Lab+4

**__Write three paragraphs on how Annie Leonard defines the system of the 'materials economy' and describes its interactions__**
Annie Leonard defines the 'materials economy' as a system with five stages: Extraction, production, distribution, consumption and disposal. These stages interact with individuals, communities, countries, economies and the environment. Because this interaction has direct and indirect effects on the earth and its inhabitants, it is imperative to examine the five stages.

The Materials Economy begins with the __**extraction**__ stage which is mining natural resources to use in production e.g. the cutting down of trees to produce furniture. After the extraction stage is the __**production**__ ,stage. This is the use of energy and toxic chemicals to produce products. This process leads to the __**distribution**__ stage, which is how the products get/reach the consumer. When the product reaches the consumer, the fourth stage in the materials economy becomes evident. This __**consumption**__ stage involves the consumer consuming and making use of the products (which contain toxic chemicals). The final stage in the materials economy is the __**disposal**__ stage. After consumption, the used products need to be disposed. This is done by dumping the used products in a land fill or burning the products and then dumping them into a land fill.

All these processes harm the environment and the people in it. The toxic chemicals which are used and produced in the stages can be ingested by an individual and passed off as gases into the environment. Although the materials economy is meant to fuel and stimulate the economy, this current process is at the same time destroying the environment/economy. Annie describes this current process as a liner one. Since the earth spins in a continuous circle, a liner process is inadequate. A new process has to be developed because this is a system in crisis. We have to preserve what is left of the earth’s natural resources by looking for an alternative or cutting down on "stuff". __**Define extraction, production, distribution, consumption and disposal. (One paragraph for each term)**__

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 * __Extraction__** is the fist stages in the materials economy. According to Annie Leonard, extraction is a fancy word for natural resource exploitation which is a fancy word for trashing the planet. e.g chopping down trees to make wood, blowing up mountains to obtain that metals inside. Annie goes on to say we are beginning to over extract, to the point that we are undermining the planets ability for people to live here.=====

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 * __Production__**, the second stage in the materials economy is the use of energy to mix toxic chemicals in with the natural resources obtained from extraction to make toxic contaminated products.E.g BFEs-Brominated Flame Retardants: these are super toxic chemicals that make things more fireproof. They are neurotoxin-that means toxic to the brain. these chemicals are added in our everyday products like computers, couches, mattresses and some pillows. these chemicals that go to the brain are very harmful to our bodies but yet, manufacturers still add them to our products.=====

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 * __Distribution__**, the third stage in the materials economy is the selling of products(all the toxic contaminated junk) as quickly as possible. The goal is to keep prices down, keep people buying and keep inventory moving. this is achieved by not paying store workers much in wages, skimping on health insurance when possible and externalizing cost however possible at cost of the environment, other countries and people.=====

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 * __Consumption__**, the fourth stage in the materials economy also known as the "Golden arrow of consumption". This stage is the buying and using of the Toxic products. It is driven by the government and big cooperations, telling use that what we have is not good enough and adding value to increased amounts of consumption. They want the customers to consume continuously and in increased amounts, not caring about the effects it causes to the environment and to individuals. e.g. Shoes individuals are told they are in fashion this year and next year they are out of style, which forces one to keep buying. This produces and enormous amount of pollution,: form the die used to make the materials, to the transportation for distribution.=====

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 * __Disposal__**, the last stage in the materials economy, the getting rid of the junk stage, the junk we buy. Today, each individual in the United States makes 4 1/2pounds of garbage a day-twice of what was made 30years ago. this garbage is either dumped in a landfill (a big hole in the ground) or first burnt in a incinerator and dumped in a landfill. both pollute the environment. But incineration is worse, this produces new toxics from the ones used to produce the goods. E.g dioxin, the most toxic man made toxic know to man and incinerators are the number one source.=====

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Annie Leonard effectively organizes her flash presentation by using a liner layout to show the journey of the material economy from the extraction to the disposal. The interface is created to show she is being proactive by providing more information to take action. The design of the site provide opportunities to become engaged with what is going on, showing people where to start and how to proceed.=====

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Annie uses animation in her flash presentation to convey her message in an informal manner. which makes the viewer feel at ease. It draws the viewer into the message. She also uses audio to add value to the massage being passed across. her audio tones go from high to low, fast to slow to keep the viewer/listener engaged. She also provides the visitor various downloads and forms of the information to help educate themselves.=====