Chapter 1-Asset Stocks and Pain Points
In this chapter, we introduce the concept of asset stocks and their significance in shaping human well-being. Asset stocks are essential resources that come in two categories: natural and man-made. Natural asset stocks include resources and ecosystem services provided by nature, such as air and water quality, fertile soils, biodiversity, and climate. Man-made asset stocks encompass human-made resources and infrastructure, like human capital, social capital, manufactured capital, and public knowledge. Both types of assets are crucial for human well-being, and their depletion or degradation can have negative consequences for whole communities and society as a whole.
To better illustrate these concepts, let's use the analogy of a plane traveling from Los Angeles to New York City.
In this scenario, the plane represents a community, and the journey from LA to NY symbolizes the community's growth and development. Along the way, the passengers (community members) rely on various resources, which can be categorized as either man-made or natural asset stocks.
Man-made asset stocks are the resources that have been created or modified by humans. In the case of our plane journey, these could include the plane itself, the technology used for navigation, the airport facilities, and even the expertise of the pilot and crew members. Man-made asset stocks are essential for the safe and efficient operation of the plane, allowing it to reach its destination.
Natural asset stocks, on the other hand, refer to resources that exist independently of human intervention. In our plane journey, natural asset stocks could include the air that passengers breathe, the atmospheric conditions affecting the plane's flight path, and the jet stream that can either hinder or aid the plane's progress. Just as the plane relies on these natural assets to complete its journey, communities depend on natural resources such as clean air, water, and soil to maintain their well-being and ensure a sustainable future.
In the NewComm framework, understanding the interplay between man-made and natural asset stocks is crucial for analyzing literary works and their real-world implications. Characters within stories often navigate the constraints and opportunities presented by these asset stocks, making use of available resources to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. By examining these dynamics within literature, students can gain valuable insights into the systemic factors that shape our world and develop a deeper appreciation for the potential of literary works to inspire change..
To extend the plane metaphor, what happens if there a disruption or depletion of man-made and/or natural asset stocks on this plane? Indeed, this would create pain points for passengers. The same is true for you and I. If there is a disruption or depletion of asset stocks in our lives, it has a negative impact on our well-being and our opportunities.
To help students analyze the systematic implications of these disruptions, we employ the iceberg model, which allows us to delve deeper into the root causes of these issues. The iceberg model examines four interconnected layers: events, patterns of behavior, underlying structures, and mental models.
Source: https://ecochallenge.org/iceberg-model/
This is how we can tailor the iceberg model for literary analysis:
Events: Key events in the novel that illustrate disruptions in the flow of asset stocks or the effects of these disruptions on the characters.
Patterns of behavior: Trends or recurring themes in the story that indicate systemic issues affecting the characters.
Underlying structures: Factors that influence the patterns of behavior, including relationships between various elements of the system.
Mental models: The assumptions, beliefs, and values held by people within the system that perpetuate its existence and maintain its status quo.
To illustrate how the iceberg model can be used to analyze literary texts, let's take a look at Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye. In this novel, the protagonist, Pecola Breedlove, is a young Black girl who is deeply insecure about her appearance. She is constantly bombarded with images of white beauty, and she comes to believe that she is ugly and worthless because she does not look like white girls. This belief leads to a profound sense of pain and suffering for Pecola, and it ultimately contributes to her mental breakdown.
By using the iceberg model to analyze The Bluest Eye, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex factors that contribute to Pecola's pain and suffering.
Events:
Pecola's family loses their home.
Pecola is raped by her father.
Pecola is impregnated by her father.
Pecola becomes mentally unwell.
Patterns of behavior:
The adults in Pecola's life are abusive and neglectful.
Pecola is constantly bombarded with images of white beauty.
Pecola internalizes these images and believes that she is ugly and worthless.
Pecola becomes obsessed with getting blue eyes.
Pecola loses her sense of self and becomes a shell of her former self.
Underlying structures:
Racism
Misogyny
Classism
Beauty standards
Capitalism
Mental models:
White supremacy
The belief that white people are superior to Black people
The belief that beauty is defined by whiteness
The belief that money and possessions are the key to happiness
The belief that women are inferior to men
As we can see, there are many factors that contribute to Pecola's pain and suffering. These factors include her family's poverty, her father's abuse, the racism she experiences in her community, and the beauty standards that she is constantly bombarded with. These factors create a system that is stacked against Pecola, and it is this system that ultimately leads to her pain and suffering.
By using the iceberg model to analyze novels like The Bluest Eye, we can uncover the bottlenecks in the flow of asset stocks and better understand how systemic issues affect characters' lives. Through this analysis, students gain a deeper understanding of the complex factors that contribute to social inequities and develop critical thinking skills to identify the root causes of these issues. By examining literary works in this manner, the NewComm framework empowers students to engage with community leaders and stakeholders in a more informed and effective way, advocating for change and promoting a more equitable distribution of resources.
Sample Lesson Plan
Grade Level: High School
Duration: 90 minutes
Objectives:
Students will understand the concepts of asset stocks, pain points, and the iceberg model.
Students will analyze a literary text using the iceberg model.
Students will engage in a discussion about the systemic implications of disruptions in the flow of asset stocks.
Introduction (15 minutes):
Begin the class by explaining the concepts of asset stocks and pain points. Provide examples from everyday life to illustrate the importance of these resources.
Introduce the iceberg model as a tool for analyzing the systemic implications of disruptions in the flow of asset stocks in literature.
Guided Practice (30 minutes):
Divide the class into small groups of 3-4 students.
Instruct each group to choose a key event from the novel you are studying that demonstrates a disruption in the flow of asset stocks.
Guide students in applying the iceberg model to their chosen event by identifying patterns of behavior, underlying structures, and mental models in the story.
Independent Practice (30 minutes):
Have each group create a visual representation of their iceberg analysis on the whiteboard or blackboard. This can be done in the form of a diagram, flowchart, or any other format that clearly illustrates the connections between events, patterns, underlying structures, and mental models.
Encourage students to include quotes from the novel to support their analysis.
Conclusion (15 minutes):
Reconvene the class and ask each group to briefly present their iceberg analysis to the rest of the class.
Facilitate a class discussion about the systemic implications of disruptions in the flow of asset stocks in the novel you are studying." Encourage students to consider how these issues impact the characters and their community, as well as how they might relate to real-world social inequities.
Conclude by emphasizing the importance of understanding the root causes of social issues and the role of literature in raising awareness about these topics.
Stretch Activities:
Have students research real-world examples of asset stock disruptions and compare them to the events in the novel you are studying.
Encourage students to connect other literary texts they have read through the lens of the iceberg model, analyzing how various authors address systemic issues related to asset stocks and social inequities.
Discussion Questions
Can you think of a character from a book or movie that faces challenges due to limited access to asset stocks? How do these challenges impact the character's life and choices?
How might an unequal distribution of asset stocks in your own community or school affect the experiences and opportunities of people living there?
When we consider events, patterns, underlying structures, and mental models in the novel we are studying, how do these elements contribute to our understanding of the characters' experiences and the systemic issues they face?
Can you identify a scene or event in a novel or movie where a character's access to asset stocks is disrupted? What consequences does this have for the character and their environment?
How can analyzing literature through the lens of asset stocks and the iceberg model help us better understand the complex relationships between characters and the societal structures they navigate?