ruby for taking away her son's basic rights.
As controversial as the incidents with her son were, Ruby’s most questionable decision remains to post this online. She vlogged their journey with their son to the wilderness camp and also vlogged bringing him home. Ruby often vlogged her children in vulnerable states, and would regularly threaten or reprimand her youngest daughter on camera.
The Saccone Joly family is another example of a channel considered as intrusive. Since their daughter came out as transgender, they have been vlogging every step of her transition. Transitioning can be a really turbulent process, especially for a child, and viewers feel as though their documentation may be harmful to their daughter in the future.
Despite the negative implications vlogging has had on some families, they have also been the source of endless opportunities for others. The LeBlanc family, from the channel Bratayley, is an example of this. The LeBlancs started vlogging in the early 2010s, and their videos were mostly about the parents’ two younger daughters. With the growth of Bratayley, the LeBlanc girls were able to kickstart careers in acting and music. The LeBlancs aren’t the only family whose channels lead to careers for their children. The Eh Bee family is another example. Their channel kickstarted the music career of their daughter, who has now released many singles and has also gone on tour.
This being said, however, there is a fair amount of criticism on the internet about the children of family vloggers entering the entertainment industry. Viewers still feel that this behaviour is exploitative, as children are now spending even more time on camera. Viewers have also expressed concern about the children’s safety. By having a wider reach and therefore a wider influence, documenting the children’s lives might violate their safety in the future.
Family vlogging has been a gold mine for income and exposure, but there are dark truths behind it that are beginning to come to light. As an increasing amount of family channels are being called out for their concerning behaviour, the media is waking up to the potential dangers behind the video style. As we come to discover more of the truth, we as consumers can learn from the controversy and be more cautious with the content we promote.
SOURCES:
Freyer, Viviana. “THE REAL PROBLEM WITH FAMILY VLOGGING CHANNELS.” Her Campus, June 1, 2022, https://www.hercampus.com/culture/family-vlog-ethics/. Accessed October 26, 2023.
Kirri, June. “Why are People Still Watching Family Vloggers Like the LaBrants?.” The Medium, October 24, 2022, https://medium.com/the-point-of-view/why-are-people-still-watching-family-vlogging-channels-stop-ebae732c4672. Accessed October 26, 2023.
Miller, Chris. “Meet the Shaytards: the story behind the first family of YouTube.” 2KutV, November 14, 2014, https://kutv.com/news/local/meet-the-shaytards-the-story-behind-the-first-family-of-youtube. Accessed October 3, 2023.
Savage, Claire. “New law entitles child social media influencers to a percentage of earnings: ‘It’s kind of a new world’.” Fortune, August 12, 2023, https://fortune.com/2023/08/12/new-law-entitles-child-social-media-influencers-to-percentage-of-earnings-kidfluencers-sharenting/. Accessed October 26, 2023.
Smith, Rebecca. “A closer look at toxic family vlogging channels.” The Michigan Daily, September 24, 2023, https://www.michigandaily.com/arts/a-closer-look-at-toxic-family-vlogging-channels/. Accessed October 26, 2023.
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