Can man live by bread alone? This rhetorical question has its roots in the Bible where related phraseology is found three times and the intent is spiritual not physiological. But, the rhetorical question has gained a life of its own and does speak to the issue of our need for food and the rise of agriculture, a massive global industry.

Better living through chemistry. That phrase has its roots in the trademarked advertising slogan "Better Things for Better Living...Through Chemistry" that DuPont (actually, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company) introduced in 1935. Dupont dropped "Through Chemistry" in 1982 but the phrase, "Better living through chemistry" lives on and, indeed, speaks to the global chemicals industry which has roots in petroleum and other natural resources.

Reach out and touch someone. AT&T introduced this identifiable slogan in 1979 as competition arose when the telecommunications industry (there was no internet, no cell phones then) was being untethered from government regulations (and a monopolistic industry structure). There are many variations on this theme which are juxtaposed (in my mind) to Google's admonishing "Don't Be Evil". (I know the story but what are they thinking now?) Alas, I digress. My point here is that the Electronics industry has grown rapidly (no kidding!), still is growing and seems central to our lives. But, is it?

The answer is yes. But, it's never that simple. And, that's what we'll begin to explore for these industries.