Consumption Confession #1

Over the course of the last five years or so, I have read and watched a lot on different health and environmental issues. My confession for today is that: I am often swayed by the research of these sources. I know about checking sources and that research itself can be swayed from time to time based upon who is funding the study, etc. I thought of this topic due to a posting by one of my favorite bloggers who mentioned that true authenticity comes from action not just from knowledge.

So what have I been swayed by? Well, during my undergrad I read parts of the book Fast Food Nation and that's all it took to decide not to eat fast food. The health benefits of most fast food places are next to nil and as health is important for a happy and productive life, I decided cutting out fast food restauraunts would be ideal. I also do not like how much waste is produced from the individual packing and that few of these establishments engage in recycling efforts. I do not even like to support these establishments by purchasing drinks, although on occassion I have done so. However I think I can count on one hand the number of times I have eaten in fast food restaurants over the last four years. I have the occassional Taco Bell craving, but then I think of how much healthier I am by refusing to submit to these non-healthy locations. (Although I still suffer from coffee shop consumption.)

Major swaying number two happens to relate to...the evil store.........Wal-Mart. After watching the documentary last year, I have entered a Wal-Mart maybe 5 times and purchased only one item. What do I have against Walmart you might be wondering? As the list is numerous, I'll just mention a few things quickly. Have you ever wondered WHY you can purchase a shirt for $5.96? Have you ever observed or talked to many of their store employees? The movie depicts foreign labor that Wal-Mart uses and also talks to past managers about how Wal-Mart cheats U.S. workers of hours in order to not pay overtime and/or health benefits. Wal-Mart also has a bad environmental record, although they are doing a great job of trying to make money off of their current "green" marketing campaign. (However I do feel that they are truly changing some in this aspect and for that I am glad!)

Plus there is just something that makes me so sad upon walking into Wal-Mart. The majority of individuals don't really need a large percentage of what they sell. And in my opinion people frequently buy extra things just because they're available cheapily and not because they need them. I call it the Wal-Mart zombie look as some people walking the aisles of Wal-Mart have a glazed over look on their faces and almost none of them walk out empty handed. Now I know a lot of people shop at Wal-Mart and I have to admit that I at times consume products that are purchased there by one member of my household. However I personally choose not to support Wal-Mart financially or by name due to my values. It all goes back to the values!

I am sure I could list numerous other ways in which I have been swayed by what I have read or seen regarding a particular company or establishment. Ideally it all goes back to being aware of the major and minor components of the items which we consume and purchase. As consumers we are letting corporations know that we are okay with or agree with their policies and that is very powerful on our part. Being aware is something that I need to do more frequently in all my purchases however--becoming the knowledgeable and thoughtful consumer!