I'm a consuming addict or at least i was until i saw this video.
I live in a 3rd world Country and i have a Nintendo, Play station, IPod, Pc in my room with the fastest adsl conex available. Plus some gadgets like Ipod, digital camera, mp4. And the second i bought one of this things i began to save my money to buy a better one. Some ppl here doesn't even have a refrigerator. And the worst part of it is I was never happy with the stuff i had, i was always thinking on the next upgrade.
I know this is something you all guys must have but im not rich and in this country only ppl with lots of money can buy this stuff, so i work really hard everyday to get the money i need.
Its just like Tyler Durden said "You work in a job you hate, to buy stuff you don't need, to impress ppl you don't like"
I don't want to impress ppl. Its just like if i really really need those extra GBs on my IPod and i don't really need them. I have enough music for 2 weeks 24/7 so WTF?
I say fuck my job and fuck the stuff, ill buy only the things i really need and only the ones that were produced with the less "planet fucking" method.
ill just keep my shitty pc to play Starcraft and Poker.
Also there is another type of consuming, like the video says we consume energy and materials every day. Stuff like single-person size meals and products use a lot more materials and resources for package and transportation. I have lots of plastic bags stored because i didn't tell the little kid at the market to just use one, or i could have used my own non-disposable bag.
How about you? Do you really need all those things you want? Is it really worth the damage we make to the world with this stuff?
What little changes in your daily life do you think that could help to consume less energy and natural resources?
There is also a quote i wanted to add from the book "13,99€" but it is in spanish and my english is too bad to translate it. If anyone read the book and knows what I am talking about plz post it.
An old pic that illustrates what i mean by consuming:
I can safely say that I am not a consumer addict. Apart from basic needs, I make a purchase about once every 2-3 months. I used to buy a lot of stuff though when I was younger, but after a while it's just stupid to keep buying shit.
I am glad that I don't care about fashion or gadgets that much. I bought a 52 inch tv to play console games on (my roommates have 360, I have wii) and that's pretty much all I've bought in the last few years. I would never pay anything unreasonable for clothes although I have bought some sneakers for like 100+
Over the past couple years I've grown to actually buy fewer things... I see something cool and then I think... " Will I really use this enough to be worth it?" And usually the answer is no, so I don't get it. People say my cell phone is old and i don't care. Furthermore, all this buying just adds up until you have more stuff than you know what to do with. Down with excessive consumerism, i say!
On August 14 2009 06:08 Kwark wrote: We're all still playing Starcraft. That should count for something in the quality > shiny new things area.
yeah but if you look at the video, its more an environmental shit. When you buy bottled water you use plastic that won't be used again. Same with the plastic bags and all the disposable stuff. Its something that ppl don't need but keeps using it and this things are not for the planet.
What little things could you change to consume less energy and materials?
I really like to buy things a lot for other people although I will never spend a lot of money for things. For some reason I love to buy clothes and stuff like that, but I always will find the best deals and usually go to outlet mall types of places to get cheaper stuff.
When it comes to gadgets and electronics I usually don't really buy much, I believe the last thing i've bought for either my pc or console was a Wii about 4-5 months ago.
Basically now that I think about it all my money goes to bills and food with maybe a few items of clothing mixed in each month.
personally i don't buy much, the only big purchases i've made is my laptop and various software for web development...and 2 years of college ><. i do plan on getting a desktop in the near future though
Well there is also the fact Im a terrible Op cause if you watch the video you'll see i didn't pointed out well the topic i wanted to discuss. Some help here plz? i want to discuss about the topics on the video but my writing skills just suck.
Meh I can't watch the video from my phone, but I'm not a consumer addict, and here in usa plastic is re-usable. I'm mostly a food addict ;p I spend a lot of my money on food and tickets lol -_-
Other than my computer and food I don't generally buy a lot of stuff. I don't buy expensive TVs or clothes or anything like that. Other than my basic needs I only buy new stuff when it breaks or I really need it.
