The "Story of Stuff" Discussion: Part 2

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The "Story of Stuff" Discussion: Part 2

March 5, 2008 - 1:55pm

When we left off in chapter one Annie had just said that one of the things missing from the "system" on the white board was people. Part of what she's saying is that when we discuss the bigger picture of the "materials economy" - or what I'm calling the "consumer culture" - we tend to talk about the larger, abstract mechanistic structures that dominate the system, but we often forget that the whole thing involves regular folks. These regular folks are part of corporations, work as employees, serve in governments, live as citizens, and, of course, shop as consumers. Moreover, she said that some people in the system have more authority over how the system operates than others.

In this installment, Annie discusses the first abstract mechanistic structure in the system, namely "Extraction" and its consequences. Please watch the 2 min video below and then comment on the questions I've proposed as a starting point for discussion.

My questions:

1. Is it a problem that the United States represents 5% of the world's population, but consumes 30% of the world's resources? If not, then why not?

2. If so, what kind of problem is it? A stewardship problem, a political problem, an economic problem, a moral problem, or something else?

Remember, we're not looking for political or economic recommendations at this point, so resist the temptation to advocate for a certain type of solution. I'm just looking for everyone's perspective on the nature of the problem (if there is one).

By the way, the best quote of the film so far in my opinion: "In this system, if you don't own or buy alot of stuff, you don't have value." But more on that in a later installment.

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rcpae

says...

1. Yes! 2. All of the above!?

My answer to the first question is certainly yes. In simplest terms lets pretend there are 100 of us at a dinner table with 100 meals. You, Paul, Tom, Bob and I eat 30 of the meals. Once all the food is distributed there won’t be enough for everyone.

The second question is a yes to all (In my opinion). I think it starts with stewardship. I think we take for granted this wonderful world God has given us. In saying that I think we need to look at it as a gift from God and we should use it accordingly.

Politically I think there's got to be a middle ground. I don't think people should lose jobs and not be able to take care of their families so a rare rodent can continue to live in his natural habitat. Conversely, I don't think we should willfully run a species out of existence to profit from its habitat. There has to politically be a middle ground.

Economically, I have one quote: "In this system, if you don't own or buy a lot of stuff, you don't have value." Our "keep up with the Jones" mentality has to have something to do with this. This way of thinking is why everyone is in debt up to their eyebrows!!

Last, I think morally coincides with stewardship. We're audacious enough to think if it's available or can be made available we should profit from it. Shame on us! Our society originally drew its moral belief structure from Biblical principals, and we are so far away from that it's sickening.

Julie w

says...

"Is it a problem that the

"Is it a problem that the United States represents 5% of the world's population, but consumes 30% of the world's resources? If not, then why not?"

I've tried to look up how true that actually is - seems to be from what little I've been able to "study" so far myself.

The thing is - at face value - yes. It seems like too much. And in SO many ways it is a huge problem. However, with every ONE resource we use, there are a plethora of reasons why and HOW we use it. Some ways are to help ourselves. Some ways are to help those in *other* countries. Some ways are just down right hoarding, selfish and wasteful. So, some reasons why and HOW we use every ONE resource can be good, some reasons can be bad and some are just understandable but are in need of fixing.

I'm a firm believer that if you have the money to spend and you want to....spend it. I may not agree with how or why someone spends their money BUT it's their business. I think the more important issue is to share and LIVE the values of God infront of people. That way others - including our own selves - will hopefully come around more to see the importance of good stewardship that God calls for us all to live by and more will start changing their ways in a Godly manner.

I also believe that part of being a good steward of this earth
is to help replinish those resources we use when and how we can (for those resources that we CAN replinish). I also believe in what Jenell said on the last blog on this which is (can't remember word for word) the earth is cabable in healing itself. Yes, humans can and have done many destructable things to this earth. But the earth is an amazing living thing! And I beleive it's capable of replinishing and healing itself a lot on it's own. Again though, we need to respect the "house" we live in and if we've made a mess....we need to do our best and clean it up.

"If so, what kind of problem is it? A stewardship problem, a political problem, an economic problem, a moral problem, or something else?"

Yes.

Jason Coker

says...

Thanks Julie

Thanks Julie for your comments. I agree that individual consumption can either be good or bad, but just because we can purchase 33% of the world's goods, does that mean we should? Doesn't that essentially equate to an economic "might makes right" argument?

Just trying to cause some trouble here... : )

Regards,
Jason Coker
Twoshirts.org Team

Julie w

says...

"Just trying to cause some

"Just trying to cause some trouble here... : )"

I wouldn't expect anything less.:-)

"but just because we can purchase 33% of the world's goods, does that mean we should?

