Comments on: the story of stuff http://bitsandbobbins.com/2007/12/22/the-story-of-stuff/ bits and bobbins Sat, 12 May 2012 07:03:03 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: THE COVETED | The Story of Stuff http://bitsandbobbins.com/2007/12/22/the-story-of-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-29933 THE COVETED | The Story of Stuff Thu, 24 Jan 2008 05:37:31 +0000 http://bitsandbobbins.com/journal/2007/12/22/the-story-of-stuff/#comment-29933 [...] 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. [...] [...] 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. [...]

]]> By: Lady Smaggle http://bitsandbobbins.com/2007/12/22/the-story-of-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-29207 Lady Smaggle Thu, 27 Dec 2007 01:43:00 +0000 http://bitsandbobbins.com/journal/2007/12/22/the-story-of-stuff/#comment-29207 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! 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!

]]> By: vintagevixxen http://bitsandbobbins.com/2007/12/22/the-story-of-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-29202 vintagevixxen Wed, 26 Dec 2007 22:11:28 +0000 http://bitsandbobbins.com/journal/2007/12/22/the-story-of-stuff/#comment-29202 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~ 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~

]]> By: jenny http://bitsandbobbins.com/2007/12/22/the-story-of-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-29146 jenny Mon, 24 Dec 2007 22:30:31 +0000 http://bitsandbobbins.com/journal/2007/12/22/the-story-of-stuff/#comment-29146 i watched it (twice, once by myself, once with the boys) and forwarded the website to everyone i know. thanks for sharing, tricia. i watched it (twice, once by myself, once with the boys) and forwarded the website to everyone i know.

thanks for sharing, tricia.

]]> By: Erica http://bitsandbobbins.com/2007/12/22/the-story-of-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-29142 Erica Mon, 24 Dec 2007 17:52:28 +0000 http://bitsandbobbins.com/journal/2007/12/22/the-story-of-stuff/#comment-29142 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! 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!

]]> By: laura http://bitsandbobbins.com/2007/12/22/the-story-of-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-29131 laura Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:46:46 +0000 http://bitsandbobbins.com/journal/2007/12/22/the-story-of-stuff/#comment-29131 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. 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.

]]> By: madam0wl http://bitsandbobbins.com/2007/12/22/the-story-of-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-29129 madam0wl Sun, 23 Dec 2007 18:23:42 +0000 http://bitsandbobbins.com/journal/2007/12/22/the-story-of-stuff/#comment-29129 *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! *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!

]]> By: Casey http://bitsandbobbins.com/2007/12/22/the-story-of-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-29127 Casey Sun, 23 Dec 2007 17:47:44 +0000 http://bitsandbobbins.com/journal/2007/12/22/the-story-of-stuff/#comment-29127 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! 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!

]]> By: kim http://bitsandbobbins.com/2007/12/22/the-story-of-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-29110 kim Sat, 22 Dec 2007 23:06:59 +0000 http://bitsandbobbins.com/journal/2007/12/22/the-story-of-stuff/#comment-29110 thank you so much for posting this video, i'm showing everyone i know! thank you so much for posting this video, i’m showing everyone i know!

]]> By: Jenn http://bitsandbobbins.com/2007/12/22/the-story-of-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-29104 Jenn Sat, 22 Dec 2007 19:40:20 +0000 http://bitsandbobbins.com/journal/2007/12/22/the-story-of-stuff/#comment-29104 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.) 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.)

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