The post 11 Problems To Solve In FemTech That Will Make You Rich appeared first on Green Also Green.
]]>“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” – Albert Einstein
Before we talk about femtech problems to solve, let’s talk about awkward conversations.
In my experience, the most effective way to make the average man squirm is to tell him, “I’m on my period.” This has always, without a doubt, evoked a long period of awkward silence, stifled confusion, and hesitant nods.
After all, blood in war and video games is fine, but please don’t go on and on about the blood coming from the female body. It’s crass, it’s gross, it’s disgusting.
On the other hand, I have found that the most effective way to make the average man hyped up is to talk about the “grind” of making money, working out, and building success (stay hard, son).
There is an interesting question for me here, as the one who has had the periods, seen the blood, survived the cramps and surfed the sea of hormones…the many “pain points” that Silicon Valley seems to mysteriously overlook.
Any female-bodied human being knows these struggles inside and out, and most men at least know vaguely that it sucks.
So why isn’t there a rush to fill the gap, to sell the proverbial “painkiller”? Why is almost nobody selling the solution to the challenges almost all women would pay boatloads of money to get rid of?
Really, there is no satisfying answer to this question. Women are huge economic drivers, and there is no reason to ignore their routine discomfort.
…Not just because it is blatantly unjust, but also because it is a huge untapped opportunity for anyone interested in making a difference and a lot of money at the same time.
If that’s you- regardless of your background, education level, or even gender (I’m looking at all you tech bros.) – read on.
I have done the first step for you (the pleasure is mine, truly), and identified 11 problems to solve in the women’s health space.
Let’s dive in!
Despite being a fundamental aspect of many individuals’ lives, academia has under-researched the menstrual cycle, leading to significant gaps in our understanding of its impact on overall health.
This lack of data hampers our ability to address various health issues effectively.
For instance, conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are linked to increased risks of heart disease and stroke. However, doctors often fail to diagnose them in time due to insufficient research and awareness.
To bridge this knowledge gap, here are some problems to solve:
Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) are prevalent gynecological conditions that significantly impact individuals’ quality of life. Often, this leads to chronic pain, infertility, and metabolic complications.
However, diagnosing these conditions remains challenging due to the absence of reliable, non-invasive diagnostic tools, resulting in prolonged suffering and delayed treatment.
Endometriosis: Affects approximately 10% of individuals with uteruses during their reproductive years. Diagnosis often requires invasive procedures like laparoscopy, leading to delays averaging 7 to 12 years.
PCOS: Impacts up to 10% of individuals with ovaries of reproductive age. Diagnosis is complicated and the lack of a definitive test, often relying on the exclusion of other disorders.
To address these challenges, consider the following research problems to solve:
Stigma and misinformation have long plagued women’s health, leading to misdiagnoses, delayed treatments, and inadequate care.
Conditions like endometriosis and menopause are often misunderstood or trivialized. This results in prolonged suffering and diminished quality of life. Similarly, menopause remains shrouded in stigma, leaving many women unprepared and unsupported during this natural life transition.
To address these challenges, consider the following interesting problems to solve relating to stigma and misinformation:
Despite advancements in medical science, many individuals still face challenges in accessing birth control methods that are both safe and convenient. Traditional options like hormonal pills have remained largely unchanged for decades, leading to dissatisfaction due to side effects and health concerns. Additionally, financial barriers prevent many from obtaining modern contraceptives, underscoring the need for more affordable solutions.
To address these issues, consider the following problems to solve in the birth control space:
Traditional fertility treatments, such as conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF), often require intensive hormonal stimulation and surgical procedures, leading to physical discomfort, emotional stress, and financial burdens for individuals and couples seeking to conceive. The invasiveness of these methods can deter many from pursuing treatment, underscoring the need for safer, less invasive alternatives.
To address these challenges, consider the following problems to solve regarding fertility treatment:
Hot flashes and night sweats, collectively known as vasomotor symptoms (VMS), affect approximately 80% of women during menopause, significantly impacting their quality of life, daily activities, and work productivity. These symptoms can lead to sleep disturbances, mood swings, and cognitive impairments, underscoring the need for effective and accessible treatments.
To address these challenges, consider the problems to solve for those experiencing hot flashes:
Menopause marks a significant transition in a woman’s life, often accompanied by symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can alleviate these symptoms, its application has been met with controversy, particularly concerning dosage and potential health risks. Recent debates have arisen over high-dose HRT prescriptions, with concerns about increased risks of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, the lack of personalized treatment plans often leads to suboptimal outcomes, highlighting the need for individualized approaches.
To address these challenges, consider these problems to solve relating to HRT:
Menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life, yet its impact on the workplace is often overlooked. In the UK alone, approximately 14 million working days are lost annually due to menopause-related symptoms, with around 900,000 women leaving their jobs because of inadequate support. Similarly, a 2023 Mayo Clinic study estimated that menopause symptoms contribute to an annual loss of $1.8 billion in the United States due to missed workdays…sounds like many billion-dollar problems to solve.
To address these challenges, consider the following research questions:
Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) encompasses a range of disorders resulting from weakened or overly tight pelvic floor muscles, leading to symptoms such as urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and chronic pelvic pain.
To address these challenges, consider the following research questions:
The vaginal microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining women’s health, serving as a defense against infections and contributing to overall reproductive well-being. A balanced vaginal environment is typically dominated by Lactobacillus species, which produce lactic acid to maintain an acidic pH, thereby inhibiting the growth of pathogenic organisms. Disruptions to this balance can lead to conditions such as bacterial vaginosis (BV), characterized by a decrease in Lactobacillus and an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria like Gardnerella vaginalis and Prevotella species. Recent research has identified BV as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), highlighting the importance of treating both partners to prevent recurrence.
To address these challenges, consider the following research questions:
Gender bias in medical research and funding has led to significant disparities in healthcare outcomes for women. Historically, women were underrepresented in clinical trials, resulting in a lack of data on how treatments affect them differently than men. This exclusion has contributed to misdiagnoses and less effective treatments for women. For instance, a 2019 study revealed that when grant reviewers focused on the applicant rather than the research proposal, male principal investigators had a higher success rate (13.9%) compared to female principal investigators (9.2%).
To address these challenges, consider the following research questions:
Good question, and an important one. We all have different levels of commitment to the challenges within women’s health, and different skillsets to contribute.
That said, regardless of where you stand, there is an impact you can make.
In your professional life, make a point to ask, “where are women being excluded here?” If you can’t find an answer, just ask a female colleague. From medicine, to tech, to engineering, architecture, urban design, education, and even public transport, there are many blindspots just waiting for creative problem-solvers like you to make a difference.
But even if you are not interested in pursuing the problems to solve for women’s health through your career, one simple step you can take is to learn how to listen.
If a woman in your life (colleague, significant other, friend, daughter, co-worker, or a stranger on the street) is brave enough to open up, just be there to acknowledge their struggles and their feelings. Don’t jump to invalidate. Don’t jump to “mansplain”. Just listen. Offer your support in whatever way possible.
For some, that means buying a box of tampons and chocolate for your girlfriend when they’re on their period. For others, it means cranking up the thermostat in the office. Maybe, it’s just acknowledging that in a world so systematically biased against the female body, there is no such thing as a “hysterical woman”.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17455057241290895?icid=int.sj-abstract.citing-articles.12
https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/aug/31/endometriosis-study-1000-women-wanted
https://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12905-023-02732-2
https://drseckin.com/endometriosis-and-pcos
https://www.axios.com/2025/03/03/menopause-doctors-education-harvard-mayo
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39511120
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3233302
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8746897
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jan/26/lab-grown-eggs-sperm-viability-uk-fertility-watchdog
https://www.wired.com/story/oura-perimenopause-report
https://www.fnlondon.com/articles/women-flee-uk-fund-jobs-after-50-398c445d
https://www.parents.com/postpartum-incontinence-is-common-but-untreated-8785817
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4570968
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559246
https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-close-the-gender-health-gap
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]]>The post AI in Healthcare: The Ultimate Cheatcode For Interdisciplinary Innovation appeared first on Green Also Green.
]]>“We’re not building technology to replace care; we’re building it to make care better.” – Greg Corrado
The AI revolution has, by now, reached into every crevice of life, including (but not limited to) healthcare.
From education, research, law, and various artistic mediums, it has become the trusty unpaid intern of the world.
However, it is also an incredible example of how collaboration across multiple disciplines yields groundbreaking advancements.
Yes, healthcare is only one of these domains that have been completely revolutionized, but understanding where you fit into the revolution is crucial.
Not only does it allow you to engage with your own healthcare in a completely new way, but it also allows you to understand how to effectively apply AI tools in your own field, applying the shortcomings and successes of AI to your own professional challenges.
So let’s dive into this success story, and how you can easily understand what all the hype is about, no matter your background.
To effectively learn from resources online takes not only discipline, but creativity, curiosity, and most importantly, application.
This doesn’t necessarily have to manifest as a project or a new business venture. “Applying” what you learn can be as simple as sharing insights from it in conversation, expanding on and engaging with its principles alongside others.
Often, instead of doing this, we stick to just skimming what we read, and asking ourselves if we understand everything at the end. This does not truly serve the purpose that informational material is meant to have, which in reality, is to serve as a tool to catalyze informed action.
To learn about how AI has been applied in the healthcare industry, this is the same.
To retain what you learn from the following resources, share with others, talk about the ideas you come across, and ask yourself how AI can solve problems you already face in your own life.
We have all read books before, but few of us have read books in a way that maximizes the output of our time.
Below are easy steps you can follow that will easily make you feel like an expert after finishing reading just one book about AI in healthcare.
One of the most prolific resources available to anyone with an internet connection is website platforms.
However, because they are also so new, few know how to use them properly. Today, you will cease to be one of those people.
Here are X straightforward steps to getting the most out of the infinite online resources available to us all.
To make the most of a TED Talk, approach the experience like reading a book or an article. Outline what you are hoping to achieve, and make each step of the process an intentional progression toward that goal.
(See each section for recommendations of sources to explore. No additional sources were used to write this post.)
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]]>The post 5 Secrets from Ecology So You Can Meaningfully Contribute to Conservation Efforts appeared first on Green Also Green.
]]>“Sustainability is no longer about doing less harm. It’s about doing more good.”
— Jochen Zeitz
In a world faced with saddening rates of deforestation, coral reef acidification, and more, it is easy to lose hope that any single individual could meaningfully contribute to conservation efforts.
This, however, is one of the tragic misconceptions of our time.
Actually, there are several ways a single individual can leverage their efforts to generate a larger impact.
In 2024, about half the world’s population will see national elections.
With this global shift in power, there is also a global epidemic of individuals believing their vote doesn’t matter.
This is, however, a tragic misconception.
Consider the model used in this 80,000 Hours article, “if the US government discretionary spending is $6.4 trillion over four years, and you have a 1 in 10 million chance of changing the outcome of the national election, then in expectation you have some degree of influence over $640,000 of government spending.”