No, but then again, as I've said for MANY years now....God gives us all a freedom to choose. Just because we make a choice, doesn't mean it's the right one. It's just simply are freedom to make that choice. But again, for every one resource, there's tons of ways and reason why we consume it.

"Doesn't that essentially equate to an economic "might makes right" argument?"

Perhapes. I don't look at it that way but I'm sure many others out there do. That's why it's so important to live the life of good stewardship in front of people. Not because the government tries to make certain rules and regulations on certain resources. And not because environmentalists demand with great alarm that we "clean up our act" but simply because God gave us this home to live on. And by showing others that it's our responsibility to care for it with as much honor and respect as we can because we're God's children, then hopefully that will incourage and influence people more.

Jason Coker

says...

Thanks randy

Thanks for your comments Randy. I think the issue of stewardship raises some provocative questions if we're willing to really follow it out. For example, are we called to be good stewards of the earth first, or of people? If it's people, then how are we best to care for them? Jobs and profit tend to be the industrialist's answer to that question, at least in recent history but that answer has itself led us to this very predicament, where we're not being very good stewards of either people or the earth.

Maybe capitalism doesn't turn greed into a virtue after all...

Regards,
Jason Coker
Twoshirts.org Team

Brian.Stevenson

says...

Educate and Persuade

"Is it a problem that the United States represents 5% of the world's population, but consumes 30% of the world's resources? If not, then why not?"

It's definitely a problem and Annie used a powerful illustration to make her point. If everyone wanted to consume as many resources as the United States we would need 5 planets! I'm not an economics genius, but I do understand the basics of "supply and demand" phenomenon. If there is more demand for a resource, suppliers will produce more to meet the demand, and the price goes up. Why? We're willing to pay more because the demand is so high. What will happen if there is not enough supply to meet demand? Fewer people are able to buy and the prices go up even more. The supply and demand phenomenon has lead to a very serious problem: Inflation. We see outrageous inflation in areas such as: Medical and prescription costs, college tuition, housing market, and gasoline (just to name a few).

Do we really want to live in a world where 100% of the population is demanding as many resources as the United States? If so, you had better get a second or even third job to pay for your stuff.

"If so, what kind of problem is it? A stewardship problem, a political problem, an economic problem, a moral problem, or something else?"

While I certainly agree with all of those suggestions, I would say the problem could possibly be traced back to ignorance (lack of knowledge) and indifference (lack of concern). Are the people of the United States truly aware of the ramifications of their actions? Do they have the whole story? If they have heard the whole story, do they even care? I have a feeling that's why Annie produced "The Story of Stuff". She is trying to educate (remove our ignorance) and persuade (challenge our indifference).

rcpae

says...

People First!!

I think God set the "pecking order" with creation. Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, [a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground." (Genesis 1:26) Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so. (Genesis 1:29-30)

Obviously he gave us dominion over the earth, and in doing so had to have set the order of importance (for lack of a better term). But looking at creation God has left us in charge of his mighty creation. After creating Adam, the first man, the Bible says, "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it" (Genesis 2:15). God didn't tell him to exploit the world or treat it recklessly, but to watch over it and use it wisely. Like a good ruler, we should seek the welfare of everything God entrusts to us—including the creation. The Bible says, "A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal" (Proverbs 12:10).

jason dougherty

says...

Baloo the Bear

This is a topic essential for consideration by any disciple walking in The Way. I've really enjoyed the intellectual rigor that has been brought to bear in the discussions so far. Thanks to all. It is apparent that a cultural and psychological recalibration is in order, not merely for sustainment, but also for healthy enjoyment.

Speaking of "bear", my wild-eyed five year old boy reminded me of a take on the subject I thought worthy of inclusion. Toward this end, some choice admonitions follow, offered by the beloved Baloo the Bear, Jungle Book's most laid back character, who manages to capture, I think, something of the carefree spirit of those traveling safely in the care of Jehova Jirah:

Look for the bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife
I mean the bare necessities
Old Mother Nature's recipes
That brings the bare necessities of life

Wherever I wander, wherever I roam
I couldn't be fonder of my big home
The bees are buzzin' in the tree
To make some honey just for me
When you look under the rocks and plants
And take a glance at the fancy ants
Then maybe try a few
The bare necessities of life will come to you
They'll come to you!

Look for the bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife
I mean the bare necessities
That's why a bear can rest at ease
With just the bare necessities of life.

norret

says...

WOW

That is so cool and true and i just love your picture on your profile, i would love to have that framed, as my husband is a fisher (is that word?) NOT, but it would look so cool in his Den and that story would even look great framed! Loved It!! And is your Son called Fish??

norret

says...