02-11-04

AUTHOR OF "WHERE STUFF COMES FROM" TO SPEAK AT ISU FEB. 19

AMES, Iowa -- Harvey Molotch, author of the award-winning book, "Where Stuff Comes From," will speak at 7 p.m.,Thursday, Feb. 19, in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union at Iowa State University.

Molotch's presentation, "How We Get Through Airport Security: Cities, Product Design and Where Stuff Comes From," willfocus on the world of product development to show how complex interactions of tastes, technologies, corporate practicesand local preferences generate the ordinary objects of everyday life. Molotch believes it's important to understand howand why goods become what they are before they can be improved both socially and ecologically.

A professor of metropolitan studies and sociology at New York University, Molotch conducts research on issues of citygrowth, urban security and product design and development. He also is a frequent participant on public and commercialradio and television programs, including BBC's "Thinking Aloud."

Molotch previously was Centennial Professor at the London School of Economics, and professor and chair of sociology atthe University of California, Santa Barbara. He earned his master's and doctoral degrees in sociology from theUniversity of Chicago.

Molotch's lecture is a College of Design 25th Anniversary Lecture. It is sponsored by the College of Design, thesociology department and the Committee on Lectures, which is funded by the Government of the Student Body. For moreinformation on the lecture, contact the Lectures Program, (515) 294-9934. More information on the College of Design'sSilver Anniversary celebration, which features notable speakers and special exhibitions throughout the year, isavailable athttp://www.design.iastate.edu.

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