jueves, abril 4

Consumo que nos Consume

Trabajamos el concepto de Obsolescensia Programada para realizar el análisis de videos y realizar conexiones entre los conceptos que trabaja la materia de Ambiente Desarrollo y Sociedad. #ADS

    La “Obsolescencia Programada” es la determinación de vida útil de un producto realizada por el fabricante con el fin de que el comprador tenga que desecharlo después de cierto tiempo para comprar uno nuevo. De esta manera se genera un ciclo sin fin de consumo: comprar, desechar y volver a comprar.

    El ser humano para mantenerse en un estado de homeostasis constante, depende de la satisfacción de sus necesidades básicas. Los principales satisfactores de estas necesidades son los recursos naturales que el ser humano extrae de la naturaleza. Sin embargo, a pesar de necesitarlos, la mayoría de ellos no son renovables y requieren de un uso responsable, puesto que el impacto ambiental que provoca el consumo desmesurado, afecta no sólo a las personas sino también al resto de la vida en la tierra.

    Con el fin de dar cuenta de la huella ecológica que dejamos en el planeta Tierra nos informamos acerca de los principales conceptos de conciernen al consumo que generan un impacto ambiental grave. Principalmente la diferencia entre consumo y consumismo. 

    Cuando hablamos de consumo nos referimos a la adquisición de un producto destinado a cubrir un requisito indispensable o inmediato. El consumismo por el contrario trata de la obtención de productos innecesarios y poco perdurables que serán desechados luego de determinado tiempo. 

    Es inevitable afirmar que la sociedad en la que vivimos es una sociedad de consumismo en la que la obsolescencia programada no es un concepto nuevo. Los productos son fabricados para ser desechados y de esta forma crear una constante "necesidad" -o quizá un capricho- que cubrir. El problema yace en que en un sistema capitalista, la creación de un producto duradero sufriría una decadencia en las ventas luego de un tiempo de haber sido lanzado al mercado, generando desempleo y la banca rota de las fábricas o industrias del mismo. La obsolescencia programada en todo su esplendor no genera más que desechos y contaminantes.


    Realizamos el análisis de un documental acerca del concepto de Obsolescencia Programada y de un video que recapitula situación en “La Isla de las Flores”.


    El video habla acerca de un lugar conocido como "La Isla de las Flores".  Se trata de una isla ubicada en Brasil en la que viven personas extremadamente pobres, con sus necesidades básicas realmente insatisfechas. A esta isla van a parar gran parte de los desechos humanos cotidianos de Puerto Alegre, que son recibidos por hombres que poseen tierras destinadas específicamente  para la separación de esos desechos en orgánicos e inorgánicos. El video cuenta, de manera extremadamente gráfica, cómo de los desechos orgánicos se seleccionan aquellos aptos para la alimentación de los cerdos de estos “terratenientes” y cómo aquellos considerados no aptos son repartidos entre las personas que habitan la isla. 

    Aquellos productos que la gente de Puerto Alegre desecha en un día normal, acaba en la Isla de las Flores y acaba siendo comida o de cerdos, o de humanos.

    En el documental acerca de la Obsolescencia Programada, además de otras cosas, podemos ver como desechos electrónicos son enviados de manera ilegal a Ghana (África) un país en el que ocurre algo muy parecido a la situacion en la isla brasilera. Productos (en este caso tecnológicos) son desechados en territorio ajeno y acaba siendo utiliado de una u otra forma, por los habitantes del lugar. En Ghana, los desechos traídos por grandes empresas para deshacerse de ellos, son aprovechados por hombres y mujeres de todas las edades, extrayendo sus partes de metal. A pesar de todo, la gran mayoria de los residuos despachados en Ghana no pueden ser reutilizados, y simplemente no sirven.

     Tanto en la Isla de las Flores como en Ghana se evidencia la magnitud de la necesidad de un sistema que asegure el desarrollo sostenible en el tiempo que se abastezca de los recursos de manera responsable y que provoque el menor impacto ambiental posible. El hombre necesita cambiar sus hábitos antes de que sea demaiado tarde.



lunes, marzo 25

Pienso, luego consumo

Realizamos un análisis del video de Amartya para profundizar los conceptos más importantes acerca del Consumo Responsable, planteándonos las siguientes preguntas: ¿En qué consiste ser un consumidor responsable? ¿Por qué es tan difícil serlo? ¿Qué necesitamos hoy en día para consumir y respetar a los trabajadores y al medio ambiente en simiultáneo?
Utilizamos la información para hacer un mapa conceptual.


Mapa Mental creado con GoConqr por Agustina Rivarola

domingo, noviembre 11

Exam Task: Review

Lost is a series based on the story of a group of people whose plane has crashed on an island.

