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13 comments:
Hey Lauren - I sent this to a good friend in Washington, DC and she responded with some great concerns. I hadn't thought about this, so it was good to hear her perspective. I'll paste her comments below:
1) We don’t spend over 50% of are tax dollars on defense it’s currently around 11-13% depending on if you factor in certain components of homeland security
2) It’s pretty conspiratorial and “blamey” – “it’s all the big corporations fault”, it’s all the governments fault for not “taking care of us” – that attitude really disempowers our society as a whole.
Big corporations, especially after WWII were catering to a public desire for nicer things, bigger families and an easier lifestyle, american society as a whole wanted this stuff, they were tired and exhausted by depression and war, and the generation of young parents, who had lived through the lean years of the 30s wanted to provide their families with everything that they didn’t have while growing up. Also, corporations (both big and small) exist to make a profit. The goal of capitalism is do be able to build up capital to invest in the future—all of those underlying “American freedoms” of private property ownership and the legal rights of the individual are there to empower someone to make a living, and to make more then they actually consume so that they can reinvest it in the wellbeing of their business and their own wellbeing. The immigrant narrative of rags to riches which was both an overblown myth and a very firm reality for many many people lay the foundational elements of this in our culture and reaffirmed the principals of capitalism.
So really, on a whole…I don’t think that Americans are conscientious enough in our consumption. Yes, we could consume less, even a good deal less, and I don’t think it would negatively impact our “way of life” (if that is what we are looking at as really the greatest challenge to overcome). But its up to the consumer to make the changes that we want, it’s up to us to find a way to make making-money have less of an impact on what holds our planet together. I don’t completely balk at the video, because people have to be reminded to be responsible, we’re all naturally selfish and pretty lazy…not just Americans, but humans in general. We’re going to do what’s easiest and what is socially acceptable. Some of the facts that she’s throwing out there are blatantly wrong and its too emotionally charged for my personal taste---but for a population who (on a wide scale, beyond our own yuppy-granola circles) hasn’t truly been presented with an impetus to change what’s “socially acceptable” (which is what changes group behavior in the long term)…it’s not a bad gig ;o)
Holly,
Thanks so much for these thoughts from you and your friend. I totally agree that it's pretty one-sided. I think it's a side that I'm stilling willing to opt for at this point, if for no other reason, to over compensate for the fact that we've ignored the factual pieces of this information for a bit too long now.
And for the conversation going on in the blog, I wish they would have said more than a few sentences on the fact that people/entire communities are left in the wake of such a "linear" process to pick up the pieces for themselves. I also wish we could find more effective ways and legislation that will enable us to stop treating these mega corporations like they're people. -Thank you Michael Moore for that last point! ha.
Extremely creative video that certainly creates an opportunity for dialogue.
I was first made consciously aware of "Planned Obsolescence" about 15 years ago. I'd purchased a riding lawnmower and after owning it about 3 years it started having numerous problems. When I asked the guy I'd purchased it from about the coincidence of how much was going bad at the same time he said, "They only build these to lasat 3 to 5 years. Then you're supposed to buy a new one." Wow!
Sure glad I live in California now where the yards are so small you can literally mow them with a push mower...you know...the old reel type that requires no fuel and creates no emissions. That's how my yard was first mowed when I moved here...until I decided I needed a gardner like the rest of my neighbors; gardners who use 22" gas powered, self-propelled mowers to cut a 32" yard.
I doubt that any sane person would argue that there is not an extraordinary amount of consumerism in America. At the same time this video is extremely biased against American corporations and accusatory of just those who live in this country.
Having been in many of the largest cities in the world outside of the US, I can by personal experience say that the consumerism is not isolated to America. Visit any of the major cities in the world...Asia, Europe, Central America, South America...and you will find that the malls there are just as crowded as the ones here. And, their hands are just as full of shopping bags. In fact, in many of the larger cities in Asia, every day there the malls feel like the weekend after Thanksgiving here. And no, it's not just the Americans who are there shopping...it's pretty obvious that they are the locals.
