#consumerism — Public Fediverse posts

@[email protected]

Yeah, ebay turning into yet more "doom" has kinda happened for me as well. Current inflation & tariffs has turned me from my long time hobby of "flash foss OS onto random cheap device no one expect one on" into "guess I really don't need that thing anyway." Whether this is saving us from more rampant consumerism, or just ending with more stuff being dumped into landfills as e-waste, all depends on your perspective.

@[email protected]

Yeah, ebay turning into yet more "doom" has kinda happened for me as well. Current inflation & tariffs has turned me from my long time hobby of "flash foss OS onto random cheap device no one expect one on" into "guess I really don't need that thing anyway." Whether this is saving us from more rampant consumerism, or just ending with more stuff being dumped into landfills as e-waste, all depends on your perspective.

https://www.europesays.com/videos/25766/ Wait, Sophie the Giraffe isn’t French? • FRANCE 24 English #BabyShower #children #ClassicToys #consumerism #consumers #FinePrint #France #FRANCE24 #FRANCE24English #FRANCE24 #FRANCE24English #fraud #french #FrenchCulture #FrenchLife #FrenchToys #gifts #icon #InvestigativeJournalism #labels #lies #MadeInChina #MadeInFrance #mediapart #OrigineFranceGuarantie #Scandal #sophie #SophieLaGiraffe #SophieTheGiraffe #teething #toys #vulli

Upcoming entry in franchise people like is breaking a (insert year number) trend

I changed to (competing product) and I'm never going back!

My (hobby people do) was a mess until I used (AI product) and now I can't live with out it!

Change in (popular product) proves I was right to stick with (competing product)

Fuck I hate modern headlines, just tell us about what your article might be about.

#clickbait #headlines #consumerism #nothidingit #deadjournalism #deadinternet #attentioneconomy

https://www.europesays.com/britain/24646/ Potatoes, milk and chicken among foods UK could see shortages of as a result of Iran war #Adult #BRUSSEL #BRUXELLES #buying #CHOOSING #CONSUMERISM #CUSTOMER #Food #FoodAndDrink #GROCERIES #GROCERYSTORE #HealthyEating #Horizontal #market #retail #shopping #ShoppingCart #store #SUPERMARCHE #Supermarket #SUPERMARKT #TWOPEOPLE #UK #UnitedKingdom #VARIATION #VEGETABLE #Women

https://www.europesays.com/iran/88768/ Potatoes, milk and chicken among foods UK could see shortages of as a result of Iran war #Adult #BRUSSEL #BRUXELLES #buying #CHOOSING #consumerism #customer #food #FoodAndDrink #GROCERIES #GroceryStore #HealthyEating #Horizontal #Iran #market #Retail #SHOPPING #ShoppingCart #store #SUPERMARCHE #SUPERMARKET #SUPERMARKT #TWOPEOPLE #VARIATION #VEGETABLE #Women

https://www.europesays.com/britain/24417/ Potatoes, milk and chicken among foods UK could see shortages of as a result of Iran war #Adult #BRUSSEL #BRUXELLES #buying #CHOOSING #CONSUMERISM #CUSTOMER #Food #FoodAndDrink #GROCERIES #GROCERYSTORE #HealthyEating #Horizontal #market #retail #shopping #ShoppingCart #store #SUPERMARCHE #Supermarket #SUPERMARKT #TWOPEOPLE #UK #UnitedKingdom #VARIATION #VEGETABLE #Women

https://www.europesays.com/iran/88012/ Potatoes, milk and chicken among foods UK could see shortages of as a result of Iran war #Adult #BRUSSEL #BRUXELLES #buying #CHOOSING #consumerism #customer #food #FoodAndDrink #GROCERIES #GroceryStore #HealthyEating #Horizontal #Iran #market #Retail #SHOPPING #ShoppingCart #store #SUPERMARCHE #SUPERMARKET #SUPERMARKT #TWOPEOPLE #VARIATION #VEGETABLE #Women

🤔 Many mobile phones come pre-loaded with Mobile Advertising IDs or MAIDs that can cross-talk across apps to collect user data for marketing purposes. The opt-out technicalities are hidden and opaque, not something the unsuspecting consumers will think to do.

