Why Are We Eating Less Meat?

Posted on January 13, 2012 by zoeweil

Mark Bittman, opinion columnist at the New York Times who writes about food, begins 2012 with a piece titled, “We’re Eating Less Meat. Why?” According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, meat consumption is declining and is predicted to continue its decline. While the livestock industry blames, among other things, the federal government’s supposed “war [...]

Filed under: consumerism, food and diet | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

iSweatshop? Listen to “Mr. Daisey and the Apple Factory”

Posted on January 11, 2012 by zoeweil

Last weekend, I listened to Mike Daisey’s riveting monologue on the radio show This American Life about his trip to Shenzhen, China, to visit the factories where his electronics — specifically his Apple products — are made. I urge readers of this blog to listen to this episode, which includes not only Mike Daisey’s account, [...]

Filed under: consumerism, critical thinking, human rights, humane education | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

For Deconstructing Advertising “Jingles Every Day”

Posted on December 7, 2011 by zoeweil

Jodie Hittle presented a 7-minute TEDx “poem” that is hilarious, clever, entertaining, but most important of all, elucidating, and one of the most important tools humane educators can use in their efforts to help their students deconstruct advertising and gain some freedom from the insidious brainwashing that occurs through commercial messages which bombard us every [...]

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First World Problems

Posted on August 19, 2011 by zoeweil

Sometimes it takes a brilliant teenager to provide a little perspective. Watch this short YouTube rap: and then consider how much further such a viral video could go toward diminishing kids’ sense of entitlement, rather than adults reminding them how lucky they are. For that matter, I’m going to watch this video periodically to remind [...]

Filed under: changemakers, consumerism, MOGO (Most Good), videos | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Affluence and Affluenza

Posted on July 13, 2011 by zoeweil

The film and book, Affluenza, explores the mostly modern condition of relentless consumerism, debt, yearning for more, dissatisfaction and sluggishness, and a treadmill life that leaves people feeling empty and stressed simultaneously. In our recent Summer Institute for teachers, high school English teacher, Mark McGonagle, came up with an activity that explored affluenza through a [...]

Filed under: changemakers, consumerism, Cultural Issues, MOGO (Most Good), positive choices, simple living | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

The Story of Stuff: Toxic Cosmetics

Posted on April 29, 2011 by zoeweil

The Story of Stuff website continues to create short, animated films about the hidden effects of our everyday purchases. This one, on cosmetics, examines the toxic ingredients in our personal care products. Take a look, and then check out the other films at storyofstuff.org: Zoe Weil, President, Institute for Humane Education Author of Most Good, [...]

Filed under: consumerism, critical thinking, marketing, media literacy, systemic change, videos | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Buy Change: Vote with Your Dollars

Posted on April 27, 2011 by zoeweil

At Green Fest San Francisco, I met Jono Korchin, and we talked about the power of our purchases to create change. As a humane educator, I’m frequently telling students that even though they can’t vote in elections until they’re 18, they vote every time they spend their money. Each dollar is a vote that says, [...]

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Black Friday/Buy Nothing Day: What We Buy Matters

Posted on November 26, 2010 by zoeweil

Today is Black Friday. We’re told it is the biggest shopping day of the year. You’ll find massive sales to jump start your holiday shopping, and you can start very early in the morning. In fact, here’s a website that posts the hours for a bunch of chain stores. Why, you can start shopping at [...]

Filed under: citizen activism, consumerism, economy, habits, mindfulness, MOGO (Most Good), values | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

The Miracle of Milk?

Posted on November 5, 2010 by zoeweil

I’m a big fan of Ode Magazine, which provides great food for thought and ideas for creating a better world, but in the September 2010 issue I was dismayed to read what seemed to me to be a simplistic and inaccurate ode to modern food, entitled “The Miracle of Milk.” I agree with the author, [...]

Filed under: animal protection, consumerism, critical thinking, food and diet, MOGO (Most Good) | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Bottled Water vs. Tap

Posted on November 3, 2010 by zoeweil

Here’s a great video on bottled vs. tap water: Even though the bottle-free day has passed, this is a wonderful example of a quick way to generate critical thinking about our habits and would make a great topic for a high school or college class. Pass it along. Zoe Weil Author of Most Good, Least [...]

Filed under: citizen activism, consumerism, Environmental Preservation, marketing, videos | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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