Evans.

March 28^th, 2020

Under or over? The great toilet paper debate

With the world in a panic and toilet paper being purchased and horded in great amounts I felt that now is the appropriate time for the time-honoured debate, should it come over the top or dangle down behind?

People, in general, feel one of two ways about the great toilet paper debate. Some could care less over the toilet paper alignment, while others have a strong preference. People with a strong preference one way or the other are often unshakable. Likely this strong feeling comes from observations made in early childhood. Due to our confirmation bias our brains insist that the way we do it is the way it should be done.  No one likes to be wrong. Some of the reasons presented can make people feel their hygiene is being attacked. Throughout history, humans have needed ways to keep hygienic. There have been many accepted ways which one may cleanse their backside.  In the 21^st century all but the paper method and the bidet have fallen into disuse in most westernized cultures

When it comes to toilet paper there are 2 roll orientations, a vertical method, where the over under debate becomes somewhat less clear, and horizontal, which we will be speaking about today.

Passions run strong, with voices in hushed tones designated for taboo subjects. Surveys undertaken year after year have shown that the support of the public swings to the over orientation, with results varying from 59% to 79% of people preferring this method.

The first patent for rolled toilet paper, patent number 465,588, has a diagram that clearly illustrates the correct orientation, with paper coming up the back of the roll and over the top. There are many reasons this is the more reasonable way to hang it, and only one good reason I have heard for the under orientation.

What I feel needs to be addressed first is the issue of hygiene. We all understand that using the washroom is not a completely clean process, but I think we can all agree that we want to make it as hygienic as possible. With the toilet paper hanging down behind the roll there is significantly more chance for your fingers to contact the wall when collecting it. As soon as that has happened the wall and fingers are both potentially contaminated. How many times has this same thing happened before and when was the last time that area was cleaned? Additionally, with the over the top method there is significantly less chance of a surprise as one can observe the piece they are about to remove prior to touching it.

Over orientation also causes less need to grasp around for the loose end, again limiting potential unwashed hands contact with the wall.  This method also provides hotel and other public establishments the opportunity to fold the end of the paper over to represent the fact that it has been recently cleaned.

During researching this project, a great point for the under orientation has arisen. Toddlers and pets have less of an easy time unwinding the entire roll onto the floor, into the garbage, or, worst of all, the toilet itself.

Whether it be for hygiene, visual or practical body mechanics reasons, the over the top method is your best option, with the one exception. If Jr. or Fido likes to empty the roll you may want to consider the under method until they (hopefully) grow out of it. Perhaps this recent toilet paper shortage will underline our need for a new method of bathroom hygiene in the 21^st century.

Resources:

https://www.snopes.com/news/2016/04/20/the-great-toilet-paper-orientation-debate/

https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/dpkgjv/why-do-people-give-a-shit-about-which-way-toilet-paper-hangs-on-the-roll

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilet_paper_orientation

https://www.cnet.com/news/over-or-under-the-science-of-toilet-paper-orientation/

https://home.howstuffworks.com/toilet-paper2.htm

Free education as a means of economical stimulation: a CMNS-165 assignment

Free education as a means of economical stimulation

Evans

February 16^th ,2020

Free post secondary education in BC could have far reaching positive effects on the economy, family and community development. Creating opportunities for dedicated scholars to gain an education and boosting opportunities for them to enter the workforce with the skills to earn an income above minimum wage, which will create a better future for workers with fewer education related debts and more ability to stimulate the local economy.

 “Education helps give individuals the tools they need to participate in social and economic life and is key to the social and economic development of a society.” Says a study by the Canadian federation of students- Ontario.  (https://cfsontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Factsheet-FreeEducation.pdf) Many levels of society have been shown to be positively affected by post secondary education including health, community development and civil engagement. Post secondary educated people volunteer more often and have higher levels of trust in others.

As people enter long term careers and create stable long-term income, they are more able to purchase real estate. The more people that can become homeowners, the more rentals available on the market. Areas like Victoria and Vancouver have had recent shortages in retail and other lower income entry level jobs due to inability to afford rent. When wage is not able to pay for rent in the city center people move outward to smaller outlying communities and are more likely to look for employment in their local area. A person making minimum wage working full time would be left with about $1000 dollars after paying the average 1 bedroom rent in Victoria. In Vancouver rent is even higher by about $400 for the same 1-bedroom accommodations. The ownership of real estate also creates credit which encourages purchases like cars and other credit building items further encouraging the economy.

