Link:
Analysis:
I think that this is a very useful tool
to provide Solar-powered ATMs that dispense clean water when a smart card is
scanned. Users are issued a card they can use to claim a daily share of water.
The machine is designed to help the government cut water waste and ensure
people have access to clean water. According to Jawad Abbasi, a program manager
at IPAL, "The innovative machines will help the government maintain a
record of the exact quantity of clean drinking water being dispensed in a day
in a specific locality, besides ensuring its quality,"
Although I think it is a great
initiative for combating water shortages, I wonder if this is only a band-aid type
of solution. We are addressing the need for clean drinking water but it doesn’t
solve the issue of depleting water aquifers. What happens when they run dry? I
also think that it can lead to a corporation rush to control these ATM’s. I
also would like to know more about how they come up with the algorithms to measure
an appropriate amount of water needed, versus their actual supply. Don’t get me
wrong, I think it is a great idea, but I do not think this is the limit to all
we can do for areas like the Punjab providence.
“The Bullet answers”
1. The global impact, national impact, and
local / personal impact.
Globally, I believe that this will
provide a means to provide clean drinkable water to all countries that have a
shortage of drinkable water. Nationally,
it’s great for the countries because it provides a means of hope and boosts morale
and health. Locally, I think there should be fundraisers to provide more of
these ATMs to areas in need. I think that it has the potential to bring communities
together, as well as bridge the gap between those who are poor and people with
more wealth.
2. Forecast the range of impact over the
short term (the next 2 months to 2 years), to the long term (next 20 years to
20 + decades).
In the short term, I think that it is providing
a means to a basic need in a temporary manner. I am most concerned because if
we continue with business as usual, we are depleting our shallow aquifers and
fossil aquifers. I think that this is the real problem. It is a great idea, but
this needs to be one support system, not a permanent solution to water
pollution effecting its drinkability.
3. What could you
do, or could be done to create the greatest positive impact on the
future.”
By giving a
wider range of people access to water, people will live longer, healthier
lives. It could improve the quality of life for many people. This is an issue
of equity and this is a simple way to ensure more people have clean drinking
water.
4. What could you
do, or could be done to create the greatest negative impact on the
future.
By not being
mindful of my own waste and how it affects the water table can, and will, greatly
affect the outcome of our water supply. I think another negative result of this
type of venture is that it allows corporations to own the rights to water, like
Coca Cola in India. In my perspective, it is a slippery slope, because they can
dictate who and how much water a person can have. It a scary thought because if
water became a worldwide currency, I think that would cause chaos.
5. Which region of
the future” does this related closest most to or does this fit in between – or
perhaps a region of the future you’d like to define for yourself.
Human Tech, Bio
Tech, Super tech.
Questions
For Class:
What are other possible means to providing
clean water?
How does this change humanitarian efforts, does
it get enough water to all those in need?
Do you think corporations will be likely to
invest and make these machines, ultimately controlling who gets water and the
amounts?
You can use a system that pulls water out of the air that is run on solar power this way the units can be placed anywhere and be self sufficient. Link them to a pad that can determine weight along with a camera to determine height and based off body mass. Use fingerprints to capture per individual and have all the info linked via the cloud!
ReplyDeleteDaren, first of all, I am going to follow your lead on the abstract painting approach. Even though I am a painter, it is so counter-intuitive for me to express such heady concepts in a painting (not to say I do not do any research for my paintings either.) As far as the blog goes, good info here. I think it supports the evidence that, somehow, water needs to be rationed in order to avoid waste and level the playing field for those who do not have access to water. Interesting addition by Scott, too. Although we do not want any institution dictating what we can and can't do to every extent, I think his solution may be a good way to ration a precious commodity that is essential for all. It might prevent waste and level the playing field for those who can't otherwise do so on their own.
ReplyDelete