This Disposable Life
With the use of the Internet and Television, I will host a show that unearths our troubling relationship with disposable design. It will highlight the financial, environmental, and personal effects of everyday cheap foods and products, show how each item began, where it ended, and how we can live sustainably.
About You
Section 1: About You
First Name
Rukesh
Last Name
Samarasekera
Website
http://To be created
Organization
To be created
Country
United States
Section 2: About Your Organization
Organization Name
To be created
Organization Website
http://To be created
Organization Phone
Organization Address
Organization Country
United States
Your idea
Name Your Project
This Disposable Life
What is your idea? What makes it innovative? Why is it important?
With the use of the Internet and Television, I will host a show that unearths our troubling relationship with disposable design. It will highlight the financial, environmental, and personal effects of everyday cheap foods and products, show how each item began, where it ended, and how we can live sustainably.
Will you launch your idea as a business or non-profit?
Non-profit
Country your work focuses on
United States
What will be the impact of your idea?
From the food we eat to the products we use, design touches everything and affects everyone, yet we think we can live longer and look younger by buying into a lifestyle that will kill us quicker than ever before. In the last 10 years disposable design has exploded from the processed corn-based foods to the petroleum-based products. By humanizing the affects of poor design and connecting it to a financial and environmental footprint this program will help us make better decisions and use our money to define design for the better. Poor design isn’t exclusive to the U.S. Poor people throughout the world are suffering from a design deficiency. “Of the world’s total population of 6.5 billion, 5.8 billion people, or 90%, have little or no access to most of the products and services many of us take for granted." In illustrating the beginning-to-end of a food/product the show will address global issues of design deficiency and discuss how people can help solve it. Using the power of media we could bridge the gap between user and producer, push industry to be responsible, and correct wasteful production. I would like to mobilize people to be responsible designers of their own life.
Who will help you develop your idea? Why are you the one to make this happen?
I have wonderful mentors and friends in design, sustainability, and media who believe in me.
Having studied Design for Development at RISD, founded the Brown Social Enterprise Club, completed a StartingBloc Fellowship, served as a New Sector Summer Consultant, worked News at a local television and commercial radio station, and learned about integrative design while working at USGBC, I believe I have the background to launch this program. When I ask myself ‘If today were my last day, what would I want to do with it?’ I know I would be completely content using my life to deliver a show like this. I am the one to make this happen because I have a searing passion to use media to educate, entertain, empower, and engage the people who watch it.
Media that inspired this idea:
http://other90.cooperhewitt.org/
http://www.objectifiedfilm.com/
http://www.pbs.org/thisemotionallife/
http://www.foodincmovie.com/
http://www.oprah.com/index.html
How much will it cost to launch your idea? (This can be an estimate)
My conservative budget estimates that with equipment, labor (largely volunteer, friend, and mentor based in the beginning), and logistics, I need $20,000 to have the chance to make my dream a reality.
This Entry is about (Issues)
 | 119 weeks agoRukesh Samarasekera updated this Competition Entry. |
| 120 weeks agoRukesh Samarasekera said: Unfortunately This Disposable Life was not selected as a finalist in the We Media PitchIt! Challenge. But this was not a waste of ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 120 weeks agoDrew Patterson said: I think this idea is very timely given the current economic climate in which Americans have been chastened for our indulgences and ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 120 weeks agoMai Denawa said: Hi Rukesh, I think your idea is interesting and exciting! While I think that public consciousness toward improving sustainability and ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 120 weeks agoVarvn Aryacetas said: Yes, I remember those. That would be a good example. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamagotchi about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 120 weeks agoClaire Briggs said: In regards to our relationship with objects, can there a special note about Tomagotchis...or however the hell you spell it. about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 120 weeks agoVarvn Aryacetas said: Seconded. I see immense potential in this idea and can't wait to watch the pilot. I envision one episode with a theme on our personal ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 120 weeks agoLouis Trujillo said: Rukesh, this is such an innovative idea! You've explained a lot of the nuances of your project, and the many ways in which it ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 120 weeks agoBonnie Wong said: Hi Rukesh, Thanks for answering my questions and elaborating on your idea. I agree with you that television as a platform is ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 120 weeks agoRukesh Samarasekera said: À votre bon cœur, Julien! Let me paraphrase your response in English: ‘Design has derailed from its original intent of serving ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