I am a student though so I wouldn't be able to but a lot of stuff even if I wanted to. I try not to be too materialistic though and I don't think I would become some shoppaholic consumerist even if I did get more cash. I at least don't regret or suffer from being a student. I don't crave more money then I have even if it would be pleasant.
Alright, I just watched through the video. (I think one of the reasons that everyone is posting semi-irrelevant information is that they didn't watch the video as well :> ) It's pretty much talking about the waste and destructive nature of American consumerism rather than the addictive consumerism part (although it does mention that, it says that's one of the causes of our wasteful cycles).
Anyways, as for my thoughts on the video, it seems to me like it's one of those environmentalist videos calling out all the bad things that everyone's doing and how bad it is etc etc, without really giving any indication of what we can do. At the end of the video, I was hoping the woman would give some indication of action that we as a society can do but....she never really concretely says anythings. She just says "when people along this system get 'united' we can transform this linear system into something new". That...doesn't really help does it? I guess common sense would fall into action to take, i.e. recycle your face off, buy less, save things, etc, but there must be something more right? And while it is helpful, it's nothing new to me....although I guess it would help more Americans realize what's really happening (I lawled when she said when we need to replace processors, we have to buy a new computer :>)
As for the whole issue with American consumerism, I think it stems from a majority of America thinking that they can buy and be wasteful and do whatever the hell they want just because they're one person "it's only me, I won't be hurting anyone". Also, a lot of people simply don't give a damn about anything at all. "I don't fucking care, it's not my problem. I just want to live in this life of false happiness"
I don't think there is a viable solution right now, the video is there just to shake ppl heads. I found a very pessimistic article, here is a little piece of it. Ill post the complete one on my blog.
The United States, which has 6% of the world's population, uses 30% of the world's energy supply. 20% of the worlds population, (in other words its wealthy consumer class), is responsible for over 50% of its 'greenhouse effect' atmospheric pollutants, 90% of its ozone-depleting CFC gases, 96% of its radioactive waste... and so on.
No serious commentator environmental issues denies that the present levels of world pollution and rates of environmental degradation are a severe problem, and will need to be substantially curbed if we are to avoid irreversible damage to the eco-system .
A lot of attention (and even more lip-service) is being paid to the problem, and attempts to find more environmentally friendly and sustainable methods of industrial and economic activity are high on the agenda of many institutions, such as pressure groups and industry.
But almost all these solutions assume that the industrial and economic activities of the impoverished 80% of the world's population will remain at a low, and therefore less environmentally- damaging level. In doing this, they ignore the fact that IF the majority of the world's citizens are also to achieve a consumerist standard of living, (as would be their right) then all of the present levels of global pollution and waste are going to more than quadruple. If 20% of the world's population produce the current degree of harmful effects, then 100% of the world's population doing the same will produce 5 times this damage 5 x 20 is 5 x 20, no matter what your political or economic beliefs may be.
A: We continue to have a high standard of living and deny the rest of the rest of the world the opportunity to do the same. We then use green technology to bring the pollution we produce down to a level the biosphere can absorb without sustaining long-term damage,
or B: We 'allow' the majority to develop, and lower our standard of living, with every individual then living a lifestyle that produces no more than their 'share' of a sustainable global rate of pollution.
Option B is not compatible with our consumer culture, as long as that culture continues to tell us, 'More is always better.'
