Elena Sobrino Annotations

Elena Sobrino's picture
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What does this visualization (including caption) say about toxics?

Monday, March 2, 2020 - 11:08am

This image emphasizes the spatial distribution of toxics moreso than the contents of air pollution itself. The mapping asks us to question borders, and to question both the notion of absolute control over toxic spread and the notion that toxic spread can be intentionally manipulated. 

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Can you suggest ways to enrich this image to extend its ethnographic import?

Monday, March 2, 2020 - 10:56am

I like the graphic on the left side that says "Pollution Has No Borders." I'm not sure if your caption explains where exactly this part of the image comes from, but I think elaborating on that would make the image ethnographically stronger.

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Can you suggest ways to elaborate the caption of this visualization to extend its ethnographic message?

Monday, March 2, 2020 - 10:52am

Your caption mentions that decongestion solutions have moved polluting enterpises away from the center and into the peripheries of the city--what exactly are these industries that cause air pollution? And who is most vulnerable in these peripheral locations near the political borders of the city--is this a residential area? 

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How does this visualization (including caption) advance ethnographic insight? What message | argument | sentiment | etc. does this visualization communicate or represent?

Monday, March 2, 2020 - 10:49am

This is a strong visualization that helps further your argument that air pollution is not simply "naturally" dispersed "universally" but in fact spatially differentiated. The constructed nature of this image also reinforces another idea I think you want us to pause on, which is that air pollution is hard to see, even for the people the most concerned about alleviating unjust exposure. 

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What kind of image is this? Is it a found image or created by the ethnographer (or a combination)? What is notable about its composition | scale of attention | aesthetic?

Monday, March 2, 2020 - 10:45am

I very much enjoyed the “collage” quality of this image, the product of purposeful juxtapositions that draw out a critical understanding of the idea of containment and toxicity. 

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