Assignment
Write one paper that argues a succinct thesis by examining, in depth, a single designed object. It should be supported by relevant outside literature (using at least four different academic sources), appropriately cited, and it should be illustrated as needed to orient your reader and clarify your argument. The paper should be 1250 to 1750 words long (about 5-7 pages), not including footnotes.
Designed object: Kindle
Thesis:
The invention of the e-Book is a turning point for the development of information, some people insist that we should follow our traditions; some people insists to replace the hard copies by the e-Book in order to responsible for the environment, some people claims that there are too many people abandoned themselves on the technology world; some people contends that digital data lasts much longer than paper copies.
Proposal:
My final paper will argue the benefits and baneful of Kindle and its contributions and deficiencies to the society. In my paper, there will be the compare and contrast of the traditional books with the Kindle. I will discuss them in several aspects, such as environmental problems, social justice, people's habits and lifestyle, the revolution of technologies, health issues, etc. After a brief introduction of the Kindle, I will give my personal and some of professionals' point of view about whether we should encourage the development of Kindle. For now, panopticism, orientalism, and ethics in design will be discussed in my paper to strengthen my argument. Since my topic is very controversial, there will be lots of examples, statistics, information and recourses to be provided in order to let the reader understand whether they should use Kindle or not. Last but not the least, the related social issues are going to be discussed which brought by the Kindle and meritorious suggestions will be applied in my paper.
-Introduction of modern technology
The first two paragraphs are mainly about introducing the importance of modern technology and how modern technology changed our life. Then I will introduce the Kindle from amazon. Also, I will discuss the controversy between hard copies and electronic books to strengthen my thesis.
-The benefits and disadvantages of hard copies.
Basically, the issue we are facing is environmental friendly problems. I will use several source to help me build an idea about paper is not sustainable enough for us society.
-The benefits and disadvantages of kindle
Firstly, I will introduce the benefits in one paragraph in using three sources from New School library that I found. As for the disadvantages, I will discuss the privacy issue, obsession on the Internet, and the usage of the electronic devices.
-Ethics in design
I will talk about ethics in design both on paper and kindle. Since they both have advantages and disadvantages, and I do not have an opinion supporting on which, as a result, I will still keep neutral on discussing them.
-Panopticism on Kindle
As we all know, if you use an electronic device to download book, there must be histories or traces. Some people's privacy maybe leak by hackers or accidents. Your catalogs of books are not secrets and there is no privacy anymore.
-Memory on hard copies
Reading a hard copy is a tradition; we cannot abandon the great invention of books. Some valuable hard copies are pricing, and they are memorable and meaningful.
-Climate and sustainable
Both electronic devices and paper are all result in tons of pollution. However, we should consider which one we can encourage at. There will be lots of introduction and resources about pollution create by paper and electronic devices.
-Conclusion
I will explain my thesis again. My essay would not have a solution, but a hint or an alert for people to realize what kind of ways of reading they should follow after my introduction. The invention of kindle is smart, efficient and useful. However, sometimes a good design is a wrong design.