Big Ideas That Changed The World - Consumerism (4/4)

[docatomics]

...sacrificing more tax holes to transfer more wealth to the Parastic Ruling Elite at the top

~will do nothing to help any adapt to space weathers effect on my Earth;

=nor shall this lame belief system do anything to move homo sapients along in becoming something other than the parasitic examples thrust into their face; which goes contrary to the 1st meaning of life, survival !

[ConsciousEye8]

Good message! Watch "Zeitgeist Moving Forward" if this resonated with you at all.

[rhocassiopeiae]

They want us to junk everything we just bought for better versions of the same items that reduce less carbon footprints We cant win, we HAVE to keep buying??! We cant drink water from our tap anymore, even though its clearer than the stream and the river. The new tablet is out so I have to junk my laptop? I paid $1200 for my laptop only 2 years ago. I bought my 7mp top of the line camera 6 years ago for $350. Now I have to junk it for a 14mp for $80? Oh life....keeps on going...ON.

[akacopycat]

After watching this documentary, I realised how much I've taken life for granted. This is so difficult...I'd like to balance myself with consumption but yes like all other victims, I too am a consumerist and gosh, this doc is forcing me to go out there and save the Earth!!!!!!!!

[KrunchyJD]

Ride a bicycle, instead of driving.

[trakkaton]

This is absurd propaganda of the corporations to wash themselves clean from their crimes against humanity. EV1 anyone? Blackshelfed patents anyone? Corruption and black ops anyone?

[jonko82]

There is also one other thing we can do in order to help the planet. Namely, having fewer children.

Fewer children = fewer consumers = reduced ecological footprint of humans.

Thankfully, birthrates in most western countries have fallen dramatically over the years, especially in Europe. China's population is also shrinking fast.

It's not enough though. Today the population of earth is around 7 billion, it's estimated to be somewhere between 7.5 - 10.5 billion by 2050.

[LostMusicFaith]

America needs an enemy, since the beginning of the 20th century they have had at least one each decade, Hitler, Stalin (communism the opposite of capitalism, ironically yet they both benefit the people at the top) Osama. Just think these ‘monsters’ have been created so YOU divert your attention to the ‘enemy’ NOT the truth, which is the capitalistic agenda of your so beloved country.

[Kyle218]

Wow...I was following this until it turned out to be a BP shill job in the end. I literally just threw my arms up and said WTF...and then they start about how "multi-national corporations may hold the answer. After years of depleting the world of oil..." and how about spilling that oil?

[plathhs]

As usual; while the criticism of capitalism and consumerism seems to be more or less accurate, in the end it all just turns out to be a mud blob of corporate greenwashing and propaganda. The system of industrialized civilization undermines even the so called "(green) resistance movement", making it a mere puppet of globalist governments and corporations. This makes me angry, and if we want to survive, more people need to become angry. Now.

[chalk20]

Overall I really enjoyed watching this video because it does get one think about humans relationship to the natural world and to each other. This video got me thinking about my buying habits, and how we as society can live more fruitful lives.

[chalk20]

Some other cons of Farmer's Markets I was thinking of are as follows:

Some of the food is on sale tend to be very pricey, which is why most of the people who go to them seem to be higher earners. Not lower or middle class people. Also, how does one know if the food one is buying is as safe as the food that is bought in grocery stores? Do local farmers that the put their food on sale have their food rigorously inspected as industrial farm counterparts? Just some thoughts.

[chalk20]

This video makes some valid points. However, I am skeptical on the whole buy local movement. For instance if I want to buy a pineapple I doubt if one lives in Alaska that they are going to find them at their local farmer's market. Unless maybe there is some large greenhouse operation going in their location, where conditions to grow pineapples can be simulated.

Another thought is Farmers Markets do not have toilet trees available.

[jayrod105]

They did choice editing in Australia for water heaters. Cost me 1900 for a new hot water service. They said if i had bought one a couple of years ago would cost 900. I earn enough so it doesnt bother me but what about the average joe who has 3 kids to support?

[MTCoblivsicas12345]

BP the biggest enviromental crime people in the world.

[Hivento]

lol i dont believe governments help much in a increase in productivity XD

[ukpropaganda]

Jonathon Porrige : another eugenicist.

[TheDreamMechanic]

.....all hail BP......?

How about no.

