Story of Stuff

I got a little obsessed with mine, in fact I got a little obsessed with all my stuff.

And what the text books said is that our stuff simply moves along these stages: extraction to production to distribution to consumption to disposal.

And what the text books said is that our stuff simply moves along these stages: extraction to production to distribution to consumption to disposal.

And what the text books said is that our stuff simply moves along these stages: extraction to production to distribution to consumption to disposal.

And what the text books said is that our stuff simply moves along these stages: extraction to production to distribution to consumption to disposal.

All together, it’s called the materials economy.

All together, it’s called the materials economy.

In fact, I spent 10 years traveling the world tracking where our stuff comes from and where it goes.1 And you know what I found out?

There’s a lot missing from this explanation.

But the truth is it’s a system in crisis.

And the reason it is in crisis is that it is a linear system and we live on a finite planet and you can not run a linear system on a finite planet indefinitely.2

And the reason it is in crisis is that it is a linear system and we live on a finite planet and you can not run a linear system on a finite planet indefinitely.2

And the reason it is in crisis is that it is a linear system and we live on a finite planet and you can not run a linear system on a finite planet indefinitely.2

Every step along the way, this system is interacting with the real world.

And all along the way, it’s bumping up against limits.

Limits we don’t see here because the diagram is incomplete.

Now my friends3 tell me I should use a tank to symbolize the government and that’s true in many countries and increasingly in our own, afterall more than 50% of our federal tax money is now going to the military4, but I’m using a person to symbolize the government because I hold true to the vision and values that governments should be of the people, by the people, for the people.

Now my friends3 tell me I should use a tank to symbolize the government and that’s true in many countries and increasingly in our own, afterall more than 50% of our federal tax money is now going to the military4, but I’m using a person to symbolize the government because I hold true to the vision and values that governments should be of the people, by the people, for the people.

Now my friends3 tell me I should use a tank to symbolize the government and that’s true in many countries and increasingly in our own, afterall more than 50% of our federal tax money is now going to the military4, but I’m using a person to symbolize the government because I hold true to the vision and values that governments should be of the people, by the people, for the people.

Now my friends3 tell me I should use a tank to symbolize the government and that’s true in many countries and increasingly in our own, afterall more than 50% of our federal tax money is now going to the military4, but I’m using a person to symbolize the government because I hold true to the vision and values that governments should be of the people, by the people, for the people.

Story Of Stuff, Referenced and Annotated Script

Story Of Stuff, Referenced and Annotated Script

Then along came the corporation.

Of the 100 largest economies on earth now, 51 are corporations.6 As the corporations have grown in size and power, we’ve seen a little change in the government where they’re a little more concerned in making sure everything is working out for those guys than for us.7

We’ll start with extraction which is a fancy word for natural resource exploitation which is a fancy word for trashing the planet.

We’ll start with extraction which is a fancy word for natural resource exploitation which is a fancy word for trashing the planet.

We’ll start with extraction which is a fancy word for natural resource exploitation which is a fancy word for trashing the planet.

In the past three decades alone, one-third of the planet’s natural resources base have been consumed.9 Gone.

In the past three decades alone, one-third of the planet’s natural resources base have been consumed.9 Gone.

In the past three decades alone, one-third of the planet’s natural resources base have been consumed.9 Gone.

Then along came the corporation.

Of the 100 largest economies on earth now, 51 are corporations.6 As the corporations have grown in size and power, we’ve seen a little change in the government where they’re a little more concerned in making sure everything is working out for those guys than for us.7

We’ll start with extraction which is a fancy word for natural resource exploitation which is a fancy word for trashing the planet.

We’ll start with extraction which is a fancy word for natural resource exploitation which is a fancy word for trashing the planet.

We’ll start with extraction which is a fancy word for natural resource exploitation which is a fancy word for trashing the planet.

We’ll start with extraction which is a fancy word for natural resource exploitation which is a fancy word for trashing the planet.

So here we are running up against our first limit.

In the past three decades alone, one-third of the planet’s natural resources base have been consumed.9 Gone.

In the past three decades alone, one-third of the planet’s natural resources base have been consumed.9 Gone.

Then along came the corporation.

