Monday, December 12, 2011
Friday, December 2, 2011
What's in your computer?
Hexavalent Chromium
1. Where and how is it mined?
It is mined by underground and open pit mining methods.
It is mined in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Finland, India, Kazchistan, and the Phillipines.
It is mined as Chromites
2. What is the environmental impact of the mining? Is it regulated? If so, by whom?
It contaminates water and soil resources and is diposited into many water sources. Deposited into the air, affecting the growth of trees and forests.
Regulated by the OSHA. OSHa set exposure limit to 5mg/m^3.
3. What are the human health concerns when used to manufacture consumer electronics?
4. What documented health impacts are associated with its demanufacturing?
--> 3&4, Inhaling increases risk of lung cancer and damage to the nose, throat and respiratory system. Damages dna. Can cause asthmatic bronchitis and dermatitis. Causes brain damage.
1. Where and how is it mined?
It is mined by underground and open pit mining methods.
It is mined in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Finland, India, Kazchistan, and the Phillipines.
It is mined as Chromites
2. What is the environmental impact of the mining? Is it regulated? If so, by whom?
It contaminates water and soil resources and is diposited into many water sources. Deposited into the air, affecting the growth of trees and forests.
Regulated by the OSHA. OSHa set exposure limit to 5mg/m^3.
3. What are the human health concerns when used to manufacture consumer electronics?
4. What documented health impacts are associated with its demanufacturing?
--> 3&4, Inhaling increases risk of lung cancer and damage to the nose, throat and respiratory system. Damages dna. Can cause asthmatic bronchitis and dermatitis. Causes brain damage.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
WebLog 12
I choose to take no action. I choose this because I currently use mostly all Apple products, and after reading their website, it turns out they are trying their best to make their products more environment friendly already. First, through manufacturing they are working to make their products "smaller, thinner and lighter". Through this they are able to use less material which helps "generate less carbon emissions." Apple is also working on "reducing or eliminating environmentally harmful substances." Each and every product they sell no longer has brominated flame retardants, elemental bromine and chlorine. Also, every type of display they make "features mercury-free LED backlighting and arsenic-free glass." Another way they have tried to make things greener is buy creating smaller packaging. This "reduces materials and waste” and "helps reduce the emissions produced during transportation". Apple is also working to make their products more energy efficient. According to the website "Apple product not only meets but exceeds the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s strict ENERGY STAR guidelines." (There is a graph at the end comparing the energy used by their products compared to other common household products.) One of the most important parts is how they recycle their products. The products that they make, as mentioned earlier, use less materials, which lead to less needing to be recycled. Out of the materials that are being used, they are all "reclaimed by recyclers for use in new products." Even their packaging can be recycled. Also, their products are made to last. I can personally defend this because I had the same Mac computer for over 4 years. I just recently got a new one, but that was only because my roommate spilled water on mine and broke it. If it wasn't for that I would be going on 5 years with the same computer. I have never had any other computer last as long. They also recycle their materials very well. Nothing is shipped overseas to be recycled; it is all recycled where it is produced. Their goal for 2010 was to recycle up to 70% of their products, and they achieved that. After doing all of the research on Apple, I assume other companies are making efforts to try to be more green also. I do not support these other companies either by not buying their products, there for I do not feel it is necessary for me to complain to them.
http://www.apple.com/environment/
http://www.apple.com/environment/
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Annotated Bibliography
1.
AnJuan. "Bridging the Digital Divide in Africa." Black Web 2.0. 3 Nov. 2010. Web. 26 Oct. 2011.
This article mainly focuses on the ways in which Africa is attempting to bride the digital divide. It states that they plan on expanding broadband penetration along with creating services that support the African people in becoming more connected. It also explains how the African government is going to accomplish these tasks.
2.
Mutume, Gumisai. "Africa Takes on the Digital Divide: New Information Technologies Change the Lives of Those in Reach." Africa Renewal. Web. 26 Oct. 2011..
