Being indoctrinated into a wasteful profit-driven economy is part of who I am. Though I would love to base all of my financial choices on ethics alone, I still like to buy consumer products that I actually like. Some mainstream market items that I like are hard to find in my whole suburban retail marketplace. Some of my favorite stuff that I have a hard time finding are:: Twinnings Prince of Wales tea Grapefruit Izze Good Produce And stuff like this that I actually like is sold in specialty stores only: Alba Organic Sea Mineral Cleanser Shi Kai [brand] Shampoo, Conditioner, and Sandalwood Body Wash
Consumerism in itself isn't bad. Unnecessary consumerism is. I can't believe how many times I hear people say they are going to purchase something although they don't really need it and will only end up using it once or twice. I'm into photography, computers and bicycles. If I see something I need or know I am going to need, I have no issues with buying it.
Necessary consumption is divorced from necessary consumerism (in the sixties that was the fashion consumption where people followed the dictates of the designer), but unnecessary consumerism is the folly of holding on to the bottom line, an obsession likened to taking away the responsibility for it from the active buying of the products to the active storekeeper; he develops the much advocated Permaculture, but the reason perma culture hasen't cot on in American society is imposition of standards to label the environmental issues as irrelevant and delusionary. A planned excursion really would be better advised is my opinion; force the company to make the moral decision on the perma-cultural concept. On the other hand, the sustaining of the development should be the common will of the people and activists. Consumerism needs a right wing revolution: in Egypt perhaps.
I'm not much of a consumer, but I'm a huge downloader. Rare consumer items I like: Goya Ginger Beer Jolt Energy Drinks (though I've stopped drinking caffeine, so um, not anymore) Jeans that are made for men, have big pockets and look good (modern fashions are horrid) I really have no clue what the actual topic of this thread is =P
