Post-Consumer Action
Came across a brilliant site called Unconsumption where what struck me was its definition of itself …
Consumption is a word used to describe acts of acquisition – generally, the acquisition of things, in exchange for money.
Unconsumption is a word used to describe everything that happens after an act of acquisition.
Unconsumption is an invisible badge.
Unconsumption means the accomplishment of properly recycling your old cellphone, rather than the guilt of letting it sit in a drawer.
Unconsumption means the thrill of finding a new use for something that you were about to throw away.
Unconsumption means the pleasure of using a service like Freecycle (or Craigslist or Goodwill) to find a new home for the functioning VCR you just replaced, rather than throwing it in the garbage.
Unconsumption means enjoying the things you own to the fullest – not just at the moment of acquisition.
Unconsumption means the pleasure of using a pair of sneakers until they are truly worn out – as opposed to the nagging feeling of defeat when they simply go out of style.
Unconsumption means feeling good about the simple act of turning off the lights when you leave the room.
Unconsumption is not about the rejection of things, or the demonization of things. It’s not a bunch of rules.
Unconsumption is an idea, a set of behaviors, a way of thinking about consumption itself from a new perspective.
Unconsumption is free.
Its a site anyone can converse with and a site that makes a lot of sense. Believe me you should not look at it unless you have a fair bit of time to spare. It always amazes me just how creative we can be.
Posted on June 14, 2010
Filed Under Transition Thinking, environment issues | Leave a Comment
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