📲 Big Tech relies on our lack of proactiveness when it comes to passive data harvesting.

❓ This like many other corporate data practices raises the question of trustworthiness.

#dataharvesting #privacy #advertising #consumerism #mobile

Lifestyle choices?… call it what it is, #Advertising induced #BrainWashing #Consumerism. Living within our means (including planetary resource limits) is not in the #NeoLiberal mindset of #Grifters nor in the unfetted #Capitalism and #Globalisation handbook. Is the quality of life really enhanced in proportion to the amount of goods we consume or acquire? I think not.

There’s nothing like retirement on a modest pension to make one come to their senses and see that a comfortable, happy and fruitful life can be had cheaply enough. It helps if working life is used to save, consume less with the environment in mind and asking a simple question: ‘do I really need this?’ before buying anything. Some goods are essential, most are not.

/End_of_rant. — doing too much ranting me thinks. Time for a reset.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-16/lifestyle-creep-and-how-to-avoid-it/106315876

@dougiec3 @ai6yr Dumbass "Early Adopter" Hipsters will break their necks tripping over the opportunity to fuck themselves over just so they can be over a thing by the time you begrudgingly use whatever fresh hell is trust upon us by our dipshit "friends" that make us spend time/attention/money on shit we really don't want nor need to try and impress them.

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk

#crashingout #existentialcrisis #consumerism

Hype for the Future 119H: A Manifesto on Investment

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/02/27/hype-for-the-future-119h-a-manifesto-on-investment/

#HappyHolidays, another educational mission: A #History of a #Corporate #Christmas (incl. #SherlockHolmes) I have to go, I need to #buy something. #capitalism #consumerism #Xmas youtu.be/RRC_t84UXzI

The History of a Corporate C...

If you want a very different perspective on what you see at stores and generally in our modern life, I recommend working 6 months to a year at an electronics recycling plant.

It is eye-opening.

It's also a good workout, in case you need to shed a few pounds and build muscle mass. Do good for your planet, your body, and your mind - or at least consumer practices. Go recycle some electronics!

#ewaste #e-waste #electronics #recycling #consumerism #wasteful

Peloton just refreshed its *entire* fitness line, and apparently, it's 'worth the upgrade.' My wallet just whispered, 'Are you sure about that?'

Is this the upgrade cycle we deserve, or are we just fueling the endless consumer machine? What's your take on smart fitness tech? #Peloton #FitnessTech #TechUpgrade #HomeGym #Consumerism
Link: https://www.cnet.com/health/fitness/peloton-just-replaced-its-entire-line-of-fitness-equipment-and-its-worth-the-upgrade/#ftag=CAD590a51e

I often hear that our economy is based on consumerism and that #UBI will make it a lot worse.

I disagree with that statement based on my own experience and everyone else who I see around me.

Yes, during my younger years, it was nice to get a new pair of jeans or shoes or something. Then, as I grew up, these things become less important. I still like nice things but I no longer feel the need to "own them all".

What do you think? 🤓

#UniversalBasicIncome #UniversalBasicInvestment #Consumerism

I often hear that our economy is based on consumerism and that #UBI will make it a lot worse.

I disagree with that statement based on my own experience and everyone else who I see around me.

Yes, during my younger years, it was nice to get a new pair of jeans or shoes or something. Then, as I grew up, these things become less important. I still like nice things but I no longer feel the need to "own them all".

What do you think? 🤓

#UniversalBasicIncome #UniversalBasicInvestment #Consumerism

I often hear that our economy is based on consumerism and that #UBI will make it a lot worse.

I disagree with that statement based on my own experience and everyone else who I see around me.

Yes, during my younger years, it was nice to get a new pair of jeans or shoes or something. Then, as I grew up, these things become less important. I still like nice things but I no longer feel the need to "own them all".

