Lab4-cct333


 * Question 1:**

The Story Of Stuff website is split into 7 main sections which are visible through the horizontal global navigation bar at the top. Each of the main sections has its own subsections which are visible via a dropdown menu when the user hovers over a navigation tab. Most of the pages use a two column design: The left is the bigger one for the main content, and the right contains a contextual local navigation, and other features such as social network widgets. For example, on the blog page, the contextual local navigation contains all the blog category links.

For those who do not like reading, there is lots of video and podcast content. The videos provide a compressed version of the content using images and audio. However the real power (aside from the content) is how the navigation is structured. The designer has been able to pack lots of section and subsection into the navigation system making it very easy to find content that one finds interesting. The search feature also provides another way to find content. Overall, the website is very easy and pleasant to use which illustrates lots of thought went into its information architecture.


 * Question 2:**

Extraction refers to the processes involved in extracting raw resources (materials) from the earth which are later used to create other compounds for use in the material economy. These resources are being extracted at a faster pace than the earth can regenerate them. They are also being extracted in such a way that causes more damage than necessary, and the resources are not being shared equally with all parts of the world, or the human population. Typically, many natural resources are extracted in poor developing countries which developed nations exploit for their cheap labour and relaxed labout laws.
 * Extraction:**

The production stage is when toxins are added into the natural resource(s) extracted from the earth, which creates toxic products. The main problems with this are: It generates air and water pollution, the toxins enter into our food and water supply, and the workers are exposed to dangerous chemicals. The pollution cause by the production stage is a major contributor to carbon emissions and hence contributes to climate change.
 * Production:**

Distribution refers to the transport of the produced product to various outlets such as retail stores where the masses can purchase and consume the product. Costs in distribution are kept as low as possible to ensure a steady influx of products to consumers.
 * Distribution:**

Consumption is the process of consumers consuming the products. Consumers are constantly being convinced that their wants are needs which breeds overconsumption. Marketers often play on people insecurities to convince them they need to buy something to make them happy, beautiful, stronger, etc. The truth is one cannot find happiness from purchasing stuff. Happiness cannot be attained by pursuing it directly, and when people buy products they confuse being excited for happiness. True happiness does not expire unless one does something radically stupid, but the confused feeling of hapiness from buying new stuff goes away quickly.
 * Consumption:**

Refers to the process of disposing products which are obsolete, broken, not needed anymore, etc. This creates an environmental problem as landfills get filled up faster and with toxic materials. Lost of the material is not recycled either because of lack of resources or because it cannot be recycled. To make matters worst, many of the toxic materials are burned, releasing them into our air. They are usually burned to make more room for more waste occurring from over consumption.
 * Disposal:**