Monthly Archives: August 2013

A new world

Nothing gets my blood pumping more than discovering a good buy. I love nothing more than strolling down Chapel Street or forging my way through crowded laneways of Melbourne’s CBD. But, my search for ‘good buys’ is now seeing me look no further than my computer screen.

New to the online world of shopping, I haven’t discovered all its pros and cons but my experiences so far have been positive. When ordering a skirt from the UK last week I was a tad skeptical. Would the skirt I ordered differ from the one I received? Was it all a scam to empty my bank account? Now the happy recipient of a new skirt, I cannot ignore the advantages online shopping has over traipsing store to store.

The navy body con knitted mini with cable knit finish, received many compliments when worn for coffee with the girls. Frequent victims of same-outfit-syndrome, they were curious why they hadn’t seen the skirt before. Being the wonderful friend I am, I told them about the website.

Price competiveness and convenience are the driving forces behind Internet purchases. Savvy shoppers are trying on clothing, only to go online and order the same piece cheaper. The strong Australian dollar is allowing Aussies to buy cheaply from offshore websites, and money conscious individuals have grasped the opportunity.

Those with little time, who live far from mainstream stores or hyperventilate at the thought of pushy shop assistants lingering outside their changing room, listen up. Buying online offers the chance to save some pennies and experience leisurely shopping.

Every clothing size and colour is at your fingertips. Gone are the days of driving a mile to find what you are looking for. Online shopping offers instant gratification, and will surely increase the number of shopaholics. The bonus of having purchases delivered to your door cannot be denied either, and who doesn’t enjoy receiving mail?

It seems as the retail industry is beginning to peter, the simple of joy of snail mail is being revived. To think the advent of online shopping has led to letterboxes being filled with more than just bills. Mornings spent waiting by the front gate for the mail have been resurrected and people have been reintroduced to the thrill of tearing open whatever has arrived.

Rose coloured glasses aside, the recent surge of Internet purchases caused Australia Post to upgrade its parcel delivery service. Australia Post was flailing with the 10.9 per cent increase in parcel deliveries they noted last year and the system was given a serious overhaul. Twenty-four hour collection facilities and happy Aussies were the result.

The popularity of online shopping has exploded over the past few years and is evident why. Research undertaken by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, found nearly 62 per cent of internet users bought something online in the six months prior to April 2011.With winter fast approaching, why not snuggle up by the fire while revamping your wardrobe?

Next time I find myself dealing with a surly shop assistant or queuing for the cash register, I don’t know if I will be as patient.

Lecture

Take away points

  • structure emerges through practice
  • knowledge is something we construct from information so it varies between individuals
It was also stated that ‘education is an experience not a commodity.’ I don’t agree with this statement. I believe education is both an experience and a commodity, I don’t believe the two are mutually exclusive. Information can be ‘bought’ and knowledge acquired and then traded or shared. Elliot shared this view point when stating that University is a type of transaction – and personally I want a return on that investment. Adrian noted that lecturers and tutors can’t give knowledge but can facilitate students in finding that knowledge. I agree with this statement but it doesn’t mean I don’t view Uni as some sort of monetary exchanged. I understand there has to be a meeting of the minds so to speak, tutors and students have to meet each other halfway. But, I feel as though this meeting of the minds should be led by the teacher so in a way perhaps they could be likened to a shop assistant (that sounds demeaning but I am simply in keeping with the metaphor used in the lecture). Typically it is the buyer telling the shop assistant what they are looking for and then the shop assistant helping them find it (which is kind of what was said in the lecture, but the metaphor of the shop assistant was seen negatively). As I am unpacking the ‘shop assistant’ metaphor I am confusing my thoughts. But, I think I have made my observation clear??

