*ReDuce ReUse ReBuy*

[sanchit-c-blog]

Another True Logo.

Just another re-make of a logo I found. Made me laugh because, well, its reality. 

Sources:

http://www.viktorhertz.com/50717/439429/gallery/honest-logos

[sanchit-c-blog]

This image shows what has happened to our world within just 34 years. You can see the green land in 1978 but then in 2012, all that is left is brown land. No trees. Deforestation.

Sources:

http://nohasark.com.au/2013/05/the-world-according-to-seed/

[sanchit-c-blog]

Yes, a very heartbreaking image. When we cut down trees for multiple purposes, we not only harm the environment but we are also effecting the biodiversity and killing animals at the same time. 

Sources:

http://www.coloribus.com/adsarchive/prints/deforestation-awareness-fallen-tree-10913705/resizes/1600/

[sanchit-c-blog]

Consumer. Yes there is the economy to talk about, the money, the consumers but have you ever wondered what is doing to our world as a whole? Did you ever consider how consumerism is affecting not only us but the health of the world?

Almost everything is made out of plastic or packaged in plastic for shipping. A plastic is a synthetic material made from a wide range of polymers such as polyethylene, PVC, nylon etc. Most things if not everything, is made or packaged in plastic. Not only is the production of plastics bad but also how we dispose of them. Landfills contain leachate which then could percolate into our drinking water. Now, the disposing of plastics is not only affecting us but also the world as a whole. The burning of plastics produce freon gas which contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer.

Melting of the Ice-Caps.

Global Warming.

Depletion of the Ozone Layer.

All this is the outcome of one major action. CONSUMERISM.

Sources:

http://guardianlv.com/2013/09/new-ipcc-report-to-crush-its-own-global-warming-predictions/

[sanchit-c-blog]

Tally of all the unfortunate deaths and injuries that have ruined the holidays for Black Friday shoppers; violent shootings, pepper-spray accidents and shocking tramplings.

Yes, it is unfortunate how many people die in an event called black friday but it's also frightening to see how they die. Look at this website to see how many death, injuries and how they happen.

From 2006 to 2012. 7 Deaths. 90 Injuries. Shopping is Violent.

[sanchit-c-blog]

Americans used to be citizens. Now we are consumers.

Vicki Robin

This quote says a lot about what has happened till today. We have developed so much not only in technology but also in how we live our life. No longer is our life based on "happiness" but now rather it is centred around goods and services which now is an alternative for happiness. 

Sources:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/44527.Vicki_Robin

[sanchit-c-blog]

Unifor is calling for passenger investments to create manufacturing, technology and engineering jobs.

Please view the link to the article: http://www.thestar.com/business/2013/11/29/rail_expansion_would_boost_job_creation_says_labour_union.html

Unifor, the country's largest private sector labour union is wanting to invest money into expanding the rail network to create more jobs for people and finally making our economy more successful. 

Now, what is a labour union? A labour union is a group of paid workers formed to protect their rights and interests. With labour unions, workers have the opportunity to ensure their rights making this a fair group.  

I believe that labour unions are very important to have. For example, in this case, the labour unions promote the expansion of this rail which in return will result in our economy to boom and create many jobs also resulting in more people to come to Canada. Currently, Alberta is expanding in Non-renewable energy and with the expansion of the railroad, we can be the leading exporter and importer. 

This image also says a lot about consumerism. If you look at the image above, you can see that the black fish is first eating at the little fish but when all the little fish come together, they can take over the fish. If all workers come together, they can enforce labour laws.

[sanchit-c-blog]

“We no longer live life. We consume it.”

Vicki Robin

A very simple quote that means a lot. Today our life is based on the simple message that happiness is "obtained" by products and services. Life is centred around this idea of "buy, buy and buy," will this ever change?

[sanchit-c-blog]

Coin - The New & Improved Card

Coin is a new device that can hold and be used like the cards you already carry.

This is a very interesting new technology that stuck out to me. Someone has invented a new “credit card” which can be an alternative of many. In other words it's multiple cards in one! Now, you're probably wondering how does this relate to consumerism. Well, this is exactly what I am going to answer in this post.

Many, if not all people, know that cards for companies such as clothing stores offer a discount. With more cards, the more discounts you get and well all know that everybody loves discounts. But to be honest, people get so many cards that they either forget the card or don't even bother buying the cards. Onlycoin is one "credit card" which can include many others. Basically, multiple cards in one, Onlycoin.

Please refer to the video on the website for more information. 

What do you think of this? Would this change consumer choices?

[kalindeevan-blog]

Mindless consumption! 

[sanchit-c-blog]

I totally agree with this image. Hasn't happened with me, but I'm sure this has happened to many. 

[sanchit-c-blog]

Now we all know that there is a special event in the U.S called black friday where multiple large sales are brought on by many stores across the nation in America. A few weeks ago, Sears Canada has also introduced the new information that they will also be having the "First Ever Canadian Thanksgiving Black Friday Sale."

In the states, Black Friday is one of the most "crazy" events. Would you ever expect death on Black Friday? Well, in the U.S there are many cases of only this, death, crime and injuries.

By slowly introducing Black Friday to Canada, we are harming our society step by step. 

What do you think? Should we introduce Black Friday to Canada?

[sanchit-c-blog]

This is a very surprising (but funny) video showing how burger companies advertise to attract the maximum number of people. Throughout all these years, this is what all the burger companies have got us running after. Undercooked and fake burgers. 