Of the 100 largest economies on earth now, 51 are corporations.6 As the corporations have grown in size and power, we’ve seen a little change in the government where they’re a little more concerned in making sure everything is working out for those guys than for us.7

Of the 100 largest economies on earth now, 51 are corporations.6 As the corporations have grown in size and power, we’ve seen a little change in the government where they’re a little more concerned in making sure everything is working out for those guys than for us.7

We’ll start with extraction which is a fancy word for natural resource exploitation which is a fancy word for trashing the planet.

We’ll start with extraction which is a fancy word for natural resource exploitation which is a fancy word for trashing the planet.

We’ll start with extraction which is a fancy word for natural resource exploitation which is a fancy word for trashing the planet.

So here we are running up against our first limit.

In the past three decades alone, one-third of the planet’s natural resources base have been consumed.9 Gone.

In the past three decades alone, one-third of the planet’s natural resources base have been consumed.9 Gone.

In the past three decades alone, one-third of the planet’s natural resources base have been consumed.9 Gone.

We are cutting and mining and hauling and trashing the place so fast that we’re undermining the planet’s very ability for people to live here.10

We are cutting and mining and hauling and trashing the place so fast that we’re undermining the planet’s very ability for people to live here.10

Where I live, in the United States, we have less than 4% of our original forests left.11 Forty percent of waterways have become undrinkable.12 And our problem is not just that we’re using too much stuff, but we’re using more than our share.

We [The U.S.] has 5% of the world’s population but we’re consuming 30% of the world’s resources13 and creating 30% of the world’s waste.14

We [The U.S.] has 5% of the world’s population but we’re consuming 30% of the world’s resources13 and creating 30% of the world’s waste.14

We [The U.S.] has 5% of the world’s population but we’re consuming 30% of the world’s resources13 and creating 30% of the world’s waste.14

If everybody consumed at U.S. rates, we would need 3 to 5 planets.15 And you know what?

So, my country’s response to this limitation is simply to go take someone else’s!

• 75% of global fisheries now are fished at or beyond capacity.17

• 75% of global fisheries now are fished at or beyond capacity.17

• In the Amazon alone, we’re losing 2000 trees a minute.

According to these guys, they don’t own these resources even if they’ve been living there for generations, they don’t own the means of production and they’re not buying a lot of stuff.

According to these guys, they don’t own these resources even if they’ve been living there for generations, they don’t own the means of production and they’re not buying a lot of stuff.

According to these guys, they don’t own these resources even if they’ve been living there for generations, they don’t own the means of production and they’re not buying a lot of stuff.

And in this system, if you don’t own or buy a lot of stuff, you don’t have value.20

So, next, the materials move to “production“ and what happens there is we use energy to mix toxic chemicals in with the natural resources to make toxic contaminated products.

So, next, the materials move to “production“ and what happens there is we use energy to mix toxic chemicals in with the natural resources to make toxic contaminated products.

So, next, the materials move to “production“ and what happens there is we use energy to mix toxic chemicals in with the natural resources to make toxic contaminated products.

So, next, the materials move to “production“ and what happens there is we use energy to mix toxic chemicals in with the natural resources to make toxic contaminated products.

So, next, the materials move to “production“ and what happens there is we use energy to mix toxic chemicals in with the natural resources to make toxic contaminated products.

So, next, the materials move to “production“ and what happens there is we use energy to mix toxic chemicals in with the natural resources to make toxic contaminated products.

There are over 100,000 synthetic chemicals in commerce today.21 Only a handful of these have even been tested for human health impacts and NONE of them have been tested for synergistic health impacts, that means when they interact with all the other chemicals we’re exposed to every day.22

There are over 100,000 synthetic chemicals in commerce today.21 Only a handful of these have even been tested for human health impacts and NONE of them have been tested for synergistic health impacts, that means when they interact with all the other chemicals we’re exposed to every day.22

There are over 100,000 synthetic chemicals in commerce today.21 Only a handful of these have even been tested for human health impacts and NONE of them have been tested for synergistic health impacts, that means when they interact with all the other chemicals we’re exposed to every day.22

There are over 100,000 synthetic chemicals in commerce today.21 Only a handful of these have even been tested for human health impacts and NONE of them have been tested for synergistic health impacts, that means when they interact with all the other chemicals we’re exposed to every day.22

There are over 100,000 synthetic chemicals in commerce today.21 Only a handful of these have even been tested for human health impacts and NONE of them have been tested for synergistic health impacts, that means when they interact with all the other chemicals we’re exposed to every day.22

There are over 100,000 synthetic chemicals in commerce today.21 Only a handful of these have even been tested for human health impacts and NONE of them have been tested for synergistic health impacts, that means when they interact with all the other chemicals we’re exposed to every day.22

There are over 100,000 synthetic chemicals in commerce today.21 Only a handful of these have even been tested for human health impacts and NONE of them have been tested for synergistic health impacts, that means when they interact with all the other chemicals we’re exposed to every day.22

So, we don’t know the full impact of these toxics on our health and environment of all these toxic chemicals.

