the story of stuff

i've been concerned with consumerism for a while now. it is emotionally unhealthy. it's wasteful. it shows you can not think for yourself. and the pace of our consumption just can't be maintained.

let's start with the emotional aspect of consumerism. it can be really fun to buy yourself a new toy; i just took on a short gig with the intent of rewarding myself with a digital piano. but i view this as a good purchase. i'm not getting the piano to impress my friends or neighbors, or because i want to keep up with the joneses. i'm getting it because i have played the piano since i was a small child, and i miss the endless hours of indescribable peace or clarity or fire (depending on the piece) that comes with playing.

but to those who are buying what they're selling: stop it. you have been brainwashed by advertising. an economy based on consumerism doesn't take the finite amount of resources we have into account. it doesn't take into account that when you pay $4.99 for a radio, you have not really paid for the radio, but have been subsidized by less fortunate folks who help fund your purchase indirectly with their misfortune (low wages, no health insurance, exposure to hazardous materials, etc.). it doesn't consider pollution or its side effects such as an increase in sickness or allergies, or their side effect of rising health insurance costs.

grandpa was right: there is no such thing as a free lunch.

i found a video on the internet that explains the lifecycle of stuff at http://www.storyofstuff.com/. it's 20 minutes long, so watch it when you have a little bit of time. if you are guilt-free after you watch it, i applaud you.