How do you think of Wang Jiuliang’s work?

Wang Jiuliang’s documentary Beijing Besieged by Waste (2011) reveals our pathetic relationship with waste under the regime of capitalist modernity. Affluence, convenience and comfort in contemporary urban life is actually built upon a vicious cycle of overproduction, endless creation of desire, and overconsumption. Waste seems to be an insignificant byproduct, disappearing as if by magic. However, none of the current waste treatment method — landfills, incineration or recycling — is without environmental and social cost.

How do you think of Wang Jiuliang’s work? How can you, as an individual, and us, as a community, make changes — in our ways of thinking and everyday practices — to confront the problems associated with urban waste exposed by him?

Your posting will be graded in terms of whether it shows: (1) clear point(s); (2) engagement with Wang Jiuliang’s documentary; (3) a discussion concretely grounded in your own experiences; (4) articulation with good logic around 200 words.

Requirements: 200 words