How Stuffed Are We? - The Effects of Materialism and Consumer Culture

A friend recently sent me the following Eco-Alert link, called “The Story of Stuff” with Annie Leonard, which I found very interesting and informative. The materials economy and consumer culture are discussed with respect to their effect on the world's natural resources and people.

I recommend the link to all, and encourage others to promote the link.

http://www.storyofstuff.com/

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My view on the full video which can be viewed via the link provided ...

Personally, I do think that a certain amount of consumer spending is a good thing - good for the economy. We shouldn’t be afraid to make investments in the products and resources we need to thrive. It is so true, though, that things have gone a little out of control - to the point where, to use a favorite quote from Wordsworth, "getting and spending we lay waste our powers ... ".

I do fully agree that we all need to become much more careful about HOW, WHAT and HOW QUICKLY we consume. We need to ask who is producing it and in what manner.

We need to ask ...

Are the planet's people and resources being developed as we consume certain products - or are they being exploited and wasted for the sake of short term gain?

Do the wealthiest people in our global culture now bow down to an idol which represents a deceptive, fleeting and potentially fatal illusion of material well-being?

If the shopping malls are now our new temples, and if we go there mindlessly in search of some sort of momentary thrill, because we think there is no better truth or higher form of aspiration - well ... then haven’t we've become rather shallow?

As people, we can connect with something better than this, and we need to know that we can exert great power if we want to do that. We can choose what to consume and what will be developed and when.

We shouldn’t be afraid to inform ourselves and then use our power wisely - “en mass”.

Frankly, it’s time for a lot of us to stop walking around like zombies. It’s time to stop bearing such a resemblance to the taxidermist’s product – seemingly alive, but simply “stuffed”.

So yes … check out Annie Leonard's inspiring thoughts on "The Story of Stuff".