Some folks over at MIT are in the midst of creating a pretty interesting tool for mapping STUFF.  It’s called SourceMap.  You can check it out here.  The basic idea is to know where the things you use and consume come from–to understand the impact of your purchases.

SourceMap is still an evolving research project.  It has some bugs, which the developers are pretty upfront about. I for one, am in love with the idea!  Think about it: “Some things have vast supply chains that stretch across the world while others are completely regional. Understanding the reach of our sourcing is fundamental to improving economic, social and environmental conditions.”

Getting Started with Open Supply Chains from Matthew Hockenberry on Vimeo.

What do you think?  Why not head over to SourceMap and plug something in.  Then share with us what you learned!  And if you are having any trouble viewing this video on our site, feel free to head over to the source (ha!) and take a look at it directly; here’s the link. The more access we have to information about what we consume, the more control we have to affect the world around us, I think.  SourceMap can be one of many tools to help us along the way.  So go play!

Saludos,

Megan

I love the guys over at GOOD who have been busy making some amazing materials!  By their own definition, “GOOD is a collaboration of individuals, businesses, and nonprofits pushing the world forward. Since 2006 we’ve been making a magazine, videos, and events for people who give a damn.”  GOOD’s videos can all be found on their website, or many are featured on their YouTube channel here.

I think GOOD does some of the best work around on making statistical information about our world come alive–which is so important. Much like a powerful image, what use is information if it can’t tell a story?  So, in honor of the approaching holidays, here’s a video they made last year on the origins of much of our Christmas products.  Check it out!

I was totally shocked when I saw this video the first time.  It made me wonder from where much of the other things I typically purchase come.  It can be pretty difficult these days to track the origins of what we consume and own–as so much is outsourced globally.  However, the folks over at MIT’s Media Lab, are creating an incredible tool to help us with that very problem. It’s called the SourceMap.

As the MIT folks posit, “Some things have vast supply chains that stretch across the world while others are completely regional. Understanding the reach of our sourcing is fundamental to improving economic, social and environmental conditions.”  The Sourcemap is a tool for use by individuals, or business owners, to understand the impact of the supply chain of which we are a part. It’s a pretty empowering instrument–because it compels us to consider how we make an impact globally with what we consume–giving us the tools we need to make informed decisions.

“[The] site is a social network where anyone can contribute to a shared understanding of the story behind products.” And the MIT developers have made it accessible to all, even creating easy-to-use embed tools so you can use Sourcemap on your own site, for the packaging of products, in your business, anywhere! Go over and take a look.

There’s so much positive energy going into projects like the Sourcemap, or the media work from GOOD. It’s truly inspiring!  Do you have a favorite project that is doing something for the well being of the planet?  Well, tell us about it.  We would love to know!

Saludos,

Megan