Wednesday, 27 July 2011

Video Reflections

Annie Leonard: The Story of Stuff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLBE5QAYXp8

From this video I have learned about the worlds' system from creation to disposal. As an industrial designer I think it is important that we understand this linear structure in order to create for the future.  Annie Leonard discussed the lifecycle of products, and what is known as the materials economy. The materials economy starts at the stage of extraction, then production, distribution, consumption and destruction. This linear system is impossible as our planet would not support this structure indefinitely. This system is also flawed as there are influential factors and limits to this system which have been left out, such as the people, government and corporations.

At the first stage of extraction, natural resources are exported, at this stage the main issue is that we are running out of resources and developed countries such as America are consuming more than their own share. By using resources from third world countries it leaves the nations people as jobless and out of options, so they eventually move into cities are find jobs which are harmful to their bodies. Manufactures use reproductive toxins, which not only affect the current people working with the products, but also causing pollution and the consumers. As toxins are added to our products, toxic waste is produced contaminating our water supplies, our air and even noise pollution from these factories.

Annie highlighted how the products we pay for don't actually cover the costs, they are often payed for by each of the stages, including the workers who are underpaid and pay with the cost of their health. The most important stage according to the Governments is consumption. Through surveying consumers it has been concluded that up to 99% of materials or products have been discarded within the 6 month period of acquiring. Advertising and manipulation through media has allowed shopping to satisfy our ego and spiritual needs. The Government has also outlined that the ultimate purpose of our countries are to provide more consumer goods. This throw away society is based on 2 marketing strategies, planned obsolescence, where the products have been designed to be thrown away so they can be easily replaced or perceived obsolescence, where we discard still functional products for something that appeals to us more, which can be summarised by fashion. The constant need to be up to date is through the commercialising and advertising of new products and how we should look and what we need.

This system has resulted by individuals participating in a cycle, where they work to earn money, go home and watch tv, where they are demoralised and hence go out to shop for things they ''need''. As we buy more stuff, we spend more time watching tv then enjoying our leisure time with friends.

The last stage of disposal shows our 'obsolete' products being dumped in a landfill or burned and then dumped in a landfill. The process of incineration releases all the toxins that we added to the resources in the first place, this creates super toxins called dioxins, which are released into the air, land and water, which indirectly effects our climate. Recycling does help us reduce garbage, which is the last stage of our linear system, and a reduction in resources, which is the first stage, but this just isn't enough.

Through this observation, we realise that our system is in climate, because overall happiness is declining and our climate is changing. So Annie has proposed that we need a whole new system, that is not a linear structure. We need a cycle where sustainability, equity, green chemistry, zero waste, closed loop production, local living economies and the notion of renewable energy can be upheld. This cycle needs to go from extraction, production, distribution, consumption, destruction and back to extraction.

From this video I have learnt the real system our Government has lead us into. I think it is essential for industrial designers to be aware of the bigger picture and not just what the Governments want us to believe, if we want a future for this planet. Industrial designers create products for our present and future so we need be able to create useful and sustainable products that do not harm our environment and future.



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