1970 Port Laurent Pl, Newport Beach, CA 92660, USA
Contact: michaelmichalchik@gmail.com
ACXLW Meetup 74: Design for Developing Countries & Ethics of Extinction
Hello Folks! We are excited to announce the 74th Orange County ACX/LW meetup happening this Saturday and most Saturdays after that.
Host: Michael Michalchik Email: michaelmichalchik@gmail.com (For questions or requests) Location: 1970 Port Laurent Place, Newport Beach, CA 92660 Phone: (949) 375-2045 Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024 Time: 2:00 PM
Summary: This video explores why innovative, highly praised designs for developing countries often fail. The key problem lies in cultural misunderstandings: designers focus on the functionality of a product without understanding the deeper cultural and social contexts in which the products will be used. For instance, the Neon Nurture incubator, made from car parts to be low-cost and easily repaired, never gained acceptance because it lacked the prestige and appearance that medical officials in developing nations value. Other examples like the PlayPump (a merry-go-round that pumps water) illustrate how Western solutions often mismatch the actual needs of the communities they intend to help.
Questions for discussion:
Why do you think Western designers frequently overlook cultural factors when developing products for other parts of the world? How can this be addressed?
What role should local communities play in designing products intended to meet their needs? Could co-design processes become the new standard?
In cases like the PlayPump or mosquito nets being used for fishing, how should designers react when their products are repurposed by local users in unexpected ways?
2. Driving the Screw Worm to Extinction: The Ethics of Annihilation
Summary: The first video by Kevin Esvelt argues for using CRISPR gene drive technology to eradicate the New World screwworm, a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the flesh of mammals and birds, causing immense suffering. Esvelt contends that wiping out the screwworm would have a far greater impact on animal welfare than ending factory farming. The second video outlines the decades-long U.S.-Panama collaboration to keep screwworms out of North America by dropping millions of sterile flies in Panama each week. While this method works as a border defense, it is not sufficient to eradicate the screwworm from South America, where the problem persists.
Questions for discussion:
What ethical principles should guide decisions to drive a species to extinction, even if it causes widespread harm? Does the end justify the means?
Could gene drive technology be misused in other contexts, and what safeguards should be put in place to prevent this? What might be the long-term risks of eliminating species?
If the eradication of harmful species like the screwworm is possible, should we consider other “pest” species next? Where should we draw the line in deciding which species to eliminate?
Walk & Talk: After the meeting, we will take an hour-long walk and talk session. There are two mini-malls nearby with hot takeout options—look for Gelson’s or Pavilions in the 92660 area.
Share a Surprise: Bring something unexpected to share that has changed your perspective on life or the universe.
Future Direction Ideas: Please contribute your thoughts on future topics, meeting types, activities, or other ideas for the group’s future direction.
ACXLW Meetup 74: Design for Developing Countries & Ethics of Extinction
ACXLW Meetup 74: Design for Developing Countries & Ethics of Extinction
Hello Folks! We are excited to announce the 74th Orange County ACX/LW meetup happening this Saturday and most Saturdays after that.
Host: Michael Michalchik
Email: michaelmichalchik@gmail.com (For questions or requests)
Location: 1970 Port Laurent Place, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Phone: (949) 375-2045
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024
Time: 2:00 PM
Conversation Starters:
1. Why Western Designs Fail
Text Transcript: Google Document Link
Video Title: Why Western Designs Fail
Video: YouTube Link
Summary: This video explores why innovative, highly praised designs for developing countries often fail. The key problem lies in cultural misunderstandings: designers focus on the functionality of a product without understanding the deeper cultural and social contexts in which the products will be used. For instance, the Neon Nurture incubator, made from car parts to be low-cost and easily repaired, never gained acceptance because it lacked the prestige and appearance that medical officials in developing nations value. Other examples like the PlayPump (a merry-go-round that pumps water) illustrate how Western solutions often mismatch the actual needs of the communities they intend to help.
Questions for discussion:
Why do you think Western designers frequently overlook cultural factors when developing products for other parts of the world? How can this be addressed?
What role should local communities play in designing products intended to meet their needs? Could co-design processes become the new standard?
In cases like the PlayPump or mosquito nets being used for fishing, how should designers react when their products are repurposed by local users in unexpected ways?
2. Driving the Screw Worm to Extinction: The Ethics of Annihilation
Text Transcripts:
Killing Every Screwworm Transcript
14 Million Worms Transcript
Video Titles:
Killing Every Screwworm Would Be the Best Thing Humanity Ever Did | Kevin Esvelt
Why the US Drops 14.7 Million Worms on Panama Every Week
Videos:
Killing Every Screwworm Video
14 Million Worms Video
Summary:
The first video by Kevin Esvelt argues for using CRISPR gene drive technology to eradicate the New World screwworm, a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the flesh of mammals and birds, causing immense suffering. Esvelt contends that wiping out the screwworm would have a far greater impact on animal welfare than ending factory farming. The second video outlines the decades-long U.S.-Panama collaboration to keep screwworms out of North America by dropping millions of sterile flies in Panama each week. While this method works as a border defense, it is not sufficient to eradicate the screwworm from South America, where the problem persists.
Questions for discussion:
What ethical principles should guide decisions to drive a species to extinction, even if it causes widespread harm? Does the end justify the means?
Could gene drive technology be misused in other contexts, and what safeguards should be put in place to prevent this? What might be the long-term risks of eliminating species?
If the eradication of harmful species like the screwworm is possible, should we consider other “pest” species next? Where should we draw the line in deciding which species to eliminate?
Walk & Talk:
After the meeting, we will take an hour-long walk and talk session. There are two mini-malls nearby with hot takeout options—look for Gelson’s or Pavilions in the 92660 area.
Share a Surprise:
Bring something unexpected to share that has changed your perspective on life or the universe.
Future Direction Ideas:
Please contribute your thoughts on future topics, meeting types, activities, or other ideas for the group’s future direction.
Looking forward to seeing everyone there!