Ah, advertisements. Advertisements and media are very important aspects when talking about consumerism. The demand for many products come mostly from media. Media influences many people and especially us consumers. Lets take the Iphone as an example. When the first iPhone was brought out, many people bought it but slowly when the different types and models were brought out, everyone had changed their regular iPhone with the new and “improved” iPhone. With advertisements, you can say it creates a domino effect. When a famous person advertises a product, the society buys what is being advertised which slowly progresses throughout the society and finally consuming us.

Still want to eat that burger?

 Sources:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUjz_eiIX8k

[sanchit-c-blog]

After reading this image, I obviously chose which side I agreed to. 

Although I think that environmentally safe products are good, are they really helping the environment? Yes by having environmentally safe products it could solve more local problems such as water contamination etc. but we have to look at this in a broader scale and think outside the box. 

Yes, there are benefits to these friendly products but think about transportation. Think about the production. Just because they are environmentally friendly, doesn't mean they are good for the environment! 

By consuming the same amount of products but more environmentally friendly, we aren't helping or changing the environment as a whole. Think about the transportation. 5 miles. 500 miles. 50,000 miles. There is no limit to where these different products can be shipped and importing and exporting is a major part of all countries.

Now, think. Environmentally friendly products but still consume lots or in total, consume less.

Sources:

http://conceitoecologico.blogspot.ca/

[sanchit-c-blog]

Is Consumerism an Addiction?

The definition by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) defines addiction as "A chronic neurological disorder involving many brain function, most notably a devastating imbalance in the so-called reward circuitry."

So based on the information above we can say that consumerism is in fact an addiction. The million and billion of consumers out there are always informed daily through advertisements that happiness could be "obtained" through consumer products such as iPhones, Tv's etc. 

Therefor, the "reward circuitry" is in affect as the majority of the population is programmed to want more and more. More and more will result in happiness...

This image shows how we are all caught up in this consumerism "stuff" and slowly, it is killing us and our world.

Do you agree?

Sources:

http://politicos-rkd.blogspot.ca/2011/08/consumerism-is-addiction.html

[sanchit-c-blog]

A true logo. 

So many people, volunteers and veterans all are highly engaged in the Olympic Games so it has to be some highly profitable activity. Otherwise why would people be so involved?

Advertisements play a big role in the Olympics. On the side of each event, you see billboards, posters, pictures etc. of multiple consumer companies. Not only are they on billboards but on the athletes themselves! The ads on the athletes also play a huge role in promoting business and attracting consumers. 

The idea that comes into most if not everybody's mind is "Hey, that's my favourite player! I like his shoes, I'm going to buy the same ones!"...

Olympics is not the only example. There are millions of others that I can think of. Lets take this social website for example. Why are we using Tumblr for this project? In other words, how has tumblr became so famous?

Do advertisements play a big role in your life?

Sources: 

http://es.paperblog.com/logos-honestos-volumen-2-839646 

[sanchit-c-blog]

A very simplistic image but it does has a deeper message. It shows the U.S flag and instead of having stars, which represent the states, it has American brands. On the flag, it shows more of the known consumer brands such as Nike, Coca-Cola, Apple etc. U.S is the leading exporter and producer in consumer products for many years and will continue to, but the question comes, how? Why is U.S still cheaper than Canada even though the Canadian dollar is so close to the U.S dollar?

This questions answer always comes back to the idea of mixed and market economies. Yes, there are benefits for both market and mixed but primarily it is all depended on your consumer choices. But is this really the fact? If you ask someone in Canada if they would consider moving to a Market economy, the most common answer would be, of course, no. And then again, if you asked someone in the U.S it would be the same answer, no. We have developed our own lifestyles and it is difficult to step out of our comfort zone. 

In a mixed economy, there is also competition as there is in a market. Now, when both of these economic systems are so similar, why do people specify one over the other? Again, it comes back to idea of individualism or community living. In canada, when the community prospers the business prospers where as in the U.S it is all depended on the business. All in all, U.S has its benefits and Canada does too. 

Now, I want you to think. Is living in a mixed economy beneficial for your consumer needs? Would you ever consider living in market economy?

[sanchit-c-blog]

At first glance, I didn't really get the message behind this image but after analyzing it, I came to know that it really means a lot about our topic of consumerism. 

Throughout many years, we have developed many new and improved technologies. One of the things that has most impacted the world today is fossil fuels and non-renewable energy. Instead of us investing and researching into renewable energy, we spend more time developing alternative ways to advertisements and distribution to goods and services. 

This idea of non-renewable energy sources would change from place to place. If you take a look at the third world countries for example, this problem of pollution and carbon emission is limited. Also, if you take a look at the different economic systems, each one contributes differently. This might sound superficial but countries which export and import usually contribute more towards global warming. This idea of collective identities is important to sustain our economic system but we must realize what it is doing to our world. I believe that each country should develop or rather produce their own products for their consumers but other demands such as food, water and fuel can be transported. 

In the image above, you can see behind the phone these white storage containers. These are storage containers for non-renewable energy, commonly known as fossil fuels. Also, if you haven't noticed, there is a smoke stack on the right of the picture. This shows how developing new products for us consumers is harming the environment slowly. It was also interesting to see the sky in the image. It shows a dark gloomy sky which is a result of pollution and carbon dioxide created from these factories. This image shows the comparison if before and after. The phone shows how the world was before all these factories and carbon emissions were created. It shows the white clear sky along with the green land but in the background, there is a black sky, carbon emissions, pollution and global warming.

Our world today. Full of pollution.  

What do you think? Should we start researching into renewable energy sources?