Video Reflection: The Story of Stuff

The Story of Stuff video was an informative and interesting intake on the situation on the lifecycle of products. While the animation was entertaining and would appeal t younger audiences, the message was clear to everyone the seriousness of humanities wastefulness when it comes to consumption.

The video focuses only on America’s contribution to the waste and toxic that is being produced, having only four percent of their forests left and forty percent of their rivers undrinkable, it makes you think how much resources is left worldwide with all the top powered, manufacturing countries combined.

What surprised me about the video is how direct Annie attacks the big corporations and the government, going so far as to show the government wiping corporate shoes. Although the animation is very direct, the message it portrays is clear as day, the powerful nations treat the third world nations as their own property, and are doing as they wish with those resources with little regard to the natural habitants of that area and the natural wildlife.

What was an interesting piece of information to me was the process a product goes through to achieve low costs, when Annie explained all the sacrifices made by people to achieve a low cost radio, it made me feel a bit of discomfort as I think of all the products I buy without realising the cuts other people have gone through.

I feel that it is very unfair that people are forced to work in the harshest of environments, having to work in areas where they are exposed to harmful toxins and chemicals, for a corporation that has claimed their resources. It is also slightly alarming that just recycling is not enough to make a critical difference in the usage of resources, as manufacturing plants produce so much more.

Overall I enjoyed the video and found it very informative and detailed in the lifecycle of products. I feel that actions must be taken by everyone to minimise the damage done to the Earth and to preserve its resources. The video has also made me aware of the products that I buy and inspired me to help design towards a less wasteful future.