Archive for the ‘Consumerism’ Category
February 20th, 2008
OK, I realize it is a bit ridiculous that I live by myself and own three television sets. To be fair, however, they are older sets, the big heavy behemoths of yesteryear: two 27″ screens and an old 13″ TV with a VCR built in.
The 13″ was being thrown out by a roommate years ago, which seemed like a waste, so I snagged it. It’s now in my office near my computer. The second 27″ a friend gave me (her landlord had it sitting around gathering dust). It’s now in my bedroom. The third 27″ is in the living room. I like it, actually. It’s big enough to see but it doesn’t take up too much space.
So I guess I don’t quite see the point in this constant TV-upgradamania that we seem to be going through. HDTV – why should I care? I have enjoyed TV for decades without HD so I miss HD about as much as I miss 3D TV. Which is…never. (more…)
February 15th, 2008
I just got a Costco membership after being taken there on two trips by different folks who swear by the low prices there. (You must be careful, however, to not buy bulk items that you don’t really need.) I shop at Trader Joe’s for most of my groceries, but on occasion I have a hankering for things like Gatorade, Skippy, and deluxe macaroni, so I go to a normal grocery store for those items. Costco seemed like a better option.
But what about Whole Foods? Isn’t that supposed to be the feel good, environmental grocery store? Sure, but it’s damn expensive. I simply cannot afford to go there and shop regularly. The location near me, in West Los Angeles, has prices sometimes double or triple that of Trader Joe’s. (more…)
January 17th, 2008
This is the question asked, and pondered quite intelligently, by Richard T. Stuebi on the Cleantech Blog. Among other comments of note:
We aspire to free-market capitalism in the United States, and we come pretty close to achieving it, closer than most countries in the world. And, because we are very capitalistic, it is easy to make the leap that American consumerism is inextricably a co-product of capitalism. It is not. (more…)
