Creating an Artifact - Assignment Example

 Creating an Artifact Introduction The artifact that I would personify represents 7 percent of the world’s total population that will increase to 15 percent by the mid-century. The large segment that will be discussed is the world’s population that is aged above 65. The percentage of the aging populations is rising steeply especially in the developed countries such as Japan. Twenty percent of people in Japan are above 65, and it is predicted that this number would rise to 30 percent by 2025. The number of senior citizens is also increasing in the developing countries and it is estimated by United Nations that this sector of the world’s population would triple by the end of the century (Hoke, 2005). Although every age has its share of problems and difficulties, I assume that old age is one of the most unpleasant and complex phase because the mental and physical ability to face any adverse problem in this age is greatly reduced. A major problem that a senior citizen may face is loneliness. Throughout one’s life, a person is busy working and caring for others. However, as soon as he retires, he is not wanted by anyone neither does he work to keep himself busy. This stage in his life becomes extremely boring as everyday is lonely and empty. In addition to that, as a person grows old, he becomes weak and is more susceptible to illness and health problems. Regular check-ups and treatments by doctors increase the financial burden and if there are no savings, becomes a major area of concern. Along with these issues of health, a man becomes physically weak and lacks the mental sharpness one had previously (Perceiving Old Age, 2009). All these complexities itself create another concern; lack of self-confidence. While working, a person has the responsibility to take decision for the benefit of his family, however in old age the decision power rests upon one’s children who may not take complete care and share responsibility with him. The lack of importance given to hum adds up to the misery and frustration. “Growing old is like being increasingly penalized for a crime you haven’t committed” (Perceiving Old Age, 2009).When we are young or in middle age, there is someone to guide when we are going astray. Moreover, we have the power to help others, take care of ourselves and face the complex problems surrounding us. As soon as we grow old, we become helpless as there is no one to guide us and we become impotent in helping ourselves or others. Artifact The artifact that I am creating revolves around helping those in their elderly age and the medium through which I will characterize my artifact is a website. The basic objective of the artifact is to reduce loneliness in old age. In order to achieve my objective, the senior citizens should know how to use internet. However, there is a vast majority of elderly people who do not know how to use it. Volunteerism In order to educate senior citizens about the purpose of internet, the benefits of it and provide training in using the internet, I will need volunteers who can sign up through my website. In order to find volunteers, I will use social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter to promote and market my Artifact by give people the incentives of voluntary certificates and moral activism. These volunteers would only need to spare three hours/ week go to the home of senior citizens to conduct individualized training sessions on the subject. After the senior citizens have comprehensively learned to know how to use internet, the next step would be visiting my website www.veterans.8m.com and sign-up. The functions of this website will be: Online news: The whole day of a retired person is empty that magnifies to frustration as days becomes weeks which becomes months followed by years. This function would keep him busy as well as up-to-date with all the latest news whether its weather, sports or technical stuff. Health-is-wealth section: Due to lack of importance and routine health issues in old-age, a person feels helpless and may lack the courage to ask or seek help from others. This section will have health tips and remedies specifically faced by people above the age of 60 which will facilitate the senior citizens in being more independent and gain self-confidence. Online games: In order for the entertainment purpose, there will be games such as chess, checkers and cards which can be played alone or with the other friends signed up on this website. Social Networking: The most frustrating problem faced in old age is lack of socializing. There is no platform through which they can meet new people, find old friends, and share their thoughts and ideas with people having the same wavelength as they do. Due to physical weakness, they are less mobile which impedes them from meeting friends as they spent their time mostly at home. My website will have a section for social networking such as Facebook and Twitter. This section would be exclusive for only those who are above 60. Here the senior citizens can meet new people, find friends with common interest and chat with them. BlogSpot: The website will also contain a BlogSpot where every member has the freedom to share their ideas and write their views about anything followed by an option for other member to give feedback