Cradle to Cradle design

Directions: As we enter our investigation on solid waste pollution several dramatic environmental events and problems like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, E-waste and Love Canal will rise into focus. Issues like those beg the question - with 7 billion and more on the planet, then how do we address our waste issues? Can we end waste? McDonough believes that the solution lies within how we design our stuff.

Listen to the TED talk with William McDonough on Cradle to Cradle design, and THEN answer the questions ON YOUR BLOG. We will have open discussion in class.

1. William McDonough states: “The fundamental issue is that, for me, design is the first signal of human intentions.”  

Do you share McDonough’s viewpoint? Explain and use an example of a design that supports your position.

Yes I share the same viewpoint as McDonough because there are chemicals in our everyday products that we don’t even realize. In a rubber duck there are chemicals that can cause cancer and birth defects.

2) McDonough states: what we realize today is that modern culture appears to have adopted a strategy of tragedy. If we come here and say, "Well, I didn't intend to cause global warming on the way here," and we say, "That's not part of my plan," then we realize it's part of our de facto plan. Because it's the thing that's happening because we have no other plan.

Do you agree with McDonough that we have a “strategy of tragedy” that is shaping the human condition? Why or Why not?

I do agree with McDonough that we have a strategy for tragedy. I think the human race has done a lot of harm to the earth from burning fossil fuels and making resources limited or even extinct. He has tried to make alternate ways to change this but still we do things that harm the earth. Businesses will build and not care for what types of materials they make or the nature area surrounding it.

3) McDonough believes that design determines our interactions with nature and how we value it. Is there evidence to support that view? Or does McDonough have it backwards, that nature actually shapes the way we design?

I think it’s that nature actually shapes the way we design. We have to look at nature and realize we have to build by it. There are times where we build things in the wrong places that harm parts of the environment. Even things we build that help society can even hurt it like burning fossils fuels in factors. There are ways now that we have improved and helped the environment with new technology.

4) Explain what cradle to cradle design is. Describe and use an example (provide a web link please) of what the two metabolisms are and what they do. Illustrations are welcome here - make the readers lose their minds!

Cradle to cradle design is something that is made from resources and can be reused once again. An example is from the Ted talk about the carpet. Even if the carpet is destroyed in any way or shape it can be reused and restored. Waste from it is also useful. This makes it so we don’t have to keep wasting energy and resources to make carpets. Big countries need to make a stand to begin to use a sustainable lifestyle.

https://www.ted.com/talks/william_mcdonough_on_cradle_to_cradle_design?language=en#t-66524