Film+Annotation+13

Allison Mrugal 11/30/15 Film Annotation 13: Sust. Ed., 4280-01 Prof. Fortun
 * Dirt! **

Prompt: Watch Dirt!, write a brief description and evaluation of the film, then propose an exercise for any age group that would help them reconnect with "dirt." Finally, provide a few sentence response to the question: Why connect to dirt? (imagining a teacher as your addressee).

Response: While the film Dirt! explores the significance of dirt primarily in ecological, cultural, and social contexts, the narrative reveals its interconnectedness to virtually all dimensions. In showing an entertaining systemic analysis of dirt, the film suggests that humans re-connect with dirt in order to leverage environmental stewardship and, ultimately, survival of future generations.

Despite my peers heavy criticism toward the film, Dirt! uses a logical structure that helps convey the importance of dirt in the (natural, social) ecosystem. Using an introduction, problem description, and potential solutions, the film encourages viewers to see hope and appreciation for a seemingly simple resource. Using varied perspectives, from farmers, kids, community members, researchers, activists and other professionals, the film attempts to create a balanced argument and promotes scientific literacy. However, the film may not suit all audiences. Considering the animations of dirt particles or the outlandish interviews with people who taste dirt, the film may enroll younger audiences that include middle school or high school kids.

To help people reconnect with dirt, educators could ask students to brainstorm the purpose of dirt as they sit or work outside. Using the “five whys” technique, students could pick one purpose of dirt and explore why it does what it does (students ask why to a question, which produces an answer, to which to ask why again, five times). Students would then research one of these questions to conceptualize a surprising system that they did not expect to see relevant to dirt. Afterwards, students would participate in a community organization that works with dirt for at least two hours, although the exercise itself may not afford the time to do this last segment.

It is important to connect to dirt because it makes up the foundations of human culture and life on Earth. It is incredibly versatile and is used for art, song, buildings, food, transportation, war and peace, and the survival of millions of species. In order for humans to sustain life, we cannot continue to treat dirt as a dispensable resource. To understand climate change and environmental destruction (and the inexhaustible number of complex issues associated with it), humans must reconnect with dirt, understanding its importance and acting to preserve and regenerate it.