Post office: Not as efficient as we thought!

The United States Postal Service, which is often referred to as USPS, the Post Office, or U.S Mail, is in charge of providing postal service in the U.S. It consists of 574,000 employed workers and operates over 218,000 vehicles. The service is very useful, in which it allows packages to be sent from one destination to another and is one of the most important features in several businesses that use this service to send goods across the globe.  Though it may seem that the U.S Postal Service is efficient and currently working well, there are many faults to the service, some of which I have experienced myself. When I lost my passport, I had to report straight to the post office in order to receive a new one. As I arrived there, the post office only had one man working behind the counter for lost passports and the line was immense. This resulted in me waiting for three and a half hours, missing a lecture that I needed to attend, and then leaving the post office in pure frustration. The one thing I promised myself when leaving was to prevent using the system to the best of my ability, unless very necessary, something that several individuals feel about the service. The individuals in the line, some of which were previous activists at the Occupy Wall Street Movement, got very upset and began yelling across the post office. One man yelled “this is a monopoly and we need to change it!” The post office is a service that everyone can use and needs to use in order to send their mail; however seems to be a service that not many people are accepting as a positive service. What is that individuals hate the post office so much? The main answer is, the time and process it takes for anything to be accomplished. Whether it’s actually going to the post office, filling out the information required for your item to be shipped and then spending hours in line, or waiting patiently for a package to arrive, there always seems to be this notion of waiting that individuals are very unhappy with. The lines in the post office move far to slowly, which causes individuals to get frustrated. In order for them to improve this, one may want to increase further employment in the service, so for example in my case, having three people working behind the counter, would have already saved everyone so much time. Another aspect they may want to improve on is the process of filling out forms at the post office; these could be prevented by just having a kiosk, which allows you to fill out any information required instead of four different papers that need to be given off when sending a package. Though there are many faults the post offices, it is a service that does provide employment and works some of sufficiently, however needs to increase its consumer confidence.

The American Dream

Nowadays, automobiles and cars are so available to everyone that they are taken for granted. However, back then cars and automobiles weren’t that easy to get a hold of, therefore suburbs weren’t as easy to get to. The wealthy people were the only ones who owned cars and they used their automobiles as more of a touring car. Also, the wealthy had the money to create enormous houses to hold their belongings, which due to land constraints had to be a little outside the city. Ford decided to create more affordable cars in order for the rich and the poor to be able to own a car, which eventually led to life in the suburbs. Cars were getting more popular and the more car owners there was the more they needed roads to drive on, therefore, a large number of roads were crated.

Since New York City was being invaded by factories and pollution, the higher social class wanted to create the ideal living situation that would consist of big houses and living outside the city. Because cars were initially only owned by rich men, those people were considered luxurious people, with big houses with a lot of space. Wealthy people couldn't handle the idea of a living in the city, there were too much pollution, too many factories were opening which made life in the city no longer pleasant.

However as Ford was created and cars were easier to own by everyone, those deserted suburbs were starting to get busy, and therefore, more restaurants, cafes, and shops were being open. After cars began being more accessible to everyone people began moving to the suburbs, there were too many cars over crowding the city. Therefore the wealthy people weren’t the only ones moving outside of the city, they also began moving into the suburbs. This made the suburbs look like the city since they were little by little people were moving from the city life to the suburb life. Suburbs began to look like the city, each person owned more than one car, therefore there was a lot of pollution, and trees were cut down in order to build houses. And soon all city business were also shifted to the suburbs, which leads us to the fact that the evolution of automobiles reflected prevailing social values.

"The Girl with a Pearl Earring", inspired by John Berger's "Ways of Seeing."

“The Girl With a Pearl Earring” by Vermeer is known to be one of the most famous pieces in history. That is due to the fact that it has been seen everywhere, on t-shirts on mugs on post cards… which helps us recognize this historical piece so easily. When we first lay eyes on it, we immediately assume it is beautiful and that the artist was a genius, however how do we really know that? We as human beings tend to mystify the past and rely only on our previous knowledge forgetting about the time and place of when the painting was created.