So, your vote is worth $640,000. Is that enough to justify taking an hour out to vote, and more time to inform yourself about the candidates?
For most, the answer is yes.
So what?
Most people think about conservation the same way.
“I cannot change the entire world by myself, so I will not change any part of the world at all.”
Perhaps the first part of this argument is true- it’s rare that one individual has a deep impact globally, all on their own.
However, the work of individuals could often be enough to change very large portions of space, maybe even entire cities.
If you could be the difference between 10 acres of wild, would that be a meaningful enough contribution? Would it matter?
I think so.
Urban wildlife corridors are small corridors in cities- such as backyards, abandoned lots, local parks, beaches, etc.- that have been repurposed to connect fragmented habitats with each other.
So what?
Well, when habitats are continuously broken down into smaller and smaller areas, it becomes increasingly difficult for wildlife to access water, food, and mates.
The global effect of this (in an increasingly urbanized world) is a staggering decrease in biodiversity.
Usually though, creating large urban wildlife corridors is a challenge due to the number of property owners and stakeholders involved.
Nevertheless, even a small wildlife corridor- a backyard, a front garden, or a community park- can make a sizable difference to the biodiversity of your community.
Furthermore, it will encourage other individuals to do the same, creating a wave of impact on countless species.
According to the British Ecological Society, citizen science can be generally defined as “the involvement of volunteers in research”.
While this means citizen scientists can help out at any stage in the process, usually they help out with data collection and analysis.
The work of citizen scientists, ultimately, provides a highly valued resource to the scientific community, giving them the ability to develop much larger datasets than scientists would be able to capture alone.
The best part?
Getting involved in initiatives like this is super easy!
No matter where you live, there are several citizen science apps you can download on your phone, programs you can join, and scientists you can support to generate eco-friendly innovation.
Just choose an area you are passionate about, and get started.
For anyone unacquainted with seed bombs, they likely sound like a classified weapon used by the military.
In reality, they are little balls of compost, water, clay, and (you guessed it) seeds.
They are used by passionate eco warriors and guerrilla gardeners to reintroduce native species into neglected areas, promoting biodiversity and enhancing green space.
In fact, they have been used since the seventies, the idea originating in New York.
Originally, the term was “seed grenade”, and it was made of wildflower seeds, water, and fertilizer, all wrapped in a condom. These seed grenades were tossed over fences into empty lots, reintroducing life, beauty, and nature into even the most depressing urban wastelands.
Fortunately, you can easily carry on this charming tradition without any condoms.
Just combine 5 parts clay with 1 part compost in a large bowl, gradually adding water and mixing until you have a consistency similar to dough. Then, you add in 1 part seeds of your choice, although preferably seeds that are local to the area. Next, you roll the mixture into balls the size of a marble, and wait for them to dry. This will take one to two days.
Once they’re dry, distribute them!
Ideally, the seed bombs are best for areas that are hard to reach, neglected, or in need of greenery. This includes empty lots, roadside verges, or bare patches of soil.
Before you know it, you will have turned the concrete cityscape into a natural oasis.
Crowdfunding is about putting the power in your hands.
Instead of hoping big funding bodies will deem your area of interest “important” enough to fund, you fund the project yourself.
Whether it’s a particular species, a habitat in your local community, or a certain organization close to your heart, crowdfunding can be a powerful way to make an impact on conservation efforts you care about.
Not a billionaire?
Don’t sweat it.
Crowdfunding for conservation efforts can be as simple as asking for a donation instead of a birthday present, doing a series of social media posts, or putting up a poster in a nearby public space (e.g. cafe or library).
It’s easy to get started, so why not give it a shot?
Last, but not least, an effective way to make a meaningful contribution to conservation efforts is through adopting a beach or a park.
This allows you to expand your awareness of your local habitats, facilitate pollution prevention, and enjoy the instant gratification of seeing your beach or park visibly cleaner than before.
You don’t need to be part of a large group to do this. In fact, all that is required is a single individual, or perhaps even a single household.
Just pick a site nearby, and usually you will be required to commit three days of the year to cleanup before receiving an adoption certificate.
It’s easy, and it makes a clear visible difference!
With these unique and actionable tips, you will be equipped to make a meaningful impact in your community.
So what are the next steps?
Simple! Just pick one of the ideas listed, and try applying it.
Test it out, then try something else.
Whether you make a single seed bomb, adopt miles of local greenery, or create urban wildlife corridors all around your city, your impact will make a difference. It will matter. It will be meaningful.
Most of all, it will show others that change is possible, and inspire them to take action too.
Check your sources!
“2024: The Year of Global Elections – Ash Center.” Ash Center, 5 June 2024, ash.harvard.edu/resources/2024-the-year-of-global-elections/. Accessed 3 Sept. 2024.
Agar, Chloe. “10 Ways to Get Involved with Citizen Science.” Grow Wild, 11 Mar. 2024, growwild.kew.org/blog/10-ways-get-involved-citizen-science. Accessed 3 Sept. 2024.
Blue Ocean Society For Marine Conservation. Adopt-a-Beach Handbook. Blue Ocean Society For Marine Conservation.
Borrell, James. “Crowdfunding Conservation: 10 Inspiring Projects.” Dr. James Borrell, 2016, www.jamesborrell.com/crowdfunding-conservation-10-inspiring-projects/. Accessed 3 Sept. 2024.
Cave, Lydia. “Wildlife Corridors in Urban Habitats – Wild Ideas.” Wild Ideas, 24 Oct. 2020, www.wild-ideas.org.uk/2020/10/24/wildlife-corridors-in-urban-habitats/.
Darrah, Petrina. “Here’s Why Citizen Science Is Important, and How You Can Contribute – GVI | GVI.” Www.gvi.co.uk, 5 Oct. 2022, www.gvi.co.uk/blog/heres-why-citizen-science-is-important-and-how-you-can-contribute/.
Eliades, Angelo. “How to Make and Use Seed Bombs: A Complete Guide for Green Guerrillas.” Deep Green Permaculture, 30 Aug. 2024, deepgreenpermaculture.com/2024/08/31/how-to-make-and-use-seed-bombs-a-complete-guide-for-green-guerrillas/. Accessed 3 Sept. 2024.
Fenwick, Cody. “Does Your Vote Matter? What the Research Says.” 80,000 Hours, 21 June 2024, 80000hours.org/2024/06/does-your-vote-matter-what-the-research-says/. Accessed 3 Sept. 2024.
Global Forest Watch. “Global Deforestation Rates & Statistics by Country | GFW.” Www.globalforestwatch.org, 2022, www.globalforestwatch.org/dashboards/global/.
Goodey, Jan. “How and Why to Make Seedbombs.” The Ecologist, 24 Mar. 2023, theecologist.org/2010/may/18/how-and-why-make-seedbombs. Accessed 3 Sept. 2024.
“How to Make a Seed Bomb | the Wildlife Trusts.” Wildlifetrusts.org, 2019, www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/how-make-seed-bomb. Accessed 3 Sept. 2024.
Land-Zandstra, Anne, et al. “Participants in Citizen Science.” The Science of Citizen Science, 2021, pp. 243–259, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58278-4_13. Accessed 21 Oct. 2021.
Padfield, Amy. “Citizen Science Hub.” British Ecological Society, www.britishecologicalsociety.org/learning-and-resources/engaging-the-public/citizen-science-hub/. Accessed 3 Sept. 2024.
“Urban Wildlife Corridors: Building Bridges for Wildlife and People | Urban Agenda Platform.” Urbanagendaplatform.org, 2022, www.urbanagendaplatform.org/resources/urban-wildlife-corridors-building-bridges-wildlife-and-people. Accessed 3 Sept. 2024.
World Economic Forum. “This Is How Crowdfunding Is Helping to Protect Our Planet.” World Economic Forum, 31 May 2018, www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/05/crowdfunded-campaigns-are-conserving-the-earth-s-environment/. Accessed 3 Sept. 2024.
Your Family or Household Can Be a Solution to Ocean Learn about Pollution Pick a Site… Any Site** Join the Community Science Movement.
Pexels, www.pexels.com/photo/green-leafed-tree-38136/. Accessed 3 Sept. 2024.
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]]>The post 5 Lessons from Journalism on How to Uncover Social Inequities appeared first on Green Also Green.
]]>“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” – Angela Davis
One of the greatest tragedies of modern journalism is the fact that the most pressing social inequities do not get the most attention.
It’s true that what counts as the “most pressing” social inequities is rather vague and subjective. However, it is almost always true that the stories surrounding what we “should” care about and the actions we “should” take are more complex than we realize.
Unfortunately though, most consumers of news, social media, articles, books, and podcasts have not been equipped with the right tools to truly discern the root of social inequities and how to decide what are the most effective ways of addressing them.
So today, we’re going to expose the secrets that great journalists already know.
You will learn how to see through the smoke and mirrors, read between the lines, and truly uncover, unravel, and make right the greatest social inequities we face today.
Pixabay. Pexels, www.pexels.com/search/journalism/. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
Track financial flows to reveal power structures and economic disparities that contribute to social inequities.
Financial flows tell you who is really calling the shots.
Even if you’re not a journalist, you can apply this principle by conducting research into the funding behind issues you’re passionate about. Who makes money when the problem persists? Who decided it was a problem and why? Do the money, messages, and actions all align?
This involves identifying sources of funding, analyzing budgets, and exploring financial relationships between entities like governments, corporations, and communities. The goal is to uncover who holds power, how that power is exercised through financial means, and how it affects different groups within society.
Suppose you’re concerned about the unequal distribution of education funding in your city. You decide to “follow the money” to understand how this contributes to social inequities.
Investigate the historical roots of current social inequities to provide context and depth to your reporting.
Understanding how past policies, practices, and societal norms have shaped present-day issues, provides you with a deeper and more informed perspective on why these inequities exist and persist.
This helps to reveal the roots of inequality and the long-term impact of historical injustices.
You can apply this principle by researching the historical events and policies related to the social issues you care about. This might involve studying historical records, reading academic articles, or talking to people who have lived through relevant events.
The aim is to understand the broader context that has led to the current situation, allowing you to see the connections between past and present inequalities.
Suppose you’re concerned about racial disparities in home ownership in your city. You decide to “understand historical context” to explore how these disparities have developed over time.
Recognize and approach individuals who control access to crucial information or communities, understanding their role in either obstructing or facilitating your investigation.
Gatekeepers can be people in positions of authority, community leaders, or organizations that have the power to either obstruct or facilitate access to the information and networks you need to uncover social inequities.
Understanding their role and establishing a relationship with them is crucial for gaining the insights and access necessary for effective investigation.
Identify and approach key individuals or organizations that hold influence over the information or communities related to the social issue you’re investigating.
