Noble Realms — Verdant.net - Against Consumerism

Re: Verdant.net - Against Consumerism

null@example.com (Alushe) — Wed, 19 Jan 2005 22:21:34 +0000

I think the website goes for a minimalist approach, which I'm ok with. Probably a case of someone with something (very important) to say but the lack of web design skills that eg Tom Montalk possesses.
I'm really wanting to get into this urban farming, we have a vege garden in our back yard but it's recently turned into a giant vegetated mess. My diet has got to the point where I almost exclusively eat vegetables and climber's bread.

Re: Verdant.net - Against Consumerism

null@example.com (morningsun76) — Wed, 19 Jan 2005 20:57:15 +0000

I'm reading the Verdant website and so far I really like the "why we shut off your diesel engine" page. I like the "we're not gonna take it" attitude.

Re: Verdant.net - Against Consumerism

null@example.com (morningsun76) — Wed, 19 Jan 2005 20:45:30 +0000

nah, i got that, I just kidding around myself with some good-natured ribbing .. i should have thrown a "hee hee" in there as well.

Re: Verdant.net - Against Consumerism

null@example.com (lyra) — Wed, 19 Jan 2005 19:33:28 +0000

morningsun76 wrote:

lyra wrote:
So I have no choice, I have to go.
wooooooooooooooooooooo my heart bleeds

I was just kidding around, I wasn't being serious, trying to insinuate "feel sorry for me", if that's the impression I gave.....

Re: Verdant.net - Against Consumerism

null@example.com (morningsun76) — Wed, 19 Jan 2005 19:30:19 +0000

lyra wrote:

So I have no choice, I have to go.

wooooooooooooooooooooo my heart bleeds

Re: Verdant.net - Against Consumerism

null@example.com (lyra) — Wed, 19 Jan 2005 19:23:38 +0000

btw...

Anybody here ever BEEN to a Sam's Club?!? (they mention these corporate owned "bulk" stores in the Verdant article....) Oh my GOD.............One word comes to mind...."Disgusting." I can't STAND that place. I have to go though for my job, they have a Sam's Club membership and they buy soda in bulk there. Sam's and related stores like Cosco, etc. are the EPITOME of American Excess. Big ol huge fat people waddling around pushing these gigantic oversize carts loaded down with bulk amounts of food. I just hate going there, I try to get in and out as quickly as possible. They make me go though!!! They make me do it!!! "Buy soda!" they tell me! "More, more soda!!! Feed us soda!! We need soda!!!" So I have no choice, I have to go.

Re: Verdant.net - Against Consumerism

null@example.com (lyra) — Wed, 19 Jan 2005 19:15:22 +0000

Well I had my first "test" this morning regarding this whole topic. I decided I need to get new tires for my car since it snowed here today, and so I asked somebody about where I should go around here to get tires. What did they say?

"Sam's Club!"

"REEaaly?" I said.

"Oh yeah...you know, they have that garage there attached to the building? Yeah, they do auto repairs. And they're the cheapest. Even the dealership said that I should just go to Sam's."

Then he mentioned another smaller, non-corporate place nearby. I chose that one, not Sam's, even though I was allowed to use my company's Sam's Club Card for a discount.

Day 1 of my attempt to minimize my corporate patronization!

Cutting out Wal Mart should be interesting.........they really are the cheapest, for everything. But I feel like an idiot every time I go.....

Re: Verdant.net - Against Consumerism

null@example.com (zonabi) — Wed, 19 Jan 2005 18:44:47 +0000

This is a good link, the site has VERY VALUABLE information, but unfortunately i think the design of the page makes it a very unpleasant web surfing experience.

alushe do u know the webmaster/creator of this site ?

thanx for the re-post, i never wouldve caught this pearl of info

Re: Verdant.net - Against Consumerism

null@example.com (lyra) — Wed, 19 Jan 2005 18:33:28 +0000

Well, I'll repost what I wrote yesterday over on the Links thread to kick things off....

----------

I've been going through this anti-consumerism website since yesterday....I really have to say...again!.....how good it is. People, read this site! It's not just about "Oh, don't buy junk you don't need..." it's about EVERYTHING. A complete lifestyle overhaul. Everything from making sure to only patronize local Mom n Pop stores and boycotting corporations like Wal Mart; growing your own food and / or buying from an organic food supplier; (hints were also made about meat eating......) Taking care of the things you buy and making them last so you don't keep having to waste your money on purchasing new things and contributing to landfill heaps; driving an older, used car which you take care of instead of always buying a new car or getting a new lease; supporting your community and investing in it instead of being cut off from it; screwing with the system such as giving out false social security #'s, phone #'s and addresses when you're solicited for that information by sources who have no business asking for that information, (THIS IS A BIG ONE!!!!); and an overview of the economy, free trade, and manufacturing being sent overseas to slave labor. I personally loved the comparison between the two "fictitious" familes, the Ables, and the Binges. They weren't fictitious, just the names had been changed, but it's an interesting and eye opening read. Are you more like the Ables, or are you more like the Binges? Be honest......

I can say that for me, I'm living this about 50%. I purposely drive a used car that's 10 years old, I shop organic, I've even changed my CAT'S diet! I'm getting off the meat eating, I make my clothes last as long as I possibly can -- years! -- and when it's time to get rid of them I donate to Goodwill, I don't watch TV, I've advocated living a minimalist lifestyle if you can help it, etc. etc. But my major shortcoming I realized since reading this which I intend to change, like, immediately, is the fact that I still patronize places like Wal Mart. I know I shouldn't, I've totally talked smack about them...but still I go! Why?!? ! So, I intend to research locally owned alternatives, as well as "doing more for supporting the community"......and to purposely start giving out false information when asked for it by people who don't actually need to know that personal information. I should have been doing THAT one a LONG time ago. Oh well, it's never too late to start!

Read this link! Now!

Verdant.net - Against Consumerism

null@example.com (Alushe) — Wed, 19 Jan 2005 05:17:54 +0000

I've already posted this under the "links" section, but I think it would get more attention in the "general discussion" section. This is almost essential reading:

http://www.verdant.net/

"Consumerism is a pattern of behavior that helps to destroy our environment, personal financial health, the common good of individuals and human institutions. This site details ways that you can help defeat consumerism, save money, work less and lead a more satisfying and environmentally benign life while helping to restore the economic self-sufficiency of your community. Another goal is to showcase Resources that can help the reader become a better- educated citizen and grassroots activist starting from any level of commitment and knowledge."