SF anti-consumerism group 'staggered by response'

[Sequoia]

02-16) 14:50 PST SAN FRANCISCO -- A small group of Bay Area residents who made an informal vow to not buy anything new in 2006 have found themselves in the middle of an international fury over consumerism, ecology and middle-class hypocrisy that has spread around the world in just days.

"It's been totally insane. We've had a lot of people say we're smug, self-congratulatory braggarts," John Perry, one of the founders of the original Compact group, said today. He has spent much of the week fielding calls from national TV and radio stations.

"And we've had other people say it gives them hope for the future. It has definitely touched a nerve," he said. "We've been staggered by the response."

The Compact, named after the Mayflower pilgrims' revolutionary credo, started at a dinner party two years ago as a way to fight what members consider a rampant consumer culture wreaking global ecological havoc.

<snip>

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/02/16/MNG2KH9P4767.DTL

[Canuckistanian]

1. K&R

I'll read it when I get home.

[Warpy]

2. Aw, shoot, I stopped buying anything new that I could find used

and in a thrift shop when Stupid stole his first election. I'm not supporting consumerism until that man is gone, preferably to prison.

Losing my job 2 1/2 years ago only stiffened my resolve. There's nothing like new poverty to make you realize how little you really need to get along in the world.

I can't imagine wanting much of anything I don't already have beyond craft materials and maybe an occasional piece of art from one of the local crafts people. If it dies, I fix it. If I can't fix it, I either start looking for a replacement at a thrift shop or figure out how to do without.

I'm glad other people are figuring this stuff out, but I doubt it will have a noticeable effect now. The slow slide in the housing market plus the threat to any but direct, face to face service jobs have most people nervous enough to cut back on purchases. Voluntary simplicity won't be noticed.

[lumpy]

3. I've had my own little non-consuming

'group of one' going for quite some time. Out of necessity.

[sasha031]

4. what a perfect idea

:tinfoilhat:
this is something DU should get involved in, I just googled it and couldn't find anything.

[mom cat]

5. Here is a link to their website. You too can become a compacter!

K&R

[xchrom]

6. brilliant!

i'm one of those who spends as little as he can -- mostly because i have to save to buy anything other than the essentials -- and i'ld rather save to travel than do anything else.

it helps if you are into cooking so you can entertain at home rather than go out -- though you have to go out sometimes.

[fed-up]

7. I had the story bookmarked but forgot to post it-thanks

I have been buying used since I became a mom, but since * came to power I refrain from buying anything new except shoes/undies for my son.

The last thing I want to do is support any of these corporations that have taken over our democracy and destroying our environment.


K&R-happy to push this onto the greatest page with R #5

[Radio_Lady]

8. I purchase many (really MOST) items from Value Village, Savers, Goodwill,

Salvation Army, etc. Not sure if this is anti-consumer (and I know the CEO of Goodwill here in Columbia Willamette Valley of Oregon makes a bunch of money!), but at least it's recycling.

I get food in both summer and winter from Costco (blue company from Issaquah, Washington) and some local food coops here in Portland, OR.

Unfortunately, we have to use gas and oil, but I do try to limit my use of our cars. We're using the most economical car for more trips.

Our vacations are supplied by the Hilton Grand Vacation Club membership we purchased in 2002, a really great deal!

We just got back from Phoenix and Tucson, AZ and Las Vegas, NV. We only gambled away FIVE DOLLARS (took us about 20 minutes to lost it, by the way). Our entertainment was supplied by a timeshare company for free after we saw their presentation.

Materialism is a hard task master. I try to avoid it as best I can. My motto: Leave no footprints on this world when you depart.

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[SoCalDem]

13. Neighborhood swaps are fun too

Two or three times ayear, our neighborhood used to set up tables in the common yard behind all our houses.. Barbeques at one end with the dads cooking, and the Moms & kids swarmed the tables looking for stuff to "swap".. Kids grow out of things all the time, and people tire of applainces etc.

Nothing broken or dirty..those were the only "rules"..

It was a great way to get rid of stuff you didn't want to toss, but had no use for.. Whatever went unclaimed at the end of the day, was boxed up and given to the Goodwill store.

[Sequoia]

16. What a great idea. Sort of like those

brain raising days of yore in a way. I like the BBQ part. Who brings the keg?!

[SoCalDem]

18. Everyone chipped in

:)

[Radio_Lady]

21. We have had neighborhood yard sales. Most of the stuff goes for

very little money. Our community has 262 single-family houses and is only eight years old. During the recession of 2001-2002, many families were forced to sell their homes and move to other locations in the country.