What do you think? 🤓

#UniversalBasicIncome #UniversalBasicInvestment #Consumerism

I often hear that our economy is based on consumerism and that #UBI will make it a lot worse.

I disagree with that statement based on my own experience and everyone else who I see around me.

Yes, during my younger years, it was nice to get a new pair of jeans or shoes or something. Then, as I grew up, these things become less important. I still like nice things but I no longer feel the need to "own them all".

What do you think? 🤓

#UniversalBasicIncome #UniversalBasicInvestment #Consumerism

I often hear that our economy is based on consumerism and that #UBI will make it a lot worse.

I disagree with that statement based on my own experience and everyone else who I see around me.

Yes, during my younger years, it was nice to get a new pair of jeans or shoes or something. Then, as I grew up, these things become less important. I still like nice things but I no longer feel the need to "own them all".

What do you think? 🤓

#UniversalBasicIncome #UniversalBasicInvestment #Consumerism

Boycott Israeli Corporations because governments run on and for money given by corps.

Join hands!! ✊

:antifa_100: :xr:
#BoycottIsraeliApartheid #IsraeliGovernment #israeligenocide #PalestineAction #ceasefire #disarmament #genocide #alttext #consumerism #EthicalConsumerism #conciousconsumption

It's 2 years since the big #BarbieMovie summer of 2023! 👠 Let this essay collection edited by Anna Gotlib & Claire Elise Katz take you back to #GretaGerwig 's #Barbieland 🩷analysing #Barbie & #consumerism #PopCulture #SatC #Feminism #MasculinityStudies and ofc #FilmStudies & #CulturalStudies

It's 2 years since the big #BarbieMovie summer of 2023! 👠 Let this essay collection edited by Anna Gotlib & Claire Elise Katz take you back to #GretaGerwig 's #Barbieland 🩷analysing #Barbie & #consumerism #PopCulture #SatC #Feminism #MasculinityStudies and ofc #FilmStudies & #CulturalStudies

It's 2 years since the big #BarbieMovie summer of 2023! 👠 Let this essay collection edited by Anna Gotlib & Claire Elise Katz take you back to #GretaGerwig 's #Barbieland 🩷analysing #Barbie & #consumerism #PopCulture #SatC #Feminism #MasculinityStudies and ofc #FilmStudies & #CulturalStudies

I am not sure if I bought these only to look good online and get exchanged with interactions and engagement.

Am I sincere in taking care of myself? What if I bought these and didn't use them at all? I am a man anyway. I am just worried that if I buy these, I might not use them again.

#skincare #selfcare #beauty #consumerism #honesty #menskincare #beautyproducts #selfdoubt #habits #authenticity #onlinevsreality #validation #questioning #personalcare #skincareroutine #beautycommunity #beautyaddict #selflove #mindfulness #reflection

I am not sure if I bought these only to look good online and get exchanged with interactions and engagement.

Am I sincere in taking care of myself? What if I bought these and didn't use them at all? I am a man anyway. I am just worried that if I buy these, I might not use them again.

#skincare #selfcare #beauty #consumerism #honesty #menskincare #beautyproducts #selfdoubt #habits #authenticity #onlinevsreality #validation #questioning #personalcare #skincareroutine #beautycommunity #beautyaddict #selflove #mindfulness #reflection

I am not sure if I bought these only to look good online and get exchanged with interactions and engagement.

Am I sincere in taking care of myself? What if I bought these and didn't use them at all? I am a man anyway. I am just worried that if I buy these, I might not use them again.

