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Climate Red - News and Views on Climate Change Issues.

Climate Red - May 2008

I spend therefore I am

May 7th 2008 00:28

This post might seem slightly off the topic of climate change, however if you consider that excessive consumption is one of the main contributors to environmental damage and climate change, it isn't that far from the mark.

I watched a disturbing television program last night on consumers and debt. The TV host had a room full of people who were up to their eyeballs in debts, she interviewed each one on just how they got into debt.

Now debts per se don't bother me that much, hey the richest guys in the world have billions of dollars of it. What bothered me was what these people spent their money on. Most of the people got into debt buying consumable items that were far from essentials, i.e. blatant consumerism.

It disturbs me to think that people borrow money simply to keep up with the Jonses and buy a whole heap of junk they barely remember they have bought while they are paying the price for it.

Just when did success become about buying tonnes of material possessions, do we really need all these things to be happy? I don't think so. Success should be about happiness and well being.

One bonus of a ridiculous oil price and raised environmental awareness will be the realisation that we really don't need to own excessive amounts of stuff and get ourselves into hideous debt buying it. Hopefully people will find happiness in simply, being. Look I used to be one of the worst offenders, I have owned way more mobile phones than the average person, and have been known to break records for the largest number of jeans in a wardrobe, to name but a few of my indiscretions,but I have realised I don't need excessive amounts of stuff to be myself, in fact I am a million times happier now i have gotten out of that cycle and taken the pressure off myself, i have traded junk for happiness, and it feels good.

cheers

Louie

photo courtesy of www.morguefile.com thanks

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Comment by Cibbuano

May 7th 2008 01:43

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Louie - of course, I agree with you. And so would quite a few people on Orble. Materialism is sickening to me, and I can't understand why people are so obsessed with having more stuff.

But there's an unsavory truth to it all... without rampant consumerism, our economy wouldn't be as stable as it has been for the past few decades. The US economy has a lot of strength because it is a nation of consumers, which gives it a lot of might in the world.

Now that China and India are becoming commercialized, we're seeing some of the power transferred over to these countries -huge populations and large spending power.

In a way, then, our luxury is that we can claim to be anti-materialistic - but that luxury is built on the backs of entire nations buying all this crap.

Comment by James Rickard

May 7th 2008 01:51

unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish

I agree! Consumerism may be driving the economy but producing those goods is screwing up the environment.

Comment by James Rickard

May 7th 2008 01:55

unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish

Forgot to add this--I watch a show called "North American Fisherman." It's not a half hour of two bubbas throwing out their lines. It has a segment by a guy named Dr. Hal Schramm. He talks a lot about the environment and what we can do. Very seldom does he talk about fishing outright but, he sums it all up by saying, "What's good for the environment is good for fishing."

That about sums him up. I love his segment!

Comment by Kleonaptra

May 7th 2008 02:18

Kalikapsychosis

Oh well done Louie - its the lesser known fact that consumerisim is driving climate change. I believe it all started on the simplest of things, when I was a kid things were 'made to last' and often had double uses so everything was re used. Then this trend started of conveniant, one use products, electronic companies realized that they didnt have to spend millions making durable products - it was far better for the margin to engineer it to BREAK after a year or so so we have to buy another one....

Yes, ok, our economic security has been developed by the certainty that people will keep spending, but its gotta slow down....Excess manufacturing and spending also equals less resources in the long run. I think whats important now, instead of people screaming that we have to do something but not knowing what, is to look at it under this particular light, see the chain of events as one big problem instead of lots of little ones.

Amen to ya Louie!

Comment by AmyHuang

May 7th 2008 02:26

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Agreed.
What sh1ts me more is that these people are actually complaining about their debt.

It would be a good idea in the start to know your own capabilities before you go on a shopping spree!

These are the people that step out and think they are being 'disadvantaged' because of interest rate rises. C'mon- if you couldn't afford it in the first place, why buy it?

Cib - I know that consumerism is the basis of our economy, and it will continue to be so. Those who can afford it - let them be. I just can't stand it when people need to "Keep up with the Jonese" as Louie said, and MUST HAVE A PLASMA TV.