[MSCompuServ]

Buying energy efficient appliances is consumerism. It is unavoidable.

[RandomWad]

This documentary is good, but the environment is the least of our worries right now. Consumerism is unsustainable as a culture and an economic system. For the past decade we have been heading into another great depression. If we continue on this path, we will all starve and see another world war before the environment kills us...

[yogismusicworld]

hahaha...2007 - when BP was "green". the only thing green about them was the color of their gas stations, and that is literal "greenwashing". I bet Porritt wishes he could go back and re-do part IV.

At least he gets one point rioght - Consumerism is the world's no.1 religion. People blindly believe in it, practice it everyday without thinking about it, and worship Wealth, the God of Consumerism.

Whoever has the most stuff when he dies, wins. That is the #1 belief.

[helpermethod]

BP blaming people for carbon footprint. Look what you have done in Mexican gulf! FUCK YOU BASTARDS!

[Karrie1981]

pointing out the consumer problem was good but BP!! haha yea now who looks stupid polluting the oceans!! how funny!

[george6900]

FUCK BP

[barkulator]

If this guy is shilling for BP and is a former CEO of Greenpeace, then you can be sure the whole scheme will be sucked dry by fatcats.

[LukeGeoDude]

pointing out few points: 1) the video is good but we all know that humanity will not change before it faces a crisis, that is, before they will be faced upon a threat of extinction. 2) if you ignore the damage done to the environment capitalism is best and most healthy way for a society to go, trust me, I live in a post-socialist country. 3) the alternative energy sources they talk about are ridiculously ineffective and expensive.

[santis142]

@LukeGeoDude How is capitalism a healthy way for society?

[acidcrashguy]

..which is why Yoga is the highest philosophy.

[khold1983]

Global warming is a godamn hoax! Wake up people! What do you realy know about CO2? What do you know about climate cycles? Do your reasearch properly!

[TheAmazingImbecile]

whether or not global warming is a hoax we're still pooping all over the environment and destroying everything

[kmarinas86]

How about houses that last 100 years or more?

How about tax credits for inheriting parents homes and fixing them?

How about the elimination of the public restaurant model in favor of a catering model?

How about the elimination of non-bulk options for non-perishable goods?

How about the elimination of hard packaging for groceries, drugs, and topicals?

[MrLesWhite]

wow this turned into corp propaganda rather quick...I knew it was bad when he said "consumerism can't be stopped"

IMO advertisers are one of the MANY groups that should have been exposed a lot more here

[elstonieo]

yeah the end part was to optimistically in favor of the continuation of the corporate model

[MrLesWhite]

I agree 100% But thinking about it not too many critics of capitalism can afford to produce a program with such high quality let alone get the sponsors behind it for TV

It's the good ole catch-22

[MrLesWhite]

Thanks for the upload by the way!

[CompleteAbstractionZ]

@elstonieo Yea...this guy wants to work within the established system. The problem is, it's the system which is the problem. If we try to solve the problems we face within the current system of capitalism I think we will fail.

[olydragon]

@MrLesWhite I agree. This is a manifesto to a enormous hoax. This entire greenwashing ideal aims to defend rampant consumer capitalism- not stop it. It practically can't solve its fundamental problems of our economy and i see it as a middle class distraction and a form of consumerism in itself.

[discussourfuture]

If you would like to discuss the problems and issues our planet is facing, and, even more important, possible solutions, please visit our website discussourfuture org (send me a pm for the full link if not clear) and contribute to the discussions. If we all contribute we can overcome these problems and make structural change.

[LordBifford]

He says consumerism is the worst thing that's happening to the world, but for the most part he just talks about its environmental consequences. Too many of he arguments feel almost spiritual in nature.

[vikramtheone]

Instead of asking us for extra money why can't BP invest their profits into the 'Special Fund that invests into the renewable energy' ?

[swahiliarabica]

But you also have to remeber that BP is a for-profit corporation. It has every right to make profits.

[vikramtheone]

@swahiliarabica

Yes swahiliarabica they can make profits.

But its their right? I find it hard to accept it. Let me express my dissent with - "How can you buy or sell the sky - the warmth of the land? The idea is strange to us. Yet we do not own the freshness of the air or the sparkle of the water. How can you buy them from us?" - Chief Seattle

How can BP make profit out of oil which doesn't even belong to them?

