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The rest of Cradle to Cradle was interesting. Chapter 1 gives a short summary of the Industrial Revolution and its consequences, equating it with the Titanic ship, huge, and disastrous. The Industrial Revolution had plenty of advantages and conveniences, but it also set us on the path of doing damage to our environment. One statistic given is that 90% of our products turn straight into waste. It was also mentioned that the Industrial Revolution ignored diversity in nature and in culture, running like a machine and creating a homogenous environment. It also added stress to our bodies from coming into contact with unknown toxins, which in turn stressed out our immune systems causing diseases such as cancer. These effects were unintentional, but obviously dangerous.

Chapter 2 is titled "Why being "less bad" is no good." It talks about how our thought process is that harm on the environment is unavoidable, so we make it less bad than it would be if we didn't heed it at all. The authors' argument is that we should work on eliminating these effects altogether. They criticize the "eco-efficiency" approach to design, however well-intentioned it may be. They say how "efficiency,"although practical, is not creative, and not enjoyable. One example mentioned is that an "efficient Nazi" is a terrifying thing.

Chapter 3 builds from Chapter 2 and suggests a solution to the eco-efficiency problem. The solution is "eco-effectiveness," and is built on the idea that instead of reducing what we use, we should totally rethink the problem. The book itself is the best example of this concept. The book, instead of choosing soy-based ink and recycled paper, chose to rethink the design of books themselves. They made the book out of completely different materials than ordinary books. This concept is creative, effective, and efficient.

Chapter 4 introduces the meaning of the title of the book, Cradle to Cradle. The chapter is titled "Waste equals food" and explains how nature doesn't leave any waste and we should aim to emulate nature (a theme we have talked about in class.) It describes "biological nutrients" as products that can be returned to the earth. The chapter states that most products can be designed as biological nutrients. Technical nutrients are products that can be reused in the factories to make other products. Between these two types, nearly all of our waste is recyclable. What's not is defined as "unmarketables" and is usually hazardous wastes.

Chapter 5 is titled "respect diversity." It explains how all manufacturers should be conscious of the different environments and cultures in which they make products. We can utilize the resources of a particular area in the most effective way once we learn about the diverse atmosphere. The chapter ends with, "instead of using nature as a mere tool for human purposes, we can strive to become tools of nature who serve its agenda too." This quote explains how, instead of making nature serve us, we can serve nature, and work together.

The last chapter is titled "putting eco-effectiveness into practice." The chapter uses the Ford Motor Company as an example of a manufacturer who has put eco-effectiveness into practice. They remodeled their factories in an eco-friendly way and became the trailblazer for other manufacturers to look up to. Five steps are given that make eco-effectiveness extremely practical for the consumer, the designer, and the manufacturers

Cradle to Cradle is a great book, and one that I will use as a reference if I become a designer, and now as a consumer. It's easy to read and informative. The only complaint I have is that it's extremely heavy compared to other books of its size. But I suppose I could use a workout anyways. The end of the last chapter used Nike as an example of another eco-effective manufacturer. I just read about Nike in another book for my Womens Studies class, only in that article, Nike was criticized for underpaying its (mostly women) laborers in Eastern countries. This brings up another extremely relevant issue with regards to designing and marketing. We must not only be conscious of our effects on the natural environment, but also our effects on the cultural environment in countries where our goods are manufactured and marketed. I believe the two go hand in hand and are extremely important issues to designers. We must be conscious of the way products affect people, and the way the manufacturing of products affect people and invent ways to make the products and the environment better for all.