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Reading Response 1 - Man in the Holocene

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Reading Response 1 - Man in the Holocene

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lX0VthhrnxXZ2ZuOfetYoKlDlWDSV2ucICx5730Kipo/edit?usp=sharing

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Exploring Sherbrooke, QC During the Tennis Team Trip! 

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Exploring Sherbrooke, QC During the Tennis Team Trip! 

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World Trade Centre Montréal, Rue du Square-Victoria, Montreal, QC

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Stories of Climate Change - Research Activity (Cultural Products)

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Stories of Climate Change - Research Activity (Cultural Products)

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Cultural Products:

1. Interrailtok

Interrailtok, I believe, is a cultural product because it is a way to express society’s values of mobility, affordability, and eco-consciousness within the digital space. Specifically, being on “interrailtok” means that users and creators find interest in short-form video content pertaining to the Euro Rail’s transportation system. As of so, because Tiktok is culturally significant to the younger global generation in being a platform that allows individuals to share and create content, “interrailtok” is a cultural product that pertains to climate fiction as it holds cultural value while displaying solutions to the climate crisis that arise in conversations about eco-conscious travel. So when addressing the topic of mobility, “interrailtok” is a cultural product as it teaches users about the ins and outs of different routes while adding in additional useful information about each railroad (whether this is useful information or sharing personal experiences). “Interrailtok” also communicates how affordable it is and how it is the cheaper mode of travel compared to other forms of transportation. This helps solidify “interrailtok” as a cultural product as it informs people across the globe that if they are interested in exploring Europe, the interrail system is a large part of the culture within Europe. It is designed to be the method of transportation rather than what most people would assume other more expensive forms of transport would be. Lastly, “interrailtok” is an example of an eco-conscious cultural product as it advertises an eco form of transportation to society’s online culture. As a widespread phenomenon, European culture has introduced the benefits of interrailing to visitors, thereby promoting climate-conscious transportation methods.

Political cartoons are examples of cultural products because they are artistic interpretations of major events impacting society. Therefore, when adapted into the realm of climate change, cartoons serve as cultural products as they become the artistic interpretation of global warming. For instance the above the cartoon depicts the magnitude of climate change because of the way that it depicts society’s impact on the globe. From the text at the top of the image stating the solution to climate change, to the visual repersenatation of how industry has consumed space, cartoons allow for the representation of the multiple inteworkings of the issue at hand, and demonstrate them in a concise way. However, though the image itself may be concise (in the terms of being a simple 2d image) it still holds a great amount of cultural value as embedded within the image, society is able to see multiple factors of the issue being repersentated. So in using the above image, this specific cartoon holds a great amount of cultural significance as it conveys the ways in which the climate crisis has been oversimiplified in an industrial society. To say that the solution is we need to plant a tree conveys to viewers that those who came up with such solution are disregarding the fact that our space has been sonumed by industry and the byproducts of human advancement. Therefore, climate cartoons are an example of cultural products as they are able to demonstrate pertinent cultural events and allow for the discourse of such issues.

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If I am being honest, I have restarted my timer multiple times as I try to answer what nature means to me. Its just so hard to encapsulate into words. But in an attempt to answer this question, I say that nature means everything. To help preface this claim, over the winter break, a good family friend of mine told me that our world is all we need. It holds all the answers to our questions and all the solutions to the problems that we may face. Or In other words, our world (nature) is a cycle and that is what I believe nature means and by that token my relationship to it. Nature knows us better than we know ourselves. It holds the key to everything that we may ask, and in so assuming an all governing persona. And my relationship to it is that I abide by its rule everyday and that I succumb to all of its decisions. Nature decides that it's going to rain, guess I need my umbrella, nature gives us a snowstorm, guess i'm staying inside. I am simply a being within nature’s larger aura. So I believe that nature means an aura larger than life, and that I am simply along for the ride.

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Stories of Climate Change - Research Activity

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Stories of Climate Change - Research Activity

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The city that interested me the most to see how global warming has affected its overall temperature was Dubrovnik, as it is a part of the region that my family comes from. Seeing that it has grown in 2.5 degrees Celsius over the past fifty or so years scared me as the Balkans has always been a place that I have loved so dearly. But more importantly, this map communicates the effects of climate change effectively because of the way it is designed. I appreciated the ways in which the map articulated the facts of climate change whilst highlighting the weight of the looming problem. I also appreciated how interactive the site was, as sometimes, just reading about the effects of climate change can be overwhelming and tiresome. With the way the site was designed, its interconnectivity allowed for a more friendly and approachable user experience that ultimately allows people to learn and understand the weight of climate change in an interactive and effective way that reading journals cannot do.