In his essay Berger’s definition of the word mystification is described as “the process of explaining away what might otherwise be evident.” Throughout the first chapter Berger argues that artists used to create images based on their reality in order to result in an image that will last longer than what is seen through the physical human eye. However nowadays, images are crated replicated and reproduces everywhere we go, therefore we become familiar with famous artists and art pieces due to our surroundings as well as what we are taught to know. Berger’s main argument in the first chapter is about how humans mystify works of art from the past by making assumptions of their own such as “ beauty, truth, genius, civilization, form, status, and taste…” Berger also considers the original audience to be much more appreciative of a piece of art from the past because the original audience is fully aware of the context and the reason as to why the piece of art was actually made.  We see the painting as beautiful because we are “taught” to think in that way, the original audience sees it as influential and powerful, leading to the fact that the reproduction of an image loses its essence of power. Moreover, the first chapter of Berger’s book stresses on the fact that art is exploiting it is no longer unique, we see it everywhere it has no more weight of meaning.

I strongly agree with Berger’s arguments in his first chapter. I believe that art is no longer a fixed thing; it is caught in the webs of meaning. Art goes deeper than beauty, form and texture; it is powerful and personal to the eye of the beholder. However, I do believe that the beauty of art lies in the different interpretations of the many observers that walk past the one same work of art. 

The Era of Technology

In our world today, one of the most important tools for all designers is technology and computerization. In the past decade, one can find an infinite number of new designs that revolve around computerization. Designers are no longer attracted to pen and paper; a screen in front of their desks has taken over. The Nook, created by Barnes and Nobles for example is a computerized device that has transformed our hardcopy books into virtual ones through the use of technology. This design not only changes the fact that our physical libraries have disappeared but it also has a great positive input to the state of the world we live in.

            Nowadays, being ecologically friendly is extremely crucial, our planet is relying on its inhabitants to survive, and therefore every individual input is important. The Nook has helped the planet, by saving the use of resources, such as paper and energy. We, as human beings are so used to using an excess amount of paper everyday, we do it unconsciously, through the use of printers, flyers, legal documents, homework assignments etc.… However, due to the vulnerable state of our planet today, our ways have to change in order for us to save our environment. And this is where the invention of the Nook comes into play. Our responsibility is to shift and transition our designs from a server based economy to product-service system.

            The Nook, is the biggest thing that happened to the publishing industry since the invention of paper. It was released in 2009 and it is an electronic book created by American retail Barnes and Nobles. Readers can purchase and download their books within seconds and begin reading. The Nook also allows you to lend, borrow, and buy an infinite number of different stories. Instead of having to carry a bulk of books with us, one single machine can have all these books stored into one place. Also, the Nook has a built in light that helps the reader read more comfortably. It is the first electronic book that has a colored touch screen, and voted to be the best out of the three existing ones: The Sony E-Reader, the Kindle and the Nook. It has allowed unknown writers to publish their books due to the huge increase in e-book sales, which has opened many opportunities for young and unknown writers that were struggling to publish their books.

Good and Bad Customer Service Experience

Since I love flying and travelling I thought it would be interesting to talk the quality service of two different airlines, one where my customer experience was extremely positive and the other isn't so great. Last summer I used both airlines and my experience in each differ greatly.
A huge challenge for well-known airlines is to deliver consistant quality service. British Airways is one of the airlines I use most often. One of the most important aspects in a airline company is achieving customer loyalty. For example, if you are Silver or Gold (there aren't many real differences between them- BA treats silver cardholders much better than any other programmes), it is quick and simple to check in online and have business class access even if you are seated in economy, they allow an extra piece of luggage, have priority boarding (which saves a lot of time) and being able to pre-select your your seat when you book your ticket. Although, Alitalia provides a lot of the same services as British Airways does, my experience wasn't nearly the same. I took a flight this summer on Alitalia and it was one of my most horrible travel experiences, we boarded the flight and waited 3 hours in the plane before taking off due to some flight issues, that wasn't the problem, the problem was that it was extremely hot and unbearable in the aircraft, there was no water, or refreshments and other flyers were extremely unhappy as well. The same thing happened to me in British Airways, we had to wait in the plane for about 2 hours before take off, however, the tv was activated some sandwiches and water or refreshments were served, which made the wait a lot more pleasant than the one of Alitalia.
Another really important element in an airline service is the way the hostess treats the customers. In British Airways from the beginning of my journey (the baggage drop-off) to the end the employers were extremely professional, helpful and welcoming. Contrary to Alitalia, the employers as well as the hostesses were extremely rude, and granted very little attention to the needs of their customers.
Finally, maybe I am just lucky, but I haven't lost any of my luggages with British Airways, and the only time I actually did was when I flew Alitalia. When I lost my luggages I did everything I could to get them back and track them down, but Alitalia was the worst company to deal with, they wouldn't answer, they would constantly shut the phone and they never had clear answers.