This involves building relationships, understanding their motives, and determining how they can either help or hinder your efforts.
Suppose you are concerned about disparities in access to quality healthcare in a low-income community. You decide to “identify gatekeepers” to gain access to information and communities that will help you understand and address this issue.
Aim for your investigative work to lead to meaningful change, whether through policy reform, public awareness, or other avenues.
Uncovering social inequities should go beyond merely revealing issues.
The goal is to drive meaningful change, whether that’s through influencing policy reform, raising public awareness, or mobilizing community action.
It’s about ensuring that the investigation has a tangible effect, contributing to the resolution of the inequities identified.
You can apply this principle by ensuring that your efforts to uncover social inequities are paired with actions aimed at driving change.
This involves thinking strategically about how your findings can influence decision-makers, inform the public, or empower communities to take action.
Suppose you are concerned about the lack of healthy food options in low-income neighborhoods in your city.
Be aware of your own biases and those present in your sources, and strive to present a balanced and fair account of the issues.
Bias can color your understanding of social issues, leading to incomplete or skewed conclusions. By actively acknowledging and addressing these biases, you can strive to present a more balanced, fair, and accurate account of the issues at hand.
So what do you need to do?
Continuously questioning your own assumptions and critically evaluating the sources of information you use in your investigation or advocacy work.
This involves seeking out diverse perspectives, challenging your own views, and being open to the possibility that your initial understanding of an issue might be incomplete or incorrect.
Striving for balance and fairness is crucial when uncovering social inequities to ensure that your findings are credible and contribute constructively to the conversation.
Suppose you are concerned about racial disparities in employment opportunities within your city.
Ultimately, the lessons from journalism offer invaluable tools for anyone committed to uncovering and addressing social inequities.
By following the money, understanding historical context, identifying gatekeepers, focusing on impact, and recognizing and addressing bias, you can approach these complex issues with the depth and rigor they demand.
These principles, traditionally used by investigative journalists, empower everyday individuals to look beyond surface-level narratives and reveal the underlying structures that perpetuate inequality.
Applying these lessons doesn’t require a journalism degree; it requires curiosity, persistence, and a commitment to justice.
Whether you’re analyzing local budgets, researching the historical roots of a social issue, or building relationships with key community leaders, you can contribute to a deeper understanding of the inequities that affect our society.
Ultimately, the principles of investigative journalism provide a powerful framework for anyone looking to make a difference.
They encourage us to ask tough questions, to dig deeper, and to remain focused on the broader goal of achieving equity and justice.
In a world where social inequities are often deeply entrenched and complex, these tools can guide us toward uncovering the truth and, more importantly, toward creating a more just and equitable society.
Check your sources!
“Addressing the Root Causes of Inequality.” UNDP, 2019, www.undp.org/blog/addressing-root-causes-inequality. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Behar, Amitabh. “Here Are 3 Key Actions to Help Bridge the Inequality Gap.” World Economic Forum, 12 Sept. 2023, www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/09/3-key-actions-to-help-bridge-the-inequality-gap/. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Chugh, Abhinav, and World Economic Forum. “How Can the World Address Inequality? 7 Experts Explain.” World Economic Forum, 5 July 2021, www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/07/how-can-we-mitigate-inequality-7-experts-explain/. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Downman, Scott, and Kasun Ubayasiri. “Introduction to Journalism for Social Change.” Palgrave Macmillan UK EBooks, 1 Jan. 2017, pp. 1–23, link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/978-1-349-95179-6_1, https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95179-6_1. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Lewis, Mitzi, and Jeffrey C Neely. “Stories, Students, and Social Justice: Literary Journalism as a Teaching Tool for Change.” Springer EBooks, 1 Jan. 2022, pp. 293–309, link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-89420-7_19?sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=685769&awc=26429_1724039134_8327e47b9da6c8b675cf8d7ef8d026f7&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=awin&utm_campaign=CONR_BOOKS_ECOM_DE_PBOK_ALWYS_DEEPLINK&utm_content=textlink&utm_term=685769, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-89420-7_19. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Martin. “Reduce Inequality within and among Countries – United Nations Sustainable Development.” United Nations Sustainable Development, 20 Oct. 2023, www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/inequality/. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Schmidt, Thomas R. “Challenging Journalistic Objectivity: How Journalists of Color Call for a Reckoning – Thomas R Schmidt, 2024.” Journalism, 2024, journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/14648849231160997. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Staines, Zoe, et al. “Social Science as Social Action to Address Inequalities.” Australian Journal of Social Issues, vol. 59, no. 1, 7 June 2023, pp. 108–127, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ajs4.272, https://doi.org/10.1002/ajs4.272. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
“Tips for Reporters Seeking to Reveal the Scale of Inequality.” Gijn.org, 2021, gijn.org/resource/tips-for-reporters-seeking-to-reveal-the-scale-of-inequality/. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
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]]>The post 9 Lessons from Economics on Driving Social Innovation appeared first on Green Also Green.
]]>“The social object of skilled investment should be to defeat the dark forces of time and ignorance which envelope our future.”
– John Maynard Keynes
There is an unspoken paradox in the world of social innovation: a simultaneous awareness that “money makes the world go round”, but that it is also the “root of all evil”.
Turns out, Madonna got it right- we do live in a material world.
Indeed, global markets, politics, patterns of consumption,the survival of some businesses over others, and in fact, social innovation, are all ruled by economics.
Those who grumble at the power generated by the flow of money, arguing that morality and justice should take priority, are missing the point.
Money is not the source of all evil. Money is a tool.
So, like most tools, its effects are more contingent on who is using it and how.
For this reason, it is a top priority for the power of economics to be placed securely into the hands of social innovators- regardless of their background, industry, or nationality.
That is exactly what we are about to do, starting with the 9 lessons below.
Pixabay. Pexels, www.pexels.com/photo/numbers-on-monitor-534216/. Accessed 2 Aug. 2024.
Incentive structures are systems of rewards and penalties that motivate people to behave in certain ways.
They can be financial (like bonuses or fines), social (like praise or criticism), or moral (like the satisfaction of doing the right thing).
The idea is that people are more likely to do something if they have a compelling reason to do it. Namely, something that benefits them or helps them avoid a negative outcome.
They are crucial for driving social innovation because they can encourage people and organizations to act in ways that promote social justice.
By understanding what motivates individuals and groups, we can design policies and programs that align with these motivations to address issues like racism, gender equality, education access, and political unrest.
Behavioral economics is a field of study that looks at how people actually make decisions, rather than how they would make decisions if they were always rational and logical.
It combines insights from psychology and economics to understand why people sometimes make choices that aren’t in their best interest and how those choices can be influenced by various factors.
It’s important for driving social change because it helps us understand the real reasons behind people’s actions and decisions.
By recognizing these patterns, we can design better policies and programs that encourage positive behaviors and discourage harmful ones.
Market failure happens when the free market, which is the system where prices are determined by supply and demand, doesn’t work perfectly.
This means that the market doesn’t allocate resources in the most efficient way, leading to problems like overproduction, underproduction, or unfair distribution of goods and services.
Understanding market failures is important for driving social change because these failures often contribute to social injustices.
For example, pollution (a negative externality) can disproportionately affect poorer communities, or monopolies can lead to higher prices and fewer choices for consumers.
By recognizing where the market fails, we can design policies and interventions to correct these failures and promote fairness and equity.
The Coase Theorem is an idea in economics that helps us understand how people and businesses can solve problems involving externalities, which are costs or benefits that affect someone who didn’t choose to be involved in the situation.
For example, if a factory pollutes a river, the people living nearby suffer from the pollution even though they didn’t cause it. The Coase Theorem suggests that if people can negotiate with each other and if there are no costs to making these negotiations (called transaction costs), they can come to an agreement that solves the problem in the best way for everyone.
The Coase Theorem is relevant to social innovation because it provides a framework for resolving conflicts and externalities through negotiation and cooperation, rather than relying solely on government intervention.
Collaborative consumption, also known as the sharing economy, is an economic model where people share access to goods and services instead of owning them individually.
This can include activities like car sharing, bike rentals, house sharing (like Airbnb), and even sharing tools or clothes.
The idea is that by sharing resources, we can use them more efficiently, reduce waste, and save money.
Because it promotes sustainability, reduces inequality, and strengthens community ties, collaborative consumption is an essential idea to cultivating social innovation.
By sharing resources, we can help ensure that everyone has access to the things they need, even if they can’t afford to buy them outright.
This model can also foster a sense of community and cooperation, which is essential for addressing social justice issues.
Microfinance is a financial service that provides small loans, savings accounts, and other financial products to individuals who do not have access to traditional banking services.
These services are typically aimed at people with low incomes or those in developing countries who need money to start or grow their small businesses. The loans are usually small amounts, hence the term “micro.”
Nevertheless, despite the size of these loans, microfinance empowers people, especially those in poverty, to improve their economic situation.
By giving people access to financial resources, they can start businesses, create jobs, and support their families.
Ultimately, microfinance can help break the cycle of poverty and promote sustainable economic development.
Open innovation is a concept where organizations use external ideas, knowledge, and technologies in addition to their internal resources to drive innovation.
Instead of relying solely on their own staff and resources, companies and organizations collaborate with outside experts, researchers, and the public to develop new products, services, or solutions.
This approach can lead to more creative and effective outcomes because it harnesses a wider pool of ideas and expertise.
By tapping into the collective intelligence and creativity of a diverse group of people, we can develop innovative approaches to address social justice issues.
Shared value creation is a business concept that focuses on creating economic value in a way that also creates value for society.
This means that companies can achieve financial success while simultaneously addressing social and environmental issues.
Instead of seeing social problems as a cost or a burden, companies look for ways to solve these problems in a way that benefits both their business and the community.
Shared value creation is important in social innovation because it aligns the goals of businesses with the needs of society.
By integrating social and environmental concerns into their core business strategies, companies can contribute to solving major issues.
Network effects occur when the value of a product or service increases as more people use it.
Think about social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram: the more people who join and use these platforms, the more valuable they become to each user because there are more people to connect with.
Network effects can be seen in many areas, from technology and social networks to markets and communities.
Network effects are important for social change because they can help spread positive behaviors and ideas quickly and widely.
When a new idea, practice, or technology is adopted by more people, it becomes more valuable and influential, which can lead to rapid and widespread social change.
Understanding network effects can help activists, organizations, and policymakers design initiatives that leverage these dynamics to promote social justice.
In Charlie Wheelan’s book Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science, he says, “Economics is not just a subject for philosophers, statisticians, and college professors. It is about you and me, what we buy, how much we save, and how much we work.”
This rings true, not only within personal finance, but also in the way we design solutions to problems worldwide.
Applying lessons from economics to the challenges faced in social justice not only help us to understand why the causes exist in the first place, but also how to design effective solutions.
Then, armed with the tools to navigate a world governed by economic principles, money is no longer the root of evil.