#skincare #selfcare #beauty #consumerism #honesty #menskincare #beautyproducts #selfdoubt #habits #authenticity #onlinevsreality #validation #questioning #personalcare #skincareroutine #beautycommunity #beautyaddict #selflove #mindfulness #reflection

#Baddebt from #unsustainable #consumerism
"Danucha P, secretary-general of #NESDC, said tt in 4Q 2024, #household #debt totalled THB16.4tril, showing a 0.2% growth cf to te same period last year.. largely due to tighter lending stds.. Danucha said 1 issue tt needed to be addressed was Thais' tendency to #consume #luxuriously, which can easily lead to excessive debt.. survey by Mahidol found tt 1 in 3 #Thais prefer to #spend their money on #luxurygoods & #premium services"
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3045872/call-for-measures-to-halt-surge-in-bad-debt

#Baddebt from #unsustainable #consumerism
"Danucha P, secretary-general of #NESDC, said tt in 4Q 2024, #household #debt totalled THB16.4tril, showing a 0.2% growth cf to te same period last year.. largely due to tighter lending stds.. Danucha said 1 issue tt needed to be addressed was Thais' tendency to #consume #luxuriously, which can easily lead to excessive debt.. survey by Mahidol found tt 1 in 3 #Thais prefer to #spend their money on #luxurygoods & #premium services"
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3045872/call-for-measures-to-halt-surge-in-bad-debt

#Baddebt from #unsustainable #consumerism
"Danucha P, secretary-general of #NESDC, said tt in 4Q 2024, #household #debt totalled THB16.4tril, showing a 0.2% growth cf to te same period last year.. largely due to tighter lending stds.. Danucha said 1 issue tt needed to be addressed was Thais' tendency to #consume #luxuriously, which can easily lead to excessive debt.. survey by Mahidol found tt 1 in 3 #Thais prefer to #spend their money on #luxurygoods & #premium services"
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3045872/call-for-measures-to-halt-surge-in-bad-debt

#Baddebt from #unsustainable #consumerism
"Danucha P, secretary-general of #NESDC, said tt in 4Q 2024, #household #debt totalled THB16.4tril, showing a 0.2% growth cf to te same period last year.. largely due to tighter lending stds.. Danucha said 1 issue tt needed to be addressed was Thais' tendency to #consume #luxuriously, which can easily lead to excessive debt.. survey by Mahidol found tt 1 in 3 #Thais prefer to #spend their money on #luxurygoods & #premium services"
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3045872/call-for-measures-to-halt-surge-in-bad-debt

Elisa Aaltola Marko Gustafssonin vieraana puhumassa vastalääkkeistä hedonistisen kulutusyhteiskunnan sairaalle hyörinälle, https://areena.yle.fi/1-73932533

#kulutus #kulutusYhteiskunta #hedonismi #syyllisyys #häpeä #ylikulutus #uusliberalismi #kapitalismi #markkinatalous #eläinoikeudet #guilt #shame #psychology #society #consumerism #tunteet #emotions #empatia #empathy #rakkaus #love #talous

#Nobel #Laureate touts #ThreeZero #theory
"framework called “Three Zero”, referring to zero #carbon #emissions, zero #wealthconcentration & zero #unemployment. Prof #Yunus argued tt #business in tis new civilisation mustn't be driven by #greed, which he warned inevitably leads to #wealth accumul'g among a select few.. He criticised modern #society’s deep-rooted #consumerism, stating tt e pursuit of tis at all costs has led to #unsustainable waste & environ'al degradation"
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2995986/nobel-laureate-touts-three-zero-theory

#Nobel #Laureate touts #ThreeZero #theory
"framework called “Three Zero”, referring to zero #carbon #emissions, zero #wealthconcentration & zero #unemployment. Prof #Yunus argued tt #business in tis new civilisation mustn't be driven by #greed, which he warned inevitably leads to #wealth accumul'g among a select few.. He criticised modern #society’s deep-rooted #consumerism, stating tt e pursuit of tis at all costs has led to #unsustainable waste & environ'al degradation"
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2995986/nobel-laureate-touts-three-zero-theory

#Nobel #Laureate touts #ThreeZero #theory
"framework called “Three Zero”, referring to zero #carbon #emissions, zero #wealthconcentration & zero #unemployment. Prof #Yunus argued tt #business in tis new civilisation mustn't be driven by #greed, which he warned inevitably leads to #wealth accumul'g among a select few.. He criticised modern #society’s deep-rooted #consumerism, stating tt e pursuit of tis at all costs has led to #unsustainable waste & environ'al degradation"
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2995986/nobel-laureate-touts-three-zero-theory

