Buy more documentary

[flowerseverywhere]

Actually name is buy now

This is a must see on Netflix. All about the rampant consumerism with all the sales, advertisements and online ordering. In particular Amazon. And what they do with non fixable computers and phones.

This site used to have many discussions about these concepts. Simple living as outlined inJoe Dominguez .”Your Money or Your Life”.

i would advise everyone to watch this as our world becomes a toxic waste dump, in particular with single use plastics.

[Tybee]

I will check this out. I heard an NPR story about Amazon returns with a woman who had written a book about it, I think. Really stops you in your tracks and makes you reconsider the whole online shopping/return experience and how you are encouraged to buy more and return what does not fit, etc.

[iris lilies]

Ugh, I don’t think I can watch this, too depressing. I ran across that documentary just yesterday and did consider it. But maybe I will try it.

I depress myself with all the Amazon boxes that pile up around here.

[Rogar]

Sometimes I get the impression that less consumerism for the benefit of the environment is a dead issue for most people. Possibly more so with the Mara Largo role model. I may not watch it since I'm not in Netflix right now, but the reminder is a good one for everyone.

[ToomuchStuff]

Is there another way then Netflix, as I don't have that. I'd say 50% or better of my Amazon purchases this year have been for work, and a good chunk of my Amazon purchases are actually from one of their stores where they sell returns, open boxes, etc.

[bae]

I watched it last night. The narrative framing device was a bit cheezy. Some of the interviews were quite good.

[catherine]

I'm definitely going to check it out. I'm considering doing a personal "Buy Local" challenge that would be documented in detail.. not sure for how long a time period. My ultimate goal would be A Year of Buying Local, but I know myself. I'm not great on follow-through, so I think I need to do the AA model of "One Day at a Time" and test it out... then maybe do a week of buying local then a month, then work myself up from there.

My rules would be to buy whatever necessities and wants I can from Island businesses. Even if they have imported certain goods, such as stuff our mom and pop grocery store would sell, that would be OK, but if available, I would chose the local item over the imported item.. i.e., we have a great local company that makes its own granola, so I would choose that over a national brand. We have a local business that sells homemade pasta, so I would buy that instead boxed spaghetti. Exclusions would be anything related to medical or safety that is not produced or sold on the islands. Going to Burlington and buying stuff there would be permissable, such as buying clothing from small retailers or books.

I would hope that this would enable me to cut ties with Amazon, chain supermarkets and restaurant chains while supporting our local businesses.

The purpose of this would be to provide me with material for my writing projects.

I have given myself until Black Friday to decide whether or not to do it becasue that's a logical staring point, so thank you, Rogar, for the documentary recommendation.

[ToomuchStuff]

It's Ironic to me that you want me to buy a Netflix subscription to watch a show about buying too much stuff.

[bae]

It's Ironic to me that you want me to buy a Netflix subscription to watch a show about buying too much stuff.

At least a Netflix subscription doesn't end up in the landfill :-)

[Rogar]

It's Ironic to me that you want me to buy a Netflix subscription to watch a show about buying too much stuff.

I am starting to wonder about the large energy requirements that the giant servers require to feed us all of our personal and industrial digital needs, but that's probably not in most peoples sights these days and maybe not the bigger issue right now. I think a lot of people that would probably be called conservative liberals and have some concerns about the environment and climate change have pretty much considered it a job of government to address such things. That's obviously not going to happen anytime soon. So it's a good reminder about consumption.

[happystuff]

I've been working on decluttering for so long, that I'm not the ideal consumer at all. I've, hopefully, gotten a handle on my gazingus pins, and I've gotten better with the whole "free" stuff - just because it is free, doesn't mean I should take it.

I think I'll check my library and see if they have it available.

[sweetana3]

happystuff, we are the same. In fact, just had an argument with my hubby over his wan, not need, to buy new baking pans because they are on sale. He is still after 72 years a work in progress.

Guess I am going to have to watch that program just to talk about it.

[iris lilies]

I've been working on decluttering for so long, that I'm not the ideal consumer at all. I've, hopefully, gotten a handle on my gazingus pins, and I've gotten better with the whole "free" stuff - just because it is free, doesn't mean I should take it.

I think I'll check my library and see if they have it available.

I turned down free Christmas socks, two pairs, at the blood bank last week. I just don’t want more crap coming into my house that I haven’t chosen. Make no mistake, I buy way too much stuff, but I just don’t want the free stuff that seems to be forced on us.

I always have a good experience with the employees at this blood bank, but I have a few minor irritations with the national Red Cross blood organization.

