The Story of (too much) Stuff
by Kelly
The other day my cousin and I watched this video called the “Story of Stuff.” While the 20 minute length may seem daunting, the video itself is quite gripping and absolutely worthwhile. It details the havoc consumerism is wreaking on our environment & our planet. The video has simultaneously angered me, motivated me to work harder to be green, and cured me of the tendency to use retail therapy as a method of achieving happiness.
I urge you to view this video. If it leaves questions in your mind, read Annie Leonard’s book that is coming out sometime soon. The Story of Stuff website also lists “10 Little and Big Things You Can Do.”
I sent this video to many of my family members and friends. While many responded saying that they were moved by the video and sent it to everyone they knew, one relative said that he thought the video was propaganda and that he thought Wal-mart was a great “cooperative” that benefited everyone involved with it. I thought it might be useful to post an edited version of my response to him (and the rest of my family):
“Goodness! I certainly did not expect to spark this debate.
The point of the video is to get a message across, an important one. Okay, so it’s propaganda. Is all propaganda bad? Sure, to get a message across succinctly and to reach as many people as possible, the message must be simplified. Notice the video is 20 minutes long. It could be so much longer, but who would have the time to watch it?
There is a simple solution to this debate: The woman is coming out with a book on the subject. You want to see where she got her facts? Why don’t you get the book from the library when it comes out? She does mention that 10 years of research went into this project and I’d wager that she does have the evidence to support her claims.
Even if her facts are exaggerated (which I don’t think is true) — does it matter? The point she makes is an important one: sustainability is one of the most important causes in our lifetime. She is right — our Earth is a finite place. We don’t have endless resources. We cannot continue to trash our planet, cut down trees, dump our trash in landfills and harmful incinerators. I am actually reading an interesting book on garbage at the moment, and it supports much of what this woman is speaking about.
I consider you all to be intellectual, thoughtful individuals. What is so disappointing to me about reading these emails is that you are getting bogged down by the small stuff. Nitpicking over whether we are using 30% of the world’s resources or 1% doesn’t get us anywhere! What we must do is act.
We must change the way we see the world. We act as if we are entitled to that new ipod or that new sofa. We think we’re entitled to go to the store and buy whatever we can afford. Yet, we ignore the fact that we are exploiting the environment and the workers hired to produce our affordable goods.
I watched a documentary about Chinese factory workers employed by Wal-mart. They were young people who moved to cities from their homes in order to try to make money. They work for ridiculously low wages, they are housed in cramped tenement-style dormitories and separated by gender. So, women can’t live with their husbands, they wash their clothing in dirty sinks in their cramped rooms and they share bunks with other women. They work long hours and get practically no vacation time in which to see the family they are sending money to. All so that we can have our affordable goods.
We are not bystanders in this dilemma. We are actors in this exploitation. We have agency, more agency than most people in so-called “Third World countries”. What are you doing with this agency? You are plugging into your nice computer (was it purchased in the last 5 years?), sipping from your coffee mug in the comfort of your home and debating whether or not the environment is truly in danger. Rhetoric can’t help us now. We need action.”
Whether or not you have watched the video, you might be asking…”What can I do about the state of the environment? I’m just one person.” There is so much one person can do, and here are my suggestions:
Read this article about eco-friendly fashion, or how to change the world from your computer, and finally, watch the “Story of Stuff” and explore the website. We have to work together to save our planet.
- Dollface
What are you reactions to the video? What do you do personally to be more green? Please share your thoughts.
May 19, 2009
The Abortion Post
by Kelly
I am pro-choice. If that mere fact offends you, I suggest finding alternative reading material.
So for those of you still reading, I like to have a discussion about abortion. Specifically, the future of the right to choose in America and the current threats to Roe v. Wade. Oh, and the fact that our President is hailed for pussy-footing around the whole issue. (I love you B, but come on!)
If you didn’t hear, President Obama gave a cute little speech at Notre Dame the other day. Notre Dame, home of the Fighting Irish, is quite possibly the best Catholic university in our country. (At least, that’s what my Irish Catholic uncle tells me, but I digress). So, in his speech President Obama said the following on the subject of abortion:
Also, this little nugget of goodness:
Okay. Obama, I agree with you – mostly. I agree that we should toss out abstinence-only sex education and increase the availability of affordable birth control. I also agree that we should provide care for women who do carry their “precious” children to term (funny that the pro-lifers love fetuses but don’t give a fuck what happens to them after they are actually born). However…
What is this nonsense about abortion being a heart-wrenching decision for any woman? Let’s stop sugar-coating this shit, people. I’m willing to say this straight up: If I got pregnant today I would abort it ASAP, no qualms, no hesitation. Give me that RU-486 pill, ma’am, thank you very much. I’m too young and I have no desire what-so-ever to bring a child into this world for at least 10 years (if ever).
If men were the ones who gave birth, do you think abortions would be “heart-wrenching” for all of them? Hell, abortion would be as common and accessible as breast augmentation.
Obviously, to have an abortion is a difficult choice for some women to make. By no means do I want to belittle their emotions and experiences regarding their abortions. However, I’m tired of the shame and disgust associated with abortion. For those of us who don’t think life starts at conception, the right to an abortion is a no-brainer. For those who do think abortion=baby-killing…why don’t you worry about saving your own soul, alright? You’re perfectly willing to support a war in Iraq, which has killed thousands of people ALREADY BORN and you sleep at night just fine, so I think you can get over a few women “killing” their unborn fetus. (EDIT: I’m aware this does not extend to ALL pro-lifers…)
I’d like to say this post is open for ANY and ALL commentary/debate/what-have-you. I would love to hear from pro-lifers, pro-choicers, pro-baby killers, whatever the hell you identify as. Just remember:
1) Keep it civil. No personal attacks will pass through comment moderation.
2) If you just want to preach your religious doctrine, go somewhere else. I’m a heathen and proud of it.
3) If your post contains the words “baby murderer,” “devil worshipper,” or “evil slutty bitch” (and you’re not being sarcastic), your comment will not pass through moderation.
I obviously have much more to say on the topic, but I thought I would respond in the comments section rather than standing up on my rotten little soapbox and boring you all to tears. :-) Hope to hear from you.
Yours Truly,
Dollface
EDIT: To the guy who commented telling me to “shut up”… I’d like to direct you to my “About Us” page in which I politely but firmly state that I will not shut up, for anyone. For more information on this subject, click here.
P.S. Free “President Bush Sucks” condoms for the 25th comment! (Shameless attempt to get you all debating, I know)