Dr. Bush… Psychic

It seems that Dr Vannevar Bush (Director of the Office of Scientific Research and Development) had the ability of foresight. His July 1 1945 article ‘As We May Think’ argues that scientific instruments are/or should be seen as tools for sharing knowledge. He states that “for years inventions have extended man’s physical powers rather than the powers of the mind” and scientists should focus on increasing the accessibility of knowledge. “Science has provided the swiftest communication between individuals; it has provided a record of ideas and has enabled man to manipulate and to make extracts from that record so that knowledge evolves and endures” – this ‘swift communication’ should be utilized in order to make information more accessible. On a side note, this statement reminded me of something I learnt in Communications – the first publications were scientific findings which were shared among scientists. Back to Bush however, he cleverly noted that an increasing the accessibility of knowledge has the potential to bog us down. This is exactly what is happening now. Anyone, anywhere can post ‘information’ online. Rather that needing tools for finding the information (we now have this in the form of search engines like Google), we need tools to wade through useless/false information that is so easily accessible. Bush notes that this bogging down can result in “truly significant attainments becom[ing] lost in the mass of the inconsequential.” Then and now, a way of sorting through these records was seen of great importance by scientists like Bush. 

http://cdn.dropmark.com/4931/9cdc50c349beb1c5a790f7843894599c3f08be1a/As%20We%20May%20Think.pdf

Sci-fi as a breeding ground for ideas

Sci-fi writer Bruce Sterling provides an example of design fiction – “In 2001: A Space Odyssey, the guy’s holding what’s clearly an iPad. It just really looks like one, right?” Sci-fi often has implications on reality. Several of James Bond’s gadgets have made their way into everyday life. These include satellite navigation, underwater cameras and bullet proof glass.

http://vogmae.dropmark.com/133224/2153373

Splendid!

Would I call myself a festival-goer? Perhaps, but I certainly don’t fit the mold. I buy festival tickets without looking at the lineup, I’m a hygiene freak and hate camping. But, I have never not enjoyed myself at a festival. Hence, when my friends tell me to buy a ticket, I do.

Prior to ‘Splendour in the Grass Mud,’ the only camping festival I had been to was ‘Falls Festival’ in Lorne. I have been to Falls twice, and am planning to return this coming New Years. I believe it is the only way to welcome in the New Year. I know every second person and its summer! Given the weather, I was apprehensive about Splendour, to say the least, but it turned out to be the most amazing four nights and five days.

Undoubtedly, my favorite act was ‘Mumford and Sons.’ I was only going to see them, to say that I had seen them. Only knowing three songs, I knew I would enjoy myself but didn’t anticipate they would blow me away. After the opening song, however, I was eating my words. Mumford and Sons are true entertainers. Marcus Mumford effortlessly jumped between vocals, guitar, drums and mandolin. Even the light show that accompanied the performance was astounding and added to the warmth, depth and uplifting nature of the music. There were “candles” (or props that looked like candles), red lights which spanned over the huge audience and smoke. It was splendid!

This experience was further enhanced by the ‘festival atmosphere.’ Everyone there has a passion for music. They aren’t concerned by the weather or how they look, drinks are flowing and often people have come with a large group of friends. It just isn’t the same as seeing someone in concert.

Design Fiction

‘Design fiction’ was a new concept to me prior to reading Matthew Ward’s ‘Design Fiction as Pedagogic Practice.’ Ward discusses design fiction as a useful teaching device. This term is increasingly bandied about but, Ward contends that is has not been historically contextualized or properly scrutinized.

Cleverly and usefully, Ward unpacks the relationship between fiction and design. He writes that “designers produce propositions for a world that is yet to exist.” Ward importantly notes that “we always design for a world that sits, sometimes just slightly, out of sight.” This is because designers design for our future needs, in a fictitious future. Fictitious, because we don’t have the ability to foresee every detail of tomorrow. Designers use “fiction as a testing ground for reality” thus are not limited by today.  

Ward highlights how the use of fiction enables us to think through possible consequences, whether they be intended or unintended. He advises “prototype them in the stories you tell.” By ‘them’ he means designs, and by ‘stories’ he means the way in which we persuade others our designs our necessary. Like many other educators, Ward recognizes and praises the power of imagination.

For the full reading follow this link: http://vogmae.dropmark.com/133224/2153370