Posted on July 13, 2009 by zoeweil
Note: Zoe’s on vacation this week, so this is a repost that was originally posted 6/30/08.
Artist and changemaker Chris Jordan asks several questions in his fascinating presentation at the TED conference. Through his powerful photographs of human behavior and mass consumption, Jordan attempts to make our unconscious societal choices conscious so that we can change [...]
Filed under: changemakers, consumerism, humane education, systemic change | Tagged: artists, change, changemakers, consumerism, consumption, humane education, photography, positive choices, systemic change | Leave a Comment »
Posted on June 1, 2009 by zoeweil
I was kayaking on the bay where I live this morning, enjoying the bobbing seals who didn’t seem to mind my presence, and breaking a line through the thick carpet of spruce pollen that floated on the ocean. When I turned around to return home, I was struck by several newly constructed mansions on the [...]
Filed under: Environmental Preservation, MOGO (Most Good), consumerism, integrity | Tagged: consumerism, values, integrity, MOGO principle, Maine, ethical consumerism, environmental protection, consumption, wealth, ecological footprint, mansions | Leave a Comment »
Posted on May 29, 2009 by zoeweil
The Worldwatch Institute has produced a short film which asks whether consuming things really makes us happy. Turns out it doesn’t. Beyond a certain point, money and things don’t bring us joy. I imagine most readers of this blog already assumed (or knew) as much, but this short video is worth watching and sharing with [...]
Filed under: consumerism, videos | Tagged: consumerism, consumption, environmental protection, films, happiness, videos, wealth | 1 Comment »
Posted on May 27, 2009 by zoeweil
The New York Times recently had an article about the growing use of the video The Story of Stuff in schools, and the controversy that sometimes surrounds it. The short, animated film provides an introduction to the impact of our stuff on the environment, and it’s a great way to introduce the effects of consumer [...]
Filed under: Cultural Issues, consumerism, critical thinking, economy, education, humane education, systemic change, videos | Tagged: consumerism, consumption, critical thinking, curriculum, educational policy, films, humane education, name-calling, schools, Story of Stuff, systemic change, videos | Leave a Comment »
Posted on May 25, 2009 by zoeweil
I’ve been encountering a number of people who are ambivalent about this recession we’re in. On the one hand, they’re struggling personally because of economic hardship, but on the other hand they recognize that consumption needs to decline for the sake of biodiversity, climate stabilization, and restored ecosystems. I was listening to an economic historian [...]
Filed under: MOGO (Most Good), consumerism, economy, systemic change, third side thinking | Tagged: books, change the world, consumerism, consumption, economic policy, economy, MOGO principle, Most Good Least Harm, recession, systemic change, third side thinking | Leave a Comment »
Posted on March 20, 2009 by zoeweil
I grew up watching about 6 hours of TV per night. I always hated the commercials, and that’s when I’d do my homework or get something to eat. I was always amazed that companies wasted their money on ads because, I thought, who would believe them? In fact, I remember clearly thinking this about the [...]
Filed under: consumerism, critical thinking, marketing | Tagged: advertising, commercials, consumerism, critical thinking, marketing, MOGO choices | 1 Comment »
Posted on March 6, 2009 by zoeweil
I’ve recently reconnected with a friend from high school (thank you Facebook). Julie Curtis was hilarious back then, and her wit has only gotten more refined since. She’s a writer, too, with a blog called “Writer Blocked” and one of her most recent entries, Impulsario, had me laughing out loud at my computer, which usually [...]
Filed under: Blogs, consumerism | Tagged: Blogs, consumerism, Costco, humor, materialism, MOGO choices, shopping | Leave a Comment »
Posted on February 27, 2009 by zoeweil
Waiting for my plane to board a couple weeks ago, I was watching CNN at the gate and was amazed to see that advertisers are now linking compassion with products. As a humane educator, I’m used to analyzing ads with students, asking the question, “What deep need or desire is the ad trying to fulfill?” [...]
Filed under: consumerism, critical thinking, marketing, media literacy | Tagged: advertising, branding, compassion, consumerism, critical thinking, humane living, Kindness, marketing, media literacy, MOGO choices | Leave a Comment »
Posted on February 25, 2009 by zoeweil
I just finished reading Buy.ology: Truth and Lies about What we Buy by Martin Lindstrom. As a humane educator, one of the most important skills I hope to impart among my students is the ability to think critically and gain freedom from manipulation and brainwashing. Thus, books such as this are very useful to me [...]
Filed under: accurate information, books, consumerism, critical thinking, media literacy | Tagged: accurate information, advertising, books, branding, consumerism, corporations, critical thinking, ethical consumerism, marketing, Martin Lindstrom, media literacy, multinational corporations, reviews | Leave a Comment »
Posted on December 23, 2008 by zoeweil
It’s so easy to be influenced by the prevailing values of our culture. We are bombarded with messages to buy more and more. Several people were killed or injured in the U.S. on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving, which is reputed to be the biggest shopping day of the year) because they were trampled [...]
Filed under: MOGO (Most Good), consumerism, keys to MOGO | Tagged: advertising, consumerism, Cultural Issues, holidays, keys to MOGO, marketing, MOGO choices, Most Good Least Harm, principles, responsibility, values | Leave a Comment »
The Power and Promise of Humane Education
Above All, Be Kind: Raising a Humane Child in Challenging Times
Claude and Medea: The Hellburn Dogs
So, You Love Animals: An Action-Packed, Fun-Filled Book to Help Kids Help Animals