One neighbor had to go from Oregon to Michigan with a car-related business. The wife had never lived in snow country. I gave her a coat which I didn't need; she gave us a patio set with a table and four chairs.

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[eppur_se_muova]

17. "Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints."

That's the National Park Service Motto. Of course that was before the Cheney-Bush (yes, that's the right order) administration started selling "extraction" rights in our National Parks to Bush** "Pioneers" (how big a lie is that name anyway?).

[Radio_Lady]

19. I didn't remember that exact quote, but something like it. Thanks.

My quote came from Ben Franklin or Shakespeare, or somewhere else. I'll try to look for it. I appreciate your post.

Make peace a worldwide priority in 2006!

Radio_Lady in Oregon.

[kainah]

9. the last quote tells it all

"If it's national news when a small group of professionals decide not to buy anything new, and it bothers people so much, it really speaks to how deep we are into consumerism in this country," he said.

This is a great idea. Local little affinity group compacts. I like it.

:patriot: :applause: :patriot: :applause:

[Straight Shooter]

10. To put the brakes on spending, here's an idea: pretend you're moving.

Nothing squashes the idea of wanting something new as thoroughly as the idea of having to pack it up and haul it across the country. Suddenly it becomes exactly what it is ... a thing.

[wildeyed]

14. That is funny.

The year I got married, we moved four times. I was completely irritated that people insisted on giving me wedding presents. They were mostly things I didn't need, had no place for, and had to pack up and move repeatedly. I ended up just not unpacking them for several years. The sad truth is, I still don't really use most of them.

[Straight Shooter]

15. Get rid of the things you aren't using. Sell, or donate them.

In their place, plant a shrub or tree in your yard, if you have a yard, or buy a plant for your home. That way, when you tend to the living "thing," you will think of your friend with a sense of contentment, instead of feeling constricted by taking care of something you don't want and can't use.

Believe me, I understand the feeling of receiving gifts which, although appreciated, make a person feel somewhat burdened.

[Radio_Lady]

22. I really had to do this when we moved from Boston to Portland, OR

in 1998. It really gives you focus having to look at all the things you've accumulated. At the end, I consigned many things to "Tables to Teapots" a fabulous business in Acton, Massachusetts. (Are they still around?) They sold everything and sent me checks for many months as the items sold. Items that were left over were donated to a Rummage Store held at the local church -- Our Lady of Fatima. I know they were supporting many under- and unemployed people from surrounding communities.

The flip side is: we did build a new house and have acquired a great many other items. We had to furnish that new house. Now we still use consignment and rummage sale items everywhere. I'm also well aware of the march of time -- I call it Radio_Lady's theory of molecular dispersal.

In simple language, I want to be cremated and scattered and also have all my possessions used by others and what is not useful, broken down to their more natural state. I'm stumped about all the polyester, plastics, glass, metal, and other stuff -- I guess I'll do my best to not have things get into the landfills in Eastern Oregon.

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[egadsbrain]

11. Freecycle it!

Post what you need, get rid of what you DON'T need for free.

http://www.freecycle.org/

[American liberal]

25. I've used freecycle. got rid or a couch, aquarium, and file cabinet

before my most recent move. It's a GREAT tool!

[ISUGRADIA]

12. It used to be conservatives and fundamentalist types

approved of thrift and reuse, "waste not want not", not spending on frivolities and savings money. Now it's this mega church praise Jesus and he'll reward you with millions fundi craziness :mad:

[earth mom]

20. This idea ROCKS and makes total sense to me.

I've bought used stuff from garage/estate sales, flea markets and thrift stores for years now. Not only have I gotten great value and cool stuff for little money spent, I've had a ton of fun while doing so. Now I buy items new only when it's absolutely necessary.

This idea is awesome because if it is widely embraced, it has the potential to completely cripple the corporate beasts. No doubt they will do whatever it takes to shut it down. Can't have that, now can we? Maybe it's time to kick the corporate beasts where it really hurts...in the wallet! :evilgrin:

Please kick this thread so that everyone will see it! :kick:

[phoebe]

23. bartering is another terrific way to exchange items and more importantly

to utilize others skills while offering your own in trade. There are barter groups all over the nation - look into it..and while you're at it, try buying a share or 1/2 share at your local food co-op/local farm - it's fun and it's easy..

[upi402]

24. craigslist.org

free listings and re-used/recycles stuff.
Save $$$
Save the earth.
Slay the corporate goliath.

[Blue_Tires]

26. kicked/recommended

this group deserves a little more attention!