Actually, it is the secret to driving widespread good.
Check your sources!
Alam, Moinul. “What Is Open Innovation? Definition, Types, Model and Best Practices.” IdeaScale, IdeaScale, 14 July 2023, ideascale.com/blog/what-is-open-innovation/. Accessed 3 Aug. 2024.
“Behavioral Economics, Explained.” University of Chicago News, 2021, news.uchicago.edu/explainer/what-is-behavioral-economics. Accessed 3 Aug. 2024.
Botsman, Rachel. “Defining the Sharing Economy: What Is Collaborative Consumption–and What Isn’t?” Fast Company, 27 May 2015, www.fastcompany.com/3046119/defining-the-sharing-economy-what-is-collaborative-consumption-and-what-isnt. Accessed 3 Aug. 2024.
Choudhary, Sunny. “Understanding Employee Incentives: A Comprehensive Guide.” ELearning Industry, eLearning Industry, 2 Apr. 2024, elearningindustry.com/understanding-employee-incentives-a-comprehensive-guide. Accessed 3 Aug. 2024.
“Collaborative Consumption: What It Is, How It Works.” Investopedia, 2024, www.investopedia.com/terms/c/collaborative-consumption.asp. Accessed 3 Aug. 2024.
“Creating Shared Value.” Harvard Business Review, 2011, hbr.org/2011/01/the-big-idea-creating-shared-value. Accessed 3 Aug. 2024.
“CSV Explained – Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness – Harvard Business School.” Hbs.edu, 2024, www.isc.hbs.edu/creating-shared-value/csv-explained/Pages/default.aspx. Accessed 3 Aug. 2024.
https://www.facebook.com/thebalancemoney. “Does Microfinance Really Work?” The Balance, 2018, www.thebalancemoney.com/what-is-microfinance-and-how-does-it-work-4165939. Accessed 3 Aug. 2024.
https://www.facebook.com/thoughtcodotcom. “How the Coase Theorem Affects Property Rights.” ThoughtCo, 2019, www.thoughtco.com/introduction-to-the-coase-theorem-1147386. Accessed 3 Aug. 2024.
“Market Failure: What It Is in Economics, Common Types, and Causes.” Investopedia, 2024, www.investopedia.com/terms/m/marketfailure.asp. Accessed 3 Aug. 2024.
“Network Effect: What It Is, How It Works, Pros and Cons.” Investopedia, 2024, www.investopedia.com/terms/n/network-effect.asp. Accessed 3 Aug. 2024.
“Open Innovation: Definition and Explanation.” The Oxford Review – or Briefings, 3 Mar. 2023, oxford-review.com/oxford-review-encyclopaedia-terms/encyclopaedia-open-innovation-definition-explanation/. Accessed 3 Aug. 2024.
Stobierski, Tim. “What Are Network Effects?” Harvard Business School Online, 12 Nov. 2020, online.hbs.edu/blog/post/what-are-network-effects.
Tipton, Matt. “How to Create an Incentive Structure | Why HR.” Why HR, 30 Aug. 2021, whyhr.guru/create-an-incentive-structure/. Accessed 3 Aug. 2024.
“What Is Behavioral Economics? Theories, Goals, and Applications.” Investopedia, 2024, www.investopedia.com/terms/b/behavioraleconomics.asp. Accessed 3 Aug. 2024.
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]]>The post Unlock Eco-Friendly Innovations: 4 Powerful Lessons from Engine History appeared first on Green Also Green.
]]>“It had never gotten old for him, flying. Never gone boring. Every engine start was a new adventure, guiding the spirit of a lovely machine back into life; every takeoff blending his spirit with its own to do what’s never been done in history, to lift away from the ground and fly.” ~ Richard Bach (2009), Hypnotizing Maria
When we dream about eco-friendly innovation, oftentimes we also disparagingly dismiss all the innovation that has enabled climate change, biodiversity loss, daunting wealth disparities, and more.
This is a mistake.
Yes, the carbon emissions produced from airplanes, cars, buses, and other modes of transport have caused us many problems.
However, they also solved many problems we had before the Industrial Revolution.
Hear me out.
With the invention of the internal combustion engine, we were able to make travel and transport significantly faster and more efficient.
What did this lead to?
Here are just a few of the effects:
Children who initially lived too remote to attend school now could, thus increasing literacy and empowering all economic classes. Agricultural productivity skyrocketed because instead of relying on human and animal power, we could use tractors and other farm machinery, leading to greater food security and economic growth.
Postal services were significantly faster, enabling quicker communication across long distances. Finally, engine-powered vehicles improved waste collection and disposal systems, facilitating the transportation of fresh produce and medical supplies, enhancing public health and sanitation as a result.
That is a long list of incredibly impactful outcomes, all with a direct link to the same invention.
While now the internal combustion engine has resulted in issues related to climate, waste, pollution, and more, the history of problem-solving and innovation behind it still hold several important lessons for anyone interested in driving change.
Those are the lessons I am going to share with you now.
First stop: efficiency.
This is one of the greatest strengths of the internal combustion engine. If you boil it down, it’s as simple as this: air and fuel go in, an explosion takes place in the cylinders, and power is produced.
In reality though, the efficiency of our modern-day engines took over 100 years to perfect.
The lesson here?
Optimizing existing processes can lead to better resource utilization than implementing something completely new, which is crucial to eco-friendly innovation.
Example from Engine History: The transition from steam engines to internal combustion engines significantly increased efficiency. Steam engines were bulky and less efficient in converting fuel to motion, whereas internal combustion engines offered a more compact and efficient power source.
Most of us live in a binary of pure success or absolute failure.
In actual fact, during creative problem-solving, success and failure aren’t mutually exclusive.
This is why it’s important to understand the concept of iteration– testing, adjusting, all while constantly inching toward an optimal solution.
This embrace of trial-and-error can foster resilience and creativity, which are necessary traits to the eco-friendly problem-solver.
Example from Engine History: The development of the jet engine involved numerous iterations and prototypes.
Frank Whittle’s early designs in the 1930s faced multiple challenges, but persistent problem-solving and continuous improvements led to the successful deployment of jet engines during World War II.
In a world of politics and competition at every level, this may seem like a naive but obvious lesson- to actually talk, collaborate, and share.
Nevertheless, it must be noted.
Creating platforms for collaboration and open knowledge-sharing can accelerate eco-friendly innovation.
Example from Engine History: The collaboration between Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach led to significant advancements in engine technology.
Their partnership and sharing of knowledge resulted in the development of high-speed internal combustion engines, which revolutionized transportation.
Last stop: societal impact!
This is frequently the lowest on anyone’s list of priorities, but to truly solve any problem, it is vital to consider how your work impacts a wider community of stakeholders.
Understanding this can guide responsible development and help avoid any further damage to our planet or to other people in society.
For example, the development of renewable energy technologies not only addresses environmental concerns but also has the potential to provide energy access to remote and underserved communities, promoting social equity.
Example from Engine History: The mass production of automobiles powered by internal combustion engines, pioneered by Henry Ford’s assembly line techniques, transformed society by making personal transportation widely accessible.
This had profound effects on urban planning, commerce, and daily life.
Now that you have peeked behind the curtain at some of the most valuable insights from over a century of innovation on the internal combustion engine, it’s time to talk about the future.
According to the European Union Joint Research Commission, over 80% of all product-related climate impacts are determined throughout the design stage of a product.
This means that sustainable product design is absolutely crucial to lowering pollution, increasing accessibility to all demographics, cultivating water and energy security, and so on.
We have a responsibility to be stewards to our planet and society, and one of the most impactful ways to do that is through our careers.
By applying these lessons from the intricate history behind the internal combustion engine, not only can you be inspired by those who contributed to such an amazing feat of engineering, but also empowered to apply your creativity and problem-solving to creating eco-friendly solutions.
Before you dive into the vast ocean of online information, make sure you’re not sailing on a raft of rumors…Check your sources!
Bach, Richard. Hypnotizing Maria. Hampton Roads Publishing, 18 Sept. 2009.
Bowie, Desiree. “What Is an Internal Combustion Engine?” HowStuffWorks, HowStuffWorks, 18 July 2023, science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/inventions/internal-combustion-engine.htm. Accessed 28 July 2024.
Frankel, Andrew. “A Life Well Lived: Tracing 120 Years of the Combustion Engine.” Autocar, Autocar, 15 May 2021, www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/features/life-well-lived-tracing-120-years-combustion-engine. Accessed 28 July 2024.
“Gasoline Engine – Internal Combustion, Ignition, Efficiency | Britannica.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2024, www.britannica.com/technology/gasoline-engine/Development-of-gasoline-engines. Accessed 28 July 2024.
“Internal Combustion Engine Basics.” Energy.gov, 2024, www.energy.gov/eere/vehicles/articles/internal-combustion-engine-basics. Accessed 28 July 2024.
Loughlin, Bronagh. “Why Is Sustainable Product Design and Innovation Important.” Institute of Sustainability Studies, 25 Sept. 2023, instituteofsustainabilitystudies.com/insights/guides/why-is-sustainable-product-design-and-innovation-important/. Accessed 28 July 2024.
“Malevus.” Malevus, 5 Sept. 2022, malevus.com/history-of-engine/#google_vignette. Accessed 28 July 2024.
Rong, Blake Z. “the Evolution of the Combustion Engine.” Popular Mechanics, Popular Mechanics, 5 June 2018, www.popularmechanics.com/cars/car-technology/a19854205/the-evolution-of-the-combustion-engine/. Accessed 28 July 2024.
“Sustainable Product Policy.” EU Science Hub, 2023, joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/scientific-activities-z/sustainable-product-policy_en. Accessed 28 July 2024.
Todd, Benjamin. “This Is Your Most Important Decision.” 80,000 Hours, 24 May 2023, 80000hours.org/make-a-difference-with-your-career/. Accessed 28 July 2024.
What is eco innovation. “5 Benefits of Eco Innovation.” Greenly.earth, 13 Feb. 2024, greenly.earth/en-gb/blog/ecology-news/5-benefits-of-eco-innovation. Accessed 28 July 2024.
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]]>The post Cyber Rebels Unite: Hacking Inequality To Spark A Digital Revolution appeared first on Green Also Green.
]]>“We’re all just walking each other home.” -Ram Dass
(Scroll to the bottom for a glossary on some of the jargon used in this article)
I’ve come to the conclusion that there are two main reactions to words like “cyber”, “quantum”, and “AI”. Either these words make you shut down, overwhelmed by the fast-paced technological advancement overtaking the world, or they make you feel spunky and fresh, one with the cool kids of Silicon Valley. Along the spectrum that lies between these two responses are those of us who will throw words like “blockchain” and “quantum” into our sentences to sound more intelligent, those of us who stubbornly pretend to know how to fix wifi connection problems in front of partners or obnoxious siblings, and -of course- those of us who deflect our tech-related embarrassment with a condescending “okay boomer.”
