Thematic Readings – Chapter 6: Conviviality Summary (Logan, Nikita, Arianna)

Healthcare, as it is now, in first world countries is moving in a directions that is unsustainable. More and more money is being spent on new technology and more pressure is being put on large organizations to provide care, even though they are not equipped to do so. Thackara proposes a move toward a decentralized system, like multiple, smaller, multi-use spaces (like urgent cares), rather than one large central space (a hospital). He also states that technology should be a tool to aid better care rather than the end-all answer that replaces the human contact that is care. Additionally, people are living longer than in the past. There is a whole group of elders that are not targeted as a viable market, even though they hold a majority of the wealth in the economy.

He also introduces the idea that we are not creating in a sustainable way. We are not thinking about the big picture enough and need to learn from our elders about how to move forward. As a whole, people are more isolated from each other than before. Thackara concludes that work is bad for our health there has been a decline in satisfaction and serious health ramifications. This is across all jobs and income brackets and regions. Because of this social communication has become overwhelmingly local and isolated. Thackara encourages community building to address these problems.

Chapter 4: Locality

Loss of diversity is a major concern in modern cities. Homogeneity is being perpetuated by a society preoccupied with consumerism and mass entertainment resulting in poor quality of life, a loss of experimentation, and a lack of authenticity. By putting people first, encouraging complexity and connecting people instead of places, we can reintroduce variety through experimentation, innovation, and allowing the unexpected to emerge.

Instead of defining regions by their tangible commodities, localities should be considered based on the people who comprise it. In addition, creating networks linking smaller, complex groups of people combats the ramifications of a society enamored with consumerism. Urban designers should, therefore, approach city planning using bottom-up ideation as well as macro- and microscopic lenses to foster social connectivity to resolve issues.