Week+Four+Case+StudyReem

“The Story of Stuff” is a video composed by Annie Leonard in which it captures the warning against consumerism and global corporations. Annie Leonard describes the system of the ‘material economy’ as a system of crises. It is a linear system with limits and regulations that interacts with every system in the real word that includes society culture and environment. Moreover it is a system that is destroying the earth. The main argument that Leonard proposes in the video is that we have destroyed our futures, our resources and health.
 * __Week 4__**
 * Write three paragraphs on how Annie Leonard defines the system of the 'materials economy' and describe its interactions. ** 

In the video the “Story of Stuff” Leonard proposed the term ‘materials economy’ as she refers to humans and the ultimate cause of the destruction due to their shopping habits. Leonard defines the system through a process of extraction, production, distribution, consumption and disposal. Most importantly extraction is referred as trashing the planet by running out of resources. Furthermore she defines production as ‘using energy mix toxic elements with natural resources’ (Leonard). These toxics are being taken in and out of the systems and producing toxic products. An example that Leonard presents in the video is breast milk. These toxic products are mixed into food chain violating the health of human active nurturing.

A key element in the system was quick production which pushes individuals to keep buying. Keeping the prices down, proper advertisement and upgrades on the products’ is always available attracting the consumers to continue buying. The most important factor is determined by continues rise of technology. An example that Leonard presents that proves the rises of technology are computers where new models are being produced. Furthermore women’s fashion is symbolized as a successful element creating a consumer economy and externalizing the true cost of production. 1. **Planned Obsolescence:** It is designed for the dump- creating stuff with a limited time span where they become useless and allowing consumers to throw them and buy new ones. 2. **Perceived Obsolescence:** To convince individuals to throw their stuff even though they are still useful by creating upgrades to the product. 3. **Advertisement:** Television ads inform consumers what they should have and don’t have.
 * Creating the ‘materials economy’: **