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South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

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Reading Response 2 - Hearing Silence Through Morse Code 

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Reading Response 2 - Hearing Silence Through Morse Code 

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/10_b7rl5wbJFEbV2rTbuRXoBgeu0KqpFymS8mY_S5KxU/edit?usp=sharing

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688 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC

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https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/19rK5E1VRjD9I2bdI-vTgkZQ32T3NiKxYJM4iWQq1yjM/edit?usp=sharing

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Parc Jarry, Rue Gary-Carter, Montreal, QC

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The place that I am choosing as my spot to do inner reflection over the course of the semester is IGA stadium. I am a tennis player and most of the time finding peace and relaxation is on the court for me. But an underrated area in montreal in my opinion is IGA stadium and the park that surrounds it. I love spending a couple of moments alone before practice there as it gives me a moment to clear my mind and be present on court. Many times I notice that I feel overwhelmed from running to class, to court and by having the chnace to be present for a couple of moments before i get on court, I hope that this will help me reflect on my day but also put in my a good spot before walking on. And at IGA with the large surroundings, I believe that I will be able to do so.

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Parc Jarry, Rue Gary-Carter, Montreal, QC

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I think I am beginning to see a pattern with my reflections, that most of them (if not all) have or will have some aspect of snow. This is something not usually associated with being tennis player. Knowing that I had some spare time to kill before pratice at IGA stadium, I found a spot in the park and watched the sunset over the frozen pond that had been turned into an ice rink. Tennis is most definitely one of the most important aspects of my life. I have been training comeptively for 6 years now and I have loved every second of it. But sometimes it can be overwhelming with the constant demands of needing to deliver. Tennis strives for perfection because every point will reflect on your scores, that affects your standings, that affects what tournaments you get to play, that affects how many points you have, that affects your ranking… you get the point. So when it comes down to it, tennis is an amazing sport, but asks a lot of your physical and mental being. So escaping for a bit before practice, actually helped me play better. Whilst waiting for our time slot, I noticed that instead of pressuring myself into thinking about what I need to do and how I need to do it, my brain was silent. I believe this was because I was capsized by the sunset over the frozen pond. Just watching the colours and breathing in the cold fresh air, I felt that my mentality in that moment had positively affected me in pratcice because I felt relaxed. Nature has that power over people I find.  The colours of the sunset that were so vibrant painted against the starkness of the white snow and ice made the scene feel unreal. Like I was in a painting. And because I was so focused on the nature around me, I hadn’t noticed that I began to calm myself down before an important practice day. I had always thought that the reason why people say to go outside when one is feeling overwhelmed is because of the fresh air and that can help with breathing, but I also believe it is because, when you take the time to look around, you start to notice that the world is ok. Life goes on. Despite feeling overwhelmed in that moment, the sun will rise and it will set everyday just like it did before and will do again. Nature has the power to be source of calm, in times of stress and overwhelming emotions. I should probably start doing that more often.

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Parc Jarry, Rue Gary-Carter, Montreal, QC

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Today, I write from IGA and I look at the skiers. Many people like to cross country ski here because it is the only place in a metropolitan area that allows for the activity. The park is vast and has plenty of space. But then I am reminded by the train in the background that this park is limited to the space we give, but in the park, one can easily get lost by its sheer size. So today, I wonder to myself how can it be that a place can overwhelm our senses but on the grande scheme be confined by our own advancements. The skiers never come into contact with anything other the park (apart from the entrance and exit), but yet, not even 200 meters away, a busy St.Laurent Street is packed with bumper to bumper traffic. An interesting paradigm, one I do not know how to answer.

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Parc Jarry, Rue Gary-Carter, Montreal, QC

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The space of IGA is quite an interesting phenomena as it association changes with climate. During the winters it is known to be a cross country skier’s, figure skater’s, hockey player’s paradise. But in the summer, it is known to all tennis fans as the place to be in Canada as its the home for the Rogers Cup. So how can it be that a place can change its meaning with the season? Because of the way IGA is designed, its significance in the community can span over season, meaning that it becomes an integral part to montreal culture. Known as a place where one can always rely on for outdoor (and sometimes indoor) entertainment, IGA pushes the bounds of what place suggest in reatlivity to time. In the winter, you can go hop on over and your skates and your set to have a magical winters day. In the summer, grab your racquet and a couple of tennis balls, and boom, youre playing tennis in the Canada’s tennis hub! Its versatility not only as an institution but as a public space is unique in its own trans-seasonal capacity.