and write comments. Icon The icon which I will use in our artifact is a walking stick as represented in the picture below. Owing to less physical strength, this walking stick is literally used for supporting an elderly man to walk. Figuratively, this walking stick is a strong support which we will try to provide the senior citizens in order to eradicate the problem of loneliness that the elderly people face. The walking stick personifies all the volunteers who train them in using the internet and support and facilitate them in everyway possible throughout this journey. Myth There are basically two myths that we are looking upon Good/Evil: As we progress in this modern era, we are becoming more materialistic and selfish. The idea to promote good by doing well is the basic theme for this artifact. Karma: The word Karma comes from the Sanskrit dialect which means “Action”. It basically lays the foundation of cause and effect where each word, deeds or action we perform has an impact in our life. In simpler terms, good actions will result in getting rewards in our life whereas bad actions will result in punishments (What is Karma?, 2009). In this era, we are so engrossed in our worldly lives that we have completely forgotten that we are also aging and a day will come when we will grow old to be at the same place where 7 percent of the world’s population is today. In order for engaging more people in this mission, the benefits of getting rewards later in life or when we get old will act as a motivational factor. If we do well to others when they need it, people will do well to us when we need it. The belief of creating a positive change in someone’s life and the amount of satisfaction and contentment it breeds forms the basis of this Artifact. The idea of accepting every individual with no discrimination on the basis of age, gender, race or culture promotes equity in our society. The stereotype of old-age being useless and invaluable needs to be diminished. The works of our veterans through blogs will be an evidence for the whole world as a reflection of their valuable ideas and experiences which will thus act as a learning tool for everyone in their lives. All the people who are members in this website are heroes; the members who sign in to act as volunteers and form the foundations of this website by acting as pillars for our veterans, the veterans who enjoy themselves and share their valuable experience with the world, and the people who will visit this website to support our cause. The celebrity being used in creating this artifact is an 82 year old man, Peter Oakley. Mr. Oakley has become famous through the popular video sharing website YouTube. He made his debut in 2006 by sharing his auto-biographical videos on YouTube. He has been ranked 48th most subscribed person with his regular fans give him feedbacks such as the “coolest old dude alive” (Peter Oakley, 2009). The reason for choosing Mr. Oakley as our celebrity is the inspiration it will give to other older people to start becoming active member of the internet community. I will post a link to his YouTube videos for people to view and be inspired. The values that I am generating are the need of having equal rights for every individual. Everyone is given importance while in their young age as well as when working. Tools such as Facebook and Twitter are used for social networking. However, the same importance is not given to the older generation. They do not have a social networking tool where they can meet people of the same age, talk with them and socialize. This gives equal opportunity for senior citizens to be up-to-date with the world and eradicate the lonely factor in their life. If I have the sufficient resources, I would market this website through T-shirts and caps. These T-shirts and caps would have a catchy one liner such as “Who says being old is boring! to find more visit www.veterans.8m.com”. These T-shirt and caps will be distributed to the members of this website, and will help in marketing this service whenever someone wears it. The other marketing tools I will use are Facebook and Twitter. I will regularly update about my website if there is an interesting blog or some important news. The other marketing tool will be awarding the best blogger of the month with incentives so that more senior citizens write to create a more enriching experience for the readers. Conclusion The pragmatism in achieving positive results through this artifact is long-term; creating awareness about this artifact, educating the target market to use internet and then marketing to have a global membership and audience. However, with time as the percentage of old-age population increases, this may act as a very beneficial and valuable tool in the life of each and every individual. References Hoke, Z. (2005). Populations are Aging Worldwide. Retrieved Dec 12, 2009, from Senior Journal: http://seniorjournal.com/NEWS/SeniorStats/5-12-07-WorldSeniors.htm Perceiving Old Age. (2009). Retrieved December 11, 2009, from Old Age Problems: http://www.squidoo.com/old-age-problems Peter Oakley. (2009). Retrieved December 10, 2009, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Oakley What is Karma? (2009). Retrieved December 11, 2009, from Tarot.com: http://www.tarot.com/articles/karma/what-is-karma.php Read More