If I succeed in nothing else as a Girl Scout leader, I hope I open girls’ eyes to their own ability to change their world.
Photographer Chris Jordan shares a similar mission – but on a global scale.
He creates art exhibits that visually demonstrate the impact that each person has when multiplied by the many in America.
For example, it’s one thing to speak up about the growing epidemic of breast implants – even when it’s described as the gift of choice for graduating girls.
It’s another thing to see 32,000 Barbie dolls, equal to the monthly statistic of American breast implants, as the pixels in a canvas displaying a female torso.
You just can’t deny a direct correlation when you see it, and feel it.
That’s Chris Jordan’s goal, and he does a stellar job of achieving it.
Now, I just have to find a way to sneak in viewing this video into one of our Girl Scout meetings.
Tell me. I really want to know. What’s your gut reaction when you watch this video? Do you feel a sudden desire to change your consumption habits?
I’m discovering a renewed desire to renew, reuse, recycle.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Sandra, it’s ironic that you posted this, as I pulled his work as an example to use in our Shaping Youth media literacy classes to teach kids about ‘branded bottled water’ (the whys and hows that advertisers ‘sell’ and then of course, the counter-marketing message to ‘go green/nalgene’ and carry your own bottle regardless!) I can’t seem to get the audio to work here properly, nor on my TedTalks or YouTube channel…weird. Anyway, great post, and yes, ‘a picture is worth…’ etc. etc. (even though I hear many have lambasted him on the factual numeric representation, I’d maintain that it’s the POINT and the dramatization that is so artfully executed and visually appeals. Bravo to Chris…I’m star-struck.
p.s. btw, how did you get your avatar to show up in the comments section of my blog properly? I can’t seem to get it to function for ME! sigh. Neophyte, I am…;-)
Details, details. It’s just a bit nitpicky to worry about the actual number of wasted items generated in this country.
Really, does it matter whether Americans consume 1 million plastic bottles in 5 minutes vs. 10 minutes?
Either way, the consequences are dire.
Personally, I like the convenience of plastic water bottles and disposable products, but the mental image of all those wasted plastic cups is making me question my daily choices.
yep, I agree. To me the mental image far surpasses the ‘details’ which also applies to Annie Leonard’s ‘Story of Stuff’…it’s the viral value of getting ‘consumption’ top of mind that appeals to me beyond the nitpicking analysis of minutiae (although that’s interesting too)
In fact, I’ve thought about doing a media-analysis on the accuracy of these various forms of thought-leader supposition because to me, it’s part of the whole learning dialogue…i.e. media literacy and e-learning applied to both behavioral shifts/motivation as well as critical thinking skills…
Both are of value, in teaching kids assessment AND methodology that will serve them well over time, n’est ce pas? (love your blog, btw, Sandra, I popped it in my Google Reader!) And thanks for the tips on the gravatars too…back soon, Amy
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