Unintended Consequences

I remember in high school my economics teacher told us to always consider the “unintended consequences” when analyzing the costs and benefits of an economic policy.  Yet my teacher translated this concept to everyday actions and choices.  Everything we do has a cost, and along with those costs it is important to remember that sometimes our choices have consequences, which, sometimes aren’t initially seen.   

As a designer it is very important to consider the consequences of a design, especially if it has the potential to influence people’s lives.  In the case of Sten Gustaf Thulin, an engineer in the 1960s, it was most likely his intention to help the enviroment from the production paper and paper waste.  However, when he invented the die-cut plastic bag, commonly known as the white plastic bags we take home from the grocery store, little did he know that his invention would be one of lead characters in the debate in environmental protection.

Plastic bags not only play a major role in landfill and recycling debates, but they also have contributed to other environmental issues aside from residing in the landfill or emitting toxins during its production.   Besides from taking over 1000 years to decompose, plastic bags that are not properly disposed of or recycled often are left to wander areas of the earth.  It is not uncommon for animals to die due to accidental indigestion.  Littered plastic bags also affect sea life; thousands of marine animals, including turtles and whales, die from choking on these plastic bags.

Engineer Sten Gustaf Thulin probably did not intend for his invention to affect so many lives (both human and animal) in a harmful way.  In fact, people have given him the benefit of the doubt that he probably meant to help the environment.  But in saying so, I think it is especially important for people – especially designers – to be responsible in considering critically the potential consequences (good or bad) when creating something.

P.S. - check this out!