My sister in law to be for some reason, thinks that they MUST have a pool because the kids need it.
I grew up without a pool. Does that make me not normal?

Comment by Cibbuano

May 7th 2008 02:47

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amy, there's a chance that your sister-in-law is completely crazy. Sorry!

yes, one of the massive problems with rampant consumerism is that it drives people to spend more than they can afford. With the subprime crisis, we're treated to pictures of people's homes as they're packing up to move out, after losing the house. Lots of plasma TVs, expensive leather reclining chairs. Houses packed with the newest gadgets and decorations.

Comment by Louie

May 7th 2008 03:02

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Yes Cib i see your point. My logic for Australia is that we need to have new industry based on green power to support the economic development. This will have a double benefit, even if people continue spend spend spending the products they buy will be less harmful and Australia could become very prosperous exporting this knowledge and technology, as opposed to exporting stuff we dig out og the ground then but it all back in Plasma screens

Comment by Louie

May 7th 2008 03:03

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James I think I would like Dr Hal Schramm, maybe ill google him and see if i can write a post on his segment.

Comment by Louie

May 7th 2008 03:05

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Kleonaptra

YI believe it all started on the simplest of things, when I was a kid things were 'made to last' and often had double uses so everything was re used. Then this trend started of conveniant, one use products, electronic companies realized that they didnt have to spend millions making durable products - it was far better for the margin to engineer it to BREAK after a year or so so we have to buy another one....

i think you are right, and it is all about greed.

Thanks for you thoughtful comments.

Comment by Louie

May 7th 2008 03:06

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Amy

What sh1ts me more is that these people are actually complaining about their debt.

I totally agree, mind you kudos to one of the guys, when asked why he was in such a bad position he replied, "pure stupidity I guess" ...at least he owned up to it.

Comment by Clint Emry

May 7th 2008 03:52

Strategy and Solutions

The debt and consumerism issue is very prominent today. Historically one people group has sought to enslave another. This was accomplished though wars, then social class systems and religious social control mechanisms, then indentured servitude (and other) and now economic servitude.

How to enslave someone 101: Consumer Debt.

It's your choice to buy. I know, somethings you can't afford to live without, such as food! However, I see society slowly going the direction it was in historically.

Comment by Louie

May 7th 2008 04:29

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interesting point of view clint, I had never thought of it like that before and I think you are right.

Thanks for stopping by.

Comment by Mountain Fog

May 7th 2008 04:32

Infognito

I SHOP THEREFORE I AM!

This motto, I wish to live up to, once I win lotto!

Sorry, but, I will TRY very hard to shop responsibly and eco-consciously!

In fact, I may do away with my car altogether, and have a tall dark GORGEOUS looking male carry me everywhere....sigh...

cheers

fog

Comment by Adrienne

May 7th 2008 04:39

Celebrity Fox

Interesting thoughts

Comment by Louie

May 7th 2008 04:56

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Fog that sounds like a very HAPPY compromise

Comment by KylieW

May 7th 2008 06:20

Celebrity Obsession

I must say that I am a consumer. I shop, therefore I am.

But even I have recently looked around and thought, "what the hell am I buying that for?"

I'm taking baby steps but am trying to cut down. In fact, I would say that I have only bought 1 pair of shoes so far this year (okay, so there are some who might think that if you own in excess of 50-60 pairs of shoes, that you don't need to buy more. But the reality is, that you don't get to own 60 pairs of shoes at one time by only buying 1 pair in 5 months!).

Comment by Louie

May 7th 2008 07:38

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all effort is good effort KylieW, every little bit counts...and hey I didnt say it isn't tempting

Comment by katyzzz

May 7th 2008 07:45

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I do not spend, therefore I am not, I can live with that. When my adcents picks up I'm going to be the last of the BIG SPENDERS. No apologies.

Comment by Louie

May 7th 2008 08:12

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yes adcents is great for the environment, it halts spending all together, except the goole employess of course

Comment by Michaelie

May 7th 2008 08:31

Flick Wit

HAHAHA Fog.

Louie, you don't need to convince me... but could you just pry the credit card out of my hands??

Great post.