Like BFRs, brominated flame retardants.

They are a chemical that make things more fireproof but they are super toxic.24 They’re a neurotoxin—that means toxic to the brain.

They are a chemical that make things more fireproof but they are super toxic.24 They’re a neurotoxin—that means toxic to the brain.

In fact, we take our pillows, we douse them in a neurotoxin and then we bring them home and put our heads on them for 8 hours a night to sleep.

Now, I don’t know, but it seems to me that in this country with so much potential, we could think of a better way to stop our heads from catching on fire at night.

These toxics build up in the food chain and concentrate in our bodies.

Do you know what is the food at the top of the food chain with the highest levels of many toxic contaminants?

That means that we have reached a point where the smallest members of our societies—our babies— are getting their highest lifetime dose of toxic chemicals from breastfeeding from their mothers.26 Is that not an incredible violation?

That means that we have reached a point where the smallest members of our societies—our babies— are getting their highest lifetime dose of toxic chemicals from breastfeeding from their mothers.26 Is that not an incredible violation?

Breastfeeding must be the most fundamental human act of nurturing; it should be sacred and safe.

Breastfeeding must be the most fundamental human act of nurturing; it should be sacred and safe.

Breastfeeding must be the most fundamental human act of nurturing; it should be sacred and safe.

Now breastfeeding is still best and mothers should definitely keep breastfeeding, 27 but we should protect it.

Now breastfeeding is still best and mothers should definitely keep breastfeeding, 27 but we should protect it.

And of course, the people who bear the biggest brunt of these toxic chemicals are the factory workers28

many of whom are women of reproductive age.29 They’re working with reproductive toxics, carcinogens and more.

Now, I ask you, what kind of woman of reproductive age would work in a job exposed to reproductive toxics, except one who had no other option?

Now, I ask you, what kind of woman of reproductive age would work in a job exposed to reproductive toxics, except one who had no other option?

The erosion of local environments and economies here ensures a constant supply of people with no other option.

The erosion of local environments and economies here ensures a constant supply of people with no other option.

The erosion of local environments and economies here ensures a constant supply of people with no other option.

The erosion of local environments and economies here ensures a constant supply of people with no other option.

The erosion of local environments and economies here ensures a constant supply of people with no other option.

Globally 200,000 people a day are moving from environments that have sustained them for generations, into cities30 many to live in slums, looking for work, no matter how toxic that work may be.31,32

Globally 200,000 people a day are moving from environments that have sustained them for generations, into cities30 many to live in slums, looking for work, no matter how toxic that work may be.31,32

Globally 200,000 people a day are moving from environments that have sustained them for generations, into cities30 many to live in slums, looking for work, no matter how toxic that work may be.31,32

So, you see, it is not just resources that are wasted along this system, but people too.

Whole communities get wasted.33

A lot of the toxics leave the factory as products, but even more leave as byproducts, or pollution.

A lot of the toxics leave the factory as products, but even more leave as byproducts, or pollution.

A lot of the toxics leave the factory as products, but even more leave as byproducts, or pollution.

And it’s a lot of pollution.34 In the U.S., industry admits to releasing over 4 billion pounds of toxic chemicals a year35 and it’s probably way more since that is only what they admit.

And it’s a lot of pollution.34 In the U.S., industry admits to releasing over 4 billion pounds of toxic chemicals a year35 and it’s probably way more since that is only what they admit.

And it’s a lot of pollution.34 In the U.S., industry admits to releasing over 4 billion pounds of toxic chemicals a year35 and it’s probably way more since that is only what they admit.

And it’s a lot of pollution.34 In the U.S., industry admits to releasing over 4 billion pounds of toxic chemicals a year35 and it’s probably way more since that is only what they admit.