That said, human connection is a serious business, and by association, so is anything that interferes with it. Ever since homo sapiens first had the intellectual bandwidth to think at all, we’ve been pondering this question. In recent years, however, the matter of human connection has gotten a lot more tricky. Now, rather than show romantic interest in someone through merely buying them flowers or asking them out, you also need to comment on or at least like all their social media posts, and never leave them on read. If you’re thinking “Who cares? Why not just call?”, then you might be from the generation who acknowledges texts with an “OK.” rather than “okay” or “ok” and doesn’t even realize how passive aggressive it comes across. If that still isn’t you, it might be the case that you use excessive emojis without realizing their meaning- mostly the fruit and vegetable emojis, which should just be off-limits if you don’t know what they stand for.
Yes, it might seem trivial when you think about tech in the context of how you text your grandparents or block ex-boyfriends, but the way we interact on digital spaces is a much larger consideration than you probably ever realized. In fact, in 2021 the World Economic Forum placed digital inequality, adverse tech advances, IT infrastructure breakdown and digital power concentration among the top global risks, alongside risks like infectious diseases, climate action failure, and biodiversity loss. Among the top 10 risks by likelihood were digital power concentration, digital inequality, and cybersecurity failure.
So yes, cybersecurity matters to you, particularly if you are a business-owner, policy-maker, banker, or, for that matter, anyone who depends on privacy and security online. In fact, according to IBM, the average cost of a data breach in 2020 was $3.86 USD million globally, and $8.64 USD million in the United States alone. This includes the cost of discovering and responding to the breach, the cost of “downtime and lost revenue”, and the “long-term reputational damage to a business and its brand”.
“…according to IBM, the average cost of a data breach in 2020 was $3.86 USD million globally, and $8.64 USD million in the United States alone.”
Technology already advances at a high speed many of us struggle to keep up with, but the real cherry on top is that the emergence of the Quantum Computing age could throw into question our current methods of encryption, which many organizations rely on. This World Economic Forum post on quantum security even goes as far as to say this risk could prevent “technology’s true value from being realized” and that this issue requires immediate attention.
That said, save the doom and gloom, because if we get cybersecurity right, it could strengthen cyber resilience in the power grid, preventing large-scale blackouts that can have severe socio-economic consequences for households, businesses, and schools. In fact, a six hour winter blackout in mainland France could result in damages totalling over 1.5 billion euros, which is equal to $1.7 USD billion. The healthcare industry would also benefit, as cyber attacks are sadly a very common occurrence. The most frequent of these are ransomware attacks on healthcare providers, in which hackers lock IT systems and demand payment to unlock them. According to a study by the World Economic Forum, 15% of ransomware attacks led to patients being redirected to other facilities, 30% caused appointment cancellations, and some services were disrupted for almost four months. Also according to the study, ransomware attacks on the sector occurred at a rate of four incidents per week in the first half of 2021. With a dizzying lack of public reporting, the article says this is only “the tip of the iceberg”.
Yikes! Are all our dystopian sci-fi nightmares coming true? Will Siri get revenge for all the times you asked her to beatbox? Alas, I don’t have the answers to this, but I would also say that to think about the future in such binary terms- pun intended- is a mistake. Since when do such big societal shifts ever bring pure good or pure evil? With every drawback is another added benefit to whatever advancement takes place. That said, just to be safe, be nice to Siri and ChatGPT.
Speaking of being nice, cybersecurity also poses big questions about the essence of human connection, truth, power, and meaning. The work of Emmanuel Levinas, a 20th century philosopher who focused on the ethical dimension of human relationships, is particularly striking to me. According to him, human connection is not only a matter of social convention, but also makes an ethical demand. “The Other is the very idea of transcendence,” he writes in From Totality and Infinity. “Without the Other, I would not be a being, I would not be.” In meditating on these words, I am drawn to the link between Levinas’ idea of the Other as the “very idea of transcendence” and the attitude in Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and Confucianism that the ego is a source of suffering- “a veil between humans and God” according to Rumi. To Levinas, however, this transcendence through encountering the Other is ethically profound. “The face is what forbids us to kill,” he states, the “face” encapsulating an overall presence. Still, it is haunting imagery if you only consider how connection on digital spaces masks the literal face of the Other.
“Without the Other, I would not be a being, I would not be.”
Emmanuel levinas, From Form and totality
That said, if you find my philosophical musings pretentious, save the eye roll. Connection over digital spaces really is practically important. It even has a name: digital inequality. This is a phrase used to encompass the difficulty of making digital technology beneficial to all, and challenges us to address the social divisions which exist in our online spaces. Some examples are the differences in wifi bandwidth, awareness of how to avoid scams or unsafe websites, different behaviors toward online consumption, and varying degrees of exposure to different news outlets, social media content, and more. Experts divide current digital inequality into three categories: the universal access divide, the social divide, and the gender divide, with each one leading to an overall decrease in educational opportunities, healthcare access, and social support. Addressing these issues and leveling the online playing field could have surprising ramifications for those who experience exclusion online or obstacles in simply accessing digital technologies in the first place. So while digital inequality is tied more to the social side of online interactions, it is still a crucial component of our interactions with technology.
Don’t just take my word for it! The value of human connection has been depicted all throughout psychology. In fact, a landmark survey in 1988, Social relationships and health by James S. House, Karl R. Landis, and Debra Umberson, provides strong empirical evidence which supports the view that social relationships impact on physical health. The paper consistently shows an increased risk of death for people with low quality or quantity of “social relationships”, reiterating the narrative of human connection’s importance to physical health. Ultimately, we all have a need to belong, even in an increasingly digitized world.
“This is a world we can create if we take responsibility for the world we have created thus far.
Nevertheless, binging try-not-to-laugh cat videos on YouTube won’t kill you. In fact, the future of cybersecurity has much to be excited about, including the potential for passwords and cloud storage to be obsolete by 2031, but more importantly, for our digital spaces to promote environmental, social, and economic prosperity worldwide. Imagine a time when we don’t leave older generations behind with every new technological advance, a world where getting a world-class education is only as expensive as connecting to the wifi. Imagine a world where technological innovation mitigates climate change and fights back against the decline in biodiversity. This is a world we can create if we take responsibility for the world we have created thus far.
Word/Phrase | What It Means |
Cybersecurity | IBM defines cybersecurity- AKA information technology (IT) security- as “…the practice of protecting critical systems and sensitive information from digital attacks”. This includes all threats to networked systems and applications, from both inside and outside of the given organization. |
Digital Inequality | Refers to the unequal distribution of access to and use of digital technologies and the internet. It means that certain groups or individuals may have limited or no access to digital technologies or the internet, while others have much greater access and opportunities to use them. |
Digital Power Concentration | Digital power concentration refers to the concentration of power and control over the digital realm, including the internet, technology platforms, and data, in the hands of a small number of powerful entities, such as large corporations or governments. |
Quantum Security | Quantum security is a type of cybersecurity that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to protect sensitive information from being intercepted or tampered with by unauthorized users. In traditional cryptography, data is protected by mathematical algorithms that are extremely difficult to solve, but with the advent of powerful quantum computers, these algorithms may no longer be secure enough. Quantum security relies on the principles of quantum physics, which state that observing a system changes it, to ensure that any attempt to intercept or tamper with the information will be detectable. This makes it possible to create encryption methods that are theoretically unbreakable, even with the most powerful computers available. |
Ransomware Attacks | Ransomware attacks are a type of cyber attack where the attacker encrypts a victim’s computer files, rendering them inaccessible, and demands payment in exchange for the decryption key to unlock them. In simpler terms, it’s like someone holding your computer files hostage and demanding money for their safe return. |
The Universal Access Divide (Re Digital Inequality) | The universal access divide refers to the unequal distribution of access to digital technologies and the internet. It is the gap between those who have access to these tools and those who do not. This divide can be seen within countries, where certain groups or regions have better access to digital technologies than others, and between countries, where some countries have better access to digital technologies and the internet than others. |
The Social Divide(Re Digital Inequality) | The social divide in digital inequality refers to the unequal distribution of access to technology and digital resources based on social factors such as income, education, age, and location. |
The Gender Divide(Re Digital Inequality) | The gender divide in digital inequality refers to the unequal access to digital technologies and the internet that affects women and girls around the world. This divide is due to a combination of economic, social, and cultural factors that create barriers for women and girls to access digital resources and participate in the digital economy. |
Digital Literacy | Digital literacy refers to the ability to use digital technologies effectively and efficiently in order to solve problems and achieve goals. It involves not just technical skills like using computers or mobile devices, but also a range of other skills, such as navigating the internet, evaluating the credibility of online sources, protecting personal information online, and using digital tools for communication and collaboration. |
You know what Edgar Allan Poe once said… “Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see.”
He had nothing to say about what you read.
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World Economic Forum’s Centre for Cybersecurity. “Quantum Security.” World Economic Forum, www.weforum.org/projects/quantum-security. Accessed 4 May 2023.
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]]>The post Time To Bleed The Room: Unlocking the Magic of Saying the Bloody Word appeared first on Green Also Green.
]]>It’s that time of the month when Auntie Flo comes around and you ride the crimson wave. It’s shark week… but also strawberry week…and also lingonberry week if you’re Swedish. It’s code red! Granny’s stuck in traffic! Les Anglais ont débarqué! If you think I’m describing a doomsday scenario with a side of red fruit and your grandma, I understand. In reality, I was describing something much more common via a hefty helping of obscure albeit artful euphemisms.
You probably know this: There are certain words you just don’t say. This includes the p-word: “Shark week” (Australia) or “strawberry week” (Austria, Hungary, Latvia, Norway, Switzerland, and Germany); the m-word: “reverse puberty”, “second spring”, “the change”; or the v-word: papa (Used in Spain, slang for a double-chin), ke manju (Japanese for “hairy bean paste bun”). If you know what the p-word, m-word, and v-word are but cannot say them out loud, this is your turn to try. Say it with me: Period. Menopause. Vagina. These are natural and normal parts of life, but many cannot even say these words out loud, let alone hear someone else saying them without cringing.
After indulging myself in a fascinating deep dive into why period poverty is such a pressing issue, how dance can be used to dismantle the shame surrounding menopause, how art can tackle the stigma surrounding menstruation, and the centuries-old marriage between material science and menstrual technologies, I was left with another question that called for more than just a brief web surf: Why can’t we talk about it? And more questions: When did our societal silence start? What makes menstruation and menopause different from other taboo topics like politics and religion? Why do these natural, normal, perfectly-healthy, and near-universal experiences evoke shame?
Despite what I’d initially thought, a dig into the origin of menstrual and menopausal stigma suggested that even among the experts, it is unclear where it comes from. It was, however, clear that the stigma pre-dates the dawn of language in almost every culture, with a few exceptions. This article from Clue draws heavily on the theory proposed by Christ Knight, a social anthropologist at London University who has researched the “deep historical roots of menstrual taboo”.