Interesting to me in the video that her statistics are all well rounded numbers... 1/3, 40%, 5%, 30%, "2000 trees a minute"...really...are we sure it's not 1,994 trees every 62 seconds? Or "4 billion pounds of toxic chemicals a year"...really...are we sure it's not 3,732,758,987 pounds a year? And is she using a 360 or 365 day year? Just things that make me pause. I'm just always skeptical when I hear such well rounded statistics related to such a vast scope of variability.
One more thought. Annie says, "You cannot run a linear system on a finite planet indefinitely." That statement assumes that everything being used in production is finite and not reproducible...not exactly an accurate statement. And, her statement would assume that this planet is supposed to last indefinitely...hum.
We do have to be extremly concerned about the care we give to our planet and how we treat it...just don't think Annie's perspective is the healthiest approach and it certainly is not without a political agenda.
That's enough for now. I really do have to get back to work. I might have to take your blog out of my Favorites...I could get "consumed" here... ;-)
Hey Gerald! I'm so glad to be reconnected, not to mention honored to have a pastor at Saddleback commenting on my blog! ;-)
One of the reasons I like this video is because it is so accusatory of Americans and their corporations. I know, not very patriotic of me. But geesh, they've messed a lot of people over, especially people in the developing world. Like, how much was Nike paying Michael Jordan (or Tiger Woods now) in endorsements compared to the thirteen cents they were paying the girls in Indonesian sweat shops to make Air Jordan shoes? Ok, I know you can come back at me with other companies that are working for good now. So I won't push it. Plus, you're way smarter than me; so, I don't want to disagree too much, and well, you're older too. (wink)
I also hear your point that consumers are everywhere. I've witnessed that as well at a mega-mall in Kuala Lumpur no less! But I have to wonder, who taught the rest of the world how to spend like it was going out of style (pardon the pun)?
I appreciate your skeptism on the stats! I am too naive on that stuff. And boy, do I remember all the stories about that dang lawn mower! ha. This video makes me uncomfortable, and for that, I dig it.
It is a cool video and it will at least cause people to pause from their purchasing for 20 minutes to watch it. It does draw one in and push our thinking.
I am thrilled about The P.E.A.C.E Plan and the network that is forming with thousands of churches around the world to mobilize The Church to combat the five global giants and to do the things Jesus did. If you haven't had a chance to hear much about it, you can see an overview at www.thepeaceplan.com.
A good friend of mine's son has also produced an award winning documentary on the plight of the Glue Boys in Africa. Quite disturbing, challenging, and enlightening. Check it out at www.glueboys.com.
I would add that I do think as Americans we are spiritually required to be actively involved in the issues impacting poverty, disease, and a lack of education worldwide. Someone I know said, "...When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required." Luke 12:48 (NLT) Who has been entrusted with "more" than Americans.
Okay, so I have to comment on this post one more time. Thanks for the sites, Gerald. I just finished the entire video of Rick's vision for the P.E.A.C.E. plan. It is a great example of how to share a message of such magnitude by instilling hope and excitement about all of the opportunities for service. It is refreshing to know that this can be done without the guilt routine. Thanks for sharing it. I also love the motto: "Ordinary people empowered by God making a difference wherever they are." Sure, we can all do that! wa-hoo. Love God, Love people!
Gerald - A few problems I have with the PEACE plan is:
- The plan places the local church as the only solution to social problems.
- The plan fails to acknowledge the history of oppression and cultural hegemony promoted by Christian missionaries throughout Africa. I would go so far as to say that it continues the tradition of cultural hegemony i.e. pushing Western culture on Africans. Whiteness is not rightness.
The local church is one piece of the overall solution to fighting poverty. They can play a powerful role in walking people through illness, acknowledging the AIDS crisis as a disease NOT shaming people who have the disease and using scripture to walk people through a process of changing behavior and asking where God is present in their illness. Yet, the church is not the ONLY solution. The church needs to partner with local and national authorities to pass policies that encourage sustainable development. The church needs to partner with non-profits who are implementing vital programs to deliver ARVs or bed nets to prevent malaria. The church must be a voice to the government, demanding change and upholding the least among us in policy decisions. If the church chooses to work as a partner, rather than an independent entity with all the answers, I think the church can be a powerful force for change.
