Class Session VI – One of the folks working to rewrite our civilization’s “story” is a fellow by the name of William McDonough. What Bill McDonough is doing is changing the way we humans think about and interact with the rest of life and the planet. He sees a world where humans are actually good for the planet, where we help to restore ecosystems, replenish natural resources, and increase the diversity of life while, at the same time, having a lot of fun…oh, and making a pile of money. In 1999 Time magazine recognized him as a 'Hero for the Planet' (2/22/99), stating that "his utopianism is grounded in a unified philosophy that—in demonstrable and practical ways—is changing the design of the world." His clients include Herman Miller Furniture (a leader in the office furniture field), Interface Carpets (the world’s largest carpet manufacturer), Nike (Just Do It!), the City of Chicago…….oh, and China (the country). He’s a man with a new plan. Check out his website at> http://www.mcdonough.com/

For this week’s second glass session, you are to view the film about McDonough’s work, “The Next Industrial Revolution” which is on reserve in the basement of the college library, and answer the following questions:

(2) 1. What is “Eco-efficiency?” using resources more efficiently, doing more with less

(2) 2. How do William McDonough & Michael Braungart feel about eco-efficiency? Not being “good”, like being “less bad”

(1 for each) 3.If you were to undertake the Industrial Revolution as a retroactive design assignment, what would be the outputs?
1. hazardous material into soil, air and water
2. measures productivity by how much natural capital you can cut down, dig up, bury, burn
3. measures progress by the number of smokestacks
4. measures productivity by how few people are working
5. requires thousands of complex regulations to keep us from killing each other
6. destroys biological and cultural diversity at every turn
7. produces material, such as nuclear isotopes, that requires thousands of years of vigilance while living in terror

(3) 4. What are the three principles of the Next Industrial Revolution?

1. waste equals food 2. respect diversity 3. use current solar income

(4) 5. What is the difference between a biological and technical nutrient material?

In biological cycle, everything must be safe for consumption by living things – products of consumption

Technical nutrients – products of service – what you want is the service of the product, not the ownership

(1 for each) 6. What are the design objectives of the Next Industrial Revolution?

The design objectives, or intention, of the Next Industrial Revolution are

fecundity (fertile, abundant growth)
excitement/fun!
generativity/creativity
sustainability.

(2) 7. How do you feel about these objectives?

(2) 8. In your own words, explain the concept of current solar income.

the energy that falls on us on a daily basis

(2) 9. Describe the lowest cost, first step you might do either at home or work to take advantage of solar "income".

(4) 10. Describe McDonough's concept of the biological cycle and products of consumption and the technical cycle and products of service. Be as detailed as necessary.

Product of consumption: Designed to return safely to nature through the biological metabolism. They are literally consumed by micro-organisms and turn back into dirt.

Product of service: Products perceived as "services" rather than as objects for sale. They return to the industrial metabolism after their useful life. Examples include computers, televisions and appliances.