Shopping. What image is forefront when you contemplate the act of shopping? For me, it's the Galleria in Dallas, TX - a large 4 story, glass laden shopping center in the heart of downtown Dallas. I did not grow up in Dallas, but my family used to vacation there regularly at summer's end during those dreadful "back to school" weeks.
Well, I found myself back in the Galleria this past week with my own kids. (My parents now live there and we took our girls ice skating... and yes, the Galleria has an ice skating rink.) And though the mall scene seems to be dying in much of the country, the Galleria was for the most part the same. Still 4 stories. Still lots of glass. Still buy this, buy that.
Having been doing a little "wondering about consumerism" recently - my entrance into the Galleria was unique this go around. My ears perked when I witnessed a seemingly normal interaction between a mother and a young girl outside of Macy's. Grabbing her mom's shirt, the young girl pleaded to go ice skating while attempting to prevent her away from the grand Macy's entrance. The mom simply replied: "not now... not until we go buy some stuff."
I paused to contemplate the seemingly normal interaction.
"Not now... not until we go buy some stuff."
Really? Some "stuff"? Just going to buy some "stuff"?
I am not sure this oh-so-patriotic moment would have caught my attention had I not recently seen a particular short sent to me recently by a friend.
The Story of Stuff is a 20 minute animated web-short that looks at "the real costs of our culture's use-it and lose-it approach to stuff." Written and hosted by Annie Leonard, the "story" takes you through the general life of a particular good (i.e. an iPod) and its production and consumption patterns, or as Leonard would describe - the processes from "extraction" to "disposal."
To be honest, it was difficult for me to get past the first 5 minutes the first go around. Leonard reminded me of my 3rd grade teacher and I "might" possess a bit of a hyper-skeptical personality. Once I moved passed my nominal realities, I realized it impacted me. I was not only second guessing my recent splurges; I was second guessing my recent disposals.
Though a few generalities might be a bit too simplified, The Story of Stuff nails one of the things we value most here at rednoW - and that is asking the questions. In this case, the questions revolve around consumption. Why? Are we addicted? Are we careless? Are we oblivious? I applaud Leonard's entrance into the conversation and invite you to join in.
The Story of Stuff recently earned itself a web-award for "Best Educational Website" at this year's SXSW.
Enjoy.
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Related Content and Links:
- Wondering About Capitalism: The One Percent
- The Story of Stuff Website
- The Story of Stuff on YouTube
- The Story of Stuff (.mov)
- Free Range Studios (Produced The Story of Stuff)
The Story of Stuff (Trailer)
