Day 1 Reflections - Jamie

EQ1. How is innovation a key feature of survival?

Innovation has helped the South Vietnamese to build a set of long tunnels (Cu Chi Tunnels) that have allowed them to survive during the war. This can be seen in the 3 levels of the tunnels, in which even though the Americans knew of the tunnels, they did not know about the depth and length of the tunnel. Using innovation, the South Vietnamese have built 3 different levels, with the 3rd level being with the furthest depth. Innovation is shown as normally, tunnels would only be consisting of 1 level only, which once discovered by the Americans, would mean that the whole tunnel would be destroyed and useless. Thus, in order to make sure that the tunnel, which was essential to their final success during the war, would not be easily discovered by the Americans, the Vietnamese used innovation in order to manipulate the basic idea of a tunnel into something that was adapted to benefit their surroundings, situation and conditions more.

EQ2. How is cultural integration reflected in design?

Cultural integration was reflected in the design of the Cao Dai Temple. This is as because in Caodaism, they believe that different religions are equal, irregardless of their god or saint. This can be seen from “The noble effort of Cao Dai is to unite all of humanity through a common vision of the Supreme Being, whatever our minor differences, in order to promote peace and understanding throughout the world. Cao Dai does not seek to create a gray world, where all religions are exactly the same, only to create a more tolerant world, where all can see each other as sisters and brothers from a common divine source reaching out to a common divine destiny realizing peace within and without.” (quoted from http://www.religionfacts.com/a-z-religion-index/cao_dai.htm) They also believe that the Holy See/the Divine Eye would be able to see everyone everywhere, and thus help anyone in need, which reflects the beliefs of Caodaism that it would like to ‘unite everybody’. Thus, cultural integration is seen in the design of inside of the temple, where the Holy See/the Divine Eye is seen very frequently, even on the walls. This would mean that the cultural aspect of the religion, is integrated into the design of the temple.