Question 1

Which concept explains why companies keep producing new commodities, such as cars, when the old ones still work?

Accepted Answer

The concept that explains why companies keep producing new commodities even when the old ones still work is the treadmill of production, which refers to the constant pressure that companies face to produce more, faster, and cheaper in order to stay competitive and profitable in the market. This pressure is often driven by the logic of capital accumulation and growth, as well as by consumer culture and the desire for novelty and fashion. As a result, companies invest heavily in research, development, and marketing to create new products and stimulate demand, even if the old ones are still usable or functional. This treadmill dynamic is seen in many industries, from electronics to fashion, and has significant social and environmental implications, such as waste, pollution, and obsolescence.

Question 2

Since the ______ humans have used fossil fuels as the primary source of energy.

Accepted Answer

The Industrial Revolution marked a significant shift in the way humans produced goods and services, and it also increased the demand for energy. Fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas emerged as the primary source of energy during this time and have been used ever since. The other choices are not relevant to the historical context of fossil fuel usage.

Question 3

______ refers to how consumers view current products as outdated when new ones come out even if the current product is still perfectly useful.

Accepted Answer

Perceived obsolescence is the phenomenon where consumers perceive their current products as outdated or old-fashioned when newer products come out, even if their current products are still perfectly functional and useful. This can lead to a desire to upgrade or replace products more frequently than necessary, contributing to consumerism and electronic waste. Planned obsolescence, on the other hand, refers to the intentional design of products with a limited lifespan or expected expiration date, often to encourage repeat purchases. Conspicuous consumption refers to the practice of consuming and displaying goods and services to demonstrate status or wealth, while the treadmills of production is a concept used in critical social theory to describe the never-ending cycle of consumption and production driven by capitalism.

Question 4

In which country is the majority of e-waste generated?

Accepted Answer

The United States generates the majority of e-waste globally, due to its large consumer market for electronic products and relatively high turnover rate of electronic devices.

Question 5

Patricia enjoys hiking and camping. At her new school she sought out friends who had accessories and clothing related to the top brands for outdoors gear and camping equipment. Patricia was surprised to learn that her peers wearing the brands associated with outdoor activities did not actually know how to camp. Patricia thought that the items her peers owned reflected something about who they might be due to the widespread idea of ______.

Accepted Answer

The passage describes how Patricia's peers have branded clothing and accessories for outdoor activities but lack actual experience in camping. This reflects the idea of consumerism, where people buy products not for their practical use but for the social status associated with owning them.

Question 6

Perceived obsolescence differs from planned obsolescence because perceived obsolescence ______.

Accepted Answer

Perceived obsolescence is driven by consumer perception and not intentionally built into the product by the manufacturer, unlike planned obsolescence.

Question 7

Where is a majority of e-waste stored and disposed?

Accepted Answer

A majority of e-waste is stored and disposed of in China.

Question 8

______ is the idea that people and their values are defined by the products and services they consume.

Accepted Answer

Consumerism is the ideology that a person's worth and values are based on their ability to consume goods and services. Conspicuous consumption, on the other hand, is a type of consumerism where individuals purchase luxury goods and services to display their wealth and status. The treadmills of production and built environment are related concepts but not directly tied to the idea of people's values being defined by their consumption.

Question 9

Which type of environment do modern humans spend the most time in?

Accepted Answer

Modern humans spend the majority of their time in built environments such as homes, offices, shopping centers, and other man-made structures. While some also spend time in natural environments, it is not as common as time spent in built environments. Landfills and e-waste are not typical environments where humans spend their time.

Question 10

A laptop computer manufacturer superficially changes the structure of the charging cable for each new model. This is frustrating for people who are brand loyal because they have perfectly good chargers that no longer work. As a result, when a person purchases a new computer they typically also have to purchase a new charging cable as well. This is an example of ______.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of planned obsolescence, where the manufacturer intentionally designs their products with a limited lifespan to encourage consumers to make replacement purchases. Changing the charging cable each time a new model is released is a deliberate strategy to force consumers to purchase new cables, even if their old ones are still functional.

Question 11

Which energy source does not contribute significantly to climate change?

Accepted Answer

Nuclear energy does not produce carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases that contribute significantly to climate change. However, there are concerns regarding the safe handling and disposal of nuclear waste.

Question 12

Which factor drives the continuous production of goods known as treadmills of production?

Accepted Answer

The continuous production of goods, known as treadmills of production, is primarily driven by the desire for profit. Companies want to maximize their profits by increasing production and sales, which leads to a continuous cycle of production and consumption.

Question 13

Each year Isaiah discards a majority of his wardrobe. The clothes Isaiah gets rid of are perfectly functional, but he prefers to buy new clothing to stay up to date on the latest trends. This is an example of ______.

Accepted Answer

Perceived obsolescence refers to the constant updating and changing of products to make older versions seem outdated and undesirable. In this case, Isaiah is discarding perfectly functional clothing because he perceives them to be outdated and prefers to stay current with the latest fashion trends.

Question 14

What is the benefit of treadmills of production for companies making products for profit?

Accepted Answer

Treadmills of production refer to the use of machines and standardized processes in manufacturing, which can result in increased efficiency and reduced costs. This can ultimately lead to higher profits for companies making products for profit.

Question 15

Which statement accurately explains consumer expectations?

Accepted Answer

Consumer expectations tend to increase over time as they become accustomed to higher levels of convenience, quality, and innovation.

Question 16

A teenager wants a specific brand of bike to ride to school. The teenager's caregiver refuses to pay more money for a name-brand bike when cheaper bikes are of equal or even higher quality. Which concept best explains the teenager's desire for a specific brand of bicycle?

Accepted Answer

Conspicuous consumption refers to the desire to display one's wealth or social status through the consumption of expensive or prestigious goods. In this case, the teenager wants a specific brand of bike, which may be seen as a status symbol among their peers, rather than choosing a cheaper bike of equal quality.

Question 17

______ refers to the business practice of designing products to retain their worth for only a short time.

Accepted Answer

Planned obsolescence is the business practice of intentionally designing products with a limited lifespan, encouraging consumers to replace them with newer models, thus increasing sales and profit. This practice is accomplished by redesigning products to become outdated quickly, making them difficult to repair, or ceasing to produce the necessary parts that make them functional.

Question 18

As the production cost of goods decreases ______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of As the production cost of goods decreases...

Question 19

Which concept explains placing value on goods that can be shown off to others as a symbol of our status and economic power?

Accepted Answer

Conspicuous consumption is the concept that explains placing value on goods that can be shown off to others as a symbol of our status and economic power. This behavior is often seen in consumer societies where people strive to display their wealth through material possessions.

Question 20

Which resource is a fossil fuel?

Accepted Answer

Coal is a fossil fuel, formed by the remains of ancient plants and animals that have been buried and compressed over millions of years. Nuclear energy is not a fossil fuel as it is generated through nuclear reactions, e-waste and leachate are not considered fossil fuels as they are not naturally occurring substances formed by organic matter.

Quiz 8: Researching Environmental Problems