Category: Uncategorized

The everyday object I selected was the “rollie-chair” I have at my desk.  While there aren’t a wide array of uses for the chair, there are various aspects of the chair’s makeup that are interesting to examine.  The first would be the wheels on the chair, which indicate that those who produced the chair had a goal of mobility in mind.  The cushion on the seat part of the chair, as well as the mesh back, also indicate another one of the integral purposes of the chair: comfort.  The fact that both of these parts of the chair are soft and have give to them, rather than rigid, demonstrates that the chair is intended to be ergonomically efficient for the person using it.  The final aspect would be the arm rests.  The presence of these tell us that the chair is meant to be used during activities other than hankering away at a keyboard or notebook, as the producer of the chair provided the consumer with a place to put his or her arms while at rest, indicating that the chair can be sat in while relaxing or viewing things on a screen such as television or movies.  Many conclusions can be drawn from a chair if one moves beyond the rather one dimensional view of it as simply a seat.

My everyday object is a handmade ceramic mug. While a coffee mug is usually put into the category with someone whose life is high-speed and chaotic, this specific mug has slightly different aura. It is not mass manufactured, nor is it a specific measurement which contrasts what a generic coffee thermos is. The inside glaze does not overlap the outside color. It is not a typical shape, and the handle is definitely unique. There is also a handwritten message on the bottom. So, what does this say about the mug and the person who made it? I would describe the mug as carefree, yet with a great amount of attention having been paid to details. The person who made it was creative and innovative using a handle varying from the typical. They also used various glazes that go together well, showing that thought was put into the gift and that the person is artistic. This also tells us that the maker cares about who the mug was for. With this put into consideration, the mug probably belongs to someone who has a fast pace life, but also takes time to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life.

My everyday object is a pen, as well. I believe this simple tool provides more than just a mark on an object but the uniqueness of the person using it. Its functions are vast in that ones imagination determines its usefulness. Whether it is conveying a message on a piece of paper (story, notes, etc.), used as a pointer for an educator, or a chewing tool to help quit the habit of smoking, a pen can provide both comfort and functionality to someone. A pen comes in multiple styles, which can associate with an individuals personality. Although, unlike the saying “it only matters what’s on the inside” I believe that the outside of a pen tells a great story. Pens come in different shapes, sizes and colors. They have different bite marks, broken pieces, all of which make up your lucky/favorite ones from your not so favorite ones.  Unless that pen is actually shown to you, one cannot describe what it looks like by just the ink that comes out of it. I believe that a pen is something that has evolved to an instrument that everyone can use due to accessibility and commonality and it is one of the smaller things in life that can bring people together.

Plastic bags are a pretty common item in every household. They make their way into our homes by holding our recent purchases, notably grocery items. Originally presented as an easy solution, being a convenient way to carry groceries and being inexpensive to make in large quantities, they have now become a problem, being the symbol of domestic pollution. They still remain versatile, being often re-used as trash bags or to put shoes in luggage. Their disposable nature results in the odd fact that despite being around constantly, a single trash bag remains in someone’s possession for a very limited amount of time. Another interesting fact is that they usually come with fresh food, and leave filled with our trash, becoming an integral part of the grocery shopping process.

This here is the common ink pen. While it is not capable of shooting lasers out of its tip, giving its user super strength or the abilit to fly (that would all be really cool), it is still a pretty amazing object. No offense to the pencil of course. The ink pen, however, to me is a tool of imagination. Entire worlds and civilizations, such as Atlantis, Wonderland and even the spell-binding world of Harry Potter, were all literally created out of thin air. All with the help of a pen, and some imagination. Pens can also do some pretty powerful stuff here in reality as well. For example, it is a pen that must sign a relief check to get aid for suffering countries around the globe. Also, pens can bring the gift of a suitable education to the young children of those under-priveledged countries. However, whether, it be an author creating a new imaginary world for everyone to enjoy, or a philathropist donating thousands of dollars to aid people, or animals, or whatever in need, or a college student taking down notes to study for the big exam, it is the job of the ink pen to see to it that it gets done. And ofcourse, you can’t forget a bit imagination!

