If you’re so against having stuff, then why show all these products on this blog?
This week we’re talking about kids, consumerism, materialism, and how it can negatively affect us all and the planet.
Why bother even discussing having less stuff when Peggy and I show products on this blog? Heck, I have one blog where all I do is show green home items. What’s the point?
I was thinking about this because of the recent Washington Post article, Greed In the Name Of Green. To be frank, I hated this article. Many people in the comments hated it too, but some thought it was right on target. I hated it, because to me, it sounded like some writer trying to get a raise out of people for all the wrong reasons. It attacked all environmentalists, not just the ones buying everything. It didn’t come off like the writer believed in eco-sensibility, the writer just came off as trying to be (but not really being) witty, and bitter and uniformed. There’s a better way to discuss the issue of having green stuff vs. non-green stuff.
Here’s my take:
Just because I show a product on this blog, does not mean I think you need it. I consider that you might need something at some point, and that then, the post might come in handy. Eventually, you will need a new blanket. My blanket is 10 + years old and it’s seriously going to run away, I’ve used it up, I can buy a new one. (I’m just lazy) Do I hope that when you need a new blanket, dishes, baby clothes, a gift, or something, that you’ll choose an environmentally responsible product over a not responsible product. Um, yeah. How do people hear about these products - well, from us here at Tree Hugging Family, from other bloggers, news ads, etc.
Do I hope that you purchase everything we show here? NO. I know that no one needs all the stuff we show. Why do I show things that are decoration? Well, when it comes right down to it, I do believe that people can have the home they want, decorated and all. I don’t believe in collecting a thousand little knick knacks and other useless items, but some sense of personal style is what makes the world go round. Some records can make your life a little happier, and the right piece of art can brighten everyone’s day. It’s ok, especially when you consciously make smart decisions surrounding most areas of your life.
What do you think of the Washington Post article? Too much, making the wrong points, right on target? Let me know.
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POSTED IN: Consumer Choice, Stuff Owns You
16 opinions for If you’re so against having stuff, then why show all these products on this blog?
Hil
Mar 12, 2008 at 3:08 pm
I don’t believe there are many people throwing out full wardrobes in favor of one made of organic cotton. I also don’t know many people replacing their flooring (or windows or anything else) just to be more environmentally friendly. They’re doing it anyway, but now they have access to better products when they do the replacing.
Hil
Mar 12, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Meant to say, I didn’t think the article was very realistic, and the above reasons are why.
*sigh* I’m not having a good typing day today.
Jennifer
Mar 12, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Hil, my thoughts exactly, that’s why the article irked me so much. The writer seriously was acting like we all do this, and I doubt it.
Gift of Green
Mar 12, 2008 at 9:12 pm
The Post had an article on plastic bags with a similar tone. Not sure what is up with that! I think it is to get a rise out of people but I don’t think these types of articles accomplish much.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/05/AR2008020500929.html
Rebecca
Mar 12, 2008 at 9:34 pm
I agree that the tone in that WP article was obnoxious. I do agree that “buying green” has become trendy, often to the detriment of the environmental movement. The article made the point that it’s more eco-friendly to keep your vinyl floors than replace them with some “green” flooring. Hil commented above that she doesn’t see many people doing things like this. I see it all the time!
This is something that has bothered me in the “green baby” world for a while now. Many times when people think of going green with a baby, they just want to replace “toxic” fibers with organic cotton. I have definitely heard of people throwing out their car seat covers and buying all new, 100% organic cotton covers to use instead. Maybe that’s better for the baby, but is it green? Not really.
Sorry. I got a little carried away with my comment–the first on your blog! I just discovered your site and will check it often. I’ll add you to our blogroll over at http://greenbabyguide.com.
Jennifer
Mar 12, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Welcome to Tree Hugging Family Rebecca :)
I added your blog to our blogroll. I have some green-minded baby blogs too so I like to read others. I agree to a point that green has become trendy, although, since there’s hardly any regulation it’s sort of a detriment because people will buy anything that has a green sticker on it; no research involved.
I do actually agree with replacing toxic fibers with better, safer materials when it comes to littles, because their bodies are smaller, they don’t need all that junk. But I also think people should be creative in their recycling of said toxic fibers. There’s no reason why they can’t replace paper towels for cleaning, and be used on outside porch furniture, etc.
I actually, to be honest, agreed with some of the articles points, that said, the article was so nasty in tone that it turned me off.
My goal is to make people love green ideas, not shy away from them. I do think it’s ok to let people know that the right steps, no matter how tiny, do add up. Attacking all eco folks like that article did, does no one any good. Well, really attacking on any topic does no good.
By the way are you in Oregon? Your blog said you were featured on a Portland show? Or are you talking Maine. I’m in Vancouver, WA, so I was curious. And again welcome, and thanks for your input :)
Hil
Mar 12, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Rebecca, for the parents, do you think their focus is the environment, or is it more their family’s health … or both? I don’t live in an area where the green trend has caught on to that degree.
