Story of Stuff
This may be another one that falls into the category of, "yeah, already seen it." It isn't cutting edge new. But it's very worthwhile! In case you haven't seen it, or if you'd like a refresher course on how our consumption affects our planet and the people on it, please watch Story of Stuff. It's 20 minutes and 40 seconds of your life well spent - and entertaining, besides! It's the simplest, clearest explanation I've encountered about where all of our "stuff" comes from, where it ends up, and why it matters.
It's also a partial answer to my posting on the Nature of Power, my question about what it means for an individual American to wield American power. (Though it applies to other countries, too.) At the time I wrote that post, I was thinking more about government. But Story of Stuff makes crystal clear how each of us affects the world - and ultimately world hunger - with our purchase decisions every day. Instant empowerment!
It's also a partial answer to my posting on the Nature of Power, my question about what it means for an individual American to wield American power. (Though it applies to other countries, too.) At the time I wrote that post, I was thinking more about government. But Story of Stuff makes crystal clear how each of us affects the world - and ultimately world hunger - with our purchase decisions every day. Instant empowerment!
Labels: consumption, education, lifestyle stewardship, Story of Stuff, world hunger
posted by Nancy Michaelis |
4 Comments:
Fascinating video. It contains so much truth that we are aware of but tend to suppress from our everyday consciousness. However, some details were not quite true.
I was not able to find the quote of Victor LeBeau in a verifiable reference by internet search. In fact I couldn't find a reference to him at all except linked to the video. Have I spelled his name right? I do believe that the quote defines current American values but would like to verify the quotation. Can someone out there help?
Following a quick internet search, I was not able to find a verifiable reference to the Victor LeBeau quotation. In fact I wasn’t able to find a reference to Victor LeBeau at all except through secondary links to the Story of Stuff presentation. Perhaps I’m spelling his name wrong? Can anyone help me document the source of the quote? Thanks
pk
I've found the Victor LeBow reference. (Knowing how to spell his name made it easier).
LeBow, Victor; Price Competition in 1955; Journal of Retailing, Vol. XXXI no. 1, pg 5, Spring 1955.
The quote from the Story of Stuff I'm referring to is
"Our enormously productive economy demands that we make consumption a 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-increasing rate."
LeBow probably followed his earlier statement to its logical conclusion. In a foggy secondary reference to another book, LeBow apparently said at least part of the following:
It can't expand any more, and the survival of capitalism depends on expansion; the exhaustion of energy
and critical raw materials is another major reason;
pollution a third. These inexorable factors have a prejudicial psychological effect, already in
evidence: "With the limits imposed on its growth will come an "exhaustion of spirit" and changes in the values, ambitions, and morale of the business system."
(http://www.manasjournal.org/
pdf_library/VolumeXXIX_1976/
XXIX-41.pdf)
This information was initially presented on another blog:
http://www.whatdoino-steve.blogspot.com/
2007/12/victor-lebows-complete-
original-1955.html
and seems to check out well.
pk
Thanks for providing this, pk!
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