bits and bobbins

the story of stuff

do you know the story of the stuff you use? the story behind all those covetable electronics, clothes and other *things* you consume? do you know the real cost of it all? just because something is cheap doesn’t mean someone, or many someone’s aren’t paying for it in some way along the line. do we really need to consume as much as we do? who benefits from all this consumption? do we? is there a better way?

the story of stuff by annie leonard takes a closer look “at the underside of our production and consumption patterns… [and] exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world.”

being that it’s the end of the year, and new fashion leaves are supposed to be turning over, i’ve been hearing a lot of declarations in magazines and elsewhere about what’s “out” and “over” and what should be trashed in lieu of the “new and improved”, the “latest and the greatest”.

BUT. what if i like that old stuff? what if it’s still useful? should it be trashed because it’s not the latest trend? should it be trashed in lieu of consuming more, just because someone declares it’s passe?

this fashion-related clip from the story of stuff (the whole of which i highly recommend watching) suggests that new trends are marketed to make consumers feel bad about the trends that came before, by calling said trends obsolete, and thus prompting consumers to consume more, lest they be chastised and considered out-of-date.


(click to play)

it’s called “perceived obsolescence”…and it’s absolutely intentional and it’s aim is to make MONEY for manufacturers. it’s all marketing.

***

what’s in for the coming year?

-wearing whatever the hell you feel like in 2008…and beyond.
-eschewing “trends”.
-thinking before you consume, and sometimes, choosing not to consume at all.

December 22 2007 | Posted in check this out!, fashion musing

Comments

10 total remarks on this post.

  1. December 22 2007 at 2:40 pm

    Jenn

    Thanks for this post. I think these are such important issues to think about, especially for the health of the planet, the health of the population, and even our own well-being (I can’t imagine it’s healthy to keep following a trend that we’re not interested in or, worse yet, keep feeling dissatisfied with what we have just because someone is manufacturing a trend in a way that evokes that very feeling intentionally.)


  2. December 22 2007 at 6:06 pm

    kim

    thank you so much for posting this video, i’m showing everyone i know!


  3. December 23 2007 at 12:47 pm

    Casey

    AMEN. One thing I’m going to be doing in 2008 is cutting back on my purchases from mass market retailers. I don’t “need” new [insert whatever] really; especially when it comes to fashion (which will be my focus on ‘08). I’ll be working more towards being mindful of my purchases, and when I can choosing to buy pre-used, vintage or make my own garments. My reasons are a little different, but I do think trends are bunk, and only contribute to the growing problem in our consumerist society!

    Anyway, thanks for linking to the video; I’m going to bookmark it to watch it over my break, before my self-imposed “fashion vacation” begins on January 1!


  4. December 23 2007 at 1:23 pm

    madam0wl

    *short break from thesis writing* I’ve yet to make any official pledge but for several weeks now I’ve been tossing around the idea of doing the whole “buy nothing new” or “wardrobe_refashion” challenge for 6 months starting in 2008… at least in terms of clothing and textiles. I’ve got so much crap stored/collected/piled right now, I could totally get away with it and probably there is enough range & depth there that I’d have something appropriate to follow any “trend” that surfaces if I felt like it. Though I’d still likely allow myself the occasional thrift here & there, since it is like therapy and while I generally “eschew” trends, I’m totally down with impulse buys upon inspiration or even adopting/starting a few trends as long as it is done responsibly. It really wouldn’t be that much of a challenge for me, since the only “new” things I’ve consumed in the past few months have been one or two items from Target clearance racks. A real challenge for me would be to try to reduce the amount the trash/garbage we produce daily as a family. Egads, a trip a few months ago to the local dump / landfill was the most depressing thing I’ve seen in a long time. On that note, happy holidaze!


  5. December 23 2007 at 5:46 pm

    laura

    thank you for this post! i hate how we are manipulated by the media, it’s incredible. therefore, i think your advice for 2008 is so right. everyone should try to consume less or at least invest my money in better things – it could really change something.


  6. December 24 2007 at 12:52 pm

    Erica

    Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for sharing this. I will in turn share it with others. Towards the end of the video tears came to my eyes, because it makes me feel hopeful that there are growing numbers of people, especially Americans, who see the dangerous folly we’ve all been participating in, and want to embrace a better, healthier, sustainable way.

    Thank you!


  7. December 24 2007 at 5:30 pm

    jenny

    i watched it (twice, once by myself, once with the boys) and forwarded the website to everyone i know.

    thanks for sharing, tricia.


  8. December 26 2007 at 5:11 pm

    vintagevixxen

    important stuff. i, like madamowl, have been tossing about the idea of buying nothing new (clothes, shoes, bags) – at least for a few months.
    thanks~


  9. December 26 2007 at 8:43 pm

    Lady Smaggle

    My new years resolution is to spend more money on clothes. I know that sound stupid but in the long run it makes sense. If I spend more money on a classic expensive t-shirt I will have forever, I will spend less money on 20 cheap t-shirts that I will throw away and will contribute to land waste. And I am also going to try to support more independent designers who support the environment!


  10. January 24 2008 at 12:37 am

    THE COVETED | The Story of Stuff

    [...] Maybe tonight instead of watching re-runs of Seinfeld, sit down and watch the Story of Stuff… a 20 min documentary about the consumer economy and it’s impact on the environment and our mental and physical health. Kind of like An Inconvenient Truth, it’s one of those documentaries, that doesn’t shake it’s finger, it just lays out the facts, and gives you a solution or a direction to take.I heard about it a while ago, although I’m not sure if it was Bits & Bobbins or Elizabeth who brought it up (either of them are very likely sources). Either way, I was at work, and couldn’t devote my full attention. Perhaps, I shouldn’t be talking about this, but American consumer culture is seeming to be at the verge of a breaking point. I can’t go one day without hearing someone talking about a recession, or what is going to happen when Americans stop spending. It’s obvious that things have to change, and I know it’s hard to see a solution. Sometimes, I just want to have shiny new things, even when I really can’t afford them, and a lot of times shopping makes me feel better. But then I feel worse, but then I feel better, and then I have to purge my closet, so I feel worse. [...]