#Nobel #Laureate touts #ThreeZero #theory
"framework called “Three Zero”, referring to zero #carbon #emissions, zero #wealthconcentration & zero #unemployment. Prof #Yunus argued tt #business in tis new civilisation mustn't be driven by #greed, which he warned inevitably leads to #wealth accumul'g among a select few.. He criticised modern #society’s deep-rooted #consumerism, stating tt e pursuit of tis at all costs has led to #unsustainable waste & environ'al degradation"
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2995986/nobel-laureate-touts-three-zero-theory

#Nobel #Laureate touts #ThreeZero #theory
"framework called “Three Zero”, referring to zero #carbon #emissions, zero #wealthconcentration & zero #unemployment. Prof #Yunus argued tt #business in tis new civilisation mustn't be driven by #greed, which he warned inevitably leads to #wealth accumul'g among a select few.. He criticised modern #society’s deep-rooted #consumerism, stating tt e pursuit of tis at all costs has led to #unsustainable waste & environ'al degradation"
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2995986/nobel-laureate-touts-three-zero-theory

[A long thread ball 🧶]

#Work is a matter of power and domination.
#Work should be a concern of political theory.

Here is the introduction from Kathi Weeks' book 'The problem with work: feminism, Marxism, antiwork politics and postwork imaginaries': https://libcom.org/article/problem-work-kathi-weeks @politicalscience

#fetishism #manufacturingConsent #believe #beliefs #faith #hope #institutionsDeceive #politicalTheory #growth #consumerism #economy #shopping #capitalism #workCulture #jobs #KathiWeeks #imagination #feminism #Marxism #antiwork #politics #postwork #book #buying #consuming #consumption #workEthics #Foucault #bioPower #bioPolitics #MaxWeber #longRead

Our #institutions are vulnerable to sudden, catastrophic failures with no repair. Do not believe them:

"In most settings, climate and sustainability professionals are not getting paid to change important things, they’re getting paid to protect important things from change.

"Climate/sustainability #expertise has become a profession, like any other. Its primary offering is least-cost plans for incremental-but-socially-credible action. Generally those plans defend organizations from criticism and pressure by making serious-sounding commitments to big-but-distant goals (like, “Net Zero by 2050”), paired with incremental and inexpensive steps in the near term. The two are then “triangulated” with arguments that small steps today are “in line” with a future of bold action. The key deliverable is the claim that the triangulator’s employer is “doing enough.”

"The definition of “doing enough” becomes the critical battleground with advocates and regulators who want more action. With triangulation, we see the deployment of bolt-on solutions purpose-machined to preserve the value of slow approaches, assets, and expertise. We see an emphasis on things like charitable gifts, ESG ratings, operational climate emissions (and carbon offsets), business-case sustainability commitments (small steps that pay their way) and employee behavior (“Remember, everyone, recycle your coffee cups and don’t forget to show up for tree-planting day!”), and messaging (from outright greenwashing to empty declarations of support for climate justice).

"The promise of #triangulation—the optics of serious commitment, but an action agenda that doesn’t upset existing management priorities and revenue centers—has proven attractive to those at the top, for understandable reasons: If you’re an executive without any particular insight into the crisis yourself, hiring triangulatory experts allows you to cover your butt without any obvious downside. It’s a plug and play solution, allowing you to keep focused on the business models that have been earning well so far. It limits exposure to the gulf between slow approaches and fast realities. And it works perfectly fine, as long as your decision-making horizon is very close, measured in quarterly reports, and uninterrupted by any sudden changes.
[…]
"Triangulation makes most institutions worse at strategy. It makes professional expertise gained within its programs pre-outdated. It hamstrings the ability to spot opportunity and the skills needed to move disruptively to seize it.

