User Experience: Societal Issues

Specialization in today’s society.

1. Why is this issue pertinent and timely?

Today, people are raised and schooled to become specialized in one particular skill or practice. In the past, the family and community taught people a wide range of basic skills, so that they could be more self reliant and thrifty. In today’s society, without that basic knowledge of doing it yourself projects, people call in professionals to do the job for them, wasting money on charges and fees and time.
2. What are its causes?

The lack of basic do it yourself knowledge. Parents and schools aren’t teaching simple things to children anymore such as fixing a tear in your clothing or changing your own oil.

3. What are detrimental effects to individuals? to greater society?

These children grown up reliant on other people and lose that satisfaction of solving these problems on their own. A vast amount of money is wasted when compared to doing the job yourself, because you are paying for that persons time and increased prices on objects used by that professional that could otherwise be far cheaper bought from your local stores.
4. What are preventative measures?

There are 2 solutions to this problem. The first is to teach your kids basic skills as they grow up. I personally wish there was more parent to child teaching in my childhood. The second is for the DIY community to step in offer their services to the community. The DIY community could do the job for far less, if payed at all, and could teach the family or individual how to do this themselves should the problem arise again. The DIY community could even accept favors or things from people rather than money, even swapping knowledge or other DIY services to each other and share knowledge in the process.
5. How does this issue relate to your sub-culture?

The DIY subculture is a culture that loves knowledge and tries to specialize in a multitude of skills, rather than going to college for just one. The DIY community is the perfect group to spread knowledge and skills, and love doing it. The sharing of tools is also important between the DIY communities and average citizens.
6. What organizations have a vested interest in this issue?

DIY groups have formed in the past, including Brokelan in Brooklyn and various groups such as Motiv in Kansas city that this exact service. They teach their skills to those willing to learn, and will repair things for people in need for little to no cost when compared to a professional’s price.
7. What organizations have a vested interest in your sub-culture?

Brokelyn, Motiv, The salvation army, Habitats for Humanity, Seattle DIY
8. What public service campaigns have previously addressed this issue?

The Early Childhood Development campaign vaguely gets at teaching your children as they grow, but targets children at very young ages, whereas most DIY skill would be better taught to a teenager.

Besides this, I could find no other campaigns.

Bike Commuter Safety

     1. Why is this issue pertinent and timely?

Many civilians are turning to bike commuting to save on gas costs and to lessen their carbon footprint. However, in many large cities these commuters are without bike lanes and are at risk to other vehicular traffic.
2. What are its causes?

People new to the bike commuting culture, in need of proper bike safety education on and off the road.  Drivers around the city unaware of cyclists around them on the roads.
3. What are detrimental effects to individuals? to greater society?

Accidents are caused by both unaware drivers and cyclists/ commuters. Some people that might be interested in the world of bike commuting might decide against it simply because of the safety issues. Because of this, more people are driving and continuing to waste money on gas and damage our planets environment.
4. What are preventative measures?

You could raise awareness with a series of posters or ads showing the tools available to the commuter that keep them visible at all times. Bike accessories such as lights, helmets, and reflectors, as well as knowing proper cycling etiquette and hand signals for the road can all lend to a bike commuter’s safety. Another is to promote services to group together bike commuters in the same area. By grouping commuters together, they become more noticeable and safer. They could also share bike knowledge to newcomers and create a more immersive commuter experience and help people meet new people. The final idea is to target the drivers. Many campaigns have already covered this issue however, so it might not be as impactful.
5. How does this issue relate to your sub-culture?

Anyone will put their own health before just about everything. The bike commuter in particular is usually concerned about their health and use biking as a means of exercise. The switch from driving a vehicle to being exposed must be met with many safety precautions.
6. What organizations have a vested interest in this issue?

The NBSN, or National Bike Safety Network, Bicycle Federation of America
7. What organizations have a vested interest in your sub-culture?

The NBSN, or National Bike Safety Network, Bicycle Federation of America, Association of Commuter Transportation, ACT, Kansas City Bike Club
8. What public service campaigns have previously addressed this issue?

The People for Bikes Campaign, The Maimi’s Public Bicycle Safety Ad Campaign, The LOOK campaign, The See and Be Seen safety campaign, Tacoma’s new Bicycle safety ad campaign, the Ride Safe Campaign

Bike Theft

     1. Why is this issue pertinent and timely?

In today’s harsh economy the theft of bicycles has become increasingly common. The metal cutters used today continue to become stronger and more effective. Many bike commuters use bikes as a way to save money, or as a form of the only transportation they can afford. To some, a bike theft can cause many problems that aren’t just financially centered.  
2. What are its causes?

Metal cutter quality and capability is increasing, and can cut through the vast majority of chain locks sold to the bicycling community. People are unaware that the cheapest u-lock will be more effective than the most expensive chain lock. Being aware of the area your bike is parked in, as well as what it is locked to is also very important.
3. What are detrimental effects to individuals? To greater society?

For those that can easily afford a bike and only use it for entertainment, they are likely only inconvenienced  briefly and have to deal with their attatchment to the bike. For some however, the bike is their only financially possible option for commuting from place to place. If their bike is stolen, it might not only take a major financial toll, but it can keep them from going to work, or missing school. On that level, they also develop a deeply personal attachment with the bike, and losing something you are so reliant on can hurt on an emotional level as well.
4. What are preventative measures?

To prevent bike theft, you can us a U-lock. Most U-lock companies will insure your bike if it was stolen when properly locked. Raising the awareness of places not to lock your bike is also important. Sign’s can be removed off poles and a thief can slide a bike off the top if given the time at night when no one is around. The end of bike racks can also be unbolted and the bike can be slid off. Practicing locking your bike excessively is also a great practice to promote. It only takes a minute to pick up a bike, throw it in the back of a truck and drive off.
5. How does this issue relate to your sub-culture?

A bike commuter would have a hard time commuting without a bike.
6. What organizations have a vested interest in this issue?

The NBSN, or National Bike Safety Network, Bicycle Federation of America
7. What organizations have a vested interest in your sub-culture?

The NBSN, or National Bike Safety Network, Bicycle Federation of America, Association of Commuter Transportation, ACT, Kansas City Bike Club
8. What public service campaigns have previously addressed this issue?

Lock it or lose it campaign