Philosophy On Tap

I, Pencil: The Relationship Between Economy and Environment

Ryan Wardle

How is a pencil made? What does this seemingly simply process entail? How many people? What materials? Join Ryan and Tanner reading and discussing the essay, "I, Pencil", where a pencil explains the marvels of the modern world by giving a brief glimpse of what it takes to make itself.

Also, how is the environment connected to wealth generation in the modern world? Cars, coffee, and coats are great, but at what cost? Not monetarily, but to the environment. And, how large of a cost to and from the environment are we willing to front before our shoddy calculus leaves the economy in shambles, having destroyed the cornerstone of the economy, the environment itself.

These thoughts, questions, and more inspired by the essay, "I, Pencil", by Leonard Read.