PED 3102 Blog Post #5

The video “The Story of Stuff” discusses where our stuff goes when we throw it out. In a fast paced, informative video Annie Leonard explains how stuff moves through a system and a series of steps that are not always clear cut. She dissects this system further and explains how it is in crisis. She demonstrates how the government is at the top of this system and corporations are slowly taking control of the government. The steps move from extraction of natural resources, production mixing with toxins, distribution, consumption (which is heightened by the media) and finally disposal of products in landfills. All of these factors are contributing to a changing climate and the polluting of our environment.

The video “Story of Change” discusses the shortcomings of “going green” and that there seems to be a lot of blame placed upon you if you cannot buy the “green” stuff. Living green is expensive and solutions will only happen if citizens come together to change the rules of the game. We must change what the economy prioritizes and work hard to get organized to focus on the big idea. By going to the change makers such as investigators, communicators, builders, resisters, nurtures and networkers we can help to make a new economy that puts safe products and happy people first.

I believe that the video “The Story of Stuff” is an effective video for adults and possibly youth but not for children. I think that the ideas and concepts introduced in the video are significant issues that children and youth need to learn about but I do not think that a fast paced video that uses difficult terminology is the best way to go about teaching them. Teaching students about democratic citizenship is extremely important in order to enable them to make their own decisions. Equipping students with the knowledge, skills and understanding to empower them to demand and exercise their rights individually and within a society. I think the ideas presented in both the story of stuff and story of change are extremely important and it is best for students to learn about at a young age. This way they can learn early what has happened and what is happening in the world and be able to form their own ideologies.

Do you think it is more important to discuss these issues at the primary/junior level or at the intermediate/senior level? When did you learn about these historical and social processes in your educational experience?

What are some other strategies or activities to teach primary/junior students about global capitalist economy and consumerism?

Video Resources:

The Story of Stuff: http://storyofstuff.org/movies/story-of-stuff/

Story of Change: http://storyofstuff.org/movies/story-of-change/