tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post2921768021741264612..comments2024-03-28T01:51:22.367-03:00Comments on Not Buying Anything: Victor Lebow On Consumer CapitalismGregg Koephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09349453216733070775noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-31199995002508065862021-04-28T13:04:39.882-03:002021-04-28T13:04:39.882-03:00Watch the Documentary called "The Century of ...Watch the Documentary called "The Century of the Self" (warning, it was created by the BBC), which documents the conversion of the U.S. economy into a consumerist economy using psychological tactics in advertising, first on consumers, then by governments, then by political candidates and how they sway human opinion. Quite alarming.HoakieBShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01213351971138113995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-36306072797382986662019-10-20T09:44:20.375-03:002019-10-20T09:44:20.375-03:00I think it illustrates how our minds have been imp...I think it illustrates how our minds have been imprisoned by the culture of corporation and consumerism. Rather than make life better, they have now become like a ball and chain. Popular media is how they have spread their message and infected us all.Gregg Koephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09349453216733070775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-41782177136556676612019-10-20T06:25:59.906-03:002019-10-20T06:25:59.906-03:00What does the image means ? What does the image means ? Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14821515071723315385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-45696104320844157192017-01-30T17:56:29.330-04:002017-01-30T17:56:29.330-04:00I believe the Swiss decided not to use widespread ...I believe the Swiss decided not to use widespread screening mammograms anymore. Researches also can't seem to agree on whether mammograms might be the cause of increased breast cancer rates over the decades. A mammogram is like getting 1000 chest x-rays and it puts 50 pounds of pressure on fragile breasts and may crush a pre-cancerous cyst (most of which go away by themselves)then send the contents into your bloodstream. There is good reason to question their usefulness. They only pick up 20% of cancers whereas self examination picks up 80%. A healthy diet (preferably 100% plant based), lots of exercise and a healthy mind go a long way toward prevention.<br />As for advertising I find it makes me buy less just because I hate it so much. I don't watch TV anymore and I keep a long envelope by my computer to block out the ads at the side. I find great satisfaction going against the grain and not purchasing things. It also irritates people because they realize you're not a weak, crowd follower and no one likes an individualist haha.Devahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14712671095864974658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-55096916452440961822017-01-29T12:05:18.846-04:002017-01-29T12:05:18.846-04:00I read Lebow's paper. It's nice you link i...I read Lebow's paper. It's nice you link it on your website. It's important to remain aware the of the pressure that is on us to consume and how driven marketsers, advertisers, etc must be to insure that we consume. I sensed an urgency in Lebow's pepper. It's like capitalists become capitalism as if their very lives depend on perpetuating distribution and consumerism. I was struck with the comparison to a "military analogy." I also picked up on the urgency to keep expanding consumption. It alarms me. How far can this expand? Till we kill our planet and species? I guess that will be the ultimate limit. I agree the paper is full of quotes. I commend you for unpacking some good ones and writing this well thought out article. I find the history of capitalism and consumption fascinating.<br /><br />The original "Story of Stuff" video explains what Lebow talks about in this paper. The video is easy to find on the Story of Stuff website. It's only 20 minutes long. I highly recommend it. <br /><br />If you want to look into how psychology and specifically how Freud's theories were used and are still being used to manipulate us into consuming, a place to start is viewing "The Century of the Self." The long 4 part film is available on You tube and other places on the web. I'm going to watch it again starting today.<br /><br />TV has been gone from my home for a long time. I look the other way when I see a billboard or any advertising that I can block from coming in. It's everywhere but I block as much as I can. I *know* I am influenced by advertising. Of course they have done studies that show that the people who *believe* they are not influenced by advertising are the ones who are influenced the most! So they work that into their marketing schemes to override that. It's mind control plain and simple. Resist, don't conform, and refuse to participate. Thanks Gregg. And Saffron.Terrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10735740353891550502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-22431566217401081592017-01-28T12:55:03.972-04:002017-01-28T12:55:03.972-04:00Annie,
Every time we think that things couldn'...Annie,<br /><br />Every time we think that things couldn't get any weirder, they get weirder. You have to turn it off or the silly outrageousness of it all will make your head explode. <br /><br />They want us dumb and afraid as we are easily manipulated that way. I am sure this was perfected hundreds of years ago, if not thousands. All so a small group of us can get more than our fair share. But why? It never turns our well, and it won't this time, either.Gregg Koephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09349453216733070775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-59244837420689688622017-01-28T12:51:22.206-04:002017-01-28T12:51:22.206-04:00Saffron,
The indoctrination has been so all perva...Saffron,<br /><br />The indoctrination has been so all pervasive that people don't even know it is happening. By now it just seems natural to want to shave, or dye grey hair, or have a fancy car or big house. But would we want these things without all the pressure brought down upon our formerly frugal minds? <br /><br />Many say that all the advertising and pressure "doesn't affect" them, but very few actually escape to a life free from corporate crap. We think we actually want all this stuff. But do we really? <br /><br />What did we need to buy when we lived more naturally? What do tribes in the Amazon jungle need to buy? Nothing - nature provides everything they need or want. First Nations in North America are still reminding us that you can't sell the air, or the water, or indeed, the Earth. It is not ours to sell, because it belongs to everyone, or rather, we belong to it.Gregg Koephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09349453216733070775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-91591222043918888482017-01-28T12:42:46.843-04:002017-01-28T12:42:46.843-04:00Alex,
Linda and I try to avoid the "sickness...Alex,<br /><br />Linda and I try to avoid the "sickness management system" as much as possible, just like we try to avoid contact with the police. Even though Canada's system is the envy of those without universal coverage, in my community I couldn't get a doctor even if I wanted, or needed, one. <br /><br />Today's Canadian doctors don't want to be in small communities like ours (population 2,000), and they don't want to work as much as the old time doctors did. Seems to be less commitment to patients, and more commitment to making money and having lots of leisure time to spend and enjoy it.<br /><br />Luckily we have little need for a doctor right now. Maybe we should give nurses more responsibilities as they are the true caregivers in the modern medical model. <br /><br />Eat well and stay healthy is the thing to do, I agree.Gregg Koephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09349453216733070775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-18151466517736421252017-01-28T09:12:31.189-04:002017-01-28T09:12:31.189-04:00We are being assaulted by military, terroristic ta...We are being assaulted by military, terroristic tactics to convince us to consume a wall between the US and Mexico. I quit cable TV last year. I can listen to NPR and ABC World New Tonight on Podcasts. The contrast is almost laughable. