The Concealed Story Behind Our Lives – Your Life is Manufactured by Tim Minshall
From lettuce to machines the size of buildings, toilet rolls to the Suez Canal, Tim Minshall uncovers it all. Read what Katy, one of our Young Critics, thought about Tim’s talk at Lichfield Literature Festival. 
Listening to Tim Minshall’s talk on his book “Your Life Is Manufactured” resulted in me looking at everyday life through a completely different lens. Before now, I never really thought about where the things I use every day come from, where their lives begin. I used to see products as ready-made items, but this talk helped me realise how complex everything actually is.
One of the most powerful ideas in the talk was that almost everything around us is produced. I found this idea surprising and eye-opening. It made me pause and think about objects I normally take for granted, like my electronics, furniture, and even basic things like clothes. The way Minshall explains this was very simple but effective, which made the message easy to understand and left a lasting impression on me. In my opinion, the talk was very convincing because it connected a global issue to personal experience. It didn’t feel too technical or hard to understand, but at the same time, it delivered a serious message.
It also encouraged the audience to think critically rather than just listening. What stood out to me was the discussion about the environmental impact of manufacturing. Another point I noticed was how crucial manufacturing is to society. Without it, our life today would not operate as it does. The key strength of the talk is the use of real-world examples and videos.
Minshall breaks down ordinary objects, illustrating main points and explaining the multiple stages involved in their production. He emphasised as well how the whole process of manufacturing relies on simple materials, yet at the core of everything, it takes a considerable amount of time and effort to just produce the tiniest items. Overall, I found this talk very informative and evocative. It changed the way I see everyday items and made me more aware of the unseen architecture behind life.
By Katy W
Katy is a Year 6 student with a strong interest in English and Maths. She enjoys reading books especially by Emma Carroll and Jacqueline Wilson. She is keen on the idea of becoming an author in the future as she has a passion for writing. She joined Young Critics so she can learn new skills and express her ideas with greater confidence and sophistication.
If you’re aged 11-18 and would like to be a festival reviewer, applications for Young Critics are open for Lichfield Festival – find out more on our website https://lichfieldfestival.org/aspire/young-critics/