I am a student, I don't have my own house I live on campus in an university apartment, but I pretty much buy everything I want, things I own that are worth noting(some are gifts):
A Honda Accord 2007 EX Ipod Mini 2gen Ipod 5gen 30G Ipod 5gen 80G Ipod touch 2gen 16G 3 cellphones 2 laptops Nikon S600 camera Sony Handicam 60G video camera 2 gaming desktops 2 webcams 2 LCDs and 1 CRT A 42inch HDTV 4 mice 3 keyboards A laser and a bubble jet printer A 5.1 Speaker system ELEVEN flash drives: 64MB, 256MB x2, 512MB x3, 1GB x2, 2GB x1, 4GB x1, 8GB x1 Around 6 pairs of headphones 2 External storage devices: 80GB and 500GB Countless CDs and DVDs clothing worth in the thousands 5 wallets 4 backpacks, 4 shoulder man purses 3 badminton rackets, 2 tennis rackets, one squash racket, 2 soccer balls, a basketball, 2 Frisbee. About 12 pairs of sneakers Around 10 belts 2 negative-ion hairdryers 2 electric shavers 2 lotions, 2 facewash, 3 bodywash, 4 body fragrances, 4 hairstyling products Starcraft, 2 legit copies
These are approximately 1/3 of the stuff that I decided to keep when I went to university, I threw the rest away.
I just realized if I were to wear everything I own in my closet once, I wouldn't have to do laundry for 5 weeks.
Thank god for having a good family friend who lets me store all this stuff in his basement, or it'll cost me a fortune to store everything at Public Storage...
Yah, fuck the earth, let's hope it doesn't blow up in my life time.
Omg this is complete fucking bullshit, trying to make it the responsability of the individual to stop consuming. What the hell else should we do with our money? I you wanna save the rainforest, make some regulations politically.
Yes, we need to preserve the planet, but hey USA, try signing the fucking Kyoto agreement like every other goddamn country in the civilized world instead of telling people to just "not consume". Then tax accordingly to naturally decrease consumption.
The video is right though, you should care more for earth. But do it when you vote.
On August 14 2009 07:43 Blyf wrote: Omg this is complete fucking bullshit, trying to make it the responsability of the individual to stop consuming. What the hell else should we do with our money? I you wanna save the rainforest, make some regulations politically.
Yes, we need to preserve the planet, but hey USA, try signing the fucking Kyoto agreement like every other goddamn country in the civilized world instead of telling people to just "not consume". Then tax accordingly to naturally decrease consumption.
The video is right though, you should care more for earth. But do it when you vote.
What the hell else should we do with our money? The point is that if you dont buy all that useless shit you can work less and play starcraft more ez right ?.
Omg this is complete fucking bullshit, trying to make it the responsability of the individual to stop consuming. What the hell else should we do with our money? I you wanna save the rainforest, make some regulations politically.
Logging companies avoid regulations by just declaring bankruptcy and leaving the country. Mining companies in the United States do the same regularly and leave billions in damages to the taxpayers to clean up.
The real issue isn't the environmental impact per person, its the exponential growth of human population. Regardless of how much we lower the impact per person, if no restrictions are placed on human populations, we're fucked either way. Natural methods of population control; Mass infections/Pandemics, Wars, Famine are all the target of increasingly effective concerted counters. This isn't a bad thing, but if you let the quality these events used to balance run unfettered, the resultant problems we're going to face are only going to be more devastating.
The analogy of forest fires in the western US suffices: Fires used to burn out the underbrush and saplings, as well as small trees around. Old growth forests with large, 50-500 year old trees, however, would resist damage by having bark too thick to burn away during the relatively mild fires. When forest fire prevention was instituted in order to stop private homes from being burned down, the result was an accumulation of fuel and the growth of those previous mid-sized saplings to a height where the fire could now bridge to the canopy of the old growth trees. The resultant fires burned much hotter and devastated the entire forest, leaving no trees behind the stop soil erosion. The soil, after subsequent cycles of blazing inferno-level fires became inferior for hosting forests, and now regrowth rates are less than half what they used to be, with investments in fire fighting increasing almost yearly.
Basically the same thing is happening, but we're the trees.