In this article, it gives you a sense of where Africa stands with the rest of the world. Explaining that Africa "has the fewest telephone lines, radios, televisions, computers, and internet users of any part of the world." Also, it explains that the digital divide is primarily due to Africa's extensive countryside. Additionally, it discussed a different way of bridging the digital divide. This mechanism of bridging the digital divide is the "digital solidarity" program. Advances that are enabled through new technologies and internet access are also discussed. For example, a South-African group of academics produced an online dictionary.
3.
Shiner, Cindy. "AllAfrica.com: Africa: Closing the Digital Divide." AllAfrica.com: Home. 16 Feb. 2009. Web. 26 Oct. 2011..
This article covers the challenges Africa faces when developing information and communication technology (ICT). Some challenges include poor connectivity and congested lines. There is a huge pile up in the "provision of broadband internet." This also discusses how Africa is prevailing in it's efforts to bridge the digital divide. One other topic is the things that the usage technology in Africa is helping with. For example, it helped create a CD-ROM in which provided a truing course for HIV/Aids health care providers.
4.
Kent, Daniel. "Daniel Kent: The National Digital Literacy Corps." The Huffington Post. 26 Oct. 2011. Web. 27 Oct. 2011..
This article main;y discusses a way of bridging the digital divide in America. It states how "seniors, minorities, low-income and rural Americans" do not have as many resources or opportunities to become "digitally literate." It then discusses the "Connect to Compete" program, which helps "promote and teach digital literacy.
5.
Dyson, Lauren. "How Will Gov 2.0 Address the Digital Divide? | Code for America." Code for America | A New Kind of Public Service. 15 Feb. 2011. Web. 27 Oct. 2011.
What the digital divide is, is described in the beginning of this article. It states that "the digital divide refers to the gap between those with access to information technology, and those with ineffective or no access." It also explains how "access" does not just pertain to those are unable to utilize the internet physically, but also to those who do not have the "skills and knowledge" required to use technology effectively. Common factors that attribute to the lack of internet usage are also discussed. Examples are income and education, along withe race. One other point is the advantage that urban residents have over rural residents. Finally it discusses the mission of "Code for America", which is to improve citizen access.
6.
Hertz, Mary Beth. "A New Understanding of the Digital Divide | Edutopia." Edutopia. 24 Oct. 2011. Web. 27 Oct. 2011..
The beginning of this article explains what the digit divide is, and how it has expanded. It touches on other groups affected by the digital divide, like the Americans that have disabilities. Also, it explains a solution that has been provided, which is Comcast launching Internet Essentials. Internet essentials is a "low cost internet service provided for families" that receive a free school lunch.
Each of these articles listed connect to my initial proposal in basically the same way. In my digital story, I question "what is social justice and digital media"? My conclusion was when people of the world do not have the same opportunities to access the digital media tools, such as the internet, or as stated in several of the articles, information and communication technology (ICT), as other people. Mostly in my initial proposal I discussed it was mainly because these foreign countries do not have access to ICT, but upon further research I learned it also has to do with having access, but not knowing how to use such things like computers, smart phones and the internet. Both of these types of social justice and digital media are discussed throughout the articles I have found.
AnJuan. "Bridging the Digital Divide in Africa." Black Web 2.0. 3 Nov. 2010. Web. 26 Oct. 2011.
This article mainly focuses on the ways in which Africa is attempting to bride the digital divide. It states that they plan on expanding broadband penetration along with creating services that support the African people in becoming more connected. It also explains how the African government is going to accomplish these tasks.
2.
Mutume, Gumisai. "Africa Takes on the Digital Divide: New Information Technologies Change the Lives of Those in Reach." Africa Renewal. Web. 26 Oct. 2011.
In this article, it gives you a sense of where Africa stands with the rest of the world. Explaining that Africa "has the fewest telephone lines, radios, televisions, computers, and internet users of any part of the world." Also, it explains that the digital divide is primarily due to Africa's extensive countryside. Additionally, it discussed a different way of bridging the digital divide. This mechanism of bridging the digital divide is the "digital solidarity" program. Advances that are enabled through new technologies and internet access are also discussed. For example, a South-African group of academics produced an online dictionary.
3.