Knight’s view is that the original taboos were born of “female-led” and “female-advantaging” behaviors in early humans, which allowed them to assert menstruation as a time when their bodies were untouchable. While this originally reinforced female autonomy, it became a negative taboo when big animals became more scarce and the traditional hunter-gatherer rhythms were altered. This disrupted female solidarity as it became necessary to gather food more frequently, meaning that the menstrual cycle was no longer synchronized with the process of hunting large game.
Knight then goes on to suggest that the response to this was men beginning to ritualize their own version of menstruation by cutting their penises and sometimes other parts of the body. The menstrual huts that females used to gather in to menstruate together were reassigned for the “new, better synced, male bleeding ritual” in which they would bleed together. According to Knight, this is at the heart of all the world’s patriarchal religions, in which temples and churches reflect this male-controlled and dominated atmosphere. “At the base of all the world’s religions, we find one fundamental idea. Some things are sacred. And if the body isn’t sacred, nothing is,” he says. “Blood was a mark of the sacredness of the body. So the paradox is, that the very thing that benefited women throughout evolution is now made to be, and experienced as, the most disempowering.”
Regardless of whether you believe Knight’s theory is accurate, he acknowledges the paradox of power and struggle that is a hallmark of the shame surrounding menstruation and menopause. If the body isn’t sacred, nothing is, he says, and yet there is some nagging sensation that for a large chunk of history, the body is the farthest thing from sacred that there is. To speak of menopause and menstruation specifically, you need only consider the over 5000 slang terms used to describe these natural and healthy processes to bear witness to this attitude. Not only is the body not spoken of as sacred, but it is spoken of as repugnant, dirty, and worst yet, shameful.
Shame. It’s an unassuming five-lettered word with big implications on the individual and societal level. It thrives on silence and feasts on your inner doubts, leading to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and more. Here you might be thinking that this is making a mountain out of a molehill- or a crimson wave out of a puddle- but the excessive use of hurtful euphemisms and slang actually serves to reinforce the much more ominous force of shame.
Brené Brown highlights this in her breathtaking TED talk on vulnerability. As she explains throughout her research, shame is something we all experience. It is part of what it means to be human and impacts who we are and how we behave. Despite how universal it is, most of us don’t want to talk about shame, as it makes us uncomfortable. Unfortunately, this is exactly what perpetuates it. “Shame derives its power from being unspeakable,” Brown writes. It feeds on silence, judgment, and secrecy. The solution? Vulnerability.
But what about the slang, euphemisms, and centuries of casual misogyny surrounding menopause and menstruation? How do they evoke shame? According to this article by the Independent, an international survey with over 90,000 responses from 190 countries and ranging across ten different languages found over 5,000 slang words and euphemisms for the word “period”. 78% of the participants believed slang words were used when talking about periods, and in France and China, periods were spoken about in 91% slang terms, followed by Denmark at 86%. Nevertheless, many other countries were on the bandwagon as well. English-speaking participants often cited euphemisms such as Aunt Flo, code red, bloody mary, shark week, the crimson wave, code red, and “the blob”. In Finland, the expression hullum lechman tauti was used, which translates to “mad cow disease”. In Brazil, participants used eusou com chico, which means “I’m with Chico”, referring to the socialist Chico Mendes. In France, it was Les Anglais ont débarqué, or “The English have landed”. In Denmark they said Der Er Kommunister i Lythuset– “There are communists in the funhouse”- while in South Africa they said “Granny’s stuck in traffic.” As much as this range of morbid and obscure language might have made you roll your eyes, it still highlights a widespread discomfort surrounding the topic.
The question that follows, of course, is what to do about it. After all, in maintaining a culture that masks the natural and healthy processes experienced by the female body, the shame surrounding these processes is only left to fester. To develop resilience toward shame, Brené Brown and her colleagues did research into Shame Resilience Theory, in which they identified that those who were able to move through shame and toward empathy all shared the following four elements of shame resilience: (1) recognizing shame and understanding its triggers, (2) practicing critical awareness, (3) reaching out, and (4) speaking shame (i.e. asking for what you need).
In Brown’s research, she suggests using researcher Kristin Neff’s three elements to improve self compassion: practicing self-kindness over self-judgment, common humanity over isolation, and mindfulness instead of over-identification.
For now, let’s just start with the linguistic part of self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness as it pertains to menstruation and menopause. Fortunately, there are some straightforward changes that you can make to the language you use.
Step one is to just say the bloody word. Say “period” instead of “the blob” and “menopause” instead of “reverse puberty”. Use the clearest words possible when describing the female- or male- anatomy, and make an effort to know how your body works.
Within the realm of language surrounding menopause and menstruation, there is also debate surrounding the use of the terms menstrual hygiene versus menstrual health, as the term menstrual hygiene has connotations more with cleaning, whereas menstrual health encompasses all aspects of menstruation, which include overall wellbeing, gender equality, education, equity, empowerment, and human rights. By placing menstruation with health rather than hygiene subsequently encourages the view that it is natural, healthy, and heavily intertwined with all other aspects of a female’s wellbeing. This is an important shift in thinking, as menstruation is about so much more than just cleaning up something “unsanitary”.
In Liz Kleinrock’s TED Talk How to Teach Kids About Taboo Topics, she says that she believes “the first step towards holding conversations about things like equity is to begin by building a common language.” While she didn’t discuss menstruation or menopause, it is still highly relevant, particularly as her point links with the way we educate future generations. By signaling to others, especially those as malleable as children, that discussing the natural processes of their bodies is disgusting, confusing, and taboo, shame only lives on. As such, it is necessary to be open and curious in order to tackle the stigma that exists. This brings me back to Brené Brown’s words: “Shame derives its power from being unspeakable.”
To speak, and how we speak, is an immensely powerful and underappreciated force. According to this Forbes article, verbal communication through language is one of the qualities that make us unique in the animal kingdom. While scientists are not absolutely sure when humans first spoke, they think that language began two million years ago from the need to communicate while making tools. Today, about 6,500 languages are spoken around the world. That is 6,500 ways to tell a stranger “hello”, 6,500 ways to tell the loves of your life “I love you”, and 6,500 different canvases by which to paint a new attitude toward menstruation and menopause.
The human voice is one of the most powerful instruments in the human body. The Swedish Musicologist Johan Sundberg once said that “the human voice has been called ‘the mirror to our soul’”, particularly in reference to singing, but also to the speaking voice. This voice is even more than just a tool; It is an instrument for change. Indeed, saying “period” instead of “that time of the month” or “menopause” instead of “the change” might seem small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things. In reality though, it’s not. When many people like you and me make these small and barely-perceptible changes over time, we eventually rewrite the centuries-old narrative of how we perceive our complicated, confusing, evolving, beautiful, messy, miraculous, stardust-laden bodies. And that narrative starts with a word. And that word comes from you.
Barth, F. Diane. “7 Ways to Fight Debilitating Shame | Psychology Today.” Www.psychologytoday.com, 23 Mar. 2018, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-couch/201803/7-ways-fight-debilitating-shame. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
Calderwood, Imogen. “12 of the Weirdest and Worst Euphemisms for the Word “Period.”” Global Citizen, 22 Nov. 2017, www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/weird-period-euphemisms-around-the-world/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
Devlin, Hannah. “Breaking the Menopause Taboo: “There Are Vital Stories We Should Continue to Pursue.”” The Guardian, 21 Sept. 2019, www.theguardian.com/membership/2019/sep/21/breaking-the-menopause-taboo-there-are-vital-stories-we-should-continue-to-pursue. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
Druet, Anna. “Clue: Period and Ovulation Tracker for IPhone and Android.” Helloclue.com, Clue, 2019, helloclue.com/articles/culture/how-did-menstruation-become-taboo. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
Gordon, Ali. “Period Taboo: Why Can’t We Talk about Menstruation?” BBC News, 24 Feb. 2019, www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-47254222.
“HEALTH – Top 10 Weird (and Funny) Names for the Menopause.” Heart London Magazine, 7 Sept. 2021, heartlondonmagazine.com/2021/09/07/health-top-10-weird-and-funny-names-for-the-menopause/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
Kleinrock, Liz. “How to Teach Kids to Talk about Taboo Topics.” Ted.com, TED Talks, 2017, www.ted.com/talks/liz_kleinrock_how_to_teach_kids_to_talk_about_taboo_topics. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
Morgan, Lindsay. “Talking about Taboos: How to Create an Open Atmosphere for Discussing Difficult Subjects.” THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect, 10 Nov. 2021, www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/talking-about-taboos-how-create-open-atmosphere-discussing-difficult-subjects. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
O’Connor, Roisin. “There Are More than 5,000 Ways to Say “Period” around the World – These Are the Best Ones.” The Independent, 1 Mar. 2016, www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/menstruation-study-finds-over-5-000-slang-terms-for-period-a6905021.html. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
Ph.D, Jeremy Sutton. “Shame Resilience Theory: Advice from Brené Brown.” PositivePsychology.com, 14 June 2017, positivepsychology.com/shame-resilience-theory/#overcoming-and-dealing-with-shame. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
Prisk, Jenni. “Civic Nation BrandVoice: Mark My Words: There Is Power in Your Voice.” Forbes, 26 Feb. 2020, www.forbes.com/sites/civicnation/2020/02/26/mark-my-words-there-is-power-in-your-voice/?sh=4ae5cd6e3b77. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
read, Dr Sarah Jarvis MBE15-Jan-22 · 5 mins. “How to Alter Your Language around Menstruation to Be More Inclusive.” Patient.info, 15 Jan. 2022, patient.info/news-and-features/how-to-alter-your-language-around-menstruation-to-be-more-inclusive. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
Sack, David. “5 Ways to Silence Shame.” Psychology Today, 2015, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/where-science-meets-the-steps/201501/5-ways-silence-shame. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
Selva, Joaquin. “Shame Resilience Theory: How to Respond to Feelings of Shame.” PositivePsychology.com, 14 June 2017, positivepsychology.com/shame-resilience-theory/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
Sheesley, Maddie. “How to Talk about Menstruation.” Helloclue.com, Clue, 6 Nov. 2017, helloclue.com/articles/culture/how-to-talk-about-menstruation. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
The Sanitation Learning Hub. “Call a Period a Period: Exploring the Language and Knowledge of Menstruation.” Sanitation Learning Hub, 27 May 2021, sanitationlearninghub.org/2021/05/27/call-a-period-a-period-exploring-the-language-and-knowledge-of-menstruation/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
Thorpe, J.R. “41 Awesome Euphemisms for Vagina around the World, Because Your Pupusa Speaks All Languages.” Bustle, 26 Feb. 2015, www.bustle.com/articles/66680-41-awesome-euphemisms-for-vagina-around-the-world-because-your-pupusa-speaks-all-languages. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
West, Mary. “Female Reproductive Organ Anatomy, Parts, and Function.” Www.medicalnewstoday.com, 8 Oct. 2021, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/female-reproductive-organ-anatomy#uterus. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
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]]>“And for her true womanhood arrived here there is no growing old. Age refines and enriches, warms and illuminates, expands and exalts her. She is more and more Woman through it; not less and less. The noble life that has let her hither is her grand cosmetic. Her intellect, loosed from the golden bonds of corporeal Maternity, rises to the grasp of higher truths.”
