INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHY

TOPIC 10- A GEOGRAPHY OF ECONOMIC INEQUALITY

EXERCISE- THE STORY OF STUFF

The "Story of Stuff Project- is a provocative video series initiated by Annie Leonard (she is trained in urban planning and regional development) and Free Range Studios in 2007 to call attention to the waste, injustice, and often hidden destructiveness of the modem "materials economy." It is a clever and entertaining project, but also challenges our shared national assumptions about necessary production and consumption. Annie and her staff continue to add to the series and there are now 12 linked videos (and a number of other clips). The perspective of environmental activism is evident, especially in the earlier films, but they are a powerful, and necessary, criticism of our contemporary consumer society, in which we often forget how "everything is connected."

The films are short (about 20 minutes) and loaded with information. In 2010 (reprinted 2011), Leonard published a book, The Story of Stuff: The Impact of Overconsumption on the Planet Our Communities, and Our Health-And How We Can Make It Better.

In class, we will view the first film in this series, "The Story of Stuff," to get you started.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. After class, review the first part of the series ("Story of Stuff') online at www.storyofstuff.org by clicking the "Movies" tab and then choosing the first link. An annotated script of the film with references is available on Blackboard.

2. Choose at least ONE more movie to watch from the following list (you may view the more recent segments, if you wish, and you are welcome to view and comment on more than one):

• "Story of Broke"          • "Story of Electronics"
• "Story of Cosmetics"    • "Story of Bottled Water"

3. In a written report, outline the main points of the first video ("The Story of Stuff") and identify and comment on the other video(s) that you watched.

• What is the general message of the videos about our current economic system?
• What did you learn from these videos and what do you think about that information?

Some people think that criticism of aspects of the American way of life is somehow "un-American." If you disagree with aspects of the films, I would be happy to read your productive and informed criticisms (remember to provide the sources of your information). If you think that the Story of Stuff is "anti-American" propaganda, then consider if your sources are "pro-American" propaganda that seeks to deceive and distract from productive engagement with serious issues.

Please remember to provide a proper and complete bibliographic listing of all videos (as well as any other sources that you used) at the end of your paper. Just a film title or web address is not adequate.