What is consumerism? According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, consumerism is the promotion of the consumer’s interests; the theory that an increasing consumption of good is economically desirable; also: a preoccupation with and an inclination toward the buying of consumer goods.
Now you can disagree, or agree, with whether it is right or wrong for our economy to depend on consumerism as a sign of economic strength. If you are interested in learning more about consumerism and how it affects our economy, take a look at the list of resources I put together. Browse through them and let us know what you think. Are you for an increased consumption of goods via consumerism--which in this sense means equating personal happiness with the purchasing material possessions and consumption? Or do you lean towards the idea of anti-consumerism?
- The Story of Stuff - This project's goal is to amplify public discourse on a diverse set of sustainability issues in strategic efforts to build a more sustainable and just world.
- A Year of Garbage - Tim Gaudreau, a photographer from New Hampshire, spent a year photographing all his garbage. It's shocking to see how much waste just one person can create in a year.
- Kate Bingaman-Burt Draws Herself Out of Debt in "Obsessive Consumption" - Bingaman-Burt created daily drawings of items she purchased including hundreds of her possessions--and the credit card statements required to buy them.
- For American Consumers, a Responsibility Revolution - Time looks at our sudden shared sense of responsibility and how it's good economics.
- An Economy Based On Consumerism Is Not Sustainable - Huffington Post blogger Philip Slater shares his opinion on consumerism.
Let us know what you think!
--Makenzie
Photo from this photostream and used with permission of a Creative Commons license.
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