Lab+4

**Tutorial #4 Wiki Question:**
Analyze the information architecture of the "Story of Stuff" web site, and describe how it has been designed to maximize its content as a teaching tool to deliver complex information. (2 paragraphs)

The "Story of Stuff" website was created by Annie Leonard. It is organized in to simple and clear categories that are designed to maximize the website's content and deliver complex information to viewers. The design of the website also allows for easy navigation. Viewers can quickly direct themselves to the informative articles or the options - Act, Learn, Share - if they wanted to get involved. The ACT link, provides viewers with ways to get involved and help the environment such as wasting less, and powering down. The learn link allows viewers to recognize the materials in the economy with five important stages. Finally, the share will allow viewers to help others recognize this issue by posting the website on popular social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. This easy design is beneficial to both the creators and audience of this website. Why? Because it provides self awareness. The website is viewed, advertised, and circulated solely by the users.

Furthermore, I personally find the story very interesting. The 20 minute video about the material economy is visually appealing. Annie Leonard uses animations to convey her message across. However, for others that are not compelled by willingness to watch this fun documentary, there are fun and interactive visuals in replace. There is also a balanced variety of content: text, images, maps and illustrations that are used to help convey the message.


 * Describe each stage of the material economy. (6 paragraphs/one stage each paragraph)**

**Extraction** Extraction refers to the exploitation of the earth's natural resources such as animals, water, minerals, and plants. As a result we are running out of resources; they are being wasted quicker than the earth can renew. In response to the lack of resources the U.S. simply takes from the third world countries. According to the U.S. corporations, those living in these third world countries do not have any value because they do not own land or contribute to the economy.

**Production** In the production stage, energy is used to mix toxic chemicals with natural resources to make products that have thousands of synthetic chemicals in them. For example, BFRs are a chemical that make things fireproof and can be found in computers, appliances, couches, and pillows, however they are very toxic. Many of these toxins have been proven to be harmful to human and environmental health.

**Distribution** Distribution is the next stage of the material economy. Here, toxic products are sold at a low price to the masses in order to keep consumers buying and inventory moving. Essentially, the prices are kept down by externalizing the costs.

**Consumption** Consumption is the engine that drives the material economy. Producers, with the help of advertisements and society, make us believe that we not only need to continue shopping but also need to consume the newest products out there in order to lead happier lives. However, in reality consumers are on this vicious work, watch, and spend treadmill. In turn, increasing rates in consumption means more waste and greenhouse gasses are released, degrading the environment, affecting local communities and in turn the whole planet.

**Disposal** The final stage is the disposal of the products once we are finished with them. All this "garbage" is thrown into landfills or incinerated. Either way, both pollute the planet. Incineration releases those toxics into the air that were originally put into the product at the production stage. As the volume and toxicity of waste increases over time, it has become too large of a problem for recycling to solve.

**Another Way** It is important for people to develop a new mindset and adopt the new school of thinking, which is based on sustainability and equity: Green Chemistry, Zero Waste, Closed Loop Production, Renewable Energy, and Local living Economies. Some people say its unrealistic but the old way did not just happen itself, people have to create it.