Michaelie

Comment by samaritan

May 7th 2008 10:48

Fringe Faith

One day I was sitting with my kids down by the river, when a whole heap of birds flew overhead and heaps of ducks landed in the water - and the kids were just amazed by all this wildlife. I made the point of asking them how much we paid for the experience. Of course they replied that it was free. Exactly, I said, you don't need to spend money to get something valuable.

I believe that every time we spend money we are making a statement about where we want our money to go. So many people just spend money without even thinking where it goes. I would love to reach the stage where I know that every cent I spend goes to support something worthwhile. But I think the first step is just thinking about it. Think where your money goes. If everybody just thought about where 10 per cent of their money went, I believe it would make a big difference.

Samaritan

Comment by RubySoho

May 7th 2008 12:00

Thought Zone

Louie you are so onto it here. I don't understand why people need to fill up their lives with stuff to convince themselves they are happy. I recently had to buy a new fridge because my flatmate moved out and took the old one with her, and even though it is a necessity, i hate the thing, one more big heavy possession cluttering up my life.

But maybe I think people overspend on stuff because they feel they need something to show for all the hours they spend working maybe? Dunno, it's alien to me.

Comment by Irene

May 7th 2008 13:00

Women In Cinema
Grammar Matters

I completely agree with you. But people like you, and the others who have commented here, are in the minority. People like to buy stuff--it's as simple as that. There are people who recycle and do other things to be eco-friendly, but...curb their spending habits? Never!

Good post.

Comment by Mountain Fog

May 7th 2008 13:42

Infognito

ahh..but not all spend compulsively to 'keep up with the Jones', some fill the vacant void within, usually only deriving momentary satisfaction from the pursuit and purchase of an object of desire, then the effect wanes, till their inner world demands attention again.

hmmm...I should start a 'new age thang' site with pearls of wisdom...

nahhh...too much effort thinking...I'll stick to my lotto plan....

and Michaelie, what's the phrase..."outta my cold dead hands!"...tee hee! You sound like a double barrelled shot gun shopper!

Oh, and KW, only 50 to 60 pairs of shoes...YOU SLACKER!!! You will have to do far better than that if you want perpetual membership of the Imelda Marcos Well Shod Club!

cheers

fog

Comment by Louie

May 7th 2008 23:06

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Michaelie, I think the general problem is, for every one that gets cut up there is an offer for another ten of the bloody things from the banks.

Comment by Louie

May 7th 2008 23:10

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Samaratin,

Thanks for stopping by, your words ring so true.

I also believe it would make a big difference if everyone just stopped to think, however dont lose hope, my new motto is every little bit counts.....

Comment by Louie

May 7th 2008 23:12

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Ruby I hear you on the fridge thing, i often daydream about just renting all appliances but it doesnt really make that much difference.

and

But maybe I think people overspend on stuff because they feel they need something to show for all the hours they spend working maybe?

I think you are onto something there. Maybe there is some truth to the phrase retail therapy.....

Comment by Louie

May 7th 2008 23:13

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Irene,

Thanks for stopping by, I see you have a sight called Grammar matters, ill be stopping by to get some tips for my shocking grammar.

Comment by Louie

May 7th 2008 23:14

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some fill the vacant void within, usually only deriving momentary satisfaction from the pursuit and purchase of an object of desire, then the effect wanes, till their inner world demands attention again.

hmmm...I should start a 'new age thang' site with pearls of wisdom...

very wise comments there fog, maybe you should.

Comment by Fobzy

May 7th 2008 23:53

Fobz

I just love spending, for me, can't get enough of it.

Comment by Louie

May 8th 2008 02:30

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well Fobzy here's hoping you buy enviro friendly stuff, the deli is better than the supermarket and all the packaging so that is a start in my books...

Comment by Thoraiya Dyer

May 8th 2008 03:21

Demented World

Nice post, Louie.

I walked past a few Mothers Day stalls this morning and felt like kicking over the tables. They were covered in enough useless junk to choke half a dozen seals with a few polar bears thrown in. Why not take Mum for a walk on the beach, tell her how much she means to you, cook her a nice dinner and leave it at that? Does she really need a crappy plastic statue of an angel with a tinsel halo or a stuffed bear embroidered in love hearts? WHY DO THESE STUPID THINGS EVEN EXIST??

