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Insight & Ideas_In Here and Out There

Our observations of the world around us

• Scooters, Fashion, and the Amazing Moyo by Ashley Golliver on June 04, 2008

  Ever since I spent my senior year in Florence, Italy, three years ago, I’ve seen the world in a different light. Everything there seemed to have a greater level of sophistication, creativity, and sensibility.  I recently had a chance to return to my home away from home, where I experienced and recognized common trends in Italian culture.

  

  One thing very noticeable in Florence is the transportation.  Unlike America where Hummers and other large SUVs reflect the “bigger is better” philosophy, small automobiles, scooters, and bicycles rule the roads.  Not only are they more cost effective, the sheer practicality of tiny cars in a city with some roads no wider than 7 feet and almost no parking garages makes me believe the Italians are onto something. Smart Cars, Mini Coopers, and other tiny vehicles are meticulously parallel parked everywhere, some with only a few inches between bumpers. Scooters have even more of an advantage.  If there is a large enough gap between cars, a scooter will fill that space, perpendicular to the road and sidewalk.  It’s like a life-size puzzle; if you can’t find a spot that fits here, try another a block or two away.

  Another aspect of Italy that changed since I was there last was the growing need for internet access. Much like Starbucks, there’s an internet café on every block. With so many people traveling these days, and the growing number of students in Europe, it’s no wonder that Florence has decided to cash in on the need for instant technological gratification.  Many people require stops like interent shops in their travel so they can email friends and family, find local events happening in the city, check the bus and train schedules for out of town excursions, and to just escape the old town feel of Florence. These “cafes” don’t include much, just 10-20 computers, maybe a few TV screens playing Italian MTV, and (if it’s a good place) a fridge where one can buy overpriced water and soda.  Average costs for access is about 3 to 5 euro an hour, or roughly $7 to $10. 

  

  There are places in the city where one can get free wireless access, but that usually comes with the understanding that you have to buy something while you are in there. One place that offers such a deal is Moyo. This trendy bar/restaurant allows any laptop owner to sit and surf the web – with the purchase of a meal or cocktail. It’s a great deal. At Moyo I paid just 7 euro for my drink, unlimited internet access, and an all-you-can-eat buffet dinner known as aperitivo. Places like Moyo definitely beat the more common internet cafes—you just have to do some investigating. 
  
  An aspect of Florence that is close to my heart is the fashion. Florence is the home of some of the most prominent designers in the business, such as Ferragamo, Valentino, Gucci, Missoni, and Cavalli, to name just a few. With such a large force of fashion in the city, it’s no wonder that creativity is a major part of Florence. One trend that is very prominent is layering. Most Italians can be seen with long pants, a shirt, a jacket, and a thin scarf during the warm spring and summer months.  As I was walking one day wearing jeans and a tank top and feeling the sweat on my forehead, l looked around and noticed that people were still wearing jackets and zip up sweatshirts!  This is a clear way to differentiate an American from an Italian.  Young American women will dress skimpily in miniskirts, camisoles, and flip flops, while Italian woman of the same age will have on jeans, simple tanks, blazers, and stilettos.  If you don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb, the layered look is the way to go.
  

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• Celebrating Great Student Design by Justine Carleton on May 30, 2008

  Ohio State University’s Department of Industrial, Interior, and Visual Communication Design is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and one of its major events is nearly here: the 2008 Spring Exhibition, to be held at the amazing new OSU Urban Arts Space in downtown Columbus.

  The Spring Exhibition will showcase senior thesis projects by more than 50 graduating students. Top projects in each of the three major categories will be selected based on problem definition and solution, research, and visual result. I’m pleased to be serving as a judge for the Best in Category competition.

  An opening reception will be held for professionals June 3 from 5 to 8 p.m., and a general reception will be open to the public June 4 from 5 to 8 p.m. The exhibition will then run through June 13.

  For directions to the OSU Urban Arts Space, download the official invitation/map or visit the Urban Arts Space homepage.

  

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• The Quest for Ideal Sleep by Dan Rockwell on May 21, 2008

  Working in research has a funny way of making you say “D’oh!” sometimes, like Homer Simpson. 

  Last year I worked on a study for Respironics, a company that makes devices for people who have trouble sleeping.  One facet of the project was to figure out what “ideal sleep” was all about. It was fun study; we talked to lots of people who sleep just fine, versus those who don’t. We talked to people about their sleep rituals—how they prepare for good night’s sleep—and it was fascinating to help them express how good sleep feels. 

  Respironic’s customers deal with a condition called sleep apnea, a growing problem that afflicts thousands of people every day. If you snore, are overweight, or have been known to wake up with headaches or fall asleep in traffic, you may have sleep apnea. Respironics’s CPAP machine helps people deal with apnea by creating continuous positive airways pressure, which is a key to sleeping better. 

  Anyway, the study went well—we uncovered some great data and it really helped Respironics. All said and done, right? Wrong!
  About eight months after the project, my own doctor suggested that I get tested for sleep apnea.  Now, I’m a big guy, snore, and yeah, I do occasionally have a headache when I wake up, but I’ve never fallen asleep in traffic. Regardless, after a few nights in sleep study lab, I did a classic “D’oh!” when I saw the results. I had sleep apnea all along, and never realized it. 

  So I’m now in the process (or “quest” as I call it) to find ideal sleep. The most compelling part of the experience so far—aside from sleeping great using the CPAP device—was seeing my data from the sleep lab. It was presented in really nice charts and graphs that let me see at a glance how I poorly slept and how I struggled. The data-obsessed kid in me was thrilled. 

  For me, sleeping with the CPAP device is simply amazing. No more headaches, no snoring, and the device is pretty quite at night. There are some challenge in finding the perfect fit (you sleep with it placed over your nose and mouth), but the results of great sleep far, far outweigh it.  Ideal sleep can be had; my quest is nearly complete.

  If any of these symptoms sound familiar, be sure to visit Sleep Apnea.

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