I'll NEVER exchange my freedom and my confort for anything and surely not because of some silly speculation from ecoligions (yeah, ecology is a religion now, imo). I live in Tokyo and here, consuming is normal. Everyone buys things and we all wanna buy the latest gadget and change our toothbrush every week. And guess what ? Japan is considered as one of the best country for the Ecology. If we, people, have to give up our freedom and go back living in caves under some shitty dictators, even if we "save" the earth, for me, it's a complete fail. I enjoy my 15°C A/C in my room full of PC awake 24/7 with Optical Internet Connection. I enjoy my game consoles. I enjoy my big american pick up. I enjoy being able to go back to Paris just for a week end to see my girl. I enjoy my many things considered as "bad" but, come'on, this is LIFE.
And guess what ? Japan is considered as one of the best country for the Ecology
That's mostly because Japan imports most of their material needs instead of performing in situ resource extraction and because Japan has the percentage of forested land in the western world, most of it being forest which has been protected for 300 years or so.
Doesn't mean that consumption itself isn't doing bad things, its just that Japan effectively exports the effects to primary resource exporting countries.
On August 14 2009 07:12 decafchicken wrote: My social studies professor made us watch this video. I just remember wanting to stab the fucking girl in the face.
lol agreed, this bitch is retarded and takes way too long to explain each point ( and there are lots of them).
I'm sure some/most of this stuff is true but completely exaggerated and ofc biased.
And yea, I don't have money to buy things. I mostly just use the necessities. I haven't bought a new piece of clothing in over a year and a half. I haven't purchased any frivolous things (except for sf4 recently). And I just realized something, Pirating shit on the internet is BETTER for the environment. Pirate 4 life.
I buy stuff knowing that I am contributing to the end of life as we know it and that I can't do anything about it. Oh well, this end probably won't come for a long time - the earth is more resilient than we give it credit for. Just revel in your consumerism, people, and let future generations suffer!
I've cut back myself a lot recently - I realized I was shopping just for shopping's sake and stopped buying things like CDs, DVDs, food I only wasted and random other crap. My only vice is books and magazines (especially photo books because they help with my photography.) The only downside to that is they weigh a tonne and take up lots of space. (I need to ship a box back to my Mum asap!)
The only things I really want right now are;
Camera lenses and accessories for my DSLRs. Photo books and magazines (only a few select titles a month - I've cut way back on my weekly book store trawls.) Food and other necessities like toiletries etc. A new laptop! A digicam (nothing special.) A PS3 and some games for it.
the only way to stop consumerism(and all derived problems) is some sort of global communism, but earth would have to unite into 1 country(or a big enough majority that can overturn capitalist countries) before that happens.
This video is retarded. What's the point of life if you can't enjoy it? Humans really don't *need* much besides shelter and food, but being alive just isn't the same as living. I enjoy getting new clothes and electronics, traveling to new places, and eating new foods. We can all start somewhere, like using fewer plastic bags. It pisses me off so much when I'm working at CVS and people ask for a bag when they have 1 tiny thing to carry.
On August 14 2009 09:10 MK wrote: I'll NEVER exchange my freedom and my confort for anything and surely not because of some silly speculation from ecoligions (yeah, ecology is a religion now, imo). I live in Tokyo and here, consuming is normal. Everyone buys things and we all wanna buy the latest gadget and change our toothbrush every week. And guess what ? Japan is considered as one of the best country for the Ecology.
really? says who? have you forgotten the relationship japan has had with the oceans that surround it?
One thing she didn't talk about that is DEFINITELY going on is companies purposely withholding technology so we will consume more.
Look at Apple. Remember when the iPhone came out? It didn't have 3G, and everyone complained about, yet still bought them at an astounding rate, paying well over 400$ for each one!
6 months later, out comes iPhone 3G. Do you really think Apple didn't have the know-how to implement 3G on the original iPhone? NO! And guess what, people still bought the 3G at an astounding rate!
But wait, there's more features we withheld invented! Now you can do Video? Your top of the line phone can now do what my 100$ phone from 4 years ago can do! And it's up to twice as fast! But Apple won't release the specs of any of the iPhones......
This is the easiest example to note, but it happens all over the place.
On August 14 2009 10:59 Jawa~ wrote: One thing she didn't talk about that is DEFINITELY going on is companies purposely withholding technology so we will consume more.