Post secondary education can also have a positive effect on the family dynamic. When children grow up above the poverty line the economy benefits from strong, healthy individuals entering the workforce.   Almost one in every five households spend over 50% of their income on rent, putting them at risk for homelessness. Four million Canadians experience food insecurity with one in 8 children living in families that struggle to put food consistently on the table. Children from a lower social economical household were shown to be at five times the risk of abuse and neglect verses their higher economical household peers in a study in the US. Information from the 2006 Canadian census was shown that neighbourhoods with a lower social economical rating were 55% more likely for out of home placements for children age zero through nine, even with corrections for child and family functioning concerns.

By creating greater opportunities through post secondary funding economic growth will be created while supporting future generations by investing in family stability and community engagement. Healthy families will create healthy communities and healthy economic growth.

Sources:

Free post secondary school: the case for eliminating tuition fees.

https://cfsontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Factsheet-FreeEducation.pdf

Canada Without Poverty: Just the facts.

http://www.cwp-csp.ca/poverty/just-the-facts/

Child and family poverty in Canada: Implications for child welfare research

https://cwrp.ca/information-sheet/child-and-family-poverty-canada-implications-child-welfare-research

Children food insecurity factsheet: Food insecurity policy research

https://proof.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/children-food-insecurity-factsheet.pdf

Times Colonist. Victoria’s advertised one-bed rental prices soar 15.8% year over year: report

https://www.timescolonist.com/real-estate/victoria-s-advertised-one-bed-rental-prices-soar-15-8-year-over-year-report-1.23600501

This is how much it costs to live as a young person in Vancouver in 2019

https://www.lowestrates.ca/blog/finance/how-much-it-costs-live-young-person-vancouver-2019

Another School Project

Bike Lanes

Evans

January 30^th, 2020

            Safety before forward movement

Until a more reasonable plan can be completed in regards to Victorias bike lane expansions, in regards specifically to the proposed advisory bike lanes on Richard street between Vancouver street and foul bay road, it is irresponsible to move forward. Advisory bike lanes are designed with the idea of traffic flowing two ways along one single lane and when converging traffic appears, move into the area on ether side occupied by the bike lane. This type of bike lane has only been used in a handful of places across north America and has only been implemented in two places in Canada. “There is no good evidence that those are functioning in the way they are supposed to” says Corey Bulger, the policy and infrastructure chair of the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition in an article by Jasmine Bala.

Collisions involving cyclists are on the rise in Saanich, with the Saanich 2018 annual report showing a 25-present increase since the previous year. As commuters work towards a both a greener and cheaper way to travel, the main area of concern should be on implementing long term safety measures to encourage travel by bicycle. As the current political climate emphasizes on lowering greenhouse gasses, more thought should be put towards potential expansions.

The importance of creating a safer plan before moving forward with the expansion of Victorias bicycle lanes can be further underlined by the fact that the 2016 Canadian census showed that Victoria has the highest rate of reginal commuters cycling to work at 6.6 percent. A 2017 capital regional district study has also suggested that 15 present of morning travel to the downtown core is done by bicycle.

Working on long term plans in regards to expansion of bike lanes, with specific consideration paid to the safety of cyclists, is much more important for the future of Victoria as a leader in green innovation for the 21^st century than implementing immediate plans.

                                                            -30-

 This is a CMNS 165 Assignment

National Widget Company

NEWS RELEASE

DATE January 17^th, 2020

NWC Rehires all laid off employees

VICTORIA:  All laid off employees to be rehired, 50 jobs return in Victoria

NWC has announced that due to steady increase of sales, all employees laid off 6 months ago, including the 50 employees from NWCs head office will be rehired.

“The increase in sales has been unprecedented. We think this opportunity opens up enormous markets which will last for years.” Says National Widget Company President Andrew Bryce. Employees will be called in as needed, with full operations being met in 6 weeks.  New markets have opened up commercially and residentially in locations such as China and the Middle East, with the former needing widgets installed in every new building in the country. NWC is the first company to bridge the China market.

National widget company is a family run business that was established in 1888, making it both the oldest Widget company and one of the oldest family run businesses in Canada.

“As a family-owned company, it was heartbreaking to lay off so many loyal people so we are thrilled to be offering employment to people we consider part of the family.” Says Andrew Bryce, President, in response to the rehiring.

                                                                -30-

For more information, Contact (Ted Knowledge) at (555-555-5555)