– Eliza W. Farnham
After writing about menstruation, periods, tampons, pads, menstrual cups, and the stigma surrounding them, I realized that there was still an oft-ignored member of the party that I had to pay homage to: menopause. “Menopause”, the word I only first heard after getting my first period, a word filled with mystery, saturated with finality. I remember thinking it was funny how words surrounding female reproduction sounded both grammatical and masculine, all starting with “men”- menopause, menstruation– and containing words like “period” and “pause”. I thought it was funny how dissimilar grammar and menstruation were- one messy and somewhat unpredictable, the other rigid and abstract- and how peculiar it was that menstruation didn’t belong to men even though it sounded like it did. I also remember wanting to ask people what it was like, how long it lasted, if it hurt, if it was miserable, when it would happen to me, but always feeling held back by the worry that they would get offended by the mere suggestion that they might have the experience required to answer my questions.
The National Institute on Aging defines menopause as the point in time 12 months after a menstruator’s last period. The menopausal transition, or perimenopause, is what you call the year leading up to that point, in which menstruators might experience changes in their monthly cycle, hot flashes, or other symptoms. It often begins between ages 45 and 55, lasting roughly seven years but sometimes stretching to 14. How long it lasts depends on lifestyle factors such as age, smoking, race, and ethnicity. During this period of time, the production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, both produced by the ovaries, can be variable.
“Feminism isn’t about making women stronger. Women are already strong, it’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.“
G.D. Anderson
Yet menopause is a phenomenon that transcends biology, marking a point in life that many find daunting and challenging on an existential level. Indeed, there is a long history in Western society of menopause being used to antagonize women of a certain age, with pressures all around to make anyone past their time of reproduction feel excluded and underappreciated.
One striking example of this discrimination toward older women has appeared throughout history through the persecution of those accused of witchcraft. According to Britannica, the European witch-hunt craze peaked in the 1580s and 90s to the 1630s and 40s, with about three quarters of the hunts taking place in western Germany, France, northern Italy, and Switzerland. It is impossible to know exactly when the trials began, but it is generally thought that the number of trials and executions “varied according to time and place”, although generally speaking a total of roughly 110,000 people were tried for witchcraft and between 40,000 to 60,000 were executed.”
Witches were thought to be followers of Satan who “traded their souls for his assistance”. They would then allegedly employ demons to desecrate the crucifix and the consecrated bread and wine of Holy Communion; shapeshift to and from an animal form, riding through the air at night to secret meetings called “sabbats”, where they would partake in orgies and sometimes have sex with Satan himself; and kidnap and murder children for the sake of eating them or using their fat for magical ointments. Naturally though- while there were admittedly some individuals who did worship the devil, try to practice maleficium– malevolent sorcery- and yes, there were even people with moles and warts, no one was actually a witch by the definition of the time.
Older women, single women, and widows were particularly susceptible to accusations. That is to say, menopause and witchcraft have been intimately interwoven for centuries.
Looking back, there is still no reasonable explanation for women making up the overwhelming majority of people accused of witchcraft- about three quarters of those convicted. Older women, single women, and widows were particularly susceptible to accusations. That is to say, menopause and witchcraft have been intimately interwoven for centuries.
I mention this in order to demonstrate an important point about the depiction of menopausal women throughout history. Namely, that the decrease in fertility that occurs during menopause has, for hundreds of years, been associated with powerful evil. In fact, the deeply embedded understanding of menopausal women as witches still contributes to the pathologization of menopause today. This is why a witch, predominantly considered evil in Western culture, is depicted as old, infertile, and isolated from the rest of society.
In fact, the deeply embedded understanding of menopausal women as witches still contributes to the pathologization of menopause today. This is why a witch, predominantly considered evil in Western culture, is depicted as old, infertile, and isolated from the rest of society.
As a result of this attitude, so deeply embedded within the patriarchal codes of Western society, menopause has been the source of shame and stigma for centuries. This is, however, quite strange given that shame manifests when societal norms have been transgressed. Yet everyone has a body bound by the confines of time. Everyone grows older, everyone goes through puberty, and everyone has a few stray pimples and hairs. Rather than acknowledge this mostly-universal truth, shame is an emotion which causes people to turn their focus inward, cutting deep into their identity.
According to this medically-reviewed article on PsychCentral, it could manifest through feelings of worthlessness, worrying about what others think of you, being afraid to look stupid, perfectionism, negative self-talk, or anger in response to shame triggers, resulting in side effects such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, sleeping issues, stomach pain, overeating or loss of appetite, eating disorders, substance use disorder, and codependency. While personal experience for some might corroborate this long list of symptoms, there is also evidence to underpin these concerns. Dr. June Tangey and Ronda L. Dearing have evidence to suggest that people with a propensity for feeling shame often have low self-esteem and that shame can increase risks of developing other psychological conditions such as depression. In 2010, a study led by Ulrich Orth of the University of Bern, those in their teen years were particularly sensitive to shame, with this inclination decreasing until it resurged again in older age, in which people felt shame toward their bodily appearance.
Dr. Brené Brown is yet another well-known shame researcher who advocates for vulnerability. “Shame derives its power from being unspeakable,” she says. How simple, and yet how terrifying, to speak the unspeakable, to strip away the power of silence with just your voice. What if, through asking about menopause, we discovered that the shame surrounding it could be replaced with pride?
“One day you will look back and realize all along you were blooming.”
-Morgan Harper Nichols
This is where we meet the grandmother hypothesis, an idea that has been put forward by researchers to explain why homo sapiens evolved menopause, the biological mystery that means females stop being able to reproduce about halfway through their life. While it does exist in a small selection of other species, such as Japanese aphids and killer whales, it is extremely uncommon throughout the animal kingdom.
The grandmother hypothesis suggests that instead of disadvantaging homo sapiens, menopause actually allows older females to better support their offspring- and their offspring’s offspring, allowing more offspring to survive into adulthood. So while the individual female can no longer pass down her genetic material, she can more readily ensure the survival of those who are carrying it.
How does this fit into the way we view menopause today? Sure, like me, you may live an ocean away from your grandmothers, or perhaps not be lucky enough to have them in your life, but this is a phenomenon that goes beyond being a grandmother; It is about being a leader. It is about reinventing yourself. It is about getting clear on what you value.
“Shame derives its power from being unspeakable,” Dr. Brené Brown says. The shame surrounding menopause is just one example. In reality, fertility or the lack thereof never made menopausal women any more “witch” than the rest of us. In fact, Japanese and Mayan culture view the menopausal transition as a period of growth, renewal, and spiritual rebirth. This highlights not only that it’s possible to rewrite the narrative, but that a positive narrative of menopause already exists. Using our voices to dismantle shame is one tool to get there, but today I want to propose a different kind of expression, one that might terrify you even more.
“Shame derives its power from being unspeakable.”
Dr. Brené Brown
Sure, we all know you sing in the shower and bop your head when listening to something groovy. But what if there is something even more powerful to be said for dancing? What if it can dismantle shame? What if it can promote social bonding, increase self-esteem, and fight depression and anxiety? Well, research from 2021, results of which are published in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS), suggests that this could all be the case. Results seem to support the claim that dance improves cholesterol levels, physical fitness, self-image and self-esteem for postmenopausal females.
This is particularly important for this demographic, as postmenopausal females are more likely to experience weight gain, overall/central body adiposity increases, and metabolic disturbances such as increases in triglycerides and bad cholesterol. This leads to a higher cardiovascular risk, but is also complemented with decreased self-esteem and self-image. According to the study, “dance therapy is seen as an attractive option because it is a pleasant activity with low associated costs and low risk of injury for its practitioners.” Dance therapy also offers the added benefits of improved balance, posture, strength, and “overall physical performance”. In fact, dance therapy, first pioneered by Marian Chace back in the 1940s, has been used to help patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other studies by Leste & Rust have highlighted the power of dance classes to reduce anxiety.
Yet this is, to some extent, old news in the grand scheme of human history. According to the 2015 paper Synchrony and exertion during dance independently raise pain threshold and encourage social bonding, the performance and enjoyment of music and dance in a group setting is somewhat ubiquitous across all human cultures. “Dance is fundamentally cooperative in nature,” it explains. “And may have served the evolutionary function of encouraging social bonds, cooperation and prosocial behaviors between group members.” The authors of this paper- Bronwyn Tarr, Jacques Launay, Emma Cohen and Robin Dunbar- attribute this to the empirically proven link between synchrony, which is performing the same movement at the same time, and bonding. It suggests that synchronization between people influences their positive social feelings toward each other, blurring the perception of ‘self’ and ‘other’.
Dance is fundamentally cooperative in nature, and may have served the evolutionary function of encouraging social bonds, cooperation and prosocial behaviors between group members.
-Bronwyn Tarr, Jacques Launay, Emma Cohen & Robin Dunbar, Synchrony and exertion during dance independently raise pain threshold and encourage social bonding, 2015
By breaking down this barrier between ‘self’ and ‘other’, another thing gets broken down- shame. This is why dance offers such a powerful tool in tackling the physical and emotional toll of menopause. Not only does it provide exercise, but it also acts as a way of bonding and expressing oneself. Shame derives its power from being unspeakable. Yes, this is true. But shame also derives power from being undanceable.
(meno)PAUSE TO CHECK YOUR SOURCES
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Lewis, Ioan M., and Jeffrey Burton Russell. “Witchcraft | Definition, History, Varieties, & Facts.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Oct. 2022, www.britannica.com/topic/witchcraft#ref214880.
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]]>if there is a river
-Lucille Clifton, poem in praise of menstruation
more beautiful than this
bright as the blood
red edge of the moon if
there is a river more faithful than this
returning each month
to the same delta if there
is a river
braver than this
coming and coming in a surge
of passion, of pain if there is
a river
more ancient than this
daughter of eve
mother of cain and of abel if there is in
the universe such a river if
there is some where water
more powerful than this wild
water
pray that it flows also
through animals
beautiful and faithful and ancient
and female and brave
Throughout the world, almost 500 million people are affected by period poverty, which is the term used to describe a lack of access to menstrual products, education, hygiene facilities, waste management, or a combination of these. Anyone who’s ever been in the situation where their period begins without the adequate supplies knows that this is an issue stretching way beyond what they teach you in high school biology. It is also a matter of politics, culture, history, psychology, and social attitudes. I’m talking about the shameful stigma surrounding menstrual health.