But they do, thats the human view of nature. Converting nature into paper money.

[missaquaboogie]

The sad part about videos like this is that people like me who seek the truth behind our social problems are those who watch these vids while others are busy being advertised some shit on music videos.

[NATO6943]

Very very true, and very very sad. All I can say is inform everyone you know, help them see, by watching themselves.

Some won't care anyways.. too finely tuned but atleast it's something

[canaan1967]

Not one word in this series about the toxic health effects of pollution which is the real threat to the environment. Anthropogenic Global Warming was created to enrich corporations by bringing back Nuclear Power, increasing oil prices and creating a 10 billion dollar (US) artificial trading carbon credit market for wealthy investors which will have no effect on industrial emissions. Even Wind Technology will require coal fired power plants to run.

[THE1CALLEDJ]

Without corps. like BP all of our cars would run on water. The only reason why petrol based cars haven't been phased out is because of oil Co lobbies.

[JaYoFhOrRoR]

right...here's an equation that those arguing against consumerism in favour of social justice might want to consider

buy less = companies lose money = less corporate tax income for governments + buying less again = companies failing = fallout in employment rates and even less money through corporate taxes = less public spending on services for citizens such as healthcare and education.

gee yea, that'll make us more happy and contented individuals won't it??!!

[elstonieo]

do you watch the news?

[JaYoFhOrRoR]

very funny....i also find it funny that you equate the effects of the current recession with what a pre-Industrial model of consumption, or a leaning toward a more centrally-planned economy, which is what anti-consumerism mostly implies. now can you give me an intelligent reply please?

[elstonieo]

"i also find it funny that you equate" I only asked a question But yes i assumed that you dont understand corporations and how they work does this equate to me agreeing with this documentary No. Should I continue typing just to please you ..well no im off to bed.

[JaYoFhOrRoR]

well your question was an obvious allusion to the current recession. and your question was also a response to my 'anti-consumerism equation'. to take your close-ended question literally would be something an idiot would do. i personally don't care whether your pro or anti-consumerism or whether you don't give a shit or not, but don't make a direct reply to my comment with an implication that a recession and an anti-consumerist world would be similar, in the form of a thinly veiled 'question'

[JaYoFhOrRoR]

and you assume i don't know how corporations work? please...PM me and elaborate further if you're worth your argumentative salt. i don't have the time to entertain your baseless accusation in the comments section i'm afraid.

[kutthroat84]

well ethically considering what we buy then it and if stop buying products that are so environmentally damaging this would force innovations and new businesses to emerge in the market.. which is what we our economy needs anyways...considering the industrial sector that has been continually depleting for at least 3 decades now applying more and more reliance on the service sector to compensate for the job losses(which equates to lower wages and standards of living)

[micksauntie]

Consider:

Buy less = companies lose money = companies failing = companies restructuring to provide better value for consumers and to stay in business, i.e. better products and environmentally responsible products = consumers buying what they want, not what they have shoved in front of them en masse = a cleaner environment, less public spending on healthcare, companies held to responsibility and less money going overseas = more jobs for Americans.

[santis142]

@JaYoFhOrRoR We don't need healthcare and education to be happy. One can be contented just by being free and not under control of consumerism and the government.

[dezmundo1251]

@JaYoFhOrRoR The key point from this doc is that we must question the current culture and ideology of consumerism. There are very few people who argue we should just stop buying altogether. Consumerism needs to evolve into a sustainable format, which promotes, rather than demotes, environmental and social well being. You can be critical of something and want it to change, without wanting its destruction altogether.

[dezmundo1251]

@JaYoFhOrRoR We aren't going to redistribute the wealth that has been built up in the western world without consumerism. It's a highly efficient way of allowing wealth to flow, it's just been flowing in the wrong directions. I don't know whether you actually regard consumerism and social justice as being in a mutually exclusive relationship, but really the aren't. Democracy, communism, socialism are great ideas which have been corrupted. Consumerism is a corrupt idea which will be perfected.

[GangstaOboist]

@JaYoFhOrRoR You seem to be missing the real meaning of happiness. For the sake of our society and the earth, we need to be selfless.

