The Story of Stuff
13 May 2009
Within my PhD research I’m exploring consumerism, and how within that, commodification affects our relationships with other people, and for Christian, our Christian identity and formation.
Yet after all the complex theories I have read, I have found that one of the simplest to follow and mot enduring resources for understanding our relationship to ‘things’, is the ‘Story of Stuff’.
The ‘Story of Stuff’ is a “…20-minute film that takes viewers on a provocative and eye-opening tour of the real costs of our consumer driven culture—from resource extraction to iPod incineration.”
You can view it here for free.
I think most of use don’t ever think about our relationship to the things they buy, where they come from, and how the ways things are made and sold, shapes us. I couldn’t recommend this movie more highly.
Tagged: Consumerism, Resources
2 comments
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Comment by steven hamilton
1.36 pm on 13 May 2009
…she does such a great job of presenting. we actually showed this to our faith community a few Sundays ago. we got a mixed reaction: from “finally, we are taking up issues that i have been concerned about for a while” to “wow, i never knew…” to “Liberal propaganda!”
i thought it was very informative, and a really good resource, even if just to provoke people to thinking about their relationship with “their stuff”…
peace
here is a little wordcraft while we are on the subject:
burdensome bounty on the shoulders of some
shifting are these shackles yet broken boredom
the weight of influence and money and homage
and what of a life marked with generosity and yet bondage
what a wearisome load riches can be
a broken bastion of trust – fait accompli
…wages that can empty a life of meaning
…luxurious days consumed in high-living
yet the legend of a saint whispers in our ears…
how is it that generosity endears
…to the Giver or the gifts??
Comment by alistair mackinnon
11.50 pm on 18 May 2009
Bruce alexander The Globalisation of Addiction
http://www.oupcanada.com/catalog/9780199230129.html
max weber the protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism
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