For decades, Africa has often been portrayed in the media as a "dark continent," a place defined by poverty, conflict, and lack of resources. Examples of this stereotype can be found in movies such as Blood Diamond (2007) or Out of Africa (1985), where the African characters and African continent are demoralized, all while the white protagonists are depicted as “saviors” of the … [Read more...] about Reimagining Africa: Black Panther and the Power of Afrofuturism
Editor Blogs
Bioluminescent Dinoflagellates
The primary objective characteristic of beauty is visual light. Live concerts, candlelight dinners, and sunsets all have a beauty that essentially lies in light. The ambiance is the secondary measure of beauty. The balance of other senses. What’s the weather like? What do I hear in my surroundings? Am I enjoying a meal throughout this? Am I in a fancy dress or a cozy … [Read more...] about Bioluminescent Dinoflagellates
A Crash Course in Thermodynamics (With Some Fluid Mechanics)
Welcome back. I hope that all of my readers had a restful weekend, and are having a smooth return to classes. In today’s blog post, I look forward to sharing some of the fundamental concepts of thermodynamics. If we were to define thermodynamics, we could say that it is the study of energy and the ways in which energy can be transferred. Therefore, we will begin our discussion … [Read more...] about A Crash Course in Thermodynamics (With Some Fluid Mechanics)
VR as a Third Place
The concept of the Third Place, popularized by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, refers to spaces beyond the home (first place) and the workplace (second place) where people can gather, socialize, and build a sense of community. Common third places include: community centers, the rock climbing gym, even your local coffee shop (like Central Perk in Friends- you get the idea). These are … [Read more...] about VR as a Third Place
The Role of Aesthetics in Serving a Brand
When you land on Zara’s website, the polished visual design immediately evokes a sense of modern style and sophistication aligning with their brand image. But does aesthetics play a crucial role in actually serving all brands? Or are functionality and simplicity more important in many cases? In a User Experience (UX) case study by Mouchumi Gogoi analyzes and redesigned … [Read more...] about The Role of Aesthetics in Serving a Brand