Look at Apple. Remember when the iPhone came out? It didn't have 3G, and everyone complained about, yet still bought them at an astounding rate, paying well over 400$ for each one!
6 months later, out comes iPhone 3G. Do you really think Apple didn't have the know-how to implement 3G on the original iPhone? NO! And guess what, people still bought the 3G at an astounding rate!
But wait, there's more features we withheld invented! Now you can do Video? Your top of the line phone can now do what my 100$ phone from 4 years ago can do! And it's up to twice as fast! But Apple won't release the specs of any of the iPhones......
This is the easiest example to note, but it happens all over the place.
I would say another good example of this is any technology where fuel has to be purchased separately.
On August 14 2009 10:10 teh leet newb wrote: This video is retarded. What's the point of life if you can't enjoy it? Humans really don't *need* much besides shelter and food, but being alive just isn't the same as living. I enjoy getting new clothes and electronics, traveling to new places, and eating new foods. We can all start somewhere, like using fewer plastic bags. It pisses me off so much when I'm working at CVS and people ask for a bag when they have 1 tiny thing to carry.
I didn't want to say anything to u.. but since u said this video is retarded.. I have no choice but to tell u'r also retarded.. not because of ur opinion but because of u saying that using fewer plastic bags is a small step to begin to save the environment/world. I want to tell u that plastic bags from grocery stores are useful. From my point of view, I can see that after u go shopping u throw away the plastic bags (*Sigh*). But, u don't see that u can reuse the plastic bags to throw away ur trashes, instead of buying GLAD "super plastic bags that are hefty and odor resistant." Probably those people ask u for a bag knowing that they can reuse it later :D
On August 14 2009 10:59 Jawa~ wrote: One thing she didn't talk about that is DEFINITELY going on is companies purposely withholding technology so we will consume more.
Look at Apple. Remember when the iPhone came out? It didn't have 3G, and everyone complained about, yet still bought them at an astounding rate, paying well over 400$ for each one!
6 months later, out comes iPhone 3G. Do you really think Apple didn't have the know-how to implement 3G on the original iPhone? NO! And guess what, people still bought the 3G at an astounding rate!
But wait, there's more features we withheld invented! Now you can do Video? Your top of the line phone can now do what my 100$ phone from 4 years ago can do! And it's up to twice as fast! But Apple won't release the specs of any of the iPhones......
This is the easiest example to note, but it happens all over the place.
I would say another good example of this is any technology where fuel has to be purchased separately.
On August 14 2009 09:10 MK wrote: I'll NEVER exchange my freedom and my confort for anything and surely not because of some silly speculation from ecoligions (yeah, ecology is a religion now, imo). I live in Tokyo and here, consuming is normal. Everyone buys things and we all wanna buy the latest gadget and change our toothbrush every week. And guess what ? Japan is considered as one of the best country for the Ecology.
really? says who? have you forgotten the relationship japan has had with the oceans that surround it?
also, japan has mandatory separation of trash (regarding safe burnables, non-burnables, recycling of plastics, etc.), to a much much farther degree than the US. So that helps curb their consumerism as well.
This video makes me feel bad, since I'm one of those consumerist whores. I buy a lot of toys and clothes, etc. and I always feel bad about how much shit I throw out and this is just for one 20 year old kid, imagine entire families and factories, etc.
I also agree with what Jawa wrote, it's something I've thought about before, i.e. with the development of phone technology. When I was 13 I went to Japan and saw cell phones with color displays and marveled at that technology, while the US was stuck with that black/green MSDOS-looking bullshit. The technology truly does exist, as evidenced (and maybe even to an extent that isn't publicly known yet) only they're trying to make the most out of older technology while they can (and how could you blame them?).
I buy things. A lot of things. I consume. I am aware that it is wasteful. From the number of cross-ocean flights I take every couple of months, I wager I'm quite a bit more destructive than the next person.
