Very interesting lecture. Annie Leonard is a good speaker, well educated and is carrying strong opinions. The clip is three years old, but still more up-to-date than ever. The topic concerns every one of us.
However, I can’t help having a feeling of the lecture kind of back firing. The more I watch, the more I’m convinced that Leonard is not at all objective, thus making the clip a lot less credible. For example, she mentions that 99 % av everything we consume is trashed in six months. C’mon, how is that meassured? Is 1 % of the number of things kept, or 1 % of the value? If I in six months I buy 99 cartons of milk and 1 iPod, but only keep the Ipod, does that make me a polluter? Either if the value is calculated or not, it doesn’t really seem to fit in my life. Annie, more sources please.
Okay, to be a bit reasonable, I totally agree with her. The earth is going down, and we got to something. Enlighten people sure is a good start. But to just stop, or reduce, our consumerism isn’t that easy. As she mentions, it has become our culture to do so. Although I’m not too fond of the government getting more power and influence, I believe taxes on especially hazardous goods would be the fastest way to make people consume less. We can’t count on the companies to produce less, or switch to less profitable ways of production, just as you never would agree to a reduction of your salary. Even if they did agree to that, it would mean a lot of people getting canned. Not so sure that’s what Annie Leonard wants.
I think the best thing to do, is to aim for more progress in technology and science, saving the earth that way. Let’s just hope we get there before more countries reach the consumtion rate of the U.S., because then we’re screwed.
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SvaraRaderaThere is no doubt that U.S. is a shocking example, even though Annie Leonard’s presentation left me uninfluenced. I agree with you; her facts don’t seem to reflect me and my life. As you say the best thing is to keep our fingers crossed for further technological and scientific progress. I assure you; as students of English for Scientists and Engineers, we will contribute to save the world!
SvaraRaderaI really enjoyed reading your text, you make good points.
Cheerio!
I like the fact that you question her facts and just don’t swallow it whole. I agree with you; It has become a part of our way of life to consume more than prior generations. And I think this is the core of the problem at hand. It´s a part of our way. And this is what makes it so hard to do anything about it. However, you have to start at some end of it and as you say, enlightening people is probably the best, and only start.
SvaraRaderaWell written
Gustav, OUT!