The Film, Life And Debt, By Stephanie Black

Money, one of the most circulated man-made resources, is often one of the most difficult topics to discuss. We find that society bases much of their purchases on appearance and their ability to use said product with ease. Durability has only recently become important in the eyes of consumers in today’s western society. Consumers commonly make the mistake of gauging the quality of a product by its price. Popular companies such as Apple, Inc., Brooks Brothers clothing company, and even McDonald’s have done much in revolutionizing the production industry.
Apple Inc., one of the most world-renowned electronics and software companies, has pioneered much of the new generational technologies. With AppleCare, Apple has ensured that their consumers are unable to seek insurance from other companies, as their products are mainly produced with magnets and titanium disallowing outside manufacturers to tamper with the
In the documentary Life and Debt, directed by Stephanie Black, we are shown that Jamaican workers serve as near slave-laborers, making downward of $100 a month. In the documentary, workers protest unfair wages, unsanitary working conditions, and their inability to take an appropriate amount of days off. With the spread of globalization, outsourcing has made for goods to be produced at subpar quality. Mass production, in turn, allows for faulty goods. The quality of the clothing decreases due to production, yet the popularity and esteem behind the brand keep the prices in a familiar range. Ralph Lauren’s Polo has had a similar affect on the fashion world. Though manufactured in China under similar conditions, and sometimes made of one layer of thin fabric, widespread antagonizing phrases, such as, “It ain’t Ralph, though,” show that consumers still regard Polo as a brand to be applauded, regardless of its true