#blogpost11

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Trebor Scholz in “Platform Cooperativism: Challenging Corporate Sharing Economy” explores the way in which it is possible to challenge the corporate sharing economy, which is not about sharing and was not supposed to be in this way. It is, instead, an on-demand service economy that continuously spreads market relations into our lives. Platform Cooperativism is a weapon to challenge this kind of economy since it is about changing patterns of ownership and governance. The extraction processes inserted in the social interactions are heavily pervasive, which  can create anti-social behaviors and sentiments of competition, anxiety and, also, mental health issues.

The digitalized work is an integral component of the corporate sharing economy, yet workers in digitalized work are losing rights in the process. Legal scholar Frank Pasquale compared traditional employment to marriage, with both parties committed to a long-term mutual project. With digitalized work, this project is reversed, and its workforce seeks a series of hookups. The digitalized work creates illusions of flexibility, autonomy, and choice. In reality, however, the worker does not have any type of security. Moreover, Scholtz argues that illegality is a method of the sharing economy. The “nullification of federal law” can be identified in firms that do not pay taxes in sharing economy, and the lack of dignity, rights, and democratic values for workers. Uber is an example of violation of laws since it pays drivers less that the minimum wage. Scholz advocates for a solidarity economy, and for the creation of a cooperative created by people voluntarily united with specific needs and who are willing to operate together and organize a company to fulfill social and cultural needs, rather than just economic interests.

Platform cooperativism is based on:

Copying the existing technology of platforms but adopting a different model of ownership.

Enhancing values and not only profits – solidarity

Reframing the concepts of innovation and efficiency in order to make everyone benefit from the system and not just a few.

The 10 principles of platform cooperativism are:

 Collective ownership

 Decent pay and income security for workers

 Transparency and data portability

 Appreciation and acknowledgement

 Co-programming

 Protective legal framework

 Portable workers protections and benefits

 Protection against arbitrary behavior

 Rejection of workplace surveillance

 The right to log-off

via Eva website

First, what is the scientific revolution?

The scientific revolution is a period of time starting in the late 16th century. Our Lumen video lecture says it arbitrarily is connected to Copernicus’ development of the heliocentric system. It is extremely far from arbitrary but there is not time to explain that in this post, likely Unit Project 4 will shed some light on this. The key features of the scientific revolution would include the development of the heliocentric system, Isaac Newtons advancements in understanding of Physics, the refinement/development of the scientific method as we know it today, and a variety of other science or science-adjacent findings.

Reflect on what cultural shifts had to occur for the scientific revolution to take shape in Europe. You might consider people's view of their place in the world, individualism, humanism, education, the role of religion, technological advances, exploration, politics, printing, and so forth. In other words, how is European culture moving away from medievalism and toward beliefs we recognize as modern?

One of the major shifts would be the inquisitiveness that seems to be becoming more culturally acceptable. People are asking more questions, and when they do not find the answers already found, they look for them themselves. People as individuals could learn things, they did not swallow spoon-fed information as easily as they once had. This is still something people are learning today.

“Jan Matejko, Astronomer Copernicus, or Conversations with God, 1873: Oil painting by the Polish artist Jan Matejko depicting Nicolaus Copernicus observing the heavens from a balcony by a tower near the cathedral in Frombork.“ -from ‘The Scientific Revolution’ Lumen article.

Challenge

The main challenges for this package are the form and material. I was able to get a solid form down last week. Based on this week’s critique, a good point was made that too much material was used for the sides and took up interior space. 

As for materials, the printer said they could print on foil, but it came out as a thick vinyl (right). Although all pannels had solid colours, it was printed transparent. This takes away from the design, intention of a coffee product, and portable form.

Approach

This week I plan to make more iterations based on feedback. Once I have a solid form, I will move onto visual design critiques. From there, I will search for material options that will work based on my current time and budget. 