And it’s a lot of pollution.34 In the U.S., industry admits to releasing over 4 billion pounds of toxic chemicals a year35 and it’s probably way more since that is only what they admit.

So that’s another limit, because, yuck, who wants to look at and smell 4 billion pounds of toxic chemicals a year?

Move the dirty factories overseas.36 Pollute someone else’s land!

Move the dirty factories overseas.36 Pollute someone else’s land!

But surprise, a lot of that air pollution is coming right back at us, carried by wind currents.37

So, what happens after all these resources are turned into products?

Now distribution means “selling all this toxic contaminated junk as quickly as possible.”

The goal here is to keep the prices down, keep the people buying and keep the inventory moving.

The goal here is to keep the prices down, keep the people buying and keep the inventory moving.

Well, they don’t pay the store workers very much38 and skimp on health insurance every time they can.

Well, they don’t pay the store workers very much38 and skimp on health insurance every time they can.

Well, they don’t pay the store workers very much38 and skimp on health insurance every time they can.

It’s all about externalizing the costs.39 What that means is the real costs of making stuff aren’t captured in the price.

It’s all about externalizing the costs.39 What that means is the real costs of making stuff aren’t captured in the price.

Africa, the petroleum was probably drilled in Iraq, the plastics were probably produced in China, and maybe the whole thing was assembled by some 15 year old in a maquiladora40 in Mexico.

Africa, the petroleum was probably drilled in Iraq, the plastics were probably produced in China, and maybe the whole thing was assembled by some 15 year old in a maquiladora40 in Mexico.

$4.99 wouldn’t even pay the rent for the shelf space it occupied until I came along, let alone part of the staff guy’s salary that helped me pick it out, or the multiple ocean cruises and truck rides pieces of this radio went on.

$4.99 wouldn’t even pay the rent for the shelf space it occupied until I came along, let alone part of the staff guy’s salary that helped me pick it out, or the multiple ocean cruises and truck rides pieces of this radio went on.

$4.99 wouldn’t even pay the rent for the shelf space it occupied until I came along, let alone part of the staff guy’s salary that helped me pick it out, or the multiple ocean cruises and truck rides pieces of this radio went on.

$4.99 wouldn’t even pay the rent for the shelf space it occupied until I came along, let alone part of the staff guy’s salary that helped me pick it out, or the multiple ocean cruises and truck rides pieces of this radio went on.

$4.99 wouldn’t even pay the rent for the shelf space it occupied until I came along, let alone part of the staff guy’s salary that helped me pick it out, or the multiple ocean cruises and truck rides pieces of this radio went on.

These people paid with the loss of their clean air, with increasing asthma and cancer rates.

These people even paid, by having to cover their own health insurance.42 All along this system, people pitched in so I could get this radio for $4.99.

And none of these contributions are recorded in any accounts book.

And none of these contributions are recorded in any accounts book.

That is what I mean by the company owners externalize the true costs of production.

It is so important [to propping up this whole flawed system] that protecting this arrow is a top priority for both these guys.

It is so important [to propping up this whole flawed system] that protecting this arrow is a top priority for both these guys.

It is so important [to propping up this whole flawed system] that protecting this arrow is a top priority for both these guys.

That is why, after 9/11, when our country was in shock, President Bush could have suggested any number of appropriate things: to grieve, to pray, to hope.

That is why, after 9/11, when our country was in shock, President Bush could have suggested any number of appropriate things: to grieve, to pray, to hope.

That is why, after 9/11, when our country was in shock, President Bush could have suggested any number of appropriate things: to grieve, to pray, to hope.

We have become a nation of consumers.

Our primary identity has become that of consumer, not mothers, teachers, farmers, but consumers.

Our primary identity has become that of consumer, not mothers, teachers, farmers, but consumers.

The primary way that our value is measured and demonstrated is by how much we contribute to this arrow, how much we consume.

The primary way that our value is measured and demonstrated is by how much we contribute to this arrow, how much we consume.

The primary way that our value is measured and demonstrated is by how much we contribute to this arrow, how much we consume.

The primary way that our value is measured and demonstrated is by how much we contribute to this arrow, how much we consume.

The primary way that our value is measured and demonstrated is by how much we contribute to this arrow, how much we consume.

Keep the materials flowing.

Guess what percentage of total material flow through this system is still in product or use 6 months after their sale in North America.

