RA+LAB+4

cct333-w09 - RA LAB 4

'The Story of Stuff' with Annie Leonard at [] is a cultural and educational phenomenon and has had over 4 million viewers.
 * "Story of Stuff"**


 * Write three paragraphs on how Annie Leonard defines the system of the 'materials economy' and describe its interactions.**

Annie Leonard presents The Story of Stuff, a cultural and educational phenomenon that discusses our “materials economy” through the process of extraction, production, distribution, consumption, and disposal. Her argument is the inability of a linear system to prosper based on finite resources. Her video is inspiring as it informs how contemporary societies treat our planet even with depleting resources, ultimately leading to irreversible damages. Leonard critiques our extraction methods, as we exploit our planet by collecting raw materials at a much faster rate than needed. The process of production is where the raw materials are turned into consumer products. She disapproves of the several toxic ingredients used in production of and their negative consequences on the environment and human lives as the industry accounts workers secondary to products. A great example is the neurotoxin flame retardants as an ingredient in bedroom pillows. Leonard adds the problem of eroding in natural forests as a result of heavy extraction. This leads to residents of such areas being forced into the economy to work for minimum wage and in a toxic environment dangerous to their health and development. Leonard describes distribution as the process whereby products are circulated to vendors and retailers to be readily available for consumers. High consumer demands require the distribution process to work at a fast pace with the lowest possible costs. She does a cost-benefit analysis of a radio to show this. A radio involves intricate process to produce and yet is sold at a very low cost. Economically disadvantaged Individuals afford such products through minimum wages, meanwhile the same disadvantaged group are risking their health in the production process of a radio. The costs of production and the benefits of such products are not worth the damaging production and distribution process. The rate at which obsolete products are produced is not only depleting our resources but also is a step backwards in technological advances. The cyclical concept of consumption is highlighted throughout the video. Money earned is used to afford products (i.e., television) which reinforce consumers to spend more money, forcing them to earn more money, which ultimately leads to depletion of limited resources. The most damaging of all is the process of disposal. Products eventually become garbage. The large amount of garbage requires vast land space and releases toxic chemicals into our environment. Although the implementation of recycling is a step forward in the right direction, it is not enough to counter the damages.