function hide_user_promo_bubble_second_stage() { var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); bubble.style.display = "none"; } function hide_user_promo_bubble() { var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); var myAnim = new YAHOO.util.Anim(bubble, { opacity: { to: 0 } }, 1, YAHOO.util.Easing.easeOut); myAnim.animate(); setTimeout("hide_user_promo_bubble_second_stage()", 1100); } function handle_promo_username(params) { var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); var img = $("user_promo_bubble_image"); var anchor = $("user_promo_bubble_link"); if (params.has_photo == "true") { img.src = "http://images.huffingtonpost.com/profiles/" + params.user_id + "-tiny.png"; } else { img.style.display = "none"; Dom.addClass(anchor, "wide"); } anchor.innerHTML = "Shared by " + params.user_name; anchor.href = "http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/" + params.user_name; bubble.style.display = "block"; var myAnim = new YAHOO.util.Anim(bubble, { opacity: { to: 1 } }, 2, YAHOO.util.Easing.easeOut); myAnim.animate(); } if (HuffPoUtil.getUrlVar("user_promo")) { YAHOO.util.Event.onDOMReady(function() { var parts = document.location.hash.split(","), shared_by = "", badge = "", i; if (parts.length < 2) return; for (i = 0; i < parts.length; i++) { if (parts[i].indexOf("sb=") !== -1) { shared_by = parts[i]; } if (parts[i].indexOf("b=") !== -1) { badge = parts[i]; } } if (shared_by == "" || badge == "") return; var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); if (!bubble) return; var entry_id = HuffPoUtil.GetEntryID(); if (!entry_id) return; var user_id = parseInt(shared_by.substr(shared_by.indexOf("sb=") + 3)); if (!user_id) return; var badge_type = badge.substr(badge.indexOf("b=") + 2); if (!badge_type) return; script = document.createElement("script"); script.setAttribute("type", "text/javascript"); bubble.appendChild(script); script.setAttribute("src", "/include/share_track.php?a=view&eid=" + entry_id + "&uid=" + user_id + "&b=" + badge_type + "&cb=handle_promo_username"); }); } Annie Leonard On Colbert (VIDEO): The Life-Cycle Of Our Stuff

Environmental activist/consumerist critic Annie Leonard appeared on The Colbert Report Tuesday to discuss her new book, "The Story of Stuff," which was released Tuesday. The book is a follow-up to a viral video she made in 2007 by the same title, which was viewed by more than 10 million people. It explores how our stuff has ended up owning us instead of the other way around. As Colbert points out, that's an easy thing to say, but what does it mean?

Leonard argues that the exhausting pace at which we seek stuff-- that new flatscreen TV, pair of shoes, etc.-- is costing us deeper happiness that comes from our leisure time, having a sense of purpose, and the time we spend with family and friends. She spent ten years exploring the life-cycle of material goods, and the environmental, social, and health costs of the whole process.

"What did you discover?" Colbert asks. "My understanding is that it comes from China and it goes.... I don't care."

"It goes back to China, unfortunately," Leonard replies.

"So it's the circle of life," Colbert sings out. "It's perfect. It's like a water cycle."

WATCH Annie Leonard on Colbert:

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Annie Leonard
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Skate Expectations

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Comments

[greenyoga]

Great segment with Annie Leonard and Stephen Colbert. We all need to be more mindful of where our stuff comes from when we get it, and where it goes to when we discard it.

[Javaline]

For years my husband and I have wondered if anyone ever considers the amounts of natural resources that are wasted in the production of junk items. Just cruise your local Goodwill stores - mountains of the most incredibly tasteless crap flows through thrift stores before heading to the dumps. Nobody ever seems to realize that our petroleum resources are used for more than powering vehicles. It is a major component in the production of plastics, and one only has to look at their own house to see how much of that we buy and discard. And now there are plastic continents floating in the Pacific and Atlantic - the crowning glory of our drive to over-consume and throw away.

[huffponewbie]

The minute that women stop looking at how much stuff, and the quality of the stuff, a man has as some sort of sign as to how well he will be able to provide men will stop buying stuff (yes there are exceptions!).

[anechoic]

wonderful film and a wonderful woman - go Ms Leonard! :)

[Kolina]

I have had a question about dollar stores for long time. I think it's answered just now.