Hot topics
January 13th, 2008 | by Paul |Anticonsumerism is really as broad a topic as business is, but there are several topics I plan to focus on in particular in this blog.
1. Anticonsumer efforts themselves
Did you know that Slow Down Week starts Monday? It’s an effort by the folks at anticonsumer magazine Adbusters to get people to relax and enjoy their lives for a week. It’s one of many, many things those crazy anticonsumer kids do. There are all sorts of techniques various groups use, like calling the day after Thanksgiving Buy Nothing Day, dressing up as a revivalist minister and - swear to God - dressing up as zombies and wandering around malls.
Do these techniques work? What do those involved consider their successes? And why does Adbusters have a products page?
2. Corporate policies
Last year, 23 different organizations came together with a report critiquing Wal-Mart’s loudly claimed commitment to sustainability. They allege that it’s, well, hokum. Food Wal-Mart claims is organic isn’t, the organization Wal-Mart uses to certify its seafood as sustainable accredits bad fisheries, Wal-Mart is a major seller of the cypress mulch that came from clear-cutting nature breaks against Gulf hurricanes and much, much more, the report says. It’s not all environmental critiques. For example, ”Between 1998-2003, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued at least 94 complaints against Wal-Mart, including 41 charges of illegally firing employees for union activity and 59 charges of spying on workers,” the report says.
There’s tons of that stuff out there about tons of different companies. It’ll be coming through here.
3. Policies
The business of business is tied with politics. Trade rules coming from Washington, Springfield (this blog is from Illinois) and even city hall shape how retail corporations can work. I will be keeping up on new legislation and show how the real-life influence of these seemingly abstract policy changes.
4. Moral issues of consumption
A few months and an entire lifetime ago, I was a reporter for a small newspaper in the 14th Congressional District. During the race for the seat, held most recently by former House Speaker Denny Hastert, one of the candidates was talking about the lead-based paint found in toys coming from factories in China.
“What about the kid who made the toys?” he asked.
These issues have real, moral issues tied with them. It’s time to read up on them.