Author: sresnick

Sam’s Data Log for 2/15/17

Ongoing throughout day:

Sending/receiving emails

Social media visits (Instagram, Facebook)

Text messaging

Google searches

Google docs/drive modifications

MIT website visits

 

Other activities

8:00 AM – Tapped MIT ID to get into Z-Center gym

8:50 AM – Tapped MIT ID to exit Z-Center gym

8: 55 AM – Purchase record at LaVerdes

10:00 AM – Downloaded Arduino

11:50 AM – Delivered tuition check to MIT Student Financial Services

11:55 AM – Purchase record at LaVerdes

1:30 PM – Accepted two Google calendar invitations

3:00 PM – Took ecological footprint survey online at http://www.footprintnetwork.org/resources/footprint-calculator/

4:00 PM – Tapped MIT ID to get into Athena cluster

4:15 PM – Used MIT printer

4:30 PM – Joined Piazza site as a TA for 15.S50

5:00-7:00 PM – Constant internet use, various Google apps use, communication via text/email

7:00 PM – Attendance recorded in evening class

9:30 PM – Team GroupMe set up

9:55 PM – Checked MIT Saferide app and took Saferide (Maybe data collected?)

10:30 PM – Watched Netflix

Most used throughout day: Email, Google Calendar

GiveDirectly – send money directly to people living in extreme poverty

Source: https://www.givedirectly.org/

In the field of development economics there are two main points of view on how to most effectively lift poor people out of poverty.  One school of thought is that the only way to help them is to give them access to resources like livestock, housing, food, etc.  Another more controversial point of view is that the most efficient way of helping them is to give cash directly to them and allow them to help themselves.  This website, GiveDirectly is one particular organization I came across recently that allows donors to give cash to the extreme poor with the push of a button.

 

Its home page displays several images and quotes from recipients of cash transfers, and it also displays several data-based graphics.  One pie chart shows the percentage of every donated dollar that actually ends up in the hands of the poor.  Two line graphs show the annual donations and the households enrolled in the program from 2012 to 2016.  The photos, quotations and data visualizations on this page clearly targets individuals in developed nations who have a passion for alleviating world poverty and have the capacity to donate money.  As can be seen by the big green “Give Now” button in two locations on its home page, the main goal of the site is for every visitor to donate money.  This goal is supported by both qualitative images, as well as quantitative data.  The qualitative information appeals to the emotional side of the visitor.  We see real faces, read real quotes, and can watch real live video of the people who we are helping.  The quantitative information appeals to our desire to see the result of our actions.  What percentage of my money is going into their hands? How many households are involved? How well is the program performing as a whole in comparison to other similar programs?  These are the questions that the graphs and chart answer. The upwards trend of the graphs along with many big “+” signs and even the choice of green for the text all give the viewer the idea of growth and money.  This is likely what the creators of the graphics had in mind.  The viewer is emotionally and logically driven to donate money because of the imagery and data that indicate that their money will improve lives and promote growth out of poverty in an efficient manner.  I therefor find the infographics on this page very effective.