The Story of Stuff

5 star rating

March 10, 2008

Jenn A. 378 reviews Send Message | Add to Friends

Culture of Consumption 101

This was a really fantastic short video for folks who are new to the concepts of sustainability and green living. I think specifically of a friend's parents -- even my own grandparents -- who came of age during the Depression. They were the first targets of the plan to create consumers -- people who were in their 30s-50s after WWII, at the height of their earning power & disposable income. Even now, they have no children at home but continue to buy more food and "stuff" than they need.

My own parents are a prime example -- my mother has only recently stopped buying movies and started renting them and borrowing them from the library. I'm even related to people who shop at Costco because "it's a good deal" and buy more than they need because everything is in bulk and put it in a freezer they had to buy just to preserve all the extra Costco muffins and coffee (let's not forget the 5 lb bag of Doritos permanently next to the La-Z-Boy in front of the big screen tv).

This short video is the perfect way to kickstart the mental shift in those folks -- and even in small children whose parents are still oblivious to the benefits of green and sustainable living. People have always blamed my BA in Sociology and classes in social theory for my talk about consumerism -- but seeing this video as a mainstream introductory course to the same concepts I have promulgated to my friends over the years is definitely a vindication of all I believe.

Please share this and spread the story with those folks who you think would be a "hard sell" -- this is a non-confrontational, easily digested version of the scary reality all around us.

Jenn A.'s keywords: culture, consumerism, sustainability

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5 star rating

March 2, 2008

Jared W. 6 reviews Send Message | Add to Friends

Wow! A lot of Stuff to take in at once, but done well.

The video is really great. Most of what Annie Dillard talks about are ideas that I knew of as vague theories. The video has shocking statistics, specific examples, and images that make the information comprehensible and memorable. The images also offer a much needed touch of humor throughout the video as the viewer is subjected to some disgusting truths and dire forecasts about the workings and consequences of our consumer society. Dillard's optimism at the end of the film is also a relief, when she tells us that there are big forces out there making substantial progress in fixing the destructive system. The knowledge that people are making a difference is uplifting, and Dillard makes it clear that soon reducing the debilitating human and environmental impact of a consumer society will not be a David and Goliath situation. The end of the video really gives a boost of confidence that made me want to check out all the links on the site to find out what people are doing to help and what I can do.

Jared W.'s keywords: Annie Dillard, consumer, capatalism, society, waste, trash, government, corporations, distribution

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5 star rating

December 26, 2007

Cris B. 360 reviews Send Message | Add to Friends

Stuff...You Need to Know

I gave "The Story of Stuff" as a Stocking Stuffer, and shared it with friends over the holidays. It's a terrific DVD! Annie Leonard does a brilliant job of distilling 10 years of research about STUFF into a fast-paced 20 minute presentation. Her whimsical approach doesn't diminish the seriousness of the subject in the least. With the support of pen & ink sketch-like animations, Annie demonstrates how our materials economy is completely dysfunctional, how our linear production-consumption system is using up our limited resources. Smart, witty and factual, Annie explains in language school kids can understand that our finite planet is in crisis...it's being trashed by what we the people, our government and powerful corporations are doing to create, use and dispose of stuff...lots and lots of stuff, every day. I highly recommend everyone watch this DVD and share it with as many people as you can. Price $10, includes shipping and handling.

Cris B.'s keywords: stuff, recycle, reuse, economy, production, waste, reduction, garbage, trash, obsolete, materialism

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5 star rating

December 11, 2007

Adam W. 134 reviews Send Message | Add to Friends

The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard - Required Viewing for Every American

It's not news to most people that America simply can't sustain its current consumption practice. Most of us recognize that the way our current economy runs takes advantage of people all around the world and in the future will come back to haunt us. In fact, it is already starting to haunt us with an ever dropping dollar, global warming (we have been emitting more than China for YEARS, plus, most of their current emissions come from making stuff for us) and poisonous toys which come from outsourcing production to a place we have no control over.

While most of us understand this to be true, we don't necessarily see the whole picture. This is a great informational and surprisingly entertaining video spelling out exactly how this economy came to be and, more importantly, how we can fix it. I recommend that every American, and probably every human, watch this short video. It will definitely be worth your time.

Adam W.'s keywords: stuff, annie, leonard, video, trash, recycle, capitalism, free trade, fair trade, consumption

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