Throughout this interim I have been trying to find out more information on what companies actually care about the people they work with, and the environment that they are working in. After a couple days of searching on the Internet I found this sweeeettttt website called www.goodguide.com. Above there is a short youtube video that explains in more detail what this company is trying to do. Basically this website was created by a bunch of business men and women along with scientists who test products and do research on products the companies that produce them. They test anything from makeup, clothes to food, appliances, and pet food. Then they rate each product based on numerous factors such as animal testing, organics, nutrition, fair trade, labor conditions, environmental impact etc. What is really cool about this site is that you can create a checklist of the factors I mentioned above that matter the most to you (or you can check all of them) then you can search for a product and the site will run it through your checklist and see if it passes or not. If it does not pass the website will post alternative brands that do fulfill the criteria you want your product to meet. The website has rated hundreds of brands from designer products to suave, old navy, gap, nike etc..The best part is you can sign up for free for the website's services, and they even have a free app called goodguide. The app for smart phones lets you scan barcodes when you shop and then, just like the website it will run it past your check list and tell you if the brand meets the standards you set, and if not it will show other choices that are better. I think this is a very good example of the use of creativity, and imagination. This way consumers can be conscious of their purchases, and know where their money is going. This artifact reveals the truth behind products of the empire and allows individuals the chance to make choices that are more socially responsible. I would encourage everyone in this class to check it out it is really really awesome! This artifact shows that human purpose does not have to be limited by lack of knowledge or ignorance it also shows that redemption can be found in unexpected places such as different companies that are taking a stand against the typical corporation economic viewpoint. What would happen if we all took a few minutes to check out the website, and found different products and companies to support? What are some other ways we can use our talents, and imagination to create innovative and apocalyptic cultural artifacts?
19 January 2013
GOOD GUIDE - Cultural Artifact 2
Throughout this interim I have been trying to find out more information on what companies actually care about the people they work with, and the environment that they are working in. After a couple days of searching on the Internet I found this sweeeettttt website called www.goodguide.com. Above there is a short youtube video that explains in more detail what this company is trying to do. Basically this website was created by a bunch of business men and women along with scientists who test products and do research on products the companies that produce them. They test anything from makeup, clothes to food, appliances, and pet food. Then they rate each product based on numerous factors such as animal testing, organics, nutrition, fair trade, labor conditions, environmental impact etc. What is really cool about this site is that you can create a checklist of the factors I mentioned above that matter the most to you (or you can check all of them) then you can search for a product and the site will run it through your checklist and see if it passes or not. If it does not pass the website will post alternative brands that do fulfill the criteria you want your product to meet. The website has rated hundreds of brands from designer products to suave, old navy, gap, nike etc..The best part is you can sign up for free for the website's services, and they even have a free app called goodguide. The app for smart phones lets you scan barcodes when you shop and then, just like the website it will run it past your check list and tell you if the brand meets the standards you set, and if not it will show other choices that are better. I think this is a very good example of the use of creativity, and imagination. This way consumers can be conscious of their purchases, and know where their money is going. This artifact reveals the truth behind products of the empire and allows individuals the chance to make choices that are more socially responsible. I would encourage everyone in this class to check it out it is really really awesome! This artifact shows that human purpose does not have to be limited by lack of knowledge or ignorance it also shows that redemption can be found in unexpected places such as different companies that are taking a stand against the typical corporation economic viewpoint. What would happen if we all took a few minutes to check out the website, and found different products and companies to support? What are some other ways we can use our talents, and imagination to create innovative and apocalyptic cultural artifacts?
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This website is extremely thought provoking and noteworthy to me, from the web design (designers unite!) to the societal and environmental commitments that it tries to accomplish. It exceedingly takes a great stab at reaching convenience for everyone to use it with handy opportunity, and the app is great with the barcode scanning option. To be able to find companies that you support based on investigative research is an illustration that individuals have been striving for the kingdom, Shalom, and a sensible, salubrious community, even if they’re not Christians or doing it in a direct way for the Christ. Products that I realized were glacial in my life that I evaluated was coffee, (having “significant social impacts on farmers and laborers as well as environmental impacts on tropical ecosystems”), cat food (“processing methods beyond the minimum of what is legally required is generally difficult to come by in the pet food industry”), and human toothpaste that hasn’t been tested on animals.
ReplyDeletehttp://companies.goodguide.com/
Very cool, Rose! Thank you for taking the time to explore resources for ethical purchasing and for exploring Good Guide so thoroughly. It seems like they're certainly doing some good work, but I'd like to dig a bit deeper (after grading, perhaps) to see how they establish their criteria to create their ratings. As we've seen, companies can often do this kind of thing as a means of glossing over their more unsavory business practices. Unfortunately, I feel as though I've gotten a little cynical about some of the self-assessment companies do along these lines.
ReplyDeleteOn the whole, though, this project certainly looks like a creative solution to a vexing problem for shoppers. Thanks again!