The highlight for me was the fact that all of them are complete strangers, with different lives, religions, and plans. Nevertheless, the accident connected and changed their lives completely. From night to day, they found themselves obliged to fight for the survival of everyone and you can easily identify the role that each character will have in the story, who is the leader and who is the follower. What I like the most about the series is that people show to be strong enough to plan, decide and act wisely even under pressure.

I was disappointed that there wasn't as much background music as I expected, I personally think that it would have turned it way more epic. However, regardless this, Lost seems really interesting from the very first episode. Its characters are incredibly well portrayed by the actors and despite the accident, the set and the landscapes are completely gorgeous and credible.

If you like plot twists and being surprised I highly recommend you this series since it is full of suspense and action. I think it is really worth the time, so if you have the chance... Give it a try!

lunes, octubre 29

Exam task: Information sheet 2

Sharing some jungle tour tips
The following is a list of helpful advices for your next great jungle tour experience.

Dressed for the occasion
With temperatures over 32°C during the day, humidity levels over 80% and crowded of mosquitoes, the way you are dress is relevant for your health and personal comfort in the jungle. Here are some suggestions to make easy your journey:
  • Wear cotton clothes and bring a spare set of clothes and extra socks.
  • Wear long trousers and long sleeved tops. It will protect your skin from sunburn and insects.
  • Wear a hat, walking boot and long socks.

Sleeping in the jungle
The night creatures make the jungle night time noisy after dark. Earplugs will help you to rest for the next day adventures.

Basic elements
The weather is rainy at the jungle and the wildlife could affect your touring days:
  • Bring a waterproof backpack.
  • Choose a top quality mosquito net for your protection.
  • Spray insect repellent no less than twice a day on you.
  • Don't walk barefoot in the jungle!

Heath and care hinds

It would be a good idea to carry on with you a first-aid kid with the following elements:
  • Insect repellent.
  • Suncream protection for your skin.
  • Plasters for possible blisters.

If you follow these tips, you will spend an unforgettable jungle tour time!

domingo, septiembre 30

Exam Task: Information Sheet

Staying at Pines College

Welcome to our city and our school! We hope you are having a wonderful time, The following is a list that will help you to make the most of your visit.


Staying fit


If you are one of those persons who love being healthy, you will be happy at the own school fitness center. You can go there whenever you want as long as you be registered.


In case of emergency

There are two hospitals in the school. One is placed in the Northern field and another in the Southern field. Both of them stay open all day, so if you need a medical urgent revision you can get there to be assisted by qualified professionals in fully equipped units.


Keep that smile shining!


Dental control is always necessary, that's why there is an experienced dentist attending the student from Mondays to Thursdays. We recommend you to reserve a meeting by phone a week before so that you don't have to stay too much in the waiting room.


Medicine and sanitation supply


Pharmacies are outside the school, so if any medicament is needed you can get there easily by the public transports at the entrance of the school. You should always have your prescription in hand, do not lose it!

We hope these tips help you to make your visit the best experience and enjoy your stay.

martes, agosto 14

El Ser Humano y los Recursos Naturales

Nos dividimos en grupos para hablar acerca de los Recursos Naturales. A mi grupo le fue asignado los Recursos Mineros y con la información obtenida creamos una infografía.



domingo, agosto 5

Exam Task: Essay

Social media has revolutionized the world, specially the humankind, there is no doubt that they have a strong influence on people’s lives. This impact has been developing good and bad consequences, which I will describe. 

Today, social network provide us the possibility to connect with each other regardless of the distance. Some applications, such as Whatsapp, Facetime, Snapchat and Skype enables us to send text messages instantly, share digital media and even video-call any contact we have while we are thousands of kilometers from one another. Other networks like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, are examples of those webs on wich anyone can share what they want and at the same time follow people who have their same likes. 

However, the presence of social networks have had more negative than positive impacts on our way of acting and thinking. It is making us lose the feeling of what it is to interact in the real life time. People are getting more and more isolated and focused on the screens trying to have a high reputation and influence on other internet users. This also makes them pretend to be someone who they are not just to be accepted. Surfing the internet also makes us lose time we could use to do home chores, schoolwork, or physical activity. 

In addition, it is much more easier to talk to someone when you are not in front of him/her because you are not as empathic as you would be if you actually were near. Because of this, messages are misunderstood and end in a fight since in the head of the other person they might have sound different. We are also more violent in a digital text than when we really speak, because we are writing in silence while we think. In a real discussion, you are unlikely to be able to speak and think at the same time. In extreme cases, it leads to cyberbullying, there are many persons that are judged and insulted in social networks because of their physical appearance, thoughts, likes, etc. by other people who they will probably never see in their lives.

To conclude, we should start, not modifying social media, but using it conscious of what it may produce on our everyday lives, our way of thinking and relating to others. It is necessary to avoid being slaves of the technology we create, if we depend on them then we are in problems.