Dialectics: Big Business and being "green"

It seems that as Americans, we love to hate all those large, industrial businesses. I used to think so too. I thought that these large companies were only concerned with two things: money and power. I thought that they were the culprits leading the global warming crisis: overproducing, exploiting, and wasting. However, my opinion was very recently challenged...
I recently read an article that talked about the new incentives big companies have to cut back on greenhouse emissions, and become more sustainable. The article reported that big companies first started getting this idea when research showed that many of their problems would be cheaper to fix, rather than try to avoid. The companies beginning this revolution - Chevron, Coca-Cola, and.....Wal-mart!
At this point I almost stopped reading the article. Walmart?!?! You mean, the ring master of the global big-business crisis?
However, as I continued I realized that I was unaware of all these big steps Wal-mart was taking to become 'greener'. A separate article in BusinessWeek stated that Wal-mart has slashed its electricity bill by 17% since 2002, have saved 2.4 million in shipping costs by using less packaging, and currently ranks 5th in one of Brazil’s “greenest companies” list.
After reading the article, it seemed to pose the idea that these large companies are indeed the key to leading a green revolution. They certainly have the social aspect with them. However, I wasn’t completely convinced….
While although places like Wal-mart are becoming greener, they still are much more wasteful than smaller, locally run business they have replaced in urban towns and suburbs. We recently discussed a DBQ in social studies where a local supplier commented on the construction of a local Wal-Mart, and how it completely destroyed his business.
I’m trying to avoid completely jumping onto the Wal-mart bandwagon, but even after writing this post, I remain skeptical.
These large companies certainly have the power and money to start a global green revolution, it just depends on if they actually will. It seems that these green innovations are just for the publicity and attention, rather than their actual concern with the environment.
It seems unfortunate, but at this late in the game, it seems as though these big companies, that already harvest much of our attention and money, are among the only ones to be able to begin a green uprising.

Blogging Around

The first post I commented on was Taylor's. She connected Heart of Darkness with Dark Knight. She insightfully made a deep connection about truth and lies. In both H.O.D. and Dark Knight, various characters are lied too, but it is for the better, because knowing the truth would just have been too much to bear. I found it very thought provoking.
Taylor,
I really enjoyed reading this post! I found the connection very insightful, and it made me see morality in Heart of Darkness, a very different way.
I really liked how you explained the connection part at the end, as it talked about some things I didn't realize at first; especially the part about the blurred line between truth and lies.
I liked the last sentence you had, too...
"It makes me think about that gray area of morality."
I definitely saw this, especially while reading Heart of Darkness. Marlow often referred to the grayness or haze outlining the island. This grayness also correlated to his confusion and ambiguity throughout the story. Marlow was also always trying to dig up the truth, but I think he subconsciously never really wanted to find it. It was just too burdensome. And, this is exactly what we see in Dark Knight, as you explained.
Your blog post made me think about if we, as people, ever really want to know the truth. They say ignorance is bliss, and your post definitely relates to that.
Great job again!

My second comment was on Lauren's blog about Food inc. Lauren talked about a video, called Food, Inc. that went behind the scenes to show you how food is produced at large companies. Frankly, it showed the ghastly side of the means of production.

Lauren,
Your post was very enlightening, and while although I have not seen the movie, I once read an article about food manufacturing.
Because society feeds off this manufacturing industry, it’s sometimes hard for us to realize how corrupt and inhumane it really is. However, I liked how you were able to identify it, and relate it to Ishmael.
I remember that we talked about the fall of mankind being marked by the introduction to agriculture. While it brought prosperity and wealth for awhile, we are just now beginning to realize all of these long-term problems it has also produced. It’s very unfortunate.
I also recently watched Supersize Me, which skimmed over huge, industrial manufacturing businesses, like McDonalds. I was equally as disgusted by their means of production. It seems the richer and larger the company, the more vulgar and greedy.
I also liked the point you talked about in your last paragraph. With increasing populations, companies have to find ways to produce things even faster and cheaper, which, unfortunately results in these appalling and inhumane ways of production.
Great job Lauren!