[rockingnandpatel]

@JaYoFhOrRoR why dont you guys understand that only buying cannot make more moey to sustain population..its makes money only for big corporations!!! and families loosing their money and increase their debt!!!have you ever think why we all need to work hard? just to cover all the expenses that we do now if we cut the expenses and have to pay less interest, we need to earn less to continue current life!!!factory need to give less money so they can still offer goods at low cost that we can buy!!

[rockingnandpatel]

@JaYoFhOrRoR what really happens?? one shop pwner charge you more then 40 to 45% profit on any item so you loos that much money for nothing now you will ask more wages from your boss, if your boss gives you that then he will charge that money to his customer!!! the cycle comes back to you so as you want to make more money you have to have pay more for everything!!!! so basically you are at the same level!! thats what devaluate our money have you think why in past things were far more cheaper???

[rockingnandpatel]

@JaYoFhOrRoR we had devlope technology then past so it must be cheaper to produce goods and thats was a reason to devlop the technology then why prices are increasing? becasue big corporation wants to make 100% profit minimum so to keep that they have to charge you more and more to cover the labour that needed to fulfill the demand of the market!! now if only one person is working then $1 thing may be sold to you $2 to cover that one guy but imagine if 500 workers are working then to keep...

[rockingnandpatel]

@JaYoFhOrRoR that 100% profit they will charge you $5 to $6!!! so mass production has limit at certain level..and please corporation do not run nation its you let me tell you if you are paying $40 tax/ month in canada then aprx one million people is paying same tax. its "$40,000,000"/ month do you think any company lets say walmart who has ability to cover them is paying that much tax? their tax is ultimately paid by customer who still has to pay tax on everysingle item!!!

[rhocassiopeiae]

@JaYoFhOrRoR The problem is that companies dont want to pay any corporate taxes. They are always trying to maximize profit by reducing employees. What they dont realize is that if they laid everyone off, no one will have money to buy from them and they go bankrupt. Its a no win situation on both sides. The truth is that companies can still get by with people buying less, as long as they are still buying. And if they want us to buy more, they will have to lower their prices.

[texasB666]

we need a revolution.we need a worse world. But only in the beginning.When everything is collapsed we would be free.ban commercials,ban free speech,ban politics,ban religion,ban everything that is a form of control,cause than we would have something to do.rebuilt.grow.hunt.you have 2 kinds of people.Stupid ones,and people who are just smart enough to abuse them.WE MUST NEVER BE BORING ! fuck teh world,cause it has been fucking us for a long long time

[onebrandofdemocracy]

I just dropped a gigantic turd on this video. During the entire time I watched this 4-part video, I turned on all of my faucets to full strength. I cranked down the AC even more. I flushed the toilet 3 times for one piss. I turned the refrigerator dial to super cold. I emptied all of my aluminum cans into the trash bin. And I ensured every last light bulb in my home was turned on. I love the sweet smell of American free-enterprise capitalism. Makes me orgasm just thinking about success.

[onebrandofdemocracy]

And who's going to determine what I "need"? Adolf Hitler?

[hrbear]

No... :-) You, by yourself. I mean if we are smart and ecologists we always ask ourselves when we go for shopping "do I really need this?", "is this food healthy?", "should I prefer a more natural food?". Well, when I started to think ecologically I succeed in my diet and lost 17 Kgs of body weight. I mean it's silly to buy 2,3,4 big bottles of cola and get fat too! I buy less things, foods, and I collect my garbage for the recycling basket.

[PeteJones100]

its not about someone telling you, its about having the rite attitude

[Mark550355]

yeah no wonder you would say that, your American, your country is a terrible polluter and quite wasteful in your mentality of Wal Marts and huge shopping centers. But in a couple of years i think America will be in quite a bit of trouble, it has already started with the financial crisis, but now you have heaps of debt and cannot service it, the tax payers have already and will continue to bail out failed companies!!

[DanMorgan98]

Lol, what do those things have to do with American free enterprise capitalism? You mentioned the use of public utilities. Moron.

[onebrandofdemocracy]

They're not all "public" utilities, dumb fuck. Most of it has been privatized. Hey...just go back to your janitor job and leave the heavy mental lifting to me.