"Triangulation makes a professional more secure in their job for now, but less prepared for the future; triangulated strategies protect organizations from pressure to act now, but they weaken the organization’s capacities to change. Everything worth talking about is outside the boundary of the currently acceptable debate in most professional circles, because every triangulated position and expertise bubble creates the boundary it needs to stay safe. If you are relying on advice being given within triangulated boundaries to try to figure out what’s going on, you’re outsourcing your strategic acumen to people who’s core skill is avoiding the question."

Alex Steffen: https://alexsteffen.substack.com/p/discontinuity-is-the-job @anthropocene @climate @sociology

#discontinuity #priorities #believe #faith #hope #ecology #institutionsDeceive #economy #consumerism #capitalism #climateBreakdown #climateCrisis #globalHeating #climateChange #conflation #reality #environment #pollution #sustainability #sustainableDevelopment #greenwashing

"There is a conflation of capitalism with reality, that this is the only way things operate. There are other ways of organising our relationships with nature and each other."

Patrick Bresnihan in The Irish Times: https://www.irishtimes.com/environment/2024/08/08/capitalism-is-killing-the-planet-but-curtailing-it-is-the-discussion-nobody-wants-to-have/ @anthropocene 🧶

#media #press #believe #faith #hope #ecology #institutionsDeceive #ecologism #politicalEcology #degrowth #growth #consumerism #quotes #quote #economy #shopping #capitalism #climateChange #conflation #reality #globalHeating #environment #pollution

"Placing the individual and his or her ability to free him or herself from a social world perceived as shameful is not particularly subversive; it is the most widespread mode of explanation today. Far from emancipation thinking with a more markedly collective character, which envisions classes in struggle against structural dominations, this ecology is a tool for social acceptance which is all the more effective in that it presents itself as an attainable and individually gratifying #alternative".

Aude Vidal in "Egologie : Ecologie, individualisme et course au bonheur" (Egology: ecology, individualism and the race for happiness) @anthropocene

#believe #faith #hope #ecology #sobriety #institutionsDeceive #Vidal #ecologism #politicalEcology #degrowth #consumerism #quotes #quote #economy #shopping #capitalism #climateChange #beliefs #hegemony

Researchers sound alarm after making concerning connection between #plastic and the spread of #pathogens: ‘Urgent need for intensified monitoring’

Story by Juliana Marino
January 28, 2024

"New studies have revealed the dangers of microplastics. These tiny plastic particles are not only a major #environmental threat but also a serious health risk.

"A recent study in the 2023 Volume 2 issue of Eco-Environment & Health has identified the hidden dangers of microplastics spreading in bodies of water.

What’s happening?

"Microplastics are tiny plastic particles — no bigger than 5 millimeters — that come from industrial materials and the breakdown of plastic products. They have become a growing environmental concern due to their widespread presence throughout marine and freshwater ecosystems worldwide.

"The new study reveals the alarming health risks associated with the spread of microplastics. According to the research findings, pathogens can adhere to microplastics, using plastic waste particles as a medium for transmission.

"Researchers who worked on the study underscored the 'urgent need for intensified monitoring of microplastic contamination.' The study also calls for additional research investigations examining the 'role of microplastics in pathogen transmission, along with the health risks that ensure.''

Why are microplastics concerning?

"Microplastics pose severe health risks to living organisms. Scientists have found microplastics in the stomachs of a variety of organisms, from small invertebrates to large mammals like bears, whales, and deer. When organisms ingest microplastics, the plastic waste particles build up and can cause #inflammation, #neurotoxicity, and #GutImbalances.

"From an environmental standpoint, microplastics leach toxic substances into the #soil, #air, and #water. Since microplastics are made of synthetic materials, they do not break down, remaining in the environment and our bodies indefinitely.

"Plastic pollution threatens the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems especially, as scientists have already identified 24.4 trillion pieces of microplastics in the ocean. However, the total number of microplastics floating through the ocean is estimated to be much higher.

What’s being done about microplastic pollution?

"Countries across the globe are taking action by developing policies to prevent further plastic leakage into soil and water sources.

