
But to consume is at the same time something positive. We consume restaurant visits, theatre shows, travels, education and so forth. Many enriching and life enhancing experiences springs from consumption. To use the word destroy about a wonderful travel, a magical concert or a university degree would be quite wrong. Consumption is quite simply both positive AND negative, from different aspects.It's hard to argue with that. Unfortunately most anti-consumerism is really just intellectual snobbery masked in holier-than-thou bromides about only buying what 'we' think you need. What bugs most intellectuals on the greener fringes is the idea of individuals making their own minds up and making their own free choices about how to spend - or not spend - their hard earned money. Rather than being told, forced or cajoled into doing what is good for them.
Businesses have to deal with the real world rather than idealism or ideology, so it is good to see businesses like Nike working with suppliers not only to raise standards in relation to child labour, but also to help suppliers introduce better, more efficient and more environmentally friendly production methods. Here's one example of what Nike are doing as part of a pilot project in factories in China and Vietnam:
One important aspect of the project was the installation of wireless monitoring. Rather than manual tracking of power consumption on the factory floor, Nike helped the pilot factories install systems that measure energy use by manufacturing process. The new system provided online reports available in real time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.This is a great illustration of using world class IT and energy technologies to support suppliers in developing countries effectively to leap frog more energy intensive and more polluting intervening generations of technology. It's also a nice illustration of Jeremy Rifkin's idea of the third industrial revolution.
The conversation about the future of consumerism isn't over yet - but as businesses become more engaged in the debate, then a more realistic and ultimately more effective response to the environmental and energy challenges we face will emerge.
Intellectual snobbery? Holier-than-thou bromides? Dear oh dear Gerard, I wouldn't have had you down as a name-caller. I'm all for an exchange of views, and apologies again for daring to hold a view different to yours, but are ad hominem assaults adding anything to the debate? I see this is the only comment posted here. Perhaps it's the only way you can get a reaction? Disappointing. John G.
ReplyDeleteI thought I was describing the opinions rather than the opinion holders John. The latter would indeed have been an ad hominem attack; a style of 'debate' I certainly don't like any more than you do.
ReplyDeleteWhich is why I'm happy to give credit to the same opinion holders when I am in agreement with their opinions: http://www.turbulenceahead.com/2008/05/minor-emergencies.html
But I'll be more careful about my use of language: I do prefer dialogue to monologue.
Fair enough Gerard, I do appreciate the tenor of your response. Any of us who put our names to our views run the risk of taking flak from all sides, some warranted, some gratuitous. So I reckon those of us who put our heads above that parapet should observe the Queensbury Rules! Cheers, John G.
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