The Smithsonian is Crowdsourcing their Research

We can do lots of stuff electronically in today’s world that wasn’t possible as short as a decade ago. We can obtain graduate degrees, complete our grocery shopping, and pay our bills without having to leave our chairs. Why not help a museum convert material? The Smithsonian announced they are trying to go digital giving people greater ability to research, explore, and contribute to the institution. They hope that by using crowdsourcing they can digitize their archives at a faster and cheaper rate than traditional methods

According to Smithsonian Secretary Wayne Clough, "For years, the vast resources of the Smithsonian were powered by the pen; they can now be powered by the pixel (1)".  He further elaborated, “We are thrilled to invite the public to be our partners in the creation of knowledge to help open our resources for professional and casual researchers to make new discoveries (2)”. 

 Volunteers can simply sign up on their website and then transcribe documents for review and editing to help people understand the world in which they live. The process is expected to save both time and money by the use of volunteers. For many it is the first time they are able to contribute to a famous institute like the Smithsonian.  Who wouldn’t be interested?

Because many of the documents are handwritten letters or documents, software is having a hard time understanding and transcribing the materials accurately. Therefore, people who have the ability to understand the writing, its context, and the style are encouraged to be part of the solution.  It takes on a community volunteer effort with big cost saving ideas.

The process is not without controls to ensure accuracy. All letters and documents transcribed are double reviewed by another volunteer and eventually certified by an expert. This process helps put multiple check points in place for review to ensure that major mistakes are not found or make their way into the final database.  

The use of hundreds and thousands of brains to complete complex tasks is a great adaptation to the Internet. In today’s global world people from anywhere can become helpful contributors to national problems and issues.  People can select what interests them like the bumble bee, artists, or other genres that will keep them focused and excited.  Experts and history buffs are likely to love the new found hobby contributing from the comfort of their home. 

https://transcription.si.edu/

Tool, Toy, and Obsession Exhibit at The San Diego Art Department

Art is an expression of human life and is important for building civility and humanity among the population. Many do not appreciate local and national art as an important form of human development. The San Diego Art Department not only provides classes for community members but also has juried art shows that street visitors may walk in and ponder. 

On August 8^th and 9^th the exhibit Tool, Toy, Obsession by Alexis Archibald & DJ Brelje offered metalwork art that can be spun and tinkered with. Some of the art includes heavy metal bobble heads, metal snakes with human heads, and a few others I have a difficult time describing accurately. The exhibit was shocking and seemed to touch upon a gothic theme. 

 

There were also more traditional forms of art such as paintings and glasswork. The level of mastery was impressive and showed a seasoned artist’s skill. Many of these works have appeal and could be placed in just about anyone’s home or office. Their works contain bright and dark colors that create an image with emotion.

These great works comes from their inclusive mission. “The San Diego Art Department provides an inclusive, collaborative environment that fosters artistic expression, for all ages and proficiencies, using art to contribute value and diversity to the community with educational programs, exhibitions and workspace.”

Art is a process of expression and it cannot come forward without an open and inviting environment. The closer someone taps into their core identities the more expressive and beneficial their art becomes. The time it takes to master strokes, color, canvass, lighting, and impression is a long one and it is necessary to maintain motivation throughout that process. 

If you are interested in visiting exhibits or taking art classes check out The San Diego Art Department.

3830 Ray Street,

San Diego, CA 92104.

http://www.sandiegoartdepartment.com/

Standing for Business Ethics Relies on more than Simple Beliefs

Ethics may be more important today than it was in the past as international business brings new influences.  But despite its importance, it doesn’t mean standing up for ethics is likely in cases where unethical practices are regular occurrences. Research by Denise Baden (2014) helps define how positive and negative role models mixed with self-efficacy and descriptive norms help business members make ethical choices. The study encourages us to think about how our environment and self-beliefs impact our core decisions. 

Standing against unethical behavior is never easy as one must sometimes move against their social, political, and business networks. Even good people are paralyzed with fear of reprisals and retaliation. To most it is better to be silent and see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil when it comes to corporate unethical practices. 

Positive role models give an alternative to unethical behavior and provides a stronger context for another’s actions. Businesses that have positive ethical role models within their ranks can expect higher levels of ethical behavior from employees. Negative role models do the exact opposite and set an expectation that making money at all costs is important for success in life. 

Most behaviors are socially based and unethical workplaces prompt individuals into an “everyone is doing it” vantage point. Enron being an important reminder that only one person blew the whistle while many others tried to cover tracks. Self-efficacy is the ability of a person to withstand their social environment and make decisions based upon their core value systems even when it is necessary to go against a more powerful group. 

Another important mediator of successful ethical exchange is descriptive norms or beliefs. This varies from normative beliefs which help a person define how someone should act. Descriptive ethics is very basic and often rooted in the subconscious where personal values are deeply held and embedded. Because descriptive ethics touches the soul it is more powerful than any other ethical system based on social perception. 

Standing for ethics comes with personal costs. One can expect to be targeted, scrutinized, damaged, and sometimes rejected. In extreme cases where criminality is uncovered, their very life can be threatened. To expect people to stand up for their values in a toxic environment is nearly impossible without support. 

Negative role models damaged self-efficacy creating a situation whereby people do not feel empowered to act. Positive role models did the opposite and raised self-efficacy. To stand against unethical behavior when negative role models are present requires higher self-efficacy and a tapping of descriptive value systems. Negative role models increase cynicism and force behavioral controls with beliefs that business cannot be ethical so therefore no one should even try. 

Baden, D. (2014). Look on the bright side: a comparison of positive and negative role models in business ethics education. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 13 (2).

Starbucks Adjusts Cup Recycling Goals

Americans love their coffee to go and enjoy the convenience of a drive thru or lightening speed service at their local coffee shop. Convenience comes with a cost as those paper cups make their way into a trash can and eventually to a landfill creating mountains of garbage that accumulates over time. Starbucks is attempting to reduce those costs by offering discounts for personal tumblers and selling their own plastic cup for $1.

Even though they had a lofty goal of 25% of all coffee served in plastic reusable containers by 2015 they failed to meet it. Despite missing the mark they did save 2% of all purchases (34 million times) through customers that used reusable containers. This is a total of 1.5 million pounds of waste. 

Their adjusted goal is to have 5% of all coffee served in reusable containers by 2015. Discounts are helpful in bringing this goal to fruition. Starbucks offers a 10 cent discount every time a customer brings in a reusable cup. Purchasing the plastic 1$ cup will allow patrons to start saving in just ten uses without even considering the additional benefits to the environment. 

The technology to recycle paper cups is available but isn’t widespread. In Great Britain a paper cup recovery program has shown that all the fiber in standard polyethylene (PE) coated cups can be recycled into facial and toilet tissues (N.A., 2009). This is great news when we finally make the technology affordable for widespread use.

The problem is that even if the technology is available it isn’t easy for people to find places to pitch recyclable material separate from trash. People on the go that want convenience are also not likely to take the time and effort to separate their items like their more environmentally conscious cousins. At present the reusable containers appear to be the best route. Buy a plastic cup, put it in your car and don’t forget it at home. 

Starbuck's Goals  

N.A. (2009). Trial proves that paper cups are recyclable. Vending International, 43 (1).