"The Story of Stuff"

Sustainably Sadie

“The Story of Stuff”

A good friend recommended that I check out the “Story of Stuff” you tube video.  A 21 minute low-budget (part of the sustainability endeavor) documentary-style film discusses how since the 1950s governments and, to a larger extent, corporations have forced stuff onto us through planned obsolescence and perceived obsolescence.   The film goes on to explain that having to replace items every six months, and that fashion trends change in order to label those who are behind the times and those who are “with it” are causing irreparable harm to our planet. 

If you have twenty minutes to spare, check out “Story of Stuff” and if it inspires you…go on to cruise the website, storyofstuff.com.  My searching of the website led me to a clip of Annie Leonard (author of Story of Stuff) being interviewed by Stephen Colbert on the Colbert Report.  Leonard says in the interview that we don’t have to give up our “stuff” but that we should have greater reverence for our stuff and how it affects the environmental health of our planet. 

“Can shopping save the world?”  The storyofstuff.com website offers the project’s newest movie and a short synopsis, “The Story ofChange.”  “The Story of Change urges viewers to put down their credit cards and to start exercising their citizen muscles to build a more sustainable, just and fulfilling world.”  A shorter film referred to as Episode 1 of Season 2, it offers that to make real change we shouldn’t feel guilty about not always being able to afford the greenest products but that we should become part of the larger movement that demands change from the governing bodies.  The larger movement is made up of different types of Changemaker Personalities:  Builders, Communicators, Investigators, Nurturers, Networkers, and Resisters.  The website offers a quiz that helps you to identify which type of Changemaker you are.  I took the quiz (who doesn’t love personality quizzes) and guess what??  Nurturer!  I know, you’re totally surprised. 

So if you’re interested in this sustainability stuff, if you want to learn more about positive ways you can make a difference and help to preserve the planet for future generations, check out storyofstuff.com.  Watch the videos and become the change you wish to see in the world (thank you Gandhi).  And feel free to share your sustainable successes by posting comments at www.sustainablysadie.blogspot.com (I will have time to update the blog soon, I promise)   or emailing sustainablysadie@hotmail.com.  I know that in our small community there are many people making sustainable choices every day.  The values from pre-1950, “stewardship, resourcefulness and thrift” as mentioned in the film, are alive and well here in Southwest Montana as well as the focus on Local Living Economies.  You have every right to brag about how you are saving the planet by shopping at your local second-hand store, about your amazing recycling endeavors and how your Random Acts of Kindness are preserving this place we call home. 

Twin Bits

From TBS Calendar:

Jan. 9 – 11:  Semester Tests

Thurs Jan 10:  Wrestling Mixer @ Corvallis, 5 pm; VFW Mts @ MT Room, 7:30 pm

Fri Jan 11:  End of 2^nd Qtr/ 1^st Semester; Early Out, 12:30pm; Wrestling Mixer @ Dillon, 1pm; BB @ Lima, 5:30 pm

Sat Jan 12:  Speech & Drama meet @ Laurel, leave Friday pm after bus routes; BB w/ Sheridan @ Home, GBGB, 2:30 pm;  Little Dribblers (girls) play at half-time of varsity games

Mon Jan 14:  No School; Trailblazers 4-H mts @ Lunch Room, 7 pm

Tues Jan 15:  BB w/ Boulder @ Home “C” Squads, B- 5:45 pm/ G- 7 pm; JrHi BBB @ Whitehall, 4 pm; Reg. School Board Mtg @ MT Room, 7 pm

Wed Jan 16:  Speech & Drama Open House for public @ MT Room, 7 pm

Thurs Jan 17:  JrHi BBB @ Townsend, 4 pm

Fri Jan 18:  FFA attending KMON contests @ Cascade/ Great Falls; Wrestling Class A Duals @ Belgrade; BB w/ Harrison @ Home BGBG, 2:30 pm; Little Dribblers (boys) play @ half-time of varsity games

Sat Jan 19:  FFA attending KMON contests @ Cascade/ Great Falls; Wrestling @ Belgrade; JrHi BBB  @ TB tourney; BB @ Gardiner BGBG, 2:30 pm

I’m here to share news and events for the Ruby Valley.  Contact me at 684-5222, at above Sustainably Sadie addresses or snail mail, Box 491 TB 59754.