[bicarb69]

Jonathan Poritt you are an absolute disgrace. I want to see you and your family lined up first for automatic death (in order to save the planet) fucking dick!!! How dare you threaten people and suggest this planet is somehow over populated WHAT UTTER CRAP!!!!  there is at present enough food on this planet every year to feed 36 billion people and you know fine well why we have people starving. I'll stick my carbon footprint so far up your arse you'll taste my feet. CRETIN! you NAZI KUNT

[carlo1775]

Mr. Jonathan Porritt of the SDS should try some industrial strength colon cleanse and in just several days, he can SH%T his life away, eliminate his own carbon footprint, and make the planet greener. I think that would procure a ray of hope in our environmental future's best interest

[Hurdaskellir7]

So the answer to the problem of consumerism is "consumerism reborn"??? We as consumers just have to add few new thing on our list of needs. Just want eco this and wellness that from the whatever product and everything will be fine? Hallelujah! Consumerism rises from the death.

[Champraves311]

This 4 part movie describes the background of all of my beliefs.

[crazychrisva]

I am an introvert who likes to live in the country. I also like to keep my house dark, with the windows covered.

None of this close community bullshit appeals to me, especially the part of big brother getting involved.

[dtobin123]

...example of how self image is created through consumerism...

[voteDRNO]

Nothing from nothing but I can not see buying a credit and see a wind farm built in India I would want my investment meet locally so that I am the benefactor of my efforts India should be the benefactor of there efforts not me! It will be a global tax against Americans to benefit the rest of the world at Americas lose.

[BFTCaL]

Babylon

[colopity]

'Baby'lon-don

[kieronj]

lol. the end is coming.

[colopity]

That's usually the climax, lol.

[silazcarbryck]

We are all screwed. Once you dig that hole to extract that oil, you might as well bury yourself in it afterwards, because once its gone everything will collapse...

[sweetpotos]

If there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that there is no chance of averting the ecological disaster if BP executives are the ones deciding how to confront it.

[colopity]

To be fair, I'm sure they'd welcome any new ideas, especially when it brings in even more MOOLA(cash)

[DEVRIMCI2007]

Capitalist production, therefore, develops technology, and the combining together of various processes into a social whole, only by sapping the original sources of all wealth — the soil and the labourer. -KARL MARX

[sandbender1414]

TO: maluut

Nothing is impossible except of course what they say about the whole world adopting our consumerism. When your inefficient washing machine dies, upgrade to an energy efficient one. How to pay for it? Don't buy an xbox 360 or PS3 or ______ luxury item you don't need and help the earth instead.

Simple!

[UcanbeGOD]

Buy less stuff.

[PuppyHate]

Disappointing, you'd expect a documentary entitled 'Consumerism' to actually be an in-depth analysis of the sociology and/or history of consumerism. Instead it gives a short summery and devotes most of it's time to sustainability and environmentalism.

[elstonieo]

you would be better of watching "The Century of the Self" Trailer /watch?v=D_0g1RUQMVQ it has the links to all 4 parts in the about this video :) hope this helps

[hairgrows]

wow just watched the whole thing. good stuff. sending to everyone i know. thanks

[erby1kabogey]

Capitalism in Crisis!

[burgerwisdim]

thanks for posting.

ha - it's pathetic to think of all the (mostly)

trivial fleeting highs about owning material crap you can get about this and that - big and small. Any household could easily find $1,000 worth of 'rats and mice' about the place that ha no real purpose or satisfaction.

maluut: this will be a great new challenge to our concepts and perception, once again. in the case of washing machines perhaps control devices/units would need to be made to regulate water usage.

[maluut]

but what about all those non-efficient washing machines. what would be done of them? recycling? and how are most people to afford new energy efficient devices. its a great idea but its "impossible" as he would say to begin

[greentourism]

Excellent show its time Jonathan Porritt became Prime Minister. Consuming wisely is the only future its just difficult now everyone makes green claims

[johnmonk66]

it is a slow road, for instance in america you have to instal low water usage toilets now, it is a small step, but it is a step

[Quiebus]

One solution REVOLUTION!!!

[hathwell]

no gradual change is better. In most periods in history over night revolutions lead to a worse life afterward.

[DEVRIMCI2007]

What the bourgeoisie therefore produces, above all, are its own grave-diggers. Its fall and the victory of the proletariat are equally inevitable.-KARL MARX

[RoadRrunner]

Great work and well done. Constraint and channeling of new paths of growth on the spandrels on the free market economy; as I believe you're suggesting does seem to be the only obvious solution in the west at this time.