My everyday object may not look like something that we would use every day (a miniature shoe…really? what could that be used for?), but past the outward appearance, it serves as a perfectly useful hammer.  Traditionally, a hammer contains a metal head that looks somewhat like an arc and it has a long handle, relative to the size of its head, that usually provides some sort of comfort to our hands.  This hammer, however, does not fit that description at all.  With only about 15% of it being composed of metal, it instead takes the shape of a high heel that is adorned with rhinestones to give it shine and different shades of blue and white paint.  Dainty and delicate it may seem, but this graceful gizmo is one strong powerhouse.  It allows me to hammer nails into my wall so that I can hang anything from lights to picture frames.  It gives me the ability to fix a disassembled chair or the strength to crush up chocolate for my favorite cheesecake recipe.  Aside from indicating my love for shoes, this little guy or “girl,” for that matter, really provides me with so much freedom, power, and opportunity to express myself to the world.  The greatness of any person, place, or thing is determined by its meaning from within.  But, who says you can’t have both?  It’s always fun to add a little visual spice to enhance originality and style of anything!

My everyday object is a water bottle. Regardless of its color, size, and shape, it is universally used to store some type of liquid. Consuming liquids is essential to our proper functioning as 75% of our brains are composed of water. As a result, I fill my water bottle with water and try to consume at least three full bottles a day. This water bottle represents my efforts to stay healthy and hydrated as well as the collective efforts of our community to save the environment by shying away from disposable plastic water bottles and reusing water bottles instead. Unlike a cell phone, a water bottle is not prohibited from class – thus it goes everywhere with me. Whether I am asleep on my bed or running on the treadmill, my water bottle is always an arm’s reach away from me. One’s water bottle can also say a lot about his or her personality as there are a variety of styles to choose from. It can tell a story by the condition it’s in and by the stickers that are attached to it. A water bottle is a basic necessity that one can embellish in any way to express oneself.

My everyday object is a paper plate.  A plate is something commonly used at meal times and social gatherings.  To me it represents the extremes of individuals in our society who have more than enough food, to those who don’t have enough money to put food on the table.  It represents the oxymoron of saving our planet.  While we use trees to make these paper plates, we throw away left over food, which is on them.  These plates come in different colors, shapes and sizes.  The type of plate chosen shows what type of event that is taking place and/or the social class of the individuals. The plate represents a child’s Halloween mask made in school and the creativity of our future. To me it is what I have my snack on in my dorm room, which is a clean white plate, which keeps my lap free of the food that is on it.  The simplicity of a white paper plate represents many complex facets of our society.

This everyday object is a small notebook.  I use it to jot down important thoughts during the day that I know I won’t remember later on. It’s extremely flexible in terms of use and value. To the world it’s just a stack of papers. For quick notes, math problems, maybe even sheets to throw out old gum. To a company somewhere it’s a hope for some nice profits. To me it’s a backup plan, a second memory, and absolutely invaluable. The pictures show the thoughts of the designers. It’s what they thought would appeal most to consumers and get their product sold. It’s a very unassuming block that can be as important, or unimportant, as you make it.

Objects are meaningful.  If one examines an object in a detective-like fashion, one can identify clues which say something about the values, methods, and objectives of the culture which created it. Remember the example that was given in class, and how the plastic trash can speaks volumes about our contemporary society’s consumerist tendencies, our reliance on oil, and our relationship with the environment—the trash can has meaning, it is connected with a larger system, and it evidences the values and methods of our culture.

Your assignment is to choose an everyday object from your surroundings and reflect deeply about its function, its relevance, its meaning within our culture.  Be prepared to present your object and discuss its significance in class.

Here are instructions for adding your everyday object post to this website:

1. Create a new post by clicking up above on the “+ New” button.
2. Once the post screen comes up, check the “Everyday Object Discussion” box to the right to put the post in the right category
3. Upload a photo of the object you’ve chosen by clicking on the upload/insert button above the text field (remember to click the “insert into post” button while you’re on the upload screen)
4. Write a few sentences describing the meaning that you see in the object you’ve chosen.
5. Be prepared to present your object and discuss its significance in class.