title: The Philosophical Implications of Evolutionary Biology

authors: Hanik, Benjamin

subjects: evolution

abstract: 'The Philosophical Implications of Evolutionary Biology' is a philosophical enquiry written in dialogue form which asks the question 'how does modern evolutionary theory affect our notions of self and freewill?' The enquiry begins by examining the process of decision making, followed by an evolutionary explanation of how and why we make decisions. With this knowledge a theoretical value system is created which cumulatively describes the source of the perception of quality and the orientation of all human thought and behaviour. In conclusion a logical deadlock is reached: it becomes evident that our values are dictated by our evolutionary past, that we are trapped within this value system, and that even if we attempt to break free from it we inevitably fail because everything we do, even if it is designed to go directly against the system, is still inescapably directed by it.

text: The Philosophical Implications of Evolutionary Biology 'The Philosophical Implications of Evolutionary Biology' is a philosophical enquiry written in dialogue form which asks the question 'how does modern evolutionary theory affect our notions of self and freewill?' The enquiry begins by examining the process of decision making, followed by an evolutionary explanation of how and why we make decisions. With this knowledge a theoretical value system is created which cumulatively describes the source of the perception of quality and the orientation of all human thought and behaviour. In conclusion a logical deadlock is reached: it becomes evident that our values are dictated by our evolutionary past, that we are trapped within this value system, and that even if we attempt to break free from it we inevitably fail because everything we do, even if it is designed to go directly against the system, is still inescapably directed by it.

year: 2010

title: When bike lanes are not enough: An exploration of the level of traffic stress framework in Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: Smith, Melissa Louise

abstract: The Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) Framework is a recently developed bicycle infrastructure classification scheme that is growing in popularity in the field of transportation planning due to its relatively simple data requirements, its intuitive description of cycling networks, and its potential to increase the uptake of cycling through application in policy and planning. However, there are a dearth of studies that aim to empirically validate the LTS Framework and its use. This thesis aims to empirically validate the LTS Framework in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand, asking: To what extent does the provision of low stress cycling infrastructure relate to cycling uptake in major cities in Aotearoa New Zealand? The Level of Traffic Stress framework is applied to seven cities across Aotearoa New Zealand that vary in population, topography, and commitment to cycling as an everyday traffic mode which results in roads being designated as either low stress or high stress. Measures of the networks formed when only considering low stress roads are tested against levels of cycling commuting across different neighbourhoods. It is found that for six of the seven studied cities, the majority of the roads are low stress, and in all seven cities, the low stress roads are poorly connected. However, there is a link between greater provision of low stress cycling infrastructure and the number of people cycling to work. The percentage of low stress infrastructure at both the city and the neighbourhood level is the only significant variable for increasing bicycle commuting levels. Further, this variable is expressed stronger at the city level than the neighbourhood level, indicating that new low stress infrastructure is likely to increase cycling uptake regardless of where it is located. Policy makers and planners can have confidence that the provision of low stress infrastructure is correlated to increased cycling uptake in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.

text: When bike lanes are not enough: An exploration of the level of traffic stress framework in Aotearoa New Zealand The Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) Framework is a recently developed bicycle infrastructure classification scheme that is growing in popularity in the field of transportation planning due to its relatively simple data requirements, its intuitive description of cycling networks, and its potential to increase the uptake of cycling through application in policy and planning. However, there are a dearth of studies that aim to empirically validate the LTS Framework and its use. This thesis aims to empirically validate the LTS Framework in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand, asking: To what extent does the provision of low stress cycling infrastructure relate to cycling uptake in major cities in Aotearoa New Zealand? The Level of Traffic Stress framework is applied to seven cities across Aotearoa New Zealand that vary in population, topography, and commitment to cycling as an everyday traffic mode which results in roads being designated as either low stress or high stress. Measures of the networks formed when only considering low stress roads are tested against levels of cycling commuting across different neighbourhoods. It is found that for six of the seven studied cities, the majority of the roads are low stress, and in all seven cities, the low stress roads are poorly connected. However, there is a link between greater provision of low stress cycling infrastructure and the number of people cycling to work. The percentage of low stress infrastructure at both the city and the neighbourhood level is the only significant variable for increasing bicycle commuting levels. Further, this variable is expressed stronger at the city level than the neighbourhood level, indicating that new low stress infrastructure is likely to increase cycling uptake regardless of where it is located. Policy makers and planners can have confidence that the provision of low stress infrastructure is correlated to increased cycling uptake in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.

year: 2024-02-14

title: Māori language interfaces

authors: Keegan, Te Taka Adrian Gregory

abstract: This paper considers the usability of the interface and the ramifications for te reo Māori if the interface language, the messages displayed in those text boxes, is written in te reo Māori.

text: Māori language interfaces This paper considers the usability of the interface and the ramifications for te reo Māori if the interface language, the messages displayed in those text boxes, is written in te reo Māori.

year: 2017