I tried to redeem an offer for a free movie ticket for giving blood , but it was too complicated and the system kept sending me to different websites, I never accomplished getting that free ticket. Later I compared notes with DH and he was not able to get it to work either. So thanks Red Cross, not.

now I just turn down all of their little freebies because it’s either junk or not worth my effort. I get a free bag of jalapeño potato chips or cookies when I get blood so that’s greatl

[littlebittybobby]

okay---the catt stepped on my 'puter keyboard, just as I started this; saidd catt has already been fed canned slop, once today, and food dish replenished with crunchies, so what's the problem? They are mean to me. But yeah---alla the cars that get crushed, every year! It's awful! Just so everyone can have new ones. Also, the buildings that get torn down---an example: a hollyweird video store, built in 1996, was torn down in 2011 to make way for a new bank branch. Not as well built, either. I still have the packing crate the Hollywood sign came in; I made it into a doghouse. But yeah---banks think they can afford it. Even in Springfield, where old buildings are plentiful, they still tear 'em down, for no real good reason. The usa burns the candle from both ends. Someday the empire will fall, and we'll be just subsisting, not consuming. Yup.

[KayLR]

I just read an AP story about crappy fast fashion "recycled" clothing from the West literally lining the shores of Ghana. Its disgusting and I vow to buy nothing insofar as clothing this year.

I could also work harder at shopping local.

[flowerseverywhere]

I just read an AP story about crappy fast fashion "recycled" clothing from the West literally lining the shores of Ghana. Its disgusting and I vow to buy nothing insofar as clothing this year.

I could also work harder at shopping local.

exactly what this documentary showed but included everything else. One of the best quotes was about when you throw something “away” there is no away. It needs to be buried or dumped or burned somewhere. So where does it go to contaminate the land, water and air. Also recycling myths. And single use plastics. Things we discard every day. Packaging is a biggie.

the question is what can we change in each of our lives to decrease the waste.

[happystuff]

the question is what can we change in each of our lives to decrease the waste.

Really good question.

[catherine]

Really good question.

It is a good question.

I like how revealing the "man behind the curtain" at Amazon makes you more aware of the manipulative powers behind the features that you think are for your benefit, but are really created to. make more sales and profit--like the 1-click.

Speaking for myself, when I think I'm being manipulated my instinct is to push back. I read an article in an advertising trade magazine where they conducted a study on advertisements meant to deter young people from smoking. Showing them nasty lungs didn't do it. Telling them there was an X% chance of getting cancer didn't do it. The most effective ad was the one that told the consumer that they were playing into the hands of Big Tobacco.

I feel the same way. After that movie, I'm never going to look at Amazon's one-click the same again. I've heard elsewhere the same advice that Maren suggested: put what you think you need in your cart and leave it there for a month. If you still find you need it after a month, then buy it.

Also, I love how they covered greenwashing. I think it's a real challenge to determine whether your purchasing decisions are REALLY "green" choices. I believe that the only green shoice, really, is to not buy or to buy less.

[early morning]

Big reason why we're such fans of used merch, although we no longer buy used or take free upholstered furniture, due to potential bedbug issues. But someone's already purchased it, so if we can use it or sell it on, it's not headed for the landfill - at least not yet! I do buy a fair few staples from Amazon. Things that are hard to get here, things I hate shopping for, mostly. I've never used the "1 click". We don't do prime, except the free trials which I always cancel that same day, as it's still usable for the week or month or whatever, and I don't forget and have it charged automatically (did that once, not gonna happen again!). Sometimes I have stuff in the cart for a bit, collecting enough for the free shipping. I've never paid them shipping and don't plan to do so.

[Tradd]

The most things I buy from Amazon? Kindle ebooks. Buy ebooks from Apple, too. My magazines/newspapers are all digital.

[early morning]

I agree reducing waste is important, and really difficult! We recycle, but don't know if that is a help, or not. Try to watch packaging, and buy with less when we can. Try to use things for alternative purposes - cardboard and paper as mulch, compost (or just toss in the field) all food waste and some paper, use wood pellets for kitty litter which are then dumped in the field, etc. Anything large and usable we can't sell gets set out by the road - bikes, anything metal, flower pots, plastic lawn chairs, etc- and it's always been picked up by someone. In town, it'd be even harder for us. Don't know what we'd do without the field lol.

edit to add: that's a good thought, Tradd! All my newspapers are digital, but I like books, so it's the library for me. I did try an e-book reader, and missed the actual book. I'm sure I'd adjust if needed, lol. My SIL gets all her e-books from the library. Maybe I read too many post-apocalypse books. I want there to be reading material past the loss of the power grid, lol. And I have the FoxFire books, for that arcane how-to knowledge that I lack...:|( Just in case.

[Tradd]

I had kept some books in case of power outage, but they were taking up too much room. There’s always my kindle, which is much more energy efficient than my iPad.

[early morning]

Do you have a solar charger? For that WCS.... :~)

[happystuff]

Early morning - your "setting out by the road" is our "magic sidewalk" out front of the house. LOL. Just put a moon chair out there that was originally taken from the school before it got tossed into the dumpster. So glad it moved on rather than ended up in landfill. I will admit - that is one of the problems I have working at the school. There is SOOOOO much waste! And perfectly good items are just tossed! I used to bring home more and more to try to donate/pass along, but it just got to be too much. And, yes, I have inquired - nobody wants to bother finding ways/places to donate. Sigh...