In other words, 99 percent of the stuff we harvest, mine, process, transport—99 percent of the stuff we run through this system is trashed within 6 months.

In other words, 99 percent of the stuff we harvest, mine, process, transport—99 percent of the stuff we run through this system is trashed within 6 months.

In other words, 99 percent of the stuff we harvest, mine, process, transport—99 percent of the stuff we run through this system is trashed within 6 months.

Now how can we run a planet with that rate of materials throughput?

The average U.S. person now consumes twice as much as they did 50 years ago.45 Ask your grandma.

In her day, stewardship and resourcefulness and thrift were valued.

In her day, stewardship and resourcefulness and thrift were valued.

In her day, stewardship and resourcefulness and thrift were valued.

It was designed.

Shortly after the World War 2, these guys were figuring out how to ramp up the [U.S.] economy.

Shortly after the World War 2, these guys were figuring out how to ramp up the [U.S.] economy.

Retailing analyst Victor Lebow articulated the solution that has become the norm for the whole system.

Retailing analyst Victor Lebow articulated the solution that has become the norm for the whole system.

Retailing analyst Victor Lebow articulated the solution that has become the norm for the whole system.

Retailing analyst Victor Lebow articulated the solution that has become the norm for the whole system.

He said: “Our enormously productive economy . . . demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction, in consumption . . . we need things consumed, burned up, replaced and discarded at an ever-accelerating rate.”46

He said: “Our enormously productive economy . . . demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction, in consumption . . . we need things consumed, burned up, replaced and discarded at an ever-accelerating rate.”46

He said: “Our enormously productive economy . . . demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction, in consumption . . . we need things consumed, burned up, replaced and discarded at an ever-accelerating rate.”46

He said: “Our enormously productive economy . . . demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction, in consumption . . . we need things consumed, burned up, replaced and discarded at an ever-accelerating rate.”46

He said: “Our enormously productive economy . . . demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction, in consumption . . . we need things consumed, burned up, replaced and discarded at an ever-accelerating rate.”46

He said: “Our enormously productive economy . . . demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction, in consumption . . . we need things consumed, burned up, replaced and discarded at an ever-accelerating rate.”46

He said: “Our enormously productive economy . . . demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction, in consumption . . . we need things consumed, burned up, replaced and discarded at an ever-accelerating rate.”46

He said: “Our enormously productive economy . . . demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction, in consumption . . . we need things consumed, burned up, replaced and discarded at an ever-accelerating rate.”46

He said: “Our enormously productive economy . . . demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction, in consumption . . . we need things consumed, burned up, replaced and discarded at an ever-accelerating rate.”46

And President Eisenhower’s Council of Economic Advisors Chairman said that “The American economy’s ultimate purpose is to produce more consumer goods.”

And President Eisenhower’s Council of Economic Advisors Chairman said that “The American economy’s ultimate purpose is to produce more consumer goods.”

And President Eisenhower’s Council of Economic Advisors Chairman said that “The American economy’s ultimate purpose is to produce more consumer goods.”

And President Eisenhower’s Council of Economic Advisors Chairman said that “The American economy’s ultimate purpose is to produce more consumer goods.”

And President Eisenhower’s Council of Economic Advisors Chairman said that “The American economy’s ultimate purpose is to produce more consumer goods.”

And President Eisenhower’s Council of Economic Advisors Chairman said that “The American economy’s ultimate purpose is to produce more consumer goods.”

Not provide health care, or education, or safe transportation, or sustainability or justice?

Not provide health care, or education, or safe transportation, or sustainability or justice?

Not provide health care, or education, or safe transportation, or sustainability or justice?

Well, two of their most effective strategies are planned obsolescence48 and perceived obsolescence.49

Well, two of their most effective strategies are planned obsolescence48 and perceived obsolescence.49

Well, two of their most effective strategies are planned obsolescence48 and perceived obsolescence.49

Well, two of their most effective strategies are planned obsolescence48 and perceived obsolescence.49

The average U.S. person now consumes twice as much as they did 50 years ago.45 Ask your grandma.

In her day, stewardship and resourcefulness and thrift were valued.

In her day, stewardship and resourcefulness and thrift were valued.

Retailing analyst Victor Lebow articulated the solution that has become the norm for the whole system.

