OSWALDO CALLEJAS BADILLO 00435210

ENGLISH FOR BUSINESS

The story of stuff

The material economy is the process that goes from the extraction,
production, distribution, consumption and final disposal of all the products
that we as people consume throughout our lives. The problem is that it is a
linear system where it is not a cycle and the planet's resources are limited, so
it is unsustainable since there will be a point where all the resources run out.

Behind all the processes people intervene and corporations are more
powerful than some governments. In fact, in the video they mention that of
the 1,000 largest economies in the world, counting governments, 51 are
corporations.

One of the data that surprised me the most is that in the last 3 decades a
third of the planet's natural resources have been consumed and that more
than 100,000 chemicals are used to transform raw materials into different
products. Also 99% of the things we consume are thrown away within 6
months.

Personally, the video is very reflective since we are in times where

consumerism has become something fundamental in our lives due to all the
bombardment of ads on social networks and the ideology that bringing the
newest products makes you a person with higher status and someone
important. Another factor is the design of things that is in line with fashion
and the advancement of technology too fast that makes people get rid of
their items in a very short time even though they still serve. And I agree with
the video that now people are less happy because they spend too many
hours of their day with material things and they have forgotten to live, that
is, to appreciate the things that surround us such as nature, our family,
friends, etc. We have to find a balance so as not to harm our planet and look
for new solutions.