"Scientists are also developing methods for effectively removing existing microplastics from contaminated bodies of water. One promising technique uses a magnetic nano-pillared absorbent to extract tiny plastic particles. This approach removes microplastics at a much faster rate than previous methods.

"Individually, we can stop adding to plastic pollution by changing small habits that make a big difference."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/researchers-sound-alarm-after-making-concerning-connection-between-plastic-and-the-spread-of-pathogens-urgent-need-for-intensified-monitoring/ar-BB1hpeJB?rc=1&ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=775a873f9cfb4e13921f2e82444cd078&ei=35

#WaterIsLife #Microplastics #PlasticPollution #Anticonsumerism #Degrowth #PlasticAlternatives #CleanUpYourMess #BigCorporations #Consumerism #Advertising

#Introduction #Welcome

Please repost for visibility, so I can find people with similar interests. Like or comment for me to take a look at your profile, and possibly follow.

Likes/Interests: #Programming #Technology #OpenSource #FreeSoftware #FOSS #FLOSS #Fediverse #OnlineFreedom #Privacy #Anonymity #Anonymous #InfoSec #CyberSecurity #Manjaro #Linux #Science #Socialism #HumanRights #SocialJustice #MultipolarWorld #Programming #Python #Golang #Rust #RetroGaming #Gaming #SelfHosted #TechNews #Matrix #Youtube #Movies #Anime #Hentai #Erotica #Futurology #AI #Singularity #Fitness #Health #Collapse #ClimateCrisis #Audiobooks #Books #Fantasy #SciFi #StarWars #Fanfiction #Conspiracy #CriticalThinking #Cooking #DataHoarding #Piracy #FileSharing #Meshnet #Decentralized #Distributed #P2P #PeerToPeer #IPFS #Zeronet #Freenet #I2P #Tor

Dislikes/Disinterests: #Music #Memes #Sports #Coffee #Animals #Cats #Dogs #Nazis #CIA #NATO #UsEmpire #Oligarchy #Plutocracy #Kleptocracy #Imperialism #Fascism #Racism #Capitalism #Billionaires #Woke #Wokeism #Liberals #Democrats #Republicans #Conservatives #BigTech #ClosedSource #Microsoft #Discord #Copyright #Censorship #WesternMedia #MaintreamNews #OfficialPropaganda #Surveillance #PoliticalCorrectness #SurveillanceCapitalism #DRM #DataMining #FakeNews #Misinformation #Disinformation #EchoChamber #FilterBubble #CorporateMedia #Consumerism #Materialism #Overconsumption #PlannedObsolescence #FastFashion #Waste #EnvironmentalDegradation #Gentrification #Inequality #Neoliberalism #Globalization #FantasyFootball #Apple #Tech #BoardGames #TTRPG #DnD

Best to worst: #fopnu #nicotine+ ( #soulseek ) #aMule ( #edonkey2000 #ed2k ) #EiskaltDC++ ( #dcpp ) #gnutella #Shareaza #qBittorrent ( #BitTorrent #torrent )

My dream social media platform. What do you think, what are the most interesting ideas, what other features would you like to see, how would be your perfect social media platform?

#CanPoli #Aviation #Westjet #Sunwing #Swoop #Capitalism #Consumerism #Travel #AirTravel

https://safe.zone/1000002257

#localglobalshoppingmall #lgsm #unicornnetwork #wesharesuccess #safezone #onlineshopping #onlineshoppingmall #invitationmarketing #affiliatemarketing #referralmarketing #affiliateprogram #referralprogram #workfromhome #passiveincome #revshare #revenueshare #blockchaintechnology #cryptocurrency #consumerism #retailrevolution #retailbusinessredefined

Over Consumption is the Biggest Elephant

I was listening to a program on the CBC this afternoon talking about de-carbonizing the shipping industry. The person being interviewed was part of an alliance of professionals in British Columbia taking on the challenges and problems of getting cargo ships and the whole industry to net zero. It’s apparently estimated that the conversion to a net zero system will cost between 1.0 - 1.4 trillion US dollars.