The Highline

         The High Line is New York City’s new linear park in the sky and was formally used as an aboveground railway. It is located in Chelsea, the heart of one of the city’s most popular districts. The fascinating agricultural landscape creates a diverse perception of a park, by providing an elevated structure. The High Line is referred to as the “Miracle Above Manhattan”, as it stretches one and half miles through the Lower West Side and provides a direct integration of “good design” with concerns of sustainability. The railroad has been transformed from a disused viaduct with rusty tracks to a leafy walkway, lined on either side with some railings for the safety of the children. The park’s main attractions are naturalized plantings as well as a few unexpected views off the Hudson River. The concrete walkways unify the trail, some portions of the tracks are filled with rolling lounge positioned for people to sit or to lay on and enjoy the view that is accessible to them. Since its inception, the High Line has been invaded with all sorts of activities such as: pick nicks, children playing with water, people trying to soak in some sunlight, families enjoying their ice creams and tourists trying to capture every image they possibly can. The skyline definitely creates a balance between individuals being able to benefit from its public access, whilst still being environmentally friendly.

          

            I went to the Highline 3 times for an hour each time. I visited the outdoor park on Wednesday at 5 pm, on Friday at 1 pm and on Sunday at 3 pm. Throughout all of my visits I realized that my sketches looked very similar, people were attracted to the same areas and the same activities. Most of the people were situated on the stairs facing a big glass that frames the city, a large number of people populated that area by doing different things, some sat and starred at the frame of the city, others were eating their lunches, and the rest were reading or listening to music. Also, other areas that were populated seemed to be the areas with a lot of seatings, and the lawn; one can see different kinds of people doing different things, such as picnics, kids playing around, couples holding hands and people laying down and trying to find the most sunshine they can in order for them to find warmth.

Stuyvesant Town

I live in Stuyvesant Town, often refereed to as the faded vision of middle-class Manhattan. Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village changed the physical look of a large area. The complex includes 110 buildings on a area that stretches from 14th street to 23rd street, and first avenue and the F.D.R Drive. The compound replaced almost 600 buildings and displaced about 10,000 people in 1943. However it is one of the most iconic and successful post-World War II private housing communities. The complex can be identified by the sprawling collection of red brick apartment buildings. The complex is identified through one main big fountain that is found in the heart of Stuy town, playgrounds, basketball courts, an ice skating rank, a dog park and a whole lot of trees surround my building. It is so relaxing to walk around the Stuy town especially when the sun is shinning, and the whole neighborhood has been built around the complex such as the: Stuyvesant deli, the Stuy pet shop, the Stuy cleaners etc... However Stuyvesant Town wasn't always so pleasant. Due to a housing crisis after the Great Depression, Stuyvesant Town was already planned to be a post-war housing project in 1942-43. The concept was developed by The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company that was based on its earlier development in The Bronx. Nevertheless, Stuyvesant Town was controversial from the beginning , Robert Moses was seen as the dominant force of the creation of Stuyvesant Oval. LaGuardia and Moses began to induce insurance companies and savings banks for them to enter the field of a large area and proceed with a slum-clearance. Nowadays, Stuyvesant Oval and Peter Cooper Village is seen as one of the top listings available in the heart of New York City.