Story of Stuff, The

Synopsis: This 20-minute online film takes a provocative look at our consumer-driven culture from resource extraction to iPod incineration exposing the real costs of this use-it and lose-it approach to material goods. Activist Annie Leonard, the film’s narrator and an expert on the materials economy, examines the social, environmental and global costs of extraction, production, distribution, consumption and disposal. She discusses how economic policies of the post-World War II era ushered in notions of consumerism and how those notions are still driving much of the U.S. and global economies today.
From the limited life cycle of personal computers to changes in footwear fashion, Leonard demonstrates that products are either designed to be regularly replaced or to convince consumers that their stuff needs to be upgraded. This notion of planned and perceived obsolescence drives the machine of American consumerism year round.
Language: English
Country: United States
Year of release: 2007
Year of production: 2007
Documentation: Supporting information available from the storyofstuff website
Subjects: Economics; Social sciences
Keywords: environmental issues; product development; consumerism

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British Universities Film & Video Council