On August 14 2009 06:08 bdams19 wrote: I am glad that I don't care about fashion or gadgets that much. I bought a 52 inch tv to play console games on (my roommates have 360, I have wii) and that's pretty much all I've bought in the last few years. I would never pay anything unreasonable for clothes although I have bought some sneakers for like 100+
...
You just said that you've bought a 52 inch tv to play console games on. Completely contradicting the first sentence. Then you say you wouldn't pay unreasonable amounts for clothes, then bring in the +$100 pair of sneakers. Are you kidding? That's incredibly extravagant.
also, japan has mandatory separation of trash (regarding safe burnables, non-burnables, recycling of plastics, etc.), to a much much farther degree than the US. So that helps curb their consumerism as well.
actually, separation of trash is bs. Useless and cost much.
I also agree with what Jawa wrote, it's something I've thought about before, i.e. with the development of phone technology. When I was 13 I went to Japan and saw cell phones with color displays and marveled at that technology, while the US was stuck with that black/green MSDOS-looking bullshit. The technology truly does exist, as evidenced (and maybe even to an extent that isn't publicly known yet) only they're trying to make the most out of older technology while they can (and how could you blame them?).
Usually, people here change their phone every 6 month-1 year. In Europe, correct me if I'm wrong, it seems people change it like every 2 years or even more, right ? So I understand that for many western people, it seems wasteful but seriously, it's convenient ! I love being able to shoot everywhere, even at night or under water ! I love being able to check my GPS and watch my TV in 16/9 mode while I'm walking and I've heard the new LTS phones are soon available and I'll be able to catch incredible Internet connection so I'll change my phone again and again. I mean, ofc I can live without my phone but if we start like that, I can also live without oil, without electricity, without meat etc. If technology is available and can enhance our living, so we should adopt it.
Usually, people here change their phone every 6 month-1 year. In Europe, correct me if I'm wrong, it seems people change it like every 2 years or even more, right ? So I understand that for many western people, it seems wasteful but seriously, it's convenient ! I love being able to shoot everywhere, even at night or under water ! I love being able to check my GPS and watch my TV in 16/9 mode while I'm walking and I've heard the new LTS phones are soon available and I'll be able to catch incredible Internet connection so I'll change my phone again and again. I mean, ofc I can live without my phone but if we start like that, I can also live without oil, without electricity, without meat etc. If technology is available and can enhance our living, so we should adopt it.
That's not really the point we're making. In Japan, your phone technology is FAR ahead of the USA - a lot of our technology seems intentionally held back to get the most out of the current gen of phones.
I agree with you that we should adapt new technology ASAP, which is why I feel cheated knowing that the technology IS out there, just not being adapted for our US cell networks.
On August 14 2009 14:07 Imagination wrote: i stopped listening when she said pcs only change 1 little chip that says 2006 and then 2007.
she had my attention though, but i hate stupid bitches.
What? When the I7 came out, you pretty much had to dump all of your computer, because your motherboard wouldn't fit the socket, and your RAM is not compatible, etc.
On August 14 2009 10:10 teh leet newb wrote: This video is retarded. What's the point of life if you can't enjoy it? Humans really don't *need* much besides shelter and food, but being alive just isn't the same as living. I enjoy getting new clothes and electronics, traveling to new places, and eating new foods. We can all start somewhere, like using fewer plastic bags. It pisses me off so much when I'm working at CVS and people ask for a bag when they have 1 tiny thing to carry.
I didn't want to say anything to u.. but since u said this video is retarded.. I have no choice but to tell u'r also retarded.. not because of ur opinion but because of u saying that using fewer plastic bags is a small step to begin to save the environment/world. I want to tell u that plastic bags from grocery stores are useful. From my point of view, I can see that after u go shopping u throw away the plastic bags (*Sigh*). But, u don't see that u can reuse the plastic bags to throw away ur trashes, instead of buying GLAD "super plastic bags that are hefty and odor resistant." Probably those people ask u for a bag knowing that they can reuse it later :D
Perhaps you should stop jumping to assumptions. I always save my plastic bags in my cupboard to reuse. Do you seriously believe people don't have enough bags from buying groceries on a regular basis? I always have more than enough bags, and I surely won't need one more for the bottle of Gatorade that I'm going to drink in like 30 seconds after putting it in a bag. Besides, that was just a small example and not really my point. Just because I like getting new stuff, it doesn't mean I won't reuse what I can.