Anyway, we do a lot of the things already mentioned. Mostly it is just not buying stuff, as we really don't need "things" right now.

[iris lilies]

Our magic sidewalk was our alley. The pickers came by regularly. If you set out any metal appliances, they were gone within three hours. We never did that of course because DH hauled metal to the scrap yard for $$$.

[catherine]

Yup. We just put stuff out on the main road and they go. Just last weekend, we got rid of three barrels that way.

[early morning]

nobody wants to bother finding ways/places to donate The solid waste facility in the county to our south takes reusable items, and county offices and the city schools etc are required to send them usable items that they would otherwise trash- often stuff purchased with county money. Books, trashcans, desks, classroom/office supplies, chairs, file cabinets, etc, etc, go there and are offered to teachers and school staff, county agencies, local non-profits, for free. They would pick up large items, and take any smalls that were ready to go at the time of pickup. In many cases, before we could order new bookshelves, file cabinets, etc, with county money, we had to check there first. I don't know how much cost savings there were, but literally tons of usable items were diverted from the landfills each year. I think that's a pretty good idea!

[Tradd]

What I like about Buy Nothing group is that people will pick up from me. I find it’s not people not bothering to find places to donate, but the donation places have gotten pickier. Especially with furniture. If you don’t have a vehicle or help to move big stuff, it’s a problem.

[Rogar]

I don't know how people get my name or address for catalogs, but it gets especially troublesome this time of year. I spent a few minutes today calling 1-800 numbers to get removed from mailing lists. I would think most everyone shops online and catalogs would be a waste of the companies money. I do get the Seed Savers catalog this time of year which I browse some days thinking of warmer weather and gardens. They send it in a timely fashion just when the cold spells start.

[catherine]

I don't know how people get my name or address for catalogs, but it gets especially troublesome this time of year. I spent a few minutes today calling 1-800 numbers to get removed from mailing lists. I would think most everyone shops online and catalogs would be a waste of the companies money. I do get the Seed Savers catalog this time of year which I browse some days thinking of warmer weather and gardens. They send it in a timely fashion just when the cold spells start.

Agreed. I sent my sister-in-law a gourmet snack box from a really nice company after my brother died, and now I get, not one, but two, catalogs from them every month.

I also agree with you on the seed catalogs. I keep the High Mowing Seeds catalog for the season. They're so much fun to look through!

[iris lilies]

a few years ago, I spent time calling to get off catalog mailing list and that has worked pretty well then of course we moved so that helped. But there are still catalogs I I get at Christmas time.

[Rogar]

I get an envelope full of coupons every couple of weeks and also a bundle of ads from local stores once a week. Addressed to current resident. I had to ask the postman how to get off their lists. Each had tiny 1-800 numbers in the margins, which seems to have worked.

[pinkytoe]

I get at least two cruise catalogs a week. Never been on a cruise or want to go on one but they keep coming.

[happystuff]

I get an envelope full of coupons every couple of weeks and also a bundle of ads from local stores once a week. Addressed to current resident. I had to ask the postman how to get off their lists. Each had tiny 1-800 numbers in the margins, which seems to have worked.

I get stuff addressed to current resident as well. I'm going to look for that tiny 1-800 number. Thanks!

[flowerseverywhere]

I wonder if rising prices, as well as possible tariffs causing possible rising prices will help with overconsumption.

I’ve become very lazy in my food. I have a farmers market less than two miles away on Saturday morning that I don’t get to which is ridiculous. I used to make my own yogurt and instead buy in large plastic tubs. Also, I used to make sourdough bread, English muffins, pancakes and use the discard for crackers but I got out of the habit. All reduce plastic. We don’t eat out, so no plastic take home containers. Most of what we buy is secondhand.

After looking at the easy low hanging fruit I guess I’ll have to really take a look at my personal habits to see what I can do better.

[iris lilies]

I get at least two cruise catalogs a week. Never been on a cruise or want to go on one but they keep coming.
We get the Viking Cruise catalogs and flyers. I confess to looking at those but more often using Viking’s website.

[rosarugosa]

We get the Viking catalogs too, even though we've never been on a cruise and will probably never go on one. I think it's an age-targeted thing.

[iris lilies]

We get the Viking catalogs too, even though we've never been on a cruise and will probably never go on one. I think it's an age-targeted thing.
Yes, Viking cruisers are senior citizens. but I do explore Viking routes sometimes.

[littlebittybobby]

okay---there's a mooo-veee that's a new Propa-mentary. But yeah---it's supposed to be light-hearted and joyous look at Iowa Food Culture--which according to the premise of the mooo-vvee is based on the dessert called "pie". So anyway----that premise is FALSE, because IWAHS economy is now based upon MEAT. They don't want you to know that, for many reasons. Believe me, not THEM. (see photo)