OK, that's enough out of me.

P.S. Don't eat krill

Comment by Louie

May 8th 2008 04:11

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Thoralya, i hear you on those mothers day stalls....the worst thing is it was ingrained into us in Kinder to buy our mums those terrible frily coat hangers and things, who thinks of that, and who wants it....my mum is getting a home cooked meal and a donation to a worthy cause.

cheers

Louie

Comment by Mrs M

May 11th 2008 06:54

Mum's Word

Hi Louie,

I always wanted a house that had ducted air conditioning. I don't mind the heat, but I don't do winter very well.

However, I know that I can't indulge my guilty pleasure because it's just no good for the environment. So I have to go on freezing. Sure I'm helping the planet blah blah blah but I'm cold! I don't like being cold.

That's my gripe.

Love & stuff
Mrs M

Comment by Louie

May 12th 2008 01:07

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well you know heating isn't quite the same as Air Con, even us staunch greenies need to stay warm

but Gas is better, and when you can afford ducted heating you will be able to afford to switch to 100% greenpower

Comment by Lilla

May 12th 2008 04:35

Enviro Warrior
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Hi Louie,

Just when did success become about buying tonnes of material possessions, do we really need all these things to be happy? I don't think so. Success should be about happiness and well being.

..an interesting read, the comments section particularly... most well said, and you are well onto it, no doubts, Louie.

but I have realised I don't need excessive amounts of stuff to be myself, in fact I am a million times happier now i have gotten out of that cycle and taken the pressure off myself, i have traded junk for happiness, and it feels good.

I could never own a diamond, knowing a small childs hands had been cut off to achieve it, or a family ripped apart. I don't want to take drugs that have been tested on small African children either, on coats made by bashing baby seals to death .. and the list goes on.

I love opp shopping and finding bargain designer labels that highlight the class and glamour of a 'state of mind' not the latest Friday night, keep-up meeting...

You'll get no argument from me, although I am a bit of a hoarder and being nearly a half a century... well, my toaster is from 1991, my hairdryer from 1985, my washing machine (God love it), is a wedding gift from 1990.

My hand mixer, kitchen whizzer thingy is a gift from my Father in 1975 (no joke) and it makes pancake batter like no other machine) ... my car is a 1983 Ford, converted to LPG when it first came out.

Should anyone not lugging wheelchairs, or farm equipment in their 4WD, pay a tax?

Hell yes, a really BIG ONE!

My wheelbarrow is a hand me down from my Dad's days of building houses all those years ago, my shovel came the same way ... oh I can go on about all the old bits and pieces I have around my place, which probably best resembles the Adams Family Manor.

I probably only buy one thing a year, but I research it for months because I know it has to last. What I can;t buy I manifest from thin air .. believe me it is not hard to do and people drop amazing things off to me, just when I need them... usually because people these days, are obsessed with shopping for it's own sake bcause they have nothing better to do...

Why not go and join a group and plant a tree if you're board?

Sadly, I have noticed that these days, the cheaper imported things are made to last only for the length of the warranty - forcing consumerism, and that is a crime indeed... and I sound just like my parents now, saying it *chuckle* but I am still trying to persuade my things to stay with me a little longer by sprinkling the fairy dust over them

Lilla ...

Comment by Lilla

May 12th 2008 04:47

Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Films Found

My friends daughter just dropped her boyfriend because he came home with a debt of $70,000 for this rare car he had just bought...(?)

Hello?

Comment by Louie

May 12th 2008 04:57

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Lilla,

wow you are the master..i totally agree with all your sentiments and as for

Sadly, I have noticed that these days, the cheaper imported things are made to last only for the length of the warranty - forcing consumerism, and that is a crime indeed...

Watch James Rickards blog he is working on a post right now about a very similar topic

and also as for

My friends daughter just dropped her boyfriend because he came home with a debt of $70,000 for this rare car he had just bought...(?)

thank goodness she dropped him and didn't get seduced by the sexy sports car temptress, it would have been very easy to overlook the debt.

good on her I say, many people would not have done that.

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