I love information design and I was greatly intrigued by our discussion of world population growth in relation to world resources. I feel inforgraphics, video and other multimedia formats are great tools for making scientific and technical information readily accessible to wider audiences. It is also a good way to get the "heavy issues" on the table for daily contemplation, and deliberation. I feel the following videos and infographics deliver thought-provoking material in creative ways, and are good examples of taking the kinds of topics we discuss in class to broader audiences.
This video provides a great visual for world population growth. birth rate/ death rate Video
Also this TEDtalk provides great visuals to better "picture" world population, especially the box example around 10:40. The animated charts are very helpful as well.Video - TED
The link below provides infographics (pictured below) to help put world population and density into perspective. Infographics
I will admit to getting some small satisfaction from the fact that the U.S. is not the most wasteful. That being said, things do need to change. Though, no one wants to sacrifice quality of life.
This topic has been brought up in a few of my other classes. The Industrial Revolution was the tipping point for the population explosion and I agree that new developments in medicine and agriculture (because of the Industrial Revolution) have caused many more people to survive than die. As far as the world eventually evening out at 10 bil, I am a little unsure as to if that will happen. The birth rate in most first-world countries is decreasing as families do not need a lot of children to help with income. However, there are still many areas that are still a part of the third-world and that need the children to help with the income and where there are still many deaths for infants. I am very curious to see what will actually happen. Only time will tell.
If you like infographics, you should check out Information Is Beautiful: http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/
If the United Nations predicts that the world's population will level out at 10 billion, and those 10 billion begin to live first-world lifestyles, can the Earth meet those needs in a sustainable way? In this sense, limiting population growth is only a part of a much larger problem. I'm both glad and afraid of the fact that I'll be alive to see it.
Yes, information is beautiful is a great resource.
Right, can the world meet the needs of 10 billion on a first-world level, or will people fall into third- world conditions where more children = more income and the population booms again?
And yea, it's crazy that we might be around to find out.
I found the Infographics to be quite interesting and useful if stating some of the basic problems this world faces. They seem to be approachable by a large audience and get the message across in a clear and concise fashion. If these are the tools need to start constructive conversation about this topic, then the question is how do you get everyday people to see them. If you put these in the Lode or use them in a television campaign, would people actually take notice? I think the biggest issue with todays problems isn't about addressing the problems themselves but actually getting people to notice that they exist and need to be addressed.
Exactly, what is the point communicating these issues if your audience isn't going to act on the information? People can "like" a video or notice a picture but if they aren't mediators of the content then nothing will change. It's not just about presentation, but good presentation can inspire action... or at least get people talking, which is a start.
I will admit to getting some small satisfaction from the fact that the U.S. is not the most wasteful. That being said, things do need to change. Though, no one wants to sacrifice quality of life.
ReplyDeleteYes, but look who out-did us -- UAE! The ultimate in over-the-top LUXURY.
DeleteThis topic has been brought up in a few of my other classes. The Industrial Revolution was the tipping point for the population explosion and I agree that new developments in medicine and agriculture (because of the Industrial Revolution) have caused many more people to survive than die. As far as the world eventually evening out at 10 bil, I am a little unsure as to if that will happen. The birth rate in most first-world countries is decreasing as families do not need a lot of children to help with income. However, there are still many areas that are still a part of the third-world and that need the children to help with the income and where there are still many deaths for infants. I am very curious to see what will actually happen. Only time will tell.
ReplyDeleteIf you like infographics, you should check out Information Is Beautiful: http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/
ReplyDeleteIf the United Nations predicts that the world's population will level out at 10 billion, and those 10 billion begin to live first-world lifestyles, can the Earth meet those needs in a sustainable way? In this sense, limiting population growth is only a part of a much larger problem. I'm both glad and afraid of the fact that I'll be alive to see it.
Yes, information is beautiful is a great resource.
DeleteRight, can the world meet the needs of 10 billion on a first-world level, or will people fall into third- world conditions where more children = more income and the population booms again?
And yea, it's crazy that we might be around to find out.
I found the Infographics to be quite interesting and useful if stating some of the basic problems this world faces. They seem to be approachable by a large audience and get the message across in a clear and concise fashion. If these are the tools need to start constructive conversation about this topic, then the question is how do you get everyday people to see them. If you put these in the Lode or use them in a television campaign, would people actually take notice? I think the biggest issue with todays problems isn't about addressing the problems themselves but actually getting people to notice that they exist and need to be addressed.
ReplyDeleteExactly, what is the point communicating these issues if your audience isn't going to act on the information? People can "like" a video or notice a picture but if they aren't mediators of the content then nothing will change. It's not just about presentation, but good presentation can inspire action... or at least get people talking, which is a start.
Delete