The Story of Solutions

The Story of Solutions explores how we can move our economy in a more sustainable and just direction, starting with orienting ourselves toward a new goal.

In the current 'Game of More', we're told to cheer a growing economy -- more roads, more malls, more Stuff! -- even though our health indicators are worsening, income inequality is growing and polar icecaps are melting.

But what if we changed the point of the game? What if the goal of our economy wasn't more, but better -- better health, better jobs and a better chance to survive on the planet?

Shouldn't that be what winning means?

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[caochristina]

Believe it or not, this video is my science homework.

[ggll-hpoh]

I remember 5 years ago, I was 8 when I saw for first time The Story of Stuff. Carry on, Annie! I'm sure we are going to win this game!

[keiper]

A lot of comments seem to think that this idea is incongruent with capitalism but imagine a scenario where the goal is not to buy the cheapest (in short term costs) item but the best item (where all of the costs, short term and long term) have been accounted for (internalized). Where instead of buying one "cheap" item that wears out quickly and it is necessary to buy many over your lifetime, one better (seemingly more expensive) item that lasts a life time (and thus saves you money in the long term).

[GustavDelius]

I am hoping that videos like this will slowly get the public out of the current mindset that sees growth of GDP as the right measure by which to judge the success of government policy.

[PianoMessage]

My eyes have been opened...great video. 

[perkygrubb]

You're absolutely right. To date, I haven't seen many people get to the heart of the matter. You are spot on. It is less about capitalism and more about the nature of money, capitalism and politics all working together. Brilliant deduction Swanky Butters!

[chiaracipriano]

This is absolutely my favorite channel! Such a helpful teaching tool and what amazing animations!! Thank you for all the work you do to inspire hope and action!

[hopedance]

love this 10 min video. am spreading it all over including our city council/Mayor that wishes to ban airbnb's... 20 years ago I created a tri-county magazine that focuses on SOLUTIONS so am very glad that you are into speaking about solutions rather than the problems.. good for you!!

[helemari]

During this years it's difficult for me as italian to be proud of our country, but after this video I'm a little prouder, thank you to you and all the people like the Capannori mayor and citizens that help us to reach the better goal..

[water]

while making "Better" products is a good idea I think a "better" idea is to use a less ambiguous term. the term better itself can mean several hundred different things depending on context. For instance here is a hypothetical question "Which is BETTER a car or a cart?" on one hand the cart is better in terms of being green, its cheaper, and it promotes learning about things like how to handle horses. On the other hand the car is better in terms of practicality, it's faster, can travel longer distances, easier for the elderly, young, and sick to get around. 
One could argue that the current goal of MORE is BETTER, however i think in this case the term BETTER means Environmental. It's not bad but I just kind of prefer more solid terms.

[stevenheinze]

It was absolutely beneficial. It was the first time in history that a human visited another celestial surface and returned. It paved the way for groundbreaking research that is now enough knowledge for us to begin prolonged space voyages in the 21st century.

[sfdungeon]

kick ass Annie! You are the greatest teacher I know. I thank you for your drive to reach the world on " stuff " that matters. xxoo to you and your team...I'll help spread the word, your words, as I did before.

[jdaywork]

I admire the humility to admit that she says we're capable of great things and uses smartphones and iPods as an example, even if they may not be the thing we need the most. That's fair and not straight "You're wrong and I'm right" partisan head bashing. WE'VE GOT TO FIND A WAY TO WORK TOGETHER... Lord help us grow this garden.

[labemolmineur]

This is gold.
And the person who does the drawing and animation for the Story of Stuff is a genius.

[poomanonfire]

When she started talking about a 'game changer' I thought she was going to talk about a resource based economy but she started talking about activism which doesn't really change the game at all in the grand scheme of things. As long as we have the same monetary system nothing much will change

[olivierfrancois]

It's a great video and initiative. In the same spirit, let''s be careful about "renewable energy" and the claims of clean energy... Wind energy creates a huge problem of artificialisation of soils (tons and tons of concrete for each windmill) and of what happens at the end of the quite short life of the windmill. There is also the huge problem of rare metals that are needed in abundance for all these options... Rare metals are... rare, and incredibly polluting in their extraction and refining. This is he same thing with electric cars, that only move the pollution. And actually most models of electric cars are so much heavier than regular cars that they lift just as much fine particulate pollution when driving around. A video or two on that topic would be great to inform people on the impact of those "solutions" and how they are not so great... and not a game changer...

[ThePeterKinder]

Awesome video! Really glad I've found this channel! Thank you. :)

[vladimir.petric]

I was thinking about this before I even found this video. I am so glad that there are others not just thinking, but working on this. If only we could all join in on this

[keirachristina]

Do keep talking Josh, you're making the rest of us look smarter.

[barbworlds]

Brilliant as usual! Wish more people would listen and act.