Peggy
Mar 12, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Jennifer, that article was pretty unbearable. While some “green” clothing and products are very overpriced, buying many of the green products out there is a good thing (as long as you need them). The more consumers make their voices heard by buying organic, the more manufacturers will start behaving. And our water will be cleaner, and fish and wildlife won’t have to suffer as much at the hands of pesticides.
Rebecca
Mar 13, 2008 at 1:22 am
I live right across the river in Portland, Oregon, “The Greenest City in America,” according to . . . something I just read. With the car seat cover example I mentioned above, parents would be replacing the original cover with an organic one for the health of their kids. Many might label this action “green,” yet the effect would actually be worse for the environment than sticking with the original cover. However, I’ll admit it’s not the best example. As Jennifer points out, it is probably a good thing for little bodies not to be exposed to toxins in conventional fabrics. (Here’s where I admit to owning no organic fabric at all . . . I tend to buy things secondhand instead.)
A better example is probably the original one from the article: replacing vinyl floors with bamboo or something and calling it “green.” Someone I know did this very thing, and everyone was complimenting her for reducing her carbon footprint. Well, no . . . she didn’t, really. Of course, that wasn’t her real goal, anyway: she just wanted nicer floors.
I really like the point you made above when you said you want people to love green ideas rather than shy away from them. You’re right–that article didn’t do that at all!
Tiffany
Mar 13, 2008 at 12:14 pm
I can understand replacing some things you don’t need if you are also taking health into consideration. You may not NEED a new baby mattress but if you can afford a sustainable wool mattress without flame retardents I say go for it. Its not JUST about green …it is also about your kids breathing in chemicals.
Jennifer
Mar 13, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Rebecca, isn’t it funny how PDX always pops up on greenest city lists - I always wonder if those people have actually been here, and seen the traffic and lack of carpooling. 7 years ago I moved from PDX to Humboldt because the traffic was getting nuts, when I moved back I moved to Vancouver, because the traffic had increased ten fold. I guess the Max helps. :)
Tiffany, agreed. I don’t think that article covered health much at all. For example, I pay more for some organic foods but not all, I base it on which have the most health benefits, I consider the green aspect, but it’s more about Cedar’s health.
Rebecca
Mar 13, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Yes, it’s always interesting to see the criteria they use to determine if a city is “green” or not. Portland usually ranks as a very green city because of its recycling program, but they may be leaving out other important factors. I think we actually do pretty well with commuters taking public transit, but not as well as larger cities such as NYC, where a larger part of the population relies on subways and buses to get around. I don’t drive, so I like that I can get around the city without a car. This would have been impossible where I grew up!
Tiffany, I agree that it is probably a good idea to replace a toxin-filled mattress with an organic one for the sake of a child’s health. So I feel kind of bad for admitting that I haven’t done that. I bought our crib mattress right before hearing about how terrible conventional mattresses are. I just hate feeling wasteful. I didn’t run out and replace that mattress, but I did decide that I’d be careful with our next purchase, when she switches over to a twin-sized bed.
Karen L. Alaniz
Mar 14, 2008 at 2:38 am
Hi Jennifer- Learning about green products and eco-friendly products is an ongoing process. I am not in the market for anything new right now. But when am, you can bet that all of this reading I do on fab. blogs like this one, will come to mind. I agree with everyone who said the article was aiming to get a rise out of people. It’s an easy way for a journalist to get their article noticed- take the offensive. Where’s the challenge in that? Keep up the great (blog) work! It matters! ~Karen
Jennifer
Mar 14, 2008 at 4:23 am
Karen! Hey you. Good to see you around - actually I see you around at AW, just not on the same threads :)
I agree, like flaming blogs, harsh articles can be a good way to garner attention, it’s just sad that when people do that the writing comes off as wrong somehow; out there for all the wrong reasons.
In any case, it’s great to “see” you, I’ll have to pop over to Be the Change, since Balance closed up shop I don’t get around as much. (bad me)
CindyW
Mar 14, 2008 at 5:00 pm
I am often torn about green product advertisement. On the one hand, I don’t think I would buy something just because it was presented to me. On the other hand, I don’t under-estimate the power of product suggestion. We do have a huge consumer base in North America and we cannot shop our way out of any crises.
That all said, the “eco consumerism” the article criticized did not represent the whole green movement. Many families and individuals have taken to reduce, reuse and recycle in their daily. They have less material focused. Even in the shopping world, most green-minded consumers buy local food instead of food shipped from another hemisphere. They buy better-cleaning solutions instead of the standard 409’s. Are there people who are out there buying 10 pairs of chic shoes from “eco-material”? Yes, of course. Are there businesses out there that use the “green” logo to make a quick buck? absolutely. That’s why we need to learn about the products and the companies that make them.
I personally do not like buying more stuff for the sake of owning more stuff, whether the stuff is green or not. But to make a sweeping generalization that green movement is about green consumerism is silly.
Organizing by Simplifying
Mar 15, 2008 at 4:06 pm
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