11.03.2010

The Hidden Costs of Consumption

Now that Halloween has come and gone, it's officially the Holiday Season.  A season full of conspicuous consumption.  A season where we all fall victim to "needing" to buy things - as gifts for others, as decor for our homes, as wardrobe for a fancy party, and the list goes on.

So much of what we buy these days comes from overseas.  These products are generally significantly cheaper than items made here in the U.S. of A.  Many of these companies aren't restricted by minimum wage and worker's rights laws, and environmental protection often doesn't even exist.

I came across this pictorial the other day, and really wanted to share it with you.  Photos like these rarely make it into the mainstream news-cycle.  But they should.


Please, take a few minutes to view these beautifully powerful photos.  And next time you're at your Big Box Store of choice, about to throw another disposable plastic whosit, whatsit, or bauble into your cart, remember these photos.

5 comments:

  1. The inconvenient truth is always the most difficult to see, isn't it?

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  2. Those photos are heart breaking and just solidify my ideas for only handmade gifts and decor this season! Just need to be careful with the materials.

    Thanks for sharing!

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  3. Absolutely heart breaking! I agree with Emily on handmade gifts this year

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  4. www.storyofstuff.com tells us that someone is paying for our 99 cent tube socks. These pictures make it clear who it is and just how much they pay. Another prompt for living a more mininalist lifestyle.
    Great blog, cuz. Thanks for sharing. Lisa

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  5. WOW! Incredible photos...shocking and so sad. Thank you for sharing Rachel!!!

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