Hmmmm, I don't really like the video. It seems very naive and makes what seems like a bunch of very skewed-statistic based statements and is really slow and intended for 5 year olds... But I agree with a lot of her sentiment.
I am definitely a minimalist when it comes to consumption (only ride bicycle, recycle everything, bring a book-bag to grocery store, ask for plastic bags only in order to use for my own trash-can, take all the left-over napkins from meetings/lunches, wipe my hands on my pants/shirt (no paper towel), almost never buy new stuff, pick-up used crap people toss on street for garbage pick-up, dumpster food (rarely), etc, etc.). It just seems dumb to me to be wasteful. I guess I'm being boastful
Hmmm, anyways I think this makes me more happy then the constant consumer-type people. I feel: -> I put more thought into my consumer-type action/decisions: ->that I am doing something positive by having less of an impact ->I am probably spend a lot more time with friends instead of surfing the web for gadgets/clothing/etc,going out to buy it, and finally interacting with stuff. ->I definitely get a kick out of finding something rather then having to dish out cash for it. It's like getting a prize or something. Everyone likes free stuff, right?
Ironically, I spend time on a geeky starcraft forum (which seems to be all about buying unnecessary technological gadgets). No offense to TL.net which is really awesome
On August 14 2009 15:07 number1gog wrote: Isn't the key to reviving the economy to loosen up the wallets and buy more? I think we should be stimulating spending, not discouraging it.
there are other priorities in our world and lives than just the economy
On August 14 2009 15:07 number1gog wrote: Isn't the key to reviving the economy to loosen up the wallets and buy more? I think we should be stimulating spending, not discouraging it.
there are other priorities in our world and lives than just the economy
But I can pretty much guarantee that if the economy crashed hard, the "save the earth" people will have a few more personal issues more close to home to worry about first before saving the earth.
The video isn't bad at all, its a clear cut way to bring you into the topic. If you know nothing about it and you start throwing out super detailed information you get lost in the bigger picture. Its kinda pathetic you people see this as more or less tree huggers. A reason we're in this mess right now is because all we do is spend spend spend and if we don't? Things collapse. Living within our means is important and if you're so self centered to say as long as it doesn't happen in my life time, that's the same fool who thinks if the government shovels off for future generations its just great since it won't immediately affect you. Reality check though, if you ever plan to have children what then? You don't mind admitting to them you're 100% fine with giving them a shitty future because of the world you help create?
As far as solutions, she adequately gives areas to help improve the situation. One of which was local, go to your local farms, your local delis, you family owned restaurants. Stop going to wally world like its the mecca that just produces cheap crap for you to drool over. Grow your own vegetables, don't buy overly processed crap. There's so many directions you can go with it, same way with taking the government back making sure they're doing what's best for the people.
And lastly, I noticed a couple people whining because it shouldn't be up to us to fix it, the companies should fix it, the government should fix it. This is one of the root problems: no one ever wants to accept responsibility. That's how corporations and government run rampant because they take care of everyone, by people not accepting responsibility for their role in this world. Its not up to our "controllers" to determine the fate of the world, but alas I'm very glad some of you stay inside all day much better that way.
The video is trash. It's most likely some well-meaning but naive lady trying to feel good about herself and 'make a difference'. The problem with the video is that it's painfully obvious this lady has never attended a course on economics in her life and has no idea what she's talking about.
EDIT: And no, I don't love buying stuff. Everyone's always telling me how my keyboard, my socks, my T-shirts, etc. are trashed and I need to buy new ones.
