McDonough

Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things
$27.50
This book came as a surprise to me: the authors paint a very different picture of environmentalism. It is so radical that I think I would have thought it a bit loopy if it weren't for the examples they give where they have put the principles into practice.

Wasting less, polluting less, using up resources more slowly -- that's not the answer, they say. The answer is to find a way to become part of a cycle in which the "waste" products are no longer wastes at all, but rather inputs to the process. This is of course what nature has done all along, and everything was roses until humans came along and started creating their own processes that are not cyclic.

It's a bold vision made tantalizingly real by stories of how the authors have collaborated with various companies to to do just this sort of thing, or at least to take significant steps in that direction. It's quite impressive, really.

The book is well written and requires no special background in environmental issues, manufacturing technique, or the like. It could be read by an average high school student. Interestingly, the book itself is an actual example of the kind of paradigm shift they advocate: it is, at least in principle, reusable. The ink, which is non-toxic, can easily be removed and the pages printed on again.

I do have some skepticism, though. First, on principle, I do still think that unchecked population growth is a problem, and no amount of trying to make manufacturing processes cyclic can change that. These techniques would certainly allow the planet to support a greater population than it could otherwise, but the growth is still a key problem.

Second, in spite of their successes I wonder to what extent we could actually do what they are suggesting. Nature does it, yes, but that is because all of the myriad life forms on the planet evolved together, constantly influencing and being influenced by each other. Is trying to fit some new process, something that must support manufacturing on a huge scale (think cars) into that, possible in general? I'm sure it can be done sometimes -- and I'm all for doing that! -- but is it really a scalable solution?

And is it really, in general, economically feasible? Yes, some forward-thinking companies have found ways to fit in better with nature and save money at the same time. That's wonderful! That doesn't mean, though, that it can always be done. If it costs 20% more to fit in better with nature, then what? Who pays that cost?

And the book itself -- it's very cool, really. The print is beautiful on the nice cream-colored pages, and I love the rounded corners (I wish all books had rounded corners!). But it's awfully heavy, and quite thick for the number of pages in it. I think if all of my books were like this, I'd need another bookshelf -- a sturdy one! And I can't imagine my son taking a backpack full of such textbooks to college. It's an interesting example -- really! -- but not a flawless one.

The book is definitely worth a read. It's a beautiful vision, and I am quite impressed with the authors. I hope my skepticism is misplaced. I especially hope that young people with an awareness of environmental issues will read this book; it may inspire them, as they go out in the world and help create new processes, to do something better.

I Love Mcdonough T-shirt Large White
$17.95

Space Adventure: With Buzz Aldrin & Tom McDonough
$99.99

St Patrick's Day-Meet the McDonough Family-they'll drive you to drink [VHS]
$19.95
This film is not for the average person. It is full of continuous conversation and small talk, so be sure you like this kind of film before you get it. That said, it is about an Irish-American extended family who gather together at one of the relative's houses to celebrate St. Patrick Day. The film displays some Irish customs in the way that My Big Fat Greek Wedding displays many Greek customs (the latter being a much better film). I bought this film hoping for it to be something good to watch as a family, with my young daughter. Fortunately, I previewed it alone before allowing my daughter to watch it (it's rated PG-13, and my daughter is 10). More than anything else, this film explores the sex lives of three-quarters of those at the family reunion, meaning from young adults through retired oldsters. They have done a good job of it, with some sensitive portrayals, marriage conflicts (that would be most appreciated by those married 15 years or longer), some good Irish music, and a few humorous moments thrown in. I don't feel it's an appropriate subject for watching as a family, except perhaps with older teenagers, or adult children. I bought this film, but it's not one I'm eager to watch again.