Shiner, Cindy. "AllAfrica.com: Africa: Closing the Digital Divide." AllAfrica.com: Home. 16 Feb. 2009. Web. 26 Oct. 2011.
This article covers the challenges Africa faces when developing information and communication technology (ICT). Some challenges include poor connectivity and congested lines. There is a huge pile up in the "provision of broadband internet." This also discusses how Africa is prevailing in it's efforts to bridge the digital divide. One other topic is the things that the usage technology in Africa is helping with. For example, it helped create a CD-ROM in which provided a truing course for HIV/Aids health care providers.
4.
Kent, Daniel. "Daniel Kent: The National Digital Literacy Corps." The Huffington Post. 26 Oct. 2011. Web. 27 Oct. 2011.
This article main;y discusses a way of bridging the digital divide in America. It states how "seniors, minorities, low-income and rural Americans" do not have as many resources or opportunities to become "digitally literate." It then discusses the "Connect to Compete" program, which helps "promote and teach digital literacy.
5.
Dyson, Lauren. "How Will Gov 2.0 Address the Digital Divide? | Code for America." Code for America | A New Kind of Public Service. 15 Feb. 2011. Web. 27 Oct. 2011.
What the digital divide is, is described in the beginning of this article. It states that "the digital divide refers to the gap between those with access to information technology, and those with ineffective or no access." It also explains how "access" does not just pertain to those are unable to utilize the internet physically, but also to those who do not have the "skills and knowledge" required to use technology effectively. Common factors that attribute to the lack of internet usage are also discussed. Examples are income and education, along withe race. One other point is the advantage that urban residents have over rural residents. Finally it discusses the mission of "Code for America", which is to improve citizen access.
6.
Hertz, Mary Beth. "A New Understanding of the Digital Divide | Edutopia." Edutopia. 24 Oct. 2011. Web. 27 Oct. 2011.
The beginning of this article explains what the digit divide is, and how it has expanded. It touches on other groups affected by the digital divide, like the Americans that have disabilities. Also, it explains a solution that has been provided, which is Comcast launching Internet Essentials. Internet essentials is a "low cost internet service provided for families" that receive a free school lunch.
Each of these articles listed connect to my initial proposal in basically the same way. In my digital story, I question "what is social justice and digital media"? My conclusion was when people of the world do not have the same opportunities to access the digital media tools, such as the internet, or as stated in several of the articles, information and communication technology (ICT), as other people. Mostly in my initial proposal I discussed it was mainly because these foreign countries do not have access to ICT, but upon further research I learned it also has to do with having access, but not knowing how to use such things like computers, smart phones and the internet. Both of these types of social justice and digital media are discussed throughout the articles I have found.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
WebLog 10
Is Facebook a superorganism?
First, what is a superorganism? "A superorganism is a group of individual organisms or cells that functions as an integral social or biological unit" (http://www.bugsinthenews.com/Definition%20of%20Superorganism.htm). In a superorganism, each individual unit involved does not have to work with the other to contrive the superorganism. In this sense, yes, Facebook is very much a superorganism. Millions of people, each day, make Facebook what it is today. Each user individually contributes its own to Facebook, but it doesn't necessarily effect every other user on Facebook. Each user has their own individual goals, and through that, make Facebook a superorganism. It is not entirely like a superorganism in the sense that, the components of a superorganism are unable survive without their superorganism for very long. It is evident that people are able to live without Facebook, therefore, it is not a true superorganism.
First, what is a superorganism? "A superorganism is a group of individual organisms or cells that functions as an integral social or biological unit" (http://www.bugsinthenews.com/Definition%20of%20Superorganism.htm). In a superorganism, each individual unit involved does not have to work with the other to contrive the superorganism. In this sense, yes, Facebook is very much a superorganism. Millions of people, each day, make Facebook what it is today. Each user individually contributes its own to Facebook, but it doesn't necessarily effect every other user on Facebook. Each user has their own individual goals, and through that, make Facebook a superorganism. It is not entirely like a superorganism in the sense that, the components of a superorganism are unable survive without their superorganism for very long. It is evident that people are able to live without Facebook, therefore, it is not a true superorganism.
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