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Parc Jarry, Rue Gary-Carter, Montreal, QC

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What does IGA look like in the winter versus the summer? An interesting paradigm because the landscape changes with the seasons (like any other) but also changes meaning with the seasons. During the winter the park means a winter sports enthusiasts playground. Multitudes of activities one can take part in, IGA in the winter means something completely different that what it does in the summer. The summer, the stadium is packed with spectators that are hooked to every shot played by some of the best tennis players in the world. But how does a place change meaning so easily? Well, I would say that IGA wasn’t meant for a specific season rather for a purpose - An area for people to go to when they seek activities, amusement, the outdoors. Because it wasn’t made with a specific season in mind, it therefore doesn’t have a specific set of rules it needs to abide to. When its winter, it can take on the snow. When its summer it can on the heat. Its meant to be a place thats open all the time, rather than a place that is open for a specific time.

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Parc Jarry, Rue Gary-Carter, Montreal, QC

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How does IGA deal with the human aspect of place? A place that many flock to for all kinds of purposes, IGA is constantly met with people who come in the hopes of fulfilling some aspect. Either entertainment, or for physical activity, the human demand can cometimes be overwhelming for a place to handle. Being from crowding of certain areas or the upkeep required to present a viable space, place is in direct correlation with demand. However, IGA somehow capitalizes on such a fact and is able to spin it in a way that one can find ways to meet the demand. Waiting in line for a grounds pass? Why dont you take a minute to wall through the park? Want to go skating with the family but the rink is filled? Why not go sledding down the hill? Because of the space, IGA is able to fufill the demand of place.

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Parc Jarry, Rue Gary-Carter, Montreal, QC

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I wanted to go in deeper when reflecting on how space, place and time all effects one another. So to such a question, lets start with how does IGA look like in the winter? For one, snow - everywhere. The place is filled with ice and snow. And even though it can be a pain to walk in, it serves as a hidden beauty. The stadium is mostly known in the summer for tennis fans alike, but in the winters, it is known to the locals as the place to go for outdoor entertainment. Located right in the city, when it snows, the park allows for ample space to venture and explore. An opportunity many urban cities do not have. So when exploring many become aware of the different amenities presented in the snow and ice. From winter sports, to a simple stroll, IGA is not confined to the limitations of the summer. And because of so, many love to come to the park during the winter because it offers an escape from the busy downtown world.

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Parc Jarry, Rue Gary-Carter, Montreal, QC

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Now we move to the spring. Spring at IGA looks a very different to the views of the winter as in the spring, the weather starts to become warmer, the flowers start to bloom, and the snow begins to melt. I quite like having the opportunity of writing this mediation journal in winter semester as I am able witness and document this transition. The stadium slowly starts to shine a little brighter, feel a little more busy, and look more colourful as each winter day passes by. Spring allows for new opportunities but more so it allows for new beginnings. And as of so, there is a slow shift from skis to racquets, as the season shifts from winter to summer. And with this shift not only do we see one of cultural significance but of also environmental as the grass starts to become greener, the plants start growing again, and the birds start singing. A picture perfect way to start the summer season.

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Parc Jarry, Rue Gary-Carter, Montreal, QC

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And now its time for summer. My favourite season of the all, and probably the one that is the most important for IGA. This season is filled with not only sunshine and warmth, but of smiles and laughter as IGA starts to become filled with tennis players anad tennis fans. And because of that, the societal reflection of place is quite an interesting paradigm. They mirror each other both on the physical level but on the atmopsherical too. For one on the cultural because the stadium because packed with fans, evoking joy, just like how the sun and summer does that to humans, but it also reflects the atmosphere of the arena because when the stadium is filled with good memories, it reflects into the place. More people come because more people have these memories, and it therefore not only make is a space, but a place.

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Parc Jarry, Rue Gary-Carter, Montreal, QC

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I hope IGA will look similar to like it is now because there is an element of joy in the present. I can’t imagine anything more added or adapted to the space that would change its meaning as a place. Because at the end of the day place is what we make it, a house becomes a home because of our memories, an office can become an inspiration because of the work we put into it, a school becomes a lightbulb for students to incite change, and a stadium can be a place where dreams of greatness are born. Place relates to what we as humans believe it to be. Not what climate deems the place is. So despite climate, weather and anything else you can throw at IGA, I believe it will stay the same in the years to come because IGA is what we make with our memories, not the climate, not the weather but us.

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Reading Response 3 - Disparity and Perseverance 

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Reading Response 3 - Disparity and Perseverance 