The Story of Stuff

 

'The Story of Stuff' is a topic of controversy. While some teachers considered the video clip useful and used it as a material for education, many people on the other hand oppose the use of this video clip in the classrooms for 2 reasons. The video clip includes inaccurate facts and brings about anti-American and anti-government sentiments. However, I do not want to talk about whether the percentage of budget that is put into the US military is 20% or 50%, or whether the US government can be symbolized as a tank or not. The important thing is that it is an effort to arise doubts in the system of ruling classes. While I was watching the video, I thought about the courage of the people who recorded the video and posted it online. They did not fear the probable attack from the government or powerful corporations. They pursued their belief and tried to give their message to as many people as possible.

These days, I am reading a book about the teenagers in Korea. Unlike typical books that criticize the immorality of general teenagers from the grown-up's point of views, this book discusses about the system that sort of prisons teenagers in Korea. According to the book, Korean students are imprisoned in the school system that does not allow any kind of freedom to students. Most high school students should stay at school from as early as 7o'clock in the morning to as late as 11o'clock at night. They are subjected to harsh competition in exams. Even, they are not allowed to have a hair style they want. By taking all the freedom from the students and making them focus only on their scores, the ruling class does not have to worry about revolution or change from the teenagers and as they grow to adults, they will adapt to the real society without revolt. The message that 'The Story of Stuff' was trying to give is sort of similar to that of the book I am reading. The government and the powerful corporations keep the linear system of production and consumption in order to maintain the income and growth of economy. I think favorably of this video because it is an attempt to question the current system that the powers had already settled. Some facts might have been exaggerated, but the main purpose of this video should be respected.

Debate Topics

1. THW ban the video 'The Story of Stuff' in all classrooms.

2. THB students should have right to choose the materials they want to study.
3. THB teachers should have right to choose the materials they want to teach without governmental interference.