The presentation was well done, I think they did a good job integrating aspects from the chapter as well as introducing new perspectives. I think the documentary "The Corporation" did a good job of portraying multinational corps, and their influence on global media and consumers. I was appalled to find out that the 14th amendment has given corporations many of the same rights as 'persons'. I was curious if this was the same in Canada, and if these corporations can exercise their rights across the globe or just in the United States? I think that in granting corporations the same rights as persons we have in fact lost more rights. We are constantly exposed to only limited amounts of media that are filtered by a few multinational corporations. Our choices are limited and it is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid certain companies, especially those that have businesses in a variety of markets. The media we are receiving is one sided, corporations like Disney own ABC and regulate comments to ensure they will not tarnish their reputation. It is absurd when companies such as GE engage in vast amounts of environmental population and contamination, the general public will never hear about it, and they will maintain their reputation.
Going Green has been the front end focus of many corporations. Many manufacture eco-friendly products and claim they are using more efficient resources. Companies like Wal-mart claim they are 'Going Green' and they currently have a line of Green products to enforce their Green reputation. The environmental movement has enforced corporations to appear as though they are changing to meet the needs of sustainability. Companies are promoting green products, but behind closed doors they are still engaging in the same old environmental misconduct. The new green products work as a blinding mechanism, whereby both the corporations and consumers feel like they are doing their part, one more purchase at a time.
Greensumption
I found a short YouTube clip called 'Greensumption' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft5SSIfmeKU&feature=PlayList&p=9BDEDA868F51DB6A&playnext=1&index=2 it is a sarcastic clip that pokes fun at the new market of green products. It also raises the issues of our lifestyles. The video proposes that green products will not help save the environment unless people also change their lifestyle and consumption habits. Do you think that in our increasingly neo-liberal, individualistic society people are willing to consume less?
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I agree with that idea of how green products will not help save the environment. Our entire society is looking for new technologies and new products that are "better for the environment", and we are now replacing old products with more expensive green products and we are essentially made to feel guilty for not buying them. Why are we even looking to consume new products as an option for a solution?!? We are just pumping in more money into the system that is causing all the problems in the first place! We as citizens can do so much more than just buying new "green products", we can do little things at home like turning the lights off, picking up one piece of garbage a day, carry cloth bags to grocery stores, etc etc. Lets stop buying and lets start saving... the planet ;)
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