Lab+Assignment+Four


 * Write three paragraphs on how Annie Leonard defines the system of the 'materials economy' and describes its interactions.**

Annie Leonard defines the system of materials economy as both a social and economic progressive lifestyle that interacts with peoples’ real life, manifesting in evidence of consumerism. She argues that this system directly affects values in our society, considering our lifestyles and social values are based solely on material goods. This system of materials economy, although is described as a ‘cycle of goods’, is merely a linear model, a problematic system shaping our entire society.

The system of materials economy consists of five stages: extraction, production, distribution, consumption and disposal. Despite the fact that the flash presents each stage in the cycle individually and then links them together to represent an overview of the model, it is not difficult to see that this system of materials economy is just an endless, repetitive cycle of destroying our values in terms of environment, society, as well as human rights.

Annie also talks about its interactions, stating that every step in the cycle, the system is interacting with the real world and every aspect of it including societies, cultures, economies, and the environment. She also shows some of the interactions that are not included in the system, but are essentially important: people and resources. The system is in a way challenging the limits of human labor, a balanced environment, and consumers’ socio-economic values. However, Annie points out that we could all change the system by changing the way things are normally done.


 * Define extraction, production, distribution, consumption and disposal. (One paragraph for each term)**

Extraction: the process of eradicating and taking away natural resources from the environment. The natural materials extracted are then taken to the next step and made into consumer goods. Extraction is harmful to the environment and Annie argues that it is just “another fancy word for trashing the environment.”

Production: the second stage in the system of material economy in which involves the creation and making of natural resources into consumer goods. This stage is also harmful to our environment because in the process of producing goods, toxic chemicals are often added and release more toxic elements to the environment.


 * Distribution: the process of selling the goods to markets, retailers and then to consumers. Distribution of the goods must be done speedily because then more materials can be made to sell. Annie points out that in order to sell more stuff, the goods are often marked lower prices which do not reflect the costs of making them --- the externalized costs. **
 * Consumption: the stage at which people feel the need to buy more ‘stuff’. Annie says, consumers are influenced by the consumer culture created by government and corporations together. The authority makes it seem necessary and important for people to keep buying new stuff to keep the materials flow in the markets. **

Disposal: the final stage of the material economy, which involves the disposing of material goods after constant consumption. One particular concern of this stage is again the fact that it is harmful to out environment. Annie says that we produce too much waste and dispose them in inefficiently wrong ways of either burning them or dumping them in some parts of the world and destroying our ecosystems.


 * How does her Flash presentation effectively organize the categories comprising 'the materials economy' in its interface design? (2 paragraphs)**

The Flash presentation effectively conveys Annie’s argument of a materials economy by making her points more clear and entertaining. The flash presentation more vividly illustrates her message by displaying cartoon characters and Annie on the same screen.

She also incorporates difference elements of design at every stage in the materials economy model. For example, the cartoon design of the government and corporations is very capturing. Furthermore, the five distinctive stages are also presented separately and then incorporated together to give a bigger picture of her intended message. In all, the flash presentation is both a simple and meaningful design to help the audience understand the message more clearly and make the presentation more memorable.