‘The Story of Stuff’ – a timely welcome to 2009
Jan 9th, 2009 by andrew skeoch
2009 is here, and we would like to wish all our friends and customers a personally rewarding and fulfilling year.
This may seem a little gratuitous considering the economic uncertainty in the world right now, but we are actually quite positive. Not just in the sense of ‘wait and see, things will gradually improve’, but because it is a time of opportunity for some really exciting changes.
From what we understand about the underlying causes of the current economic crisis, this one won’t simply go away in time. Environmental problems and social injustices have become serious enough, but the real problem is that our economic system has seriously run out of ways of wringing every last bit of profit out of everything and everyone. There is nowhere to turn in the quest for a return to a ‘growth economy’.
Now we need to create a sustainable economy, one that values people, communities, nature, and the good things in life. And as government and corporations haven’t a clue, the initiative is going to have to come from ordinary people. So we hope that 2009 sees a growing optimism about what humanity can achieve.
To get you going in a positive groove, we’d like to recommend you view the 20 minute video by Annie Leonard entitled ‘The Story of Stuff’.
It was made before recent events, but offers an entertaining overview of the economic system that shapes our lives. The associated website is rich with positive ideas and vision for the future.
http://www.storyofstuff.com/index.html
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