The Story of Stuff

When I first typed in storyofstuff.com into my Firefox browser it all seemed a little elementary at first. Heck, with the pencil animations it really is. However, this site about the world’s linear consumption system works. Why? Because it spells it out in a way that even a child could understand, or, should I say, an uninformed adult.

The 20 minute film on the homepage of the site takes the viewer through a series of events: extraction, production, distribution, consumption and disposal. It tells how each works in today’s world and what is wrong with them. It also talks about the lovely relationship we see between the American Government and Big Corporations.

As I said before, it is elementary in a way, but the simplicity really mirrors the simplicity of the situation: this isn’t rocket science and we obviously can’t keep running on a linear system like we are now.
So, what will you do? Or what are you doing?
I hope that in your present career or in your future one you will find a way to contribute to the shutdown of this system and the movement toward a sustainable system.

Here is the YouTube version of the video, but I recommend that you take a look at the original site here.




CLICK HERE to find out what you can do right now.

Best Of PostSecret: And Mother Would Remind Me That the Grass Always Looked Greener on the Other Side.

What a beautifully horrible thing to be able to recognize. Yet, a response to the below secret is what struck me even harder this week.



Below this secret an email message to Frank, founder of Post Secret, was posted: "Lets exchange flaws."
It was later removed for unknown reasons.

But the brief exchange between these two anonymous figures made me recognize a very amazing gift that my parents gave me, but I have forgotten in recent months. You always want what another person has, yet if you were that person you would want exactly what you have. My parents gave me the ability to recognize that--and for the life of me I'm going to cling to it.

I never used to wish that things were different, but lately all I can do is wish. No more of that nascence. I'm grateful for every experience I've had: the good, the bad, and everything in between.

Once again, Post Secret has reminded me of something I desperately needed to remember. And that is why everyone should log on once in a while.

I think Post Secrete keeps me sane--keeps me human.

Visit Post Secret Here.

Best Of PostSecret: People on a Bus

This week on PostSecret’s Sunday Secrets:


Within 24 hours of the secret being put up Frank, founder of PostSecret, put up these two emails he received about the secret:
_______________________________________
Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2009 3:55 AM
Subject: Bus seat

I make a conscious effort to sit and stand next to the "creepiest" people in hopes that they will not feel like they are avoided. I hope acknowledging them as people with no differences brings a little dignity.


-----Email Message-----
Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2009 7:42 PM
Subject: Re: Bus Seat

I've noticed for months now that people hardly sit next to me and when the bus fills up, I'm often the last person anyone will sit next to. Even though I don't understand why, it has had a significant effect on my self-esteem (to the point where I've brought it up in therapy).

Sitting next to me is probably one of the kindest things a stranger could do.
_______________________________________
I found the first response such a relief—it was good to know that not everyone in the world is so cruel.
I found the second response sad. I really hope that the person knows that not everyone on the planet is so mean.
Now, about buses. I find each bus ride I take so . . . educational. Is there a better place to observe the reactions of people? Like shown above, some people make it a horrible experience for others, but overall, for an innocent observer like me, it is a gold mine of human quirks.
Because of my fascination, I often get caught staring. I hope people know that I’m not staring at them because I think they are weird. More so that I find them fascinating . . . which, in my world, is a good thing.
Also, this secret reminded me of a short story I started a while ago and never finished. The story is about a person riding a bus that looks at each of the other passengers and makes all sorts of stereotypical observations about them. The story follows the person’s thoughts, which are much exaggerated in order to display how unruly such stereotypical reactions to people are.
Problem is I have no idea how to end it. I really should get on that.