The story sounds similar in most other industries. As we try and get our carbon emissions down, the cost to transition to renewable sources of energy feels almost insurmountable. But the experts tell us that this is what must be done to stop runaway climate change, as if it’s not already here.

It is remarkable that these incredibly important environmental conversations are so single focused, as if shifting to net zero is somehow going to solve all our problems. I mean, it’s start, but even I can see the long terms problems that are already starting to present themselves in greenifying a capitalist industrial economy.

And I’m no environmental expert.

We live on a planet with finite resources but every attempt to save our consumption-based economic systems seems to drive another nail into the coffin. Not only are we not considering the potential long term problems of de-carbonizing our industrial complexes to allow them to continue operating business as usual, but the solutions that are being developed aren’t even looking beyond energy consumption. What about resource depletion? What about garbage? What about plastic? What about wealth inequality? What about workers’ rights and cost of living and endless pollution? The shipping industry touches all of these issues but there was no mention of them. I have to imagine that some expert at some table somewhere is considering all of these issues when working on this “de-carboning the cargo ships” idea but I’m not hearing anything about it.

The elephant in the room, of course, is that we can’t keep consuming at our current rate for a myriad of reasons: we’ll run out of resources, the economy demands cheap goods and labour to continue output which causes dangerous and unfair working environments, the devastation to natural ecosystems is often irreparable, we’re experiencing a mass extinction because of habitat loss. I could go on.

It feels like part of the reason no one wants to talk about our culture of over consumption because, of course, it’s not equal across the board. Those with the ability to consume, aka. people with money, consume in vast quantities compared to people without money. So when we point fingers at each other, the blame cannot be places equally and that makes it hard. But hard or not, it doesn’t mean we should avoid the conversation.

I also feel that these large industry-wide planning initiatives are the best time to talk about strategies to shift to an economic system that doesn’t rely on consumption. All the big brains in one place talking about huge systemic change: it seems like the perfect time to address this enormous culture-shifting problem. Even coming out of summits like COP which are strategically focused on climate change, all the focus is on greenhouse gas emissions when there’s a huge opportunity to talk with industry and government leaders about this vast intersectional issue that covers a huge landscape of social, political, and economic challenges.

But it’s like crickets. More empty policies with little tangible action and all of it targeted specifically at reducing carbon emissions, even if that reduction never happens.

Why are we so scared to talk about shifting away from a consumptive-based economic system? Is it really all capitalist lobbyists buying out the decision makers? Like I said, I’m just a random person with no background in economics, politics, or ecology, and the problem seems really clear to me: as long as we continue to operate under a economic system that requires ongoing consumption while we live on a planet with finite resources, we are just going to create new problems in trying to solve the old ones. In other words, de-carbonizing is going to come at the expense of somethings else, likely resource depletion.

When we fail to have these conversations at the forty thousand foot view we place the responsibility squarely on the individual. People like you and I can clearly see that lowering our own personal consumption is an important step on the path forward, but then the issue becomes “individualized” rather than the systemic. We get this weird egoism that plays into the dilemma: “I’m doing my part by only buying fair trade! What are you doing to save the world??” (while of course continuing to support dozens of other unethical industries because there’s no other options). And, as mentioned, all consumerism is not created equal. Asking people struggling to make ends meet to spend all their money on ethically produced clothing is ridiculous when billionaires buy yachts.

I don’t want to appear reductionist: I know these problems are huge and complex and it’s likely that resource depletion and over consumption are being talked about behind more than one door. I know that there is no simple solution, but I’d really appreciate hearing more in the news and media about what it might look like to transition to an economy that isn’t just post-carbon, but post-over-consumption. I believe this conversation is integral, requires collective visioning, and must be part of the conversations around mitigating the effects of climate change as well as our current economic collapse.

#overconsumption #consumerism #consumption #ecocide #anticapitalism #climatechange #climatecollapse #consuming #resourcedepletion #greenhousegasemissions #swimmingupstream #anticapitalist

Originally posted at https://swimupstream.substack.com/p/over-consumption-is-the-biggest-elephant