Design for Bodies
The truth behind the post
Today almost everyone has some form of social media. This can be used to connect with friends and family near and far but that convince comes at a cost. "Influencers" of all sorts can be found on social media and are normally looked up to by their followers. While in some cases these influencers post realistic normal/ reliable photos often times they are of extravagant things and edited to insure the poster looks better then they did in real time when it was taken.
This kind of editing and fallacy gives their followers an unrealistic expectation of what the person they idolize looks like and has been seen to negatively effect how they think they themselves should look. This negative view of them self can lead to a decline in confidence and mental health in the ling run.
A study by the Florida House Experience, “found that 87% of women and 65% of men compare their bodies to images they consume on social and traditional media. In that comparison, a stunning 50% of women and 37% of men compare their bodies unfavorably”
While those who experienced life before social media may not be effected as much since they were able to build their self esteem off more realistic body expectations (sans photoshopping) the younger users of social media have been exposed to these unrealistic expectations from an young age.
“76 percent of American teens age 13-17 use Instagram.” -APnorc.org
Is there a solution?
One way to combat these negative effects is for the user themself to see the error in their ways. By unfollowing and blocking any accounts that make them feel bad about themselves and following those who promote a health life style and self love they can elevate that source of trouble.
Another way to stop this issue at a higher level is for the social network companies to step in. By mandating that any edited photos must disclose that information, or banning extreme edits all together
Designed for culture
Digital isolation
With technology finding its way into almost every aspect of our lives its not surprising to see that it is having an effect on the family dynamic. Parents are on they're cells for work, social and everything in-between. You can see a child with an I pad just about everywhere, homes often have at least one sort of gaming console and kids get phones younger and younger every year.
Its not strange to sit in a room with friends or family and not speak a single word to each other as each individual is zoned in on their devices in their own world. Even in larger scale environments such as social gathering, restaurants or other places this is a common occurrence.
"One group from Boston Medical Center watched family interactions in fast-food restaurants. Out of 55 families, 40 parents were doing something with their phones while they were with their children. The researchers call this “absorption with the mobile device.” When a child tried to get a parent’s attention, they got in trouble for interrupting the parent".- FirstThingsFirst
Technology in all aspects of life
Tech has found it way not only into our social lives but our romantic lives and relationships as well. If you were to walk onto a college campus an ask every single person about dating to day almost everyone would tell you they use some form of dating app. On the other had those that are in relationships are likely to tell you that one of their main forms of communication with their partners is social media (ie. Snapchat)
Many schools today offer computers or iPads to students as a learning tool, but is that just another way tech is taking over a social space? Where students would normally be seen working in groups and learning collaboratively they can now be seen with their heads buried in a computer working alone or on shared documents losing the social aspect and learning vital life skills. When we take the idea of working as a team on a collaborative assignment we are taking away that life skill which is extremely important in many professional fields.
In recent times during the pandemic FaceTime has been utilized to stay close to people while staying safe, “You wish you were there,” Wright told me. “But in this way, you are.”- The Atlantic
Is it all bad?
Well having tech in our lives can be seen as a negative it also has some benefits, one of the biggest begin it allows us to connect with those far away. Having a devise on you at all times allows you to keep those you are close with but don't see often in the loop. You can get in touch with anyone at the touch of a button and can even see them with FaceTime and similar apps.
A ted talk discussing the link between technology and culture and how the help shape each other.
Designing for Earth
ewaste and the end of it all
One of the biggest issues with tech today is that it isn't built to last. When a devise breaks were are forced to replace the whole thing as fixing it just isn't an option
After we discard of our now useless product it is shipped over seas to be destroyed elsewhere which isn't done in the most ethical way and takes a toll on not just the environment but the people working there.
"Today’s agriculture routinely uses sophisticated technologies such as robots, temperature and moisture sensors, aerial images, and GPS technology. These advanced devices and precision agriculture and robotic systems allow businesses to be more profitable, efficient, safer, and more environmentally friendly".- USDA
The NEGATIVE come with a POSITIVE
While not thought of immediately when discussing tech farming equipment has been one of the best discoveries in technology for the environment and the economy. Farming equipment makes the whole operation run quicker and efficiently thous saving business/ farms money and allowing them to use the time they save to increase profit.
Sources
https://nifa.usda.gov/topic/agriculture-technology
https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/resources/updates/the-growing-environmental-risks-of-e-waste/
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/03/social-distancing-coronavirus-videochat-facetime/608038/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/petersuciu/2021/02/24/social-media-can-increase-risk-of-eating-disorders-and-negative-body-image/?sh=7a1a039fe496
https://apnorc.org/projects/instagram-and-snapchat-are-most-popular-social-networks-for-teens-black-teens-are-most-active-on-social-media-messaging-apps/
https://firstthings.org/how-technology-affects-families/
Credits:
Created with images by fancycrave1 - "office home workspace" • Pixelkult - "media social media apps" • cyndidyoder83 - "teen iphone smartphone" • mojzagrebinfo - "children tv child" • kaboompics - "man reading touchscreen" • Alexandra_Koch - "video conference meeting online" • dokumol - "computer scrap metal technology" • PublicDomainImages - "soil tilling farmer"