Retailing analyst Victor Lebow articulated the solution that has become the norm for the whole system.

He said: “Our enormously productive economy . . . demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction, in consumption . . . we need things consumed, burned up, replaced and discarded at an ever-accelerating rate.”46

He said: “Our enormously productive economy . . . demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction, in consumption . . . we need things consumed, burned up, replaced and discarded at an ever-accelerating rate.”46

He said: “Our enormously productive economy . . . demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction, in consumption . . . we need things consumed, burned up, replaced and discarded at an ever-accelerating rate.”46

He said: “Our enormously productive economy . . . demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction, in consumption . . . we need things consumed, burned up, replaced and discarded at an ever-accelerating rate.”46

He said: “Our enormously productive economy . . . demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction, in consumption . . . we need things consumed, burned up, replaced and discarded at an ever-accelerating rate.”46

He said: “Our enormously productive economy . . . demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction, in consumption . . . we need things consumed, burned up, replaced and discarded at an ever-accelerating rate.”46

He said: “Our enormously productive economy . . . demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction, in consumption . . . we need things consumed, burned up, replaced and discarded at an ever-accelerating rate.”46

He said: “Our enormously productive economy . . . demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction, in consumption . . . we need things consumed, burned up, replaced and discarded at an ever-accelerating rate.”46

He said: “Our enormously productive economy . . . demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction, in consumption . . . we need things consumed, burned up, replaced and discarded at an ever-accelerating rate.”46

Not provide health care, or education, or safe transportation, or sustainability or justice?

Not provide health care, or education, or safe transportation, or sustainability or justice?

Well, two of their most effective strategies are planned obsolescence48 and perceived obsolescence.49

Well, two of their most effective strategies are planned obsolescence48 and perceived obsolescence.49

Well, two of their most effective strategies are planned obsolescence48 and perceived obsolescence.49

Well, two of their most effective strategies are planned obsolescence48 and perceived obsolescence.49

(1992) 47 David Suzuki, “Economy needs a better goal than ‘more.’”

so fast that within a couple years, it’s [your new computer] actually an impediment to communication.

so fast that within a couple years, it’s [your new computer] actually an impediment to communication.

I was curious about this so I opened up a big desk top computer to see what was inside.52 And I found out that the piece that changes each year is just a tiny little piece in the corner.

But you can’t just change that one piece, because each new version is a different shape, so you gotta chuck the whole thing and buy a new one.

So, I was reading quotes from industrial design journals from the 1950s when planned obsolescence was really catching on.

So, I was reading quotes from industrial design journals from the 1950s when planned obsolescence was really catching on.

They actually discuss how fast they can make stuff break and still leaves the consumer with enough faith in the product to go buy anther one.53

It was so intentional.

But stuff can not break fast enough to keep this arrow afloat, so there’s also “perceived obsolescence.”

Now perceived obsolescence convinces us to throw away stuff that is still perfectly useful.

Well, they change the way the stuff looks54 so if you bought your stuff a couple years ago, everyone can tell that you haven’t contributed to this arrow recently and since the way we demonstrate our value is by contributing to this arrow, it can be embarrassing.

Well, they change the way the stuff looks54 so if you bought your stuff a couple years ago, everyone can tell that you haven’t contributed to this arrow recently and since the way we demonstrate our value is by contributing to this arrow, it can be embarrassing.

Well, they change the way the stuff looks54 so if you bought your stuff a couple years ago, everyone can tell that you haven’t contributed to this arrow recently and since the way we demonstrate our value is by contributing to this arrow, it can be embarrassing.

Well, they change the way the stuff looks54 so if you bought your stuff a couple years ago, everyone can tell that you haven’t contributed to this arrow recently and since the way we demonstrate our value is by contributing to this arrow, it can be embarrassing.

I’ve have had the same fat white computer monitor on my desk for 5 years.

She has a flat shiny sleek flat screen monitor.

Fashion is another prime example of this.

The extraction, production and disposal all happens outside our field of vision.

The extraction, production and disposal all happens outside our field of vision.

So, in the U.S. we have more stuff than ever before, but polls show that our national happiness is actually declining.

Our national happiness peaked sometime in the 1950s,58 the same time as this consumption mania exploded.

Interesting coincidence.

