WillCharles: E-Waste, 60 Minutes, Edward Burtynksy, and What We Can Do Now

The article associated with the 60 minute episode on "e-waste" fails to mention one critical fact: where are these illegal electronics coming from? Are they obtained from landfills, recycling brokers or seemingly legitimate recycling plants? I doubt the latter. There are many legal electronic recycling plants that operate within the United States and around the world. Some corporations even ask their customers to send them their old products so they can be recycled. Apple Corporation is one example, they have a recycling facility in Cupertino, CA.


Nevertheless, illegal and even some legal recycling operations damage the environment and increase the incidence of miscarriage, cancer, and other health and health related problems in the surrounding population.


What can we do to prevent this from happening?


1. Gain the maximum utility from all electronics before upgrading them. When we upgrade our cell phones, computers, and other electronic devices less often it reduces the demand for electronics and the materials needed to produce them.
2. Donate used electronics to organizations that need them. There are several organizations that need computers, cell phones, printers, and other electronics to operate. One person’s donation can make a big difference at the right organization.
3. Recycle electronics like computer monitors, computers, televisions, and cell phones if they are not reused. Earth 911 has a tool on their website that allows users to locate an electronic recycling center near them. This page from Michigan has information and resources that are universally useful.
4. Self-pat on the back for being green-conscious and public-health conscious.
5. Stop the masturbatory self-congratulation and ego-inflation by sharing new recycling habits with friends, relatives, colleagues and organizations. The more people participating, the better for health and environment.


Want to know more?


I recently learned about the Canadian artist Edward Burtynsky. He has documented recycling practices in China through photography and his film (“Manufactured Landscapes”). A selection of his photographs can be found on his website http://www.edwardburtynsky.com/. On the left hand side of the screen under the label works is a link for China. Click this link and then click the picture that has the text “Recycling” over it. His work is very compelling. Images can also be found online by searching for his name in a photo search website.


People interested in this article may also be interested in learning mercury, child labor, and the gold economy.

Will Smith is Hotness

I saw Hancock this afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed myself. This summer Hancock joins fellow superheroes - The Hulk, Iron Man, and Batman as they attempt to repackage patriotism for a cynical, savvy generation; a generation at war and in recession, but nonetheless optimistic. A black president? How about a black superhero to test the waters? Hancock is a worthwhile addition to the summer blockbuster list because it is at once satirical, sincere, charming and action-packed. The original and artfully shot and staged narrative is punctuated by wham-bam special effects -- allowing the film to work on two levels. On one, it's about a disgruntled superhero (and what movie this summer isn't?). Will Smith, like The Incredibles of 2004, is living in a post-fantasy era where the superhero has grown old and fallen out of favor due --(no surprise)-- to the economic toll he takes, and the homeland security risk he poses as a vigilante who reports to something other than the law. That's a theme this summer -- the fine line between lawful and corrupt, good and evil, Us and Them. The second level on which Hancock works -- the level that distinguishes this movie from the others -- is as a haunting, somewhat underdeveloped but very compelling drama about love. The complexity and power of love, the almost supernatural way that it both weakens and strengthens humans (and superhumans), and the way it transcends time, race, power, and reality -- all are addressed here more than in Iron Man or The Hulk. The movie, in ways I can't quite put my finger on, reminds me of some off-beat hits like Eternal Sunshine, Crash, and 21 Grams. Weird, I know, but the characters teeter on the edge of great depth. Charlize Theron is the surprise star of this movie. Jason Bateman is wonderful as the 'real-life' but under-funded hero, and Will Smith's performance is a sweet blend of Ali-style angst and Men in Black charm. He pulls the movie together with his irreverent humor and sensitivity. The movie is short, but rewarding. It feels complete but maybe too heady for its time and place among the other summer hero movies. I hope people give it a chance -- and I hope you, Will Charles, will see it before you continue to bash it! On the topic of superheroes, if you're in the mood for more noir crime-fighters, check out Showtime's Dexter.

Independence Day and Hancock

Will Smith is in theaters across the country with [insert title of movie here] oh wait - it's "Hand Cock". Actually, the name is "Hancock", but apparently the movie is so rude that hand cock might be a good warning for anyone going to see it; plan to hear lots of rude language and profanity. The movie is rated PG-13, but the language really pushes the rating's boundaries. I personally don't like to hear lots of profanity so I'm disappointed with this development. I prefer comedy that relies on witty and creative dialogue and situations. It's great when someone can write something humorous without relying on terse language. Will Smith can certainly be funny without using much profanity - just think back to his roles in films like "Independence Day", "'Men in Black", and more recently in "Hitch". I guess I will just wait to see "Independence Day 2":



Oh wait, this isn't a real movie? *sigh*