Consumed by Consumerism

I know, you love your stuff.  Your new clothes and fresh pair of sneakers.  Your laptop, iPod, and cell phone with wireless headset.  Your three lattes a day.  Whatever, you’re just enjoying life’s little luxeries like everyone else, right?  It’s normal for our society; we’re consumers.  You probably rarely even give it a thought.  Maybe that’s the problem.
The consumer mentality is harming our way of life and our planet in so many ways.  The manufacturing of toxic and disposable plastic products poisons the environment and uses up a massive amount of natural resources.  Most of these products quickly become “obsolete,” so say the fashion and/or technology gods, and are improperly disposed of rather than recycled.  So the big corporations got you constantly buying new things, generating money for them and trash for the planet.  This also generates more debt for you, just what you need in an increasingly failing economy.
This is just the tip of the ice berg.  The problem is huge, the whole system is screwed.  But there are numerous small things we all can do.  Start by watching The Story of Stuff, a very interesting and informative video about the entire process from the production to disposal of your stuff.  Also, read this fact-filled article about consumption and consumerism.  And invest in Tivo or DVR.  I’m serious.  I couldn’t possibly suggest that Americans stop watching television, but if you can fast forward through the commercials then you won’t be tempted to buy a bunch of crap destined for obsolescence that you didn’t need in the first place.

~ by doe333 on August 29, 2008.