"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Author: Isaac Gendler
Why Installing Better Air Filters in Buildings Helps People With Lung Conditions
01/06/24
“Why does installing better air filters in buildings help people with lung conditions?”
People with lung conditions can have adverse reactions to air-borne pollutants such as particulate matter. Installing better air filters in buildings can reduce the internal pollution of a space. This is Why Installing Better Air Filters in Buildings Helps People With Lung Conditions.
Why Having a Diverse Friend Group Can Inoculate Against Political Polarization
01/05/24
“Why can having a diverse friend group inoculate against political polarization?”
People from different backgrounds have different life experiences that lead them to different viewpoints. When identity groups are isolated from one another, opinions become informed by only a similar set of experiences. This can lead to polarization of thought. But if friend groups are mixed, then everyone can learn from one another and become wiser. This is Why Having a Diverse Friend Group Can Inoculate Against Political Polarization.
Plastic Trash Bag Recycled Components Mandates
01/04/23
“Why can mandating plastic components in trash bags help the environment?”
Plastic trash bags are ubiquitous in many parts of the world. However, their difficult degradability makes them very pollutive. One way to solve this is to mandate trash bags be composed of a certain percentage of recycled trash bags. For example, California mandates trash bags be made up of 10% recycled plastics. This is how Plastic Trash Bag Recycled Components Mandates can reduce pollution.
Why Teachers Need to Learn How to Check for AI-Assisted Assignments
01/03/24
“Why do teachers need to learn how to check for AI-assisted assignments?”
Students are using AI to help themselves with their assignments like never before. Improper use could result in plagiarism. This is Why Teachers Need to Learn How to Check for AI-Assisted Assignments.
Why Governments Should Subsidize Community Design Centers
01/02/24
“Why should governments subsidize community design centers?”
Community Design Centers provide pivotal services for community members who aren’t represented well in the design process. However, these operations can come at significant financial and time costs to the professionals involved. Since community design centers do not rely on large capital flow from their communities, external funding can make things much easier and smoother. Governments are required to operate in the interest of their residents, so it would make sense for them to step in. This is Why Governments Should Subsidize Community Design Centers.
Community Design Centers
01/01/24
“What are community design centers?”
Top-down master planning approaches typically exclude marginalized communities from the design process. These communities can use planning and design skills to advocate against their continued exclusion. Community Design Centers fill this gap by providing technical planning design and working with communities to build a better future together. Community design center work can range from architectural design to cost estimation to project management.
Why Absorbing Stormwater Runoff Can Prevent River Pollution
12/31/23
“Why can absorbing stormwater runoff prevent river pollution?”
Stormwater runoff can transport pollutants to nearby bodies of water, such as rivers, leading to said bodies of water becoming tainted. Implementing stormwater-absorbing solutions can prevent the movement of this waste, thereby keeping rivers clean. This is Why Absorbing Stormwater Runoff Can Prevent River Pollution
Capturing Water in Porous Concrete to Nourish Street Foliage
12/30/23
“Why should we think about capturing water in porous concrete to nourish street foliage?”
Street foliage is unable to utilize water that’s fallen on nearby impervious surfaces. But if these surfaces can become porous, then they can collect the water and feed the nearby trees. This can reduce stormwater runoff and provide extra water for plants at once. Urban planners and city officials should seriously think about Capturing Water in Porous Concrete to Nourish Street Foliage.
Compost Blanket Design Considerations
12/29/23
“What are the design considerations for compost blankets?”
Compost blankets can be very useful erosion control interventions. These will come with design considerations. These include determining if new slopes require organic materials to help with sustainable vegetation, deciding whether to use “medium” or “coarse” compost materials, looking into adding netting or hydro mulch on steep slopes, and applying treatment to sites. These are Compost Blanket Design Considerations that landscape architects and engineers have to think about in their designs.
Isaac's Science Blog 