Matching Items (3)
Description
In recent years, the length of time people use and keep belongings has decreased. With the acceptance of short-lived furniture and inexpensive replacements, the American mentality has shifted to thinking that discarding furniture is normal, often in the guise of recycling. Americans are addicted to landfills. The high cost of landfill real estate and other considerable ecological impacts created by the manufacturing of furniture should persuade people to give their belongings a longer life, but in reality, furniture is often prematurely discarded. This grounded theory study takes a multi-method approach to analyze why some types of furniture are kept longer and to theorize about new ways to design and sell furniture that lasts well past its warranty. Case studies bring new insight into designer intention, manufacturer intent, the world of auction-worthy collectables and heirlooms, why there is a booming second-hand furniture market and the growing importance of informed interior designers and architects who specify or help clients choose interior furnishings. An environmental life cycle assessment compares how the length of furniture life affects environmental impacts. A product's life could continue for generations if properly maintained. Designers and manufacturers hoping to promote longevity can apply the conclusions of this report in bringing new pieces to the market that have a much longer life span. This study finds areas of opportunity that promote user attachment, anticipate future repurposing, and provide services. This thinking envisions a paradigm for furniture that can re-invent itself over multiple generations of users, and ultimately lead to a new wave of desirable heirloom furniture.
ContributorsIngham, Sarah (Author) / White, Philip (Thesis advisor) / Wolf, Peter (Committee member) / Underhill, Michael (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2011
Description
Almost from the beginning of time, humankind has searched for the secret to longevity. Early on in ancient Greece, many mythologies centered around that of Ambrosia, a holy ‘nectar’ through which gods gained their immortality (Maaz, 2006). As mentioned in the Iliad and the Odyssey, it was believed this honey-like nectar could heal wounds, resurrect the dead and provide immortality. One of China’s earliest emperor’s, Qin Shi Haug of the Qin Dynasty, ordered a nationwide search for a potion of eternal life (“How China's first emperor,” 2017). Qin commissioned a number of alchemists to create a sort of mixture from substances such as cinnabar, jade, and hematite, as these were believed to increase longevity in the person who consumed them (“How China's first emperor,” 2017). In India, the elixir of life has many names, and Indian alchemists spent a great deal of time experimenting with mercury and other minerals in hopes to find the key to immortality (Rastogi et al., 2015). While there have been great advances throughout history to increasing longevity – worldwide life expectancy is at an all-time high – we have yet to find the elixir of life (World Health Organization, 2016). Attempts on finding the secret to a longer life can be seen throughout the rest of history in modern medicine, antibiotics, vaccines, new fad diets, and studies on happiness and purpose. One of the most recent and promising studies on increasing lifespan is the study of Blue Zones.
Blue Zones are geographic clusters that are known as longevity regions (Huang & Jacquez, 2017). These regions are seen to have a larger number and distribution of centenarians among their populations compared to the rest of the world. There are currently five Blue Zones across the globe: Ikaria, Greece, Loma Linda, California, Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica, Okinawa, Japan, and Sardinia, Italy. Blue Zones have become a catalyst for researchers to unlock the secret to longevity. The most well-known and extensive Blue Zone research, led by Dan Buettner and his National Geographic team, discovered that all of the Blue Zones have nine common factors (Buettner, 2012). These factors have been developed into pillars that Buettner believes are the key to a longer, healthier and happier life. The nine pillars are: 80% rule, plant slant, wine at 5, move naturally, down shift, purpose, belong, right tribe, and loved ones first. It is proposed that by incorporating these pillars into one’s life, the likelihood of living to be a centenarian increases exponentially.
Blue Zones are geographic clusters that are known as longevity regions (Huang & Jacquez, 2017). These regions are seen to have a larger number and distribution of centenarians among their populations compared to the rest of the world. There are currently five Blue Zones across the globe: Ikaria, Greece, Loma Linda, California, Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica, Okinawa, Japan, and Sardinia, Italy. Blue Zones have become a catalyst for researchers to unlock the secret to longevity. The most well-known and extensive Blue Zone research, led by Dan Buettner and his National Geographic team, discovered that all of the Blue Zones have nine common factors (Buettner, 2012). These factors have been developed into pillars that Buettner believes are the key to a longer, healthier and happier life. The nine pillars are: 80% rule, plant slant, wine at 5, move naturally, down shift, purpose, belong, right tribe, and loved ones first. It is proposed that by incorporating these pillars into one’s life, the likelihood of living to be a centenarian increases exponentially.
ContributorsMattson, Hannah Marie (Co-author) / Lewis, Allison (Co-author) / Mayol-Kreiser, Sandra (Thesis director) / Shephard, Christina (Committee member) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor) / Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
Exercise is widely recognized for its myriad of health benefits, particularly in the realm of chronic disease prevention and treatment. Despite this knowledge, exercise remains significantly underutilized in the United States, with only a quarter of the population meeting the recommended physical activity guidelines set by the Department of Health and Human Services (Piercy et al., 2018). Recent research has spotlighted specific regions known as Blue Zones, where natural movement is incorporated into daily lives and populations are characterized by increased longevity and improved health outcomes, including lower rates of chronic diseases.
This study aimed to explore and compare exercise behaviors between the United States and the Ikaria Blue Zone in Greece, investigating their potential implications for a longer lifespan and enhanced health. Employing ethnographic methods, including immersive observation, semi-structured, qualitative interviews with locals, and the distribution of validated International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) surveys, comprehensive data on exercise habits within the Ikarian population was collected in November 2023.
The findings from this study shed light on alternative forms of physical activity that have proven successful in populations with increased longevity. By identifying and understanding these practices, there is an opportunity to implement them in the United States, potentially contributing to improved exercise adherence and the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. This research underscores the significance of cross-cultural insights in developing effective strategies to promote healthier lifestyles and enhance overall well-being.
ContributorsUnderhill, Jackson (Author) / Hrncir, Shawn (Thesis director) / Siegler, Jason (Committee member) / Barth, Christina (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor)
Created2024-05