tut+4


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

__Delivery:__ Anna Leonard uses an animated process to tell the story of stuff (Materials economy), it is plain and simple(black and white) through out which allows the viewer to pay attention to the message she is presented rather than any possible distractions the animation might provide. This black and white approach enables the animation to reinforce the message rather than deviate attention from it. Leonard also introduces the story in a very 'cool' and 'carefree' manner and what better to use than apples ipod, 'the pinnacle of cool'. She confesses that she has one, in this way saying she is part of the problem rather than taking an angelic stance and talking down on the audience. This makes it easier to listen. Anna also appeals to the world not just the English speaking states, she starts the 'extraction' portion of her story by saying, "where i am from, the united states of America....". Furthermore, the simple vocabulary she uses and the chronological order in which she presents her story from extraction to disposal is exciting and comprehensible enough for young audiences, basic and casual for adults unaware of the materials process and witty enough for knowledgeable adults. In all this makes her 'story of stuff' one of a kind.

__Story Of Stuff:__ Anna Leonard starts of by introducing the Materials Economy as a problem. She describes it as a linear system operating in a finite planet and insists that you cannot run a linear system in a finite planet indefinitely. This is a common economic thought which relates to scarcity, demand and the valuation of goods naturally endowed or man-made. It states that when goods are scarce there can never be enough for everyone, so depending on how scarce goods are, man-made prices and values are formulated. Anna also touches on the issue of governments catering for the corporations due to the corporations obvious monetary value, she describes their relationship as a lobbying one which benefits special interests and not of the people, she believes that the government should work for the people but does not think that is what is currently happening. Anna makes sure to address the consumption in-balance occurring in the world by implicating the United States as consuming way above their share of world resources, this also subtly addresses the grave economic disparities dividing our world. Anna goes further to touch on geopolitical issues of war and exploitation as a mechanism for the developed countries to ascertain resources of developing countries. Anna then cruises through 'means of production' by effectively explaining the health hazards in our products, she details specific treats such as Brominated Flame Retardants to bigger broader issues of urbanization and economic migration from sustainable environments to big cities. Anna then dives into the topic of externalities, explaining how companies dodge costs of health care, worker compensation and pollution to maximize profits and keep prices low. This is also a common economic problem in which efficient levels of externalities have been the only solution economists have come up with. Anna further expands on this problem by giving an example of the problems attached to her buying a green radio. She unravels the issue by tieing it to the broad issue of extraction and means of production and conflicts over resources such as the sometimes undereported issue of the Congo war. Anna then concludes her story with the subjects of consumption and disposal. She labels consumption as the heart of the problem, drawing attention to George Bush's remarks after 9/11, by explaining that this is not just a pollution problem but an identity crisis.

__Conclusion__ In a documentary dedicated to explaining the 'simple' problems of the materials economy; linear system operating in finite planet, Anna manages to draw attention to the real underlying cultural and ideological problems that cause them. She identifies lobbying and the consumers intrinsic wasteful tendencies, but what she is really trying to highlight is that their is no specific issue but a range of cultural problems.