This is what I want to hone in on: the shame. Make no mistake, of course the economics, medical research, and biology lessons all have a vital place. However, there is something else underneath all the well-intentioned interventions to this problem. There lies a very sinister habit of staying rather hushed, as though the topic of how a female body functions is fundamentally unclean and impure.
In fact, this attitude has been perpetuated all throughout history. According to Painting Blood: Visualizing Menstrual Blood in Art, many societies throughout time- and even in the modern day- have imposed a “strict set of rules about the visualization of menstrual blood in art and visual culture”. Ruth Green-Cole, the author of this work, then goes on to state that the “hegemonic and patriarchal codes controlling discussion, commemoration, or visualization of menstruation” have led countless women now and in the past to view their own bodies as negative and shameful.
…the “hegemonic and patriarchal codes controlling discussion, commemoration, or visualization of menstruation” have led countless women now and in the past to view their own bodies as negative and shameful.
For a minute let’s set aside the rigidity of big scholarly words and academic writing. What Green-Cole describes is deeply personal. After all, there is unfathomable power in how we think, talk, represent, and commemorate the female body. This stretches beyond mere physiology. To attack the value and purity of the womb, the blood, a person’s sex itself is to attack the person whose soul is held within that body. This is no small matter.
To attack the value and purity of the womb, the blood, a person’s sex itself is to attack the person whose soul is held within that body. This is no small matter.
Lewis, Jen. “Is the Grass Always Greener?,” Beauty in Blood, www.beautyinblood.com/gallery.html. Accessed 2 Feb. 2023.
On the other hand though, there is always another side to power. Through channeling this power into the right places, it is possible to flip the script from one of shame to one of empowerment. Now the big question is How?
As always, there are multifarious approaches to tackling stigma, but for now I’d like to discuss one which I find particularly fascinating: visual art. In Aisle article, Menstruation in Art, Ariane Bell Vila states, “Making art about menstruation is one of the ways in which we can normalize it. It allows people to see a reflection of themselves through someone else’s eyes and feel less shame. It also (ideally) allows folks who don’t menstruate to maybe understand it and sympathize a little bit more. Art can help us unpack loaded or taboo subjects; periods are ready for the palette.”
Making art about menstruation is one of the ways in which we can normalize it. It allows people to see a reflection of themselves through someone else’s eyes and feel less shame. It also (ideally) allows folks who don’t menstruate to maybe understand it and sympathize a little bit more. Art can help us unpack loaded or taboo subjects; periods are ready for the palette.
Ariane Bell Vila
Make no mistake though- art has a complicated history of representing menstruation and menopause. Returning to Green-Cole’s Painting Blood, the concept of ‘gendered blood’ is heavily embedded in patriarchal traditions. These cultures “suppress images of menstruation” while European and American art “valorize women’s bodies as vehicles for male scopic desire”.This highlights a paradoxical interplay between embracing the female body as a sexual object while thoroughly denying its natural healthy processes. The association in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions between menstrual blood and immorality only furthers this. While Christ’s blood is elevated in the Eucharist as “the blood of heroes lost on the battlefield”, female blood is seen as a punishment for Eve’s temptation of Adam. This arbitrary divide between female and male blood in artwork was a common theme for centuries.
That is, until the 70s. At this time, feminist art emerged, producing works which were both radically honest and startling. Green-Cole describes them as not “easy to look at or decent and palatable”, as they bluntly contravene the “requirement” that female bodies in art must be timid and chaste. In doing so, they revalue “gendered blood”, transforming it gradually into a positive, defiant, or ambiguous symbol.
This heavily contrasts with works like Marc Chagall’s 1910 oil on canvas Birth or Paul Gauguin’s 1892 painting Parau na te Varua ino (Words of the Devil), which depicts a young Tahitian woman standing naked amidst lush green foliage, a masked she-devil lingering in the background. The she-devil watches as the embarrassed woman covers her genitals with a white cloth, symbolizing purity. Her posture is “that of a woman fallen from grace” and all around her feet are pink flowers, evoking associations with blood, impurity, and the “passage that has just occurred from virginity into the status of a ‘fallen’ Eve”.
This patriarchal image of women as the defective, leaky “other” is nonetheless challenged by artists like Paula Modersohn-Becker and Frida Kahlo, who were contemporaries of Gaugin and Chagall. Green-Cole remarks that in actual fact, Kahlo never explicitly worked with menstruation as a theme. Nevertheless, the image of blood is common throughout her work, such as in Henry Ford Hospital and Mi Nacimiento(My Birth), both painted in 1932. Modersohn-Becker contributed similarly through works like Selbstbildnis am 6. Hochzeitstag (Self-Portrait on the Sixth Wedding Day) in 1906 and Mutter mit Kind auf dem Arm, Halbakt II (Mother with Child in Her Arms, Half-Length Nude II) in 1907.
So even at the dawn of the 20th century there were hints that a shift in perspective was coming. In the 70s this really took off. Now there is a whole wave of feminist art celebrating menstruation. Among these artists are Ellie Kammer, who creates breath-taking paintings depicting the experience of endometriosis; Natalie Byrne, who wrote and illustrated the book Period. on “everything you need to know about periods”; Sarah Naqvi, whose embroidery work depicts menstrual blood in a celebratory way; Vanessa Tiegs, the creator of “menstralas”; and too many others to list.
Lewis, Jen. “The Crimson Wave,” Beauty in Blood, www.beautyinblood.com/gallery.html. Accessed 2 Feb. 2023.
I particularly enjoyed the Beauty in Blood project, in which photographs of menstrual blood in water are photographed to depict a plethora of mesmerizing shapes and shades of color. It seemed to provide a stark contrast to the attitudes of disgust and vulgarity that have been held toward female blood traditionally. Instead, each image is delicate and detailed. It even takes a moment to remember that it’s a photograph of blood…in a toilet! Each image must go through a four-step process of media collection, pouring/designing the layout, photographic capture, and photograph selection. By using photography to capture this taboo subject matter from an elegant angle, the artist, Jen Lewis, challenges the many taboos surrounding menstruation that paint it as something vulgar and repulsive.
It seemed to provide a stark contrast to the attitudes of disgust and vulgarity that have been held toward female blood traditionally. Instead, each image is delicate and detailed. It even takes a moment to remember that it’s a photograph of blood…in a toilet!
Another project I found particularly thought-provoking was Vanessa Tiegs’ Menstralas, which consists of 88 paintings, or “menstralas”, to highlight the importance of menstrual cycles. In this project, Tiegs uses her own blood as a medium, which has evoked mixed reactions among the public. However, other projects, like Sarah Naqvi’s feminist embroidery to depict menstrual blood, are also both aesthetically appealing and provocative. “Most of my art uses the medium to start a dialogue,” she says in an interview with Feminism in India. “As long as it starts a conversation, it has made an impact.”
As long as it starts a conversation, it has made an impact.
Sarah Naqvi, during interview with Feminism in india
Tiegs, Vanessa. “Ruby Red,” Menstrala Galaxy Crossing, www.vanessatiegs.com/menstrala/. Accessed 2 Feb. 2023. “Finding one’s voice is a critical step in healing this challenging aspect of womanhood that is too easy to joke about merely because it stays hidden and ignored. When I published “Ruby Red,” girls with endometriosis thanked me for helping them break their conditioned silence. ” -Vanessa Tiegs.
Perhaps this is overall what must guide artists in the realm of menstrual health advocacy: starting a conversation. As I mentioned before, this open discussion is yet another way of crushing the dangerous stigma surrounding menstruation.
“Art is not what you see,” Georgia O’Keeffe once said. “It’s what you make others see.” It is through this subtle but powerful ability of artwork that social stigmas surrounding menstrual health can be crushed. When stigmas are crushed, normalization occurs. When normalization occurs, menstruators are empowered to take control over their health by asking questions and starting conversations. Still the work so many artists are doing today is only the start. As Belle Vila declares, “Periods are ready for the palette.”
Art is not what you see. It’s what you make others see.
georgia o’keeffe
Hlola ukucabanga kwakho! is Zulu for Check your assumptions!
Bell Vila, Ariane. “Menstruation in Art.” Aisle, 22 May 2020, periodaisle.com/blogs/all/menstruation-in-art. Accessed 2 Feb. 2023.
Bloody Good Period. “MENSTRUAL EQUITY RESEARCH.” Bloody Good Period, www.bloodygoodperiod.com/bloody-data. Accessed 2 Feb. 2023.
Cardoso, Lauren F., et al. “Period Poverty and Mental Health Implications among College-Aged Women in the United States.” BMC Women’s Health, vol. 21, no. 14, 6 Jan. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7788986/, 10.1186/s12905-020-01149-5.
Geng, Caitlin. “What Is Period Poverty?” Www.medicalnewstoday.com, 16 Sept. 2021, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/period-poverty#how-it-affects-people. Accessed 2 Feb. 2023.
Green-Cole, Ruth. “Painting Blood: Visualizing Menstrual Blood in Art.” The Palgrave Handbook of Critical Menstruation Studies, 2020, pp. 787–801, 10.1007/978-981-15-0614-7_57.
Gunter, Jen. “Why Can’t We Talk about Periods?” Www.ted.com, 2019, www.ted.com/talks/jen_gunter_why_can_t_we_talk_about_periods. Accessed 2 Feb. 2023.
Marcus, Hannah, and Rose Crabb. Understanding Experiences of Periods. 2022.
Martinčič, Julia. “Let It Bleed – Art’s Revival of Menstrual Blood.” The Guardian, 12 Dec. 2016, www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/dec/12/let-it-bleed-arts-revival-of-menstrual-blood. Accessed 2 Feb. 2023.
read, Dr Sarah Jarvis MBE15-Jan-22 · 5 mins. “How to Alter Your Language around Menstruation to Be More Inclusive.” Patient.info, 15 Jan. 2022, patient.info/news-and-features/how-to-alter-your-language-around-menstruation-to-be-more-inclusive. Accessed 2 Feb. 2023.
Steinem, Gloria. “If Men Could Menstruate.” Women’s Reproductive Health, vol. 6, no. 3, 3 July 2019, pp. 151–152, www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23293691.2019.1619050, 10.1080/23293691.2019.1619050.
Vellore, RutuChakra. “Art Depicting Menstruation: A Perspective.” Medium, 12 Oct. 2021, rutuchakra-vellore.medium.com/art-depicting-menstruation-a-perspective-68099b017736. Accessed 2 Feb. 2023.
Water Aid. “In the Red: WaterAid Finds 1 in 4 UK Women and Girls Struggle to Afford Period Products as Cost-of-Living Crisis Takes Its Toll | WaterAid UK.” Www.wateraid.org, 25 May 2022, www.wateraid.org/uk/media/wateraid-survey-uk-women-and-girls-struggle-to-afford-period-products. Accessed 2 Feb. 2023.
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