Summaries of group sentiments about their product in GA1 (luxury/necessity and what they would do if it could no longer be manufactured)

1. My group decided that books were both a luxury and a necessity. While stories and other written works for entertainment purposes may be luxurious, it is necessary for books to continue to be produced to educate society. However, with newer technology comes e-books, etc. that make the production of books less necessary.

2. After discussion today, we concluded that there are many components to shoes, and that most of the raw materials are organic. We discussed that petroleum was used in the production of shoes, and also in the transportation of the product to buyers. We also concluded that shoes are both a necessity and luxury depending on where you live. We also discussed that shoes can be made and used whether or not they are massively produced.

3. We in group 3 decided that automobiles were both a luxury and a necessity. The average person can use some mode of transportation to get around without it being an automobile. The military and hospital employees need automobiles to transport people to hospitals quickly which in turn saves lives.

4. Our group agreed unanimously that anti-perspirants, while handy, are total luxuries. The harmful effects of mining aluminum, the active ingredient, and the petroleum used in every step of production (including packaging) far outweigh anti-perspirant's social benefits. Various methods can be used to reduce perspiration, including the topical application of citrus juices, but really - not something one needs to worry about.

5. The majority(6/9) said that the use of a skateboard was a luxury, and would not be bothered if skateboard were no longer manufactured, while the minority( 3/9) said that as a skateboard is a means of transportation that is faster than walking, and would be convenient to get between short distances. The conclusion was that if skateboards were longer to be manufactured, then the same should apply to both bikes and roller blades, as they are considered to be in the same category as skateboards in respect to their small impact on the environment.

6. While Cell Phones are still a luxury, in today's society they are becoming more and more necessary due to our busy lifestyles. Technology is increasing every day and making it possible to accomplish much more in a shorter amount of time.

7. Our group concluded that modern day toothpaste is a luxury item, as it is enhanced with artificial colorings and flavorings. If this product was no longer available, there are other options for dental hygiene such as using a cleaning agent such as baking soda. Toothpaste is a luxury because, although dental hygiene is important, it is rarely fatal.

8. Group 8 decided unanimously that the film camera was a luxury. A luxury because of the fact that it is not essential to our survival. We could go on living much like we are now if cameras were to disappear from the face of the Earth, and portrait artists, we decided, would be very pleased with this development.

9. Group activity 1 involved our group discussing the many aspects of the MP3 player. We focused on the iPod and the material consistency of that MP3 player. We discussed the many different materials in the MP3 player such as plastic and copper. We also concluded that the MP3 player is a want not a need. We believe that there are many alternatives such walkman, CDs and 8-track players.

10. Our group decided that backpacks are luxuries, not necessities. While they are very convenient to use for carrying our books and various other items, we do not need them to survive. The only exception to this might be in the case of mountain climbers or hikers, who would have no other way of carrying their belongings. Petroleum was found to be the major component in manufacturing most of the backpacks that are currently made. We discussed replacing these with backpacks/bags made of alternative materials such as organic cotton, hemp, recycled plastics, or at the very least, your hands.

11. My group decided that the television is an absolute luxury. However, with the economic impact it has (media, entertainment, advertisement, etc), it could be mistaken for a necessity by a mere pedestrian. If the television was no longer produced, we would care, but there are alternatives nowadays to televisions such as computers and hand-held devices, including smart phones.

12. Our group agreed unanimously that one-time use water bottles are nothing more than a luxury, and a harmful one. Only about 25% of PETE bottles (most soda/water bottles) are recycled, therefore millions of these bottles are wasted every year. Some alternatives we thought of to one-time use water bottles and mineral water are having one refillable water bottle filled with tap water, or even using rain water as an alternative.

13. Our group found that detergent soap is not a necessity to live with but more of a luxury. Detergent is necessary to clean your clothes but you do not have to have clean clothes to live your life. Detergent can be made many different ways with petroleum oils, sulfuric acid, salt and sometimes with aluminum oxide but it can also be home made from many ingredients found around the house, therefore making detergent easy to make if you really were to need it.

14. Group 14's discussion item was the bicycle. We all agreed that a bicycle is a luxury item. It is a useful means of transportation, and definitely faster than walking, but there are plenty of other forms of transportation we could use if bicycles were no longer manufactured.

15. Concerning the question of whether sunblock was luxury or necessity, our group was split. Although the majority insisted that it was a necessity, a few others, including myself, determined that it was luxury. However, everyone agreed that without sunblock we would utilize shade, hats, white clothing, possibly mud, and other means of diverting the sun's negative effects.