Technological Advances- or Tomorrow's Garbage?

Thursday's seminar showed us the affects of technological change. The text discussed the history of technology and the changes within agriculture and industry. The article Greg and Katelyn chose went more in depth discussing the key issues that are affecting us currently (e-waste). Finally the film rounded out the presentation by showing a visual representation of what technology is doing to the growing global environment. The presentation was very affective, and it helped to further my knowledge on the issue, and become more aware of my consumptive habits.

The reality in Edward Burtynsky's "Manufactured Landscapes" is breath taking. I have known about e-waste for a couple of years now, but I have never been aware of it visually. The nature of it is cyclical. As we develop products we exploit other nations to engage in cheap labour. Then we buy vast amounts of unnecessary commodities- we throw them in the garbage without a care. Finally the countries that are exploited to help 'us' progress become our trash cans. The article discusses the nature of consumerism in Western society. As consumers we are told that is it cheaper to buy a new product than fix a broken one. When we throw out old products we rarely consider where they are coming from, and where they end up. I am sure most individuals just assume they are recycled and reused, but they forget question where this process takes place. I think in our current status driven society individuals are concerned about having the latest technologies. When the new iPhone was released onto the market, I can imagine that many people who had perfectly good cell phones chose to upgrade and ditch their old one. Technology is changing at an increasing rate, it is seen as progress, and no one wants to be left behind.

Something Fun and Interesting

All of the talk of technology and waste reminded me of a quiz I took online for another course. The quiz measures your individual ecological footprint, and at the end it tells you how many worlds it would take to sustain your lifestyle. So I recommend that you take the quiz and it might encourage you to live more sustainably, and be less wasteful. Have Fun! And let me know what you think!
http://www.myfootprint.org/