Not too long ago, shopping was my past time. I loved browsing. I loved getting things on sale. I loved taking a break and eating Panda Express Chinese food, grabbing a Starbucks Frappucino or an Auntie Ann pretzels. I loved nice shopping bags and would save them. I loved seeing boxes at my doorstep.
All of this changed the more I explored, experimented and read about minimalism, zero waste and healthy food. It was an eye opener. So as of today, I no longer shop to pass the time. Here are the reasons why.
Read moreThe trouble with all of this new technology is that it make us want things we never knew we even wanted in the first place. The planned obsolescence, the desire for something new, something cooler always trumps the fact that all of these things end up as waste somewhere down the line. We don't see it so we don't think about it. Don't jump to get the new Apple iPhone.
Read moreIt is a known fact that the United States ships it's waste to other parts of the world. Electronic and textile waste are primary items that get discarded in another country. In the Philippines, donated clothes called "ukay ukay" are re-sold in small town markets. In places such as India, our electronic waste is taken apart so that the parts can be re-sold and melted. The problem with this process is that it's done by individuals without any type of protective gear. It's children handling hazardous materials just so that they can eat. The irony in all of this is that these items are manufactured just a few villages away in inhumane conditions. They are made by hard working individuals with little pay, gets sold in high end stores at 100x or more and then discarded quite easily by our over consuming society.
Read moreIndividuals work hard mostly because they want to show off to others.
I've been reading a lot about consumerism and materialism and the book Spent by Geoffrey Miller brings up many good points about why we buy.
...basic survival goods are cheap, whereas narcissistic self-stimulation and social display products are expensive. Living doesn't cost much, but showing off does
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