On August 15 2009 05:53 Zato-1 wrote: The video is trash. It's most likely some well-meaning but naive lady trying to feel good about herself and 'make a difference'. The problem with the video is that it's painfully obvious this lady has never attended a course on economics in her life and has no idea what she's talking about.
You're trash. You're blatantly disparaging a woman who, as you said, is well-meaning. She's doing what she can by trying to educate people about resourcefulness, yet you have to open your trash mouth and force us to read your trashy opinion.
I liked this video; it gave me something to think about.
It's interesting that this video... is complete bullshit. I care about our environment as much as the next man (all the deforestation stats are perfectly correct and concerning), but all I can say about the video is - NAIVE. Most of the arguments presented are just plain incorrect, and the rest don't give the entire picture. Computers only actually needing one chip to be replaced to be completely up-to-date? Even the high-heels example is flawed, because only the consumers can dictate what is "in fashion" or "popular" - not the producers of the goods.
- "1% of consumer goods are still in use 6 months later;" argument: people are wasteful - Yes, because I'm reusing that water bottle for 6 months. 99% of consumer goods are meant to be disposed of.
- "We use energy to mix toxic chemicals with natural resources to make toxic, contaminated products. There are over 100,000 synthetic chemicals in use in commerce today, something something toxic toxic" - Cite your sources please; this is bullcrap. You can call everything manmade a toxin, and maybe a turkey (IQ of 15, i believe) will believe you.
- BFR's are neurotoxins. - First of all, that is only speculation and has not been proven. Flame retardants prevent many appliances from accidental combustion -> fire, and besides, many countries have already banned them on clothing and furniture.
On August 15 2009 05:53 Zato-1 wrote: The video is trash. It's most likely some well-meaning but naive lady trying to feel good about herself and 'make a difference'. The problem with the video is that it's painfully obvious this lady has never attended a course on economics in her life and has no idea what she's talking about.
You're trash. You're blatantly disparaging a woman who, as you said, is well-meaning. She's doing what she can by trying to educate people about resourcefulness, yet you have to open your trash mouth and force us to read your trashy opinion.
I liked this video; it gave me something to think about.
Because an opinion that contradicts your own is always trash... If she wants to educate people, maybe she should learn about the topic she's teaching first.
I've been working in a disposal yard this summer, that takes in about 10000 people's waste. When you see 10 tons of paper come in per week you can only wonder what this looks like on a global scale. And that was just the paper. A year ago my friend was working as a postman and it was election time. Although we was delivering for somewhere around 500 people he got more than 1/2 of a cubic meter of flyers to distribute.
Some say you can make a difference, but I think we're way too far down the line. Maybe that's my excuse. Threads like these make me want to pust Carlin's "saving the planet video", but I'm just going to say: "Pack your shit folks, we're going away."
Even the high-heels example is flawed, because only the consumers can dictate what is "in fashion" or "popular" - not the producers of the goods.
This is very untrue. Maybe you should read up on how fashion works, especially the fashion cartels in europe. Or should I say mafia/fashion cartels, like La Camorra.
Add to that the implicit copycatting that knockoffs will perform, and you have an entire fashion system which is organized, from the new 'in' colours of the season to the general trends, in a centralized manner. Consumers will buy what media tell them they should want to buy.
Even the high-heels example is flawed, because only the consumers can dictate what is "in fashion" or "popular" - not the producers of the goods.
This is very untrue. Maybe you should read up on how fashion works, especially the fashion cartels in europe. Or should I say mafia/fashion cartels, like La Camorra.
Add to that the implicit copycatting that knockoffs will perform, and you have an entire fashion system which is organized, from the new 'in' colours of the season to the general trends, in a centralized manner. Consumers will buy what media tell them they should want to buy.
EPT![[image loading]](http://www.enough.org.uk/action/newsl2.gif)
![[image loading]](http://www.enough.org.uk/action/newsl4.gif)