Hey Lauren,
Very interesting video. So creative.
Sorry to say, I did not watch it to the end.
Her agenda was too obvious.
I'm pondering why I had no problem watching "An Inconvenient Truth" yet, was done with this one after a few minutes.
I'll try to figure it out and let you know.
It may have just been Annie's attitude.
I have been outside of the evangelical circuit for such a time now (despite the fact that I attend an evangelical seminary) that Rick's language is language that I don't use or hear much anymore. Not that that is bad, just something that surprised me as I listened to him present the vision.
What I find so interesting is that we still end at similar places on some points. Who wouldn't agree that illiteracy, the presence of prevetable diseases, corrupt leadership/governments, and AIDS are all major problems that the church can and should be addressing? It's always, and probably always will be to some extent, a challenge based on our past to figure out how Western, white churches can better serve (not dominate) people groups in other hemispheres.
Plus, in order for the Church to begin work with other agencies it will have to surrendur the need for conversion to the Western way of Christianity and Western ways of living. That has proven to be a difficult thing for evangelicals to surrendur. Brian McLaren's Generous Orthodoxy has taught me much in the way of this, as have the Mennonites and my missionary grandparents!
Hey Holly...
There's a lot to the PEACE Plan that you're missing. It does not place the local church as the only solution to social problems, but as a primary agent in a three-legged stool...the church, government, and business. I would say that I don't think the social problems of our world will be corrected outside of the church. Both government and business have tried and failed disasterously.
You said, "The plan fails to acknowledge the history of oppression and cultural hegemony promoted by Christian missionaries throughout Africa. I would go so far as to say that it continues the tradition of cultural hegemony i.e. pushing Western culture on Africans. Whiteness is not rightness."
Quite the contrary. It takes those issues head on. In the PEACE Plan churches don't just go into other countries and "do missions." We never send a team who goes in with their own agenda. It is a church to church relationship where the indigenous church directs the work of the American missionaries who go there. And, it combats the ancient mission model of handing the needy money which only creates a greater dependence on Americans to keep coming back and giving them more money. Instead the PEACE plan develops partnerships between churches, government, and businesses to combat the issues that keep people from having an understanding of their worth, dignity, and value to God and the world.
Keep reading...I'm going to guess there's much in the PEACE Plan that you'll identify with.
You might be a Mennonite if...
You think Annie is quite the sensible gal.
What an interesting conversation concerning the role of the church in helping with worldwide poverty. At least that's what I find intriguing about the comments above.
I also find it interesting that the person above arguing for the church as a PART of the solution works for a non-profit (and therefore has extensive experience with how entities other than the local church do good) while the one above who is arguing for the church as, let's just say, a BIGGER PART (and mostly responsible?)of the solution works for a church (and therefore is privileged to see firsthand the radical good that comes from one local church.
Personally, I have such strong (crazy) loyal feelings attached to the power of the local church (cf. Bill Hybels' quote on the local church as the hope of the world)that I tend to overestimate its abilities to solve massive problems--without the help of governments, etc. I think: "If the church would just do its job, then we wouldn't need NGOs to help..." Of course, one particularly fascinating discussion to have would be about the distinction between the Church and the Kingdom, since I have EVEN more loyalty and trust in the Kingdom of God to bring redemption and wholeness to humanity.
What makes me so sad, Tyler, and where my growing skepticism comes since I've been in seminary regarding the role of the church is that it was suppossed to be God's represenative of the Kingdom after Jesus ascended. We missed it. Now the church can't do it alone. It's too whacked and too far from the Kingdom ideal. Maybe I'm wrong. It bums me out that I feel this way, to be honest. I think we see glimpses of where we're doing well in/with church work. And obviously I'm still obsessed with the power behind and in the church enough that I am committing my life's work to the mission of it. But I think another thing I've started thinking about is, what will the actual fulfillment of the kingdom of God entail? I think it extends even beyond the borders of our church. This is why I agree with you and want to put my loyalties in the Kingdom of God even more so than in the church or any particular nonprofit, grassroots movement.
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