We have more stuff but we have less time for the things that really make us happy: family, friends, leisure time.59 We’re working harder than ever.60 Some analysts say that we have less leisure time now than in Feudal Society.61

We have more stuff but we have less time for the things that really make us happy: family, friends, leisure time.59 We’re working harder than ever.60 Some analysts say that we have less leisure time now than in Feudal Society.61

And do you know what the two main activities are that we do with the scant leisure time we have?

Watch TV62 and shop.63 In the U.S., we spend 3—4 times as many hours shopping as our counterparts in Europe do.64

So we are in this ridiculous situation where we go to work, maybe two jobs even, and we come home and we’re exhausted so we plop down on our new couch and watch TV and the commercials tell us

At this rate of consumption, it can’t fit into our houses even though the average U.S. house size has doubled in this country since the 1970s.66

It all goes out in the garbage.

This is the part of the materials economy we all know the most because we have to haul the junk out to the curb ourselves.

This is the part of the materials economy we all know the most because we have to haul the junk out to the curb ourselves.

Either way, both pollute the air, land, water and, don’t forget, change the climate.69

Burning the garbage releases the toxics up into the air.

Dioxin is the most toxic man made substance known to science.73 And incinerators are the number one source of dioxin.74 That means that we could stop the number one source of the most toxic man-made substance known just by stopping burning the trash.

Dioxin is the most toxic man made substance known to science.73 And incinerators are the number one source of dioxin.74 That means that we could stop the number one source of the most toxic man-made substance known just by stopping burning the trash.

Dioxin is the most toxic man made substance known to science.73 And incinerators are the number one source of dioxin.74 That means that we could stop the number one source of the most toxic man-made substance known just by stopping burning the trash.

Now some companies don’t want to deal with building landfills and incinerators here, so they just export the disposal too.75

Now some companies don’t want to deal with building landfills and incinerators here, so they just export the disposal too.75

Recycling reduces the garbage at this end and it reduces the pressure to mine and harvest new stuff at this end.76 Yes, Yes, Yes, we should all recycle.77 But recycling is not enough.

Recycling reduces the garbage at this end and it reduces the pressure to mine and harvest new stuff at this end.76 Yes, Yes, Yes, we should all recycle.77 But recycling is not enough.

Recycling reduces the garbage at this end and it reduces the pressure to mine and harvest new stuff at this end.76 Yes, Yes, Yes, we should all recycle.77 But recycling is not enough.

For every one garbage can of waste you put out on the curb, 70 garbage cans of waste were made upstream just to make the junk in that one garbage can you put out on the curb.78 So even if we could recycle 100 percent of the waste coming out of our households, it doesn’t get to the core of the problem.

Like those juice packs with layers of metal and paper and plastic all smooshed together.

But the good thing about such an all pervasive problem is that there are so many points of intervention.

But the good thing about such an all pervasive problem is that there are so many points of intervention.

There are people working here on saving forests and here on clean production.80 People working on labor rights and fair trade and conscious consuming and blocking landfills and incinerators and, very importantly, on taking back our government so it is really is by the people for the people.

There are people working here on saving forests and here on clean production.80 People working on labor rights and fair trade and conscious consuming and blocking landfills and incinerators and, very importantly, on taking back our government so it is really is by the people for the people.

There are people working here on saving forests and here on clean production.80 People working on labor rights and fair trade and conscious consuming and blocking landfills and incinerators and, very importantly, on taking back our government so it is really is by the people for the people.

There are people working here on saving forests and here on clean production.80 People working on labor rights and fair trade and conscious consuming and blocking landfills and incinerators and, very importantly, on taking back our government so it is really is by the people for the people.

When people along this system get united, we can reclaim and transform this linear system into something new, a system that doesn’t waste resources or people.

When people along this system get united, we can reclaim and transform this linear system into something new, a system that doesn’t waste resources or people.

Because what we really need to chuck is this old-school throw-away mindset.

There’s a new school of thinking on this stuff and it’s based on sustainability and equity: Green Chemistry,81 Zero Waste,82

There’s a new school of thinking on this stuff and it’s based on sustainability and equity: Green Chemistry,81 Zero Waste,82

Closed Loop Production,83 Renewable Energy,84 Local living Economies.85 It’s already happening.

Some people say it’s unrealistic, idealistic, that it can’t happen.

It’s not like gravity that we just gotta live with.