Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that curious tweens are sure to enjoy this intriguing documentary series' close-up look how everyday objects are made. Viewers learn about collecting and refining natural resources, the engineering breakthroughs that speed up production, and the inner workings of massive machines that effortlessly churn out vast quantities of things. This is a great series for families to enjoy together, though little kids may zone out pretty quickly if they're not fascinated by machines.
Families can talk about the manufacturing processes seen in each episode. How have scientific advances affected how everyday items are made? How is the process easier than before? How has products' quality changed? What about their cost and uses? Or the quantity and types of human jobs associated with the production process? Is all of this good, bad, or both? Do you think less about how something was made or what went into creating it if it's cheap and easy to buy? How does the media play into that perception?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Emily Ashby
MAN-MADE shows viewers what goes into producing the kind of everyday items most of us usually don't think about all that much. From excavating the required natural resources to packaging final products, each step in the items' creation is explained and illustrated in detail. Experts in everything from engineering to advertising comment throughout each episode, shedding light on the evolution of the production process and piecing together the history of the featured item.
A segment on aluminum cans, for example, includes a demonstration of the refinement method that produces aluminum from mined bauxite ore. A metallurgist explains the chemistry behind this useful material, which has forever changed how we store, transport, and prepare food. Viewers watch as liquid aluminum is condensed into massive blocks, which are then stretched and pressed into paper-thin sheets and stamped into cans. They also get a history lesson on the subject, learning how the process evolved from hand assembly to full mechanization.
Man-Made will give you a new appreciation for what it takes to make things you probably take for granted. It also, perhaps unconsciously, makes a strong case for recycling by including information about the diminishing supply of the earth's resources -- and estimates of when those supplies might run out. Viewers may even get a brush-up course in economics (remember the law of supply and demand?) when episode content touches on the affordability of products made readily available by lightning-fast production.
Man-Made is a perfect fit for inquisitive viewers who like to know how things work, so curious tweens and teen will find a lot to like here. And with the educational nature of the series, parents probably will too.
Fans may also enjoy How It's Made. Older kids can check out Naked Science and Dirty Jobs.
Rate It!
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Sexual Content |
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ViolenceOccasional war footage shows shooting and explosions. |
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Language"Damn" is infrequent. |
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Message |
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Social BehaviorThis educational series casts light on the ingenuity involved in creating and processing everyday objects -- and in doing so encourages curiosity about the world. |
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CommercialismBrand names (Pepsi, Coors, etc.) are shown during the manufacturing process on featured items. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoIn a segment about aluminum cans, some sport beer brands. |
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