Outcome

When I was comfortable enough I did knit in public. I first began on the train I take every day from where I live to university. I also knitted in the library of the university, again before working so I could get ready mentally for my assignments. Last but not least, at Lido San Domenico, in between a break during my shift. I was sitting facing the lake around 1-2 pm, and a lady sitting a meter away from me told her friend “Is this the place to do knit?”. I gave her a heavy stare to make her feel comfortable. LEAVE MY KNITTING ALONE. I was surprised because the environment of the place is very laid-back back, so are the individuals that go to it.

This Playlist is made to knit in public, to have a little boost of confidence. Because sometimes the stares from the haters get way too heavy. They just need to open their minds about knitting in public. 

Gif sources:

Gif 1: https://giphy.com/gifs/season-3-the-simpsons-3x5-26tk1NIB8piCd7SX6

Ethics involves the moral “rights” and “wrongs” of society, and in turn, people. If it were simply regarding the obligations or responsibilities of an individual, then I would say that there is an obligation or at least a strong reason to inform the community. It would reduce the inconvenience to the public immensely since it would let them know to adjust their schedules and routines accordingly.

It is a slightly different case when talking about a company or person representing a company. The most ethical or right thing would be to do what is best for the company. We know that putting up constant reminders and notices on construction takes up company time and effort and that it would not affect our customers. Notifying them doesn’t provide our company any tangible benefits but it does show that we take responsibility, that we are conscious and involved in our community. We might not sell our products currently to this community, but in the future, there might be expansion and we would want to have a good relationship with potential clients.

Kortney Cardin

Blog Post 11

Aurora Station

 Orion Span, Aurora Station, Orbiting Earth, Space, 2018

            Tired of living on Earth fulltime? Orion Span as soon as 2022 is looking to provide an experience unlike ever before to people with a few million dollars setting around.  Set to orbit 200 miles above the Earth’s surface, Aurora Station will be the first residence in space. At a price of approximately 7 million dollars, four guests and two crew members will be able to stay orbiting the Earth for a period of two weeks, but Orion Span in the future plans to expand Aurora Station for possible permanent living for those interested. While in space, activities ranging from television to agriculture can be preformed by guest all while at zero gravity. The only requirements for this spatial journey is a 3 month online training course to prepare first time astronauts, which is extremely short compared to the years spent in training for the international space station residents. 

 Orion Span, Aurora Station, Orbiting Earth, Space, 2018

            Looking at Aurora Station from an architectural viewpoint, it is without a doubt something unlike ever before. The ability for people other than professional trained astronauts to travel and stay in space is groundbreaking. Aurora Station will provide its residents with never before views and sensations in space that are unachievable on Earth. Although the structural design is small, the capsule provides a similar tiny home feeling to the guest with every necessity for space residency compacted brilliantly.

 Orion Span, Aurora Station, Orbiting Earth, Space, 2018

           In conclusion, if Aurora Station is as successful as many believe it can be, I believe that space residency may start to grow in public demand. The main limiting factor to this project is the large price, but like all things at first, the price will fall over time if there is a larger demand for the product and experience. Orion Span is creating something new; they have just begun an age for the desire of spatial architecture. A completely new field of design that has many more factors to consider than architectural design on Earth, but we will overcome and sore into the unknown yet again.

  Cover Images:

Finals are final over guys!!! Q.Q

So we are done guys, all we have to do is ace those finals and finish those last assignments. The last days are always the slowest ones, but it is worth it at the end. I just want to say that this class was not what I expected at first, I thought it would be boring and it turned out to be the total opposite of that. I really liked it and I found it very interesting and useful for other classes. This semester was a little chaotic at first, but once I knew my priorities everything started to make sense. I believe with the experiences and stuff that I learned in this semester, my upcoming semester will be a lot easier in the sense that I will know what to do in order to accomplish my goals. Also group projects will not be the same now that I know how I can create a healthy and friendly environment.  Good luck to you all !.

We made it. Golden stars for everyone!