Think right, think left

For the past two, well, three weeks, if we count last week's suspension of classes, our classroom discussion was mainly focused on the brain.

The Brain in a comm class??

At first it sounded really absurd because those two words are not really compatible. But going back to our first blog, I shouldn't have judged the readings before I actually read them.

After reading them, it all made sense. Our brain is divided into two, the right hemisphere, which controls the left side of the body and the left hemisphere, which controls the right side if the body. These two function differently, contrary to what most of us believe. The left side of the brain controls the "thinking" part, or the mathematic, analytical, logical, basically the ones us, math-physics-chemistry-anything-with-numbers-haters have failed to super duper nurture during the schooling years. On the other hand, the right side of the brain controls the more creative side. It's the artistic, imaginative, emotional part of us. It's the part that functions when we do something crazy, out of the ordinary.


I remember my accounting days. The days when I just stop answering problems, and cry (not just silent tears but humahagulgol of helplessness) because I don't know what to do. This did not happen once. It happened every long test. And we had FOUR!!!!! Relating this to our lesson, it shows the interaction of the two sides of my brain. The left, dominant side tries to answer the problems but since I'm more right sided, the emotional, dramatic part of me came out.

It was also discussed that there are tests that determine the more dominant part.

But even if one side is more dominant, it does not mean that the other does not function at all. It just means that the other one was better developed or you're more inclined to that. It's good to discover which side you are more inclined to because in knowing, you can help yourself. I couldn't help myself because I was not aware that I was more of a visual learner. I just know I hate math.

It just sucks that in schools, the development of the right side of the brain is not that popular?? (I can't think of the word -__-) Though music and the arts are slowly showing it's presence in schools, so much focus is given to the maths and sciences. Maybe I'm just bitter cause I was never the super duper extra smart one in class. The point is, more chances should be given to students with regards to the subjects they could get. Free Electives should be given every year so that the right side of the brain is given a chance.

The chance we we rarely had during gradeschool/ highschool happened today, Tuesday. Our right side of the brain had a workout. 

Questions and riddles that make us use divergent and lateral thinking were presented. It was really interesting to see many different ideas under one topic. From a paperclip, a weapon, a utensil, a car can be formed. Or from a ballpen, several problems/ issues from ink blotting to health problem and safety were said. Also, riddles about a mother having two sons but are not twins are asked.Tuesday's session was interesting and fun at the same time because it was a mix of activities and lessons. We also had time to make new friends!!!! Overall, it was a very nice Tuesday. :)

Objectified!

A lot of what we are doing is getting design out of the way."

-Jonathan Ive

Two weeks ago, we watched a documentary regarding the everyday products we use and how their designs are sometimes misused and disregarded by people.

One thing that struck me was their explanation of why the toothpick has a weird looking top part. I really thought it was someone's weird design to make the toothpick more appealing. A glass shattering moment happen after the documentary. The top part was really designed to be used as a sign that the toothpick's already used and it can also be used as a stand for the toothpick. Interesting, right?

With this part alone, the makers of the movie already made a strong point regarding how consumers really disregard design and that we take them for granted. I believe it's partly because we are living a fast paced life. People believe that once you slow down, you'll get left behind. That is also why people are creating new things "without design," without design in terms of their lack of quality compared to those that are carefully designed by professionals. They just create and create just to have something to sell. If you create things faster, you can sell faster = faster money return. Compare this to products that have to pass thru industrial design professionals. A company must hire professionals to carefully study the competitors' products, think of something innovative for their product and create it. This will take so much time and money (cause ID experts don't come cheap). This is why most companies nowadays opt to disregard design and go to what is faster, easier and low cost. Minimum cost, maximum profit.

The topic of sustainability also enters. This is also a problem indicated in the documentary. Some designers admit that they also have a part in this. We live in a highly competitive world so people create and create to outproduce and outsell their competitors. Thus, more and more products are presented to the public, either products with design or without design. More people buy things to replace the old ones they have at home. Some opt to sell their replaced products to junk shops for a few bucks but most of these products are thrown away and placed into landfills. Since most of the products made are not biodegradable, they just stay there, forgotten by their previous owners.

After watching the documentary, I gained a huge respect to these designers. It takes a lot of time and patience to create newer, more innovative products for the public. Also, in creating new products, profit shouldn't be the number one priority. I think it's supposed to be the consumers and how it affects everything. That their comfort and convenience must be put into consideration and that the environment is not hurt whenever production of these happen.

In addition, I'll forever admire those who take into consideration the environment. Biodegradable products are not that cheap and selling these products at a reasonable price is really worthy of admiration.

Lastly, I realized that even if we live in a fast paced world, it wouldn't hurt to stop and slow down; to smell the roses, as they say. Too much speed can cause a person to crash. Slowing down, admiring the little things, the simpler things can give a person a newer, fresher perspective.