Across facebook, I have seen different stories of children with advanced, and unattractive, hearing aids that surround their entire ear and temple. What many fathers and mothers have done in response is gotten a tattoo of the same hearing aid to make their child feel more comfortable, because a sleeker, less 'embarrassing', option isn't available. One big environmental change that was made to assist people in wheelchairs was adding ramps to every sidewalk in Boston. It was simply a slight ramp, but it has made commuting much easier for these people. My friend bought me a little fan for when I get sweaty while I embroider (which usually leads to me being angry), and whenever I turn it on I am reminded of him. And the fan goes in the USB slot of the embroidery machine! 

I was surprised by the truth that the article touched upon technology's assistance in our socialness as humans. It allows us to check out, or distract ourselves purposefully, to avoid public confrontations. Technology can also be used inversely, which really showed me that the scope of debates around technology are much more than utilitarian. Another was in the solution for certain people with physical disabilities: with the gestural jewelry. I was surprised by how much emotion and conviction can be put across in the 'guarded gesture'—or crossing your arms—and how profound it can be to have that gesture added to your life through technology. Finally, I was interested in the environmental changes that were suggested for elderly walkers in parks, for example. The article made the point that not exoskeletons aren't always practical, or desired, and simple additions or modifications in the environment can provide enormous aid to those who need it. 

I disagreed with the stance that the article took on the path for the future of these technologies and how they lead to interdependence. It claimed that the only way to have conversations about the needs and desires for interdependence is through the creation of objects that 'raise and suspend questions'. I believe that complicated public conversations simply need to happen with education of the masses and aiming to reduce ignorance on the topic. Simply creating objects that seem to raise more confusion isn't the only path to creating a movement to solve this wide and somewhat ambiguous issue.

My favorite device was the sewing machine. I embroider in my basement, and I understand—to a degree—the same feeling of loneliness and desire to work alongside my friends when I'm there alone. The machine is simple, artistic, and emotionally practical. 

4 things to remember: Person first phrasing! It is important to put the humanity of the person before the label they've been given. People of color, person with diabetes, people with disabilities. Don't jump to the conclusion that someone needs help, because they may simply be processing a challenge more slowly, or want to complete it on their own. Ask questions if it seems right to. Respect the golden rule, and use common sense. The more nervous you are, the more likely it is you won't act like yourself, and that will only make things more awkward. 

• For each of the 6 categories, can you think of an example from your own life?

1.) My great grandmother had hearing aids

2.) I haven't seen anything related to tongue receptors, but one of the faculty members is in a wheel chair

3.) Someone at Beaver created an exoskeleton sleeve to help weightlifting activities 

4.) I saw a picture today of a pillow that was shaped like a person hugging someone

5.) Sewing advancements, to me, seem like they have been very rare in the world 

6.) This is similar to the hearing aids in a sense of these helpful inventions being fashionable.

• What were 4 things that surprised you from this article?

1.) The categories were of things I don't normally see inventions for

2.) Fashion has become a large factor in solutions to some inventions 

3.) The tongue receptors was most surprising to me

4.) I've never seen things that hug you that aren't human

• What was 1 thing you disagreed with 

I can't disagree with any of it because I didn't know too much about the topics to begin with

• What was your favorite device?

I really liked the self hugging chair. Like I said, I've never seen that before; it seems so simple yet so necessary and beneficial for people.

Taken at my dinner table, behind a poster of Montana.

• For each of the 6 categories, can you think of an example from your own life?

For the first category, the hearing aid seems extremely similar to headphones that I use today, especially the Bluetooth ones since they look similar to the hearing aids and help people hear certain things. It also is similar to jewelry in a sense that they can hang down onto your neck in the way a necklace would and could also be decorated and used more fashionably. For the third object, there is a type of chair at my house that is very similar to this. it curves in a way to make the body fit more comfortably. along with this chair, I have seen and sat in many others that are formed specifically to match someones body.  I have used something very similar to a hugging machine. My friend has these pillows with arms attached to them and you can lie on the pillow with the arm over you making you feel like you are cuddling with a person. The social sewing reminded me of Siri. they are both interactions with inhumane objects that can make people feel like they are not alone.

• What were 4 things that surprised you from this article?

1. I was surprised by the fact that soldiers would end up dying from splints which is interesting because people were using them to try and help, but it only made things worse.

2.  In the last device, It didn't necessarily surprise me but I found it interesting and amazing how people do not feel the need to hide their objects or devices because it is apart of who they are. 

3. I was surprised to see how many of these things relate to my life and affect the whole culture and community 

4. I was really surprised about the second device because I had no idea that you could control computers just by tongue movement and seemed impossible to me before they started to explain it. However, I am still a little confused with this device.

• What was one thing you disagreed with?

I didn't necessarily disagree with anything but I was very confused by the device called the "wanderest" I don't understand the point of having a  seat attached to a pole by the road.

• What was your favorite device?

My favorite device was the hugging machine, I find it interesting that the action of squeezing brings calmness to people, which is why a lot of people enjoy getting hugs when they are sad because the physical act of being held tight makes someone feel better. 

• Disability Awareness notes

1. It is important to be careful with the way we phrase things. Instead of defining a child as being autistic, define the child and then add that they have autism. 

2. Ask questions, especially before you try to do something like helping them because they know themselves best and the help they may need.

3. Be polite and use your common sense

4.  Just be yourself (don't get nervous) and just do you!

• For each of the 6 categories, can you think of an example from your own life?
• My Grandfather has hearing aids and to see the projects about them was really cool because I would never think about that.
• What were 4 things that surprised you from this article?
• Four things that surprised me most were the creativity, simplicity in the designs, technology advancements over the years,  
• What was 1 thing you disagreed with 
• One thingI disagreed with was that all technology only has a positive effect, this is shown in smartphones, computers, etc. Yes these devices can make our life either but they also can drag us away and distract us on tasks we need to complete.
• What was your favorite device?
• My favorite device was the necklace. the simplicity of the design made it effective as it was barely noticed.

Second Reading

The biggest component that I took away from the reading was to just be yourself. Why would you act different because someone has trouble doing something. This is something I will take in to our trip of Wednesday.