Combatting Consumerism
By kazookulele
@kazookulele (238)
Canada
November 23, 2006 8:25pm CST
Our culture is one of unbridled consumerism and an over-the-top buy, buy, buy mentality. The effects of this are almost, if not all negative. Tomorrow, Nov. 24, being one of the biggest shopping days of the year (at least in the United States), the day after thanksgiving and the first major day of Christmas Shopping, is also the international Buy Nothing Day. A day designed to remind people that we are not "born to shop." It's also a day to be still and avoid running out into the orgiastic spree of shoppers. For more information on Buy Nothing Day visit: http://adbusters.org/metas/eco/bnd/index.php .
5 responses
@jfglassworks (128)
• United States
17 Jan 07
This is a massive problem that stems mostly from the massive corporations. These public companies which are owned by the stock holders, are spreading this attitude to the whole world. By these companies being owned by stockholders, the companies are subject to satisfying them and thier greed for more return on thier investments.
This has helped lead to the massive amounts of wealth that are gained by the few. Those few help to instill the desire in so many humans to attain that kind of status.
The little stone rolling down the hill has now become a mountain rolling across the planet. The best way to combat this is to help support the little guy. Any small local shop that sells handmade goods. Lets see if we can keep some humanity in our society.
1 person likes this
@kazookulele (238)
• Canada
17 Jan 07
Absolutely. I'm a huge advocate for supporting locally owned businesses. It's devastating to see families having to close the doors to their stores that they've been running for years and years just because big bully corporations come and recieve governement subsidization to build their huge stores and rob all the business. But I guess in the end the responsibility lies with the people. If people want corporations to stop running the world, people need to stop giving them their blind support.
@cblackink (969)
• United States
14 Jan 07
I don't participate any in way in buying gifts anymore for Christmas. I attended a church service on Christmas Eve and spent Christmas with my family. Last I heard, Christmas was about celebrating the birth of Christ, not buying stuff. I think Christmas is one more excuse for people in our country to go out and buy crap.
1 person likes this
@kazookulele (238)
• Canada
14 Jan 07
Agreed, however, I think that gifts are okay as long as people don't get carried away. I find that Is what usually happens and the focus is taken off of more important things. Even for non-religious people, Christmas should be a time to just slow down and focus on being together in community with friends and family. I don't think people should feel they have to buy gifts for everyone just because It's Christmas.
@ChewySpree (1832)
• United States
7 Dec 06
Honestly, I have never enjoyed shopping and I don't buy into the consumer-driven culture that we have in the U.S. I prefer to buy my clothes used at the Goodwill or the consignment store, and if something I have is perfectly usable I don't feel compelled to go out and buy the latest model. This time of year always depresses me a bit, and part of it is watching everyone spend like crazy. I do have to buy a few Christmas presents, mostly for my niece and nephew, and I usually get everything online from Amazon so I don't have to venture out in the crazy crowds.
1 person likes this
@kazookulele (238)
• Canada
8 Dec 06
Things like this are good to hear. I also buy my clothes used, and pretty much the only other things I buy (and I get most of these used as well) are books and music.
@ESKARENA1 (18261)
•
24 Nov 06
i think this is a great idea, consumerism is the avenue by which American imperialism is being carried out everywhere now you see mcdonnalds and coka cola lets stop it
1 person likes this
@kazookulele (238)
• Canada
24 Nov 06
Absolutely! What we need to do is stop buying so much useless stuff that we don't need, just for the sake of having more. We need to explore the ethics of companies before blindly supporting things like sweatshop labour and exploitation. We need to support local businesses instead of feeding the giants. There are so many ways in which to fight capitalism, but it's definitely complicated. Thanks a lot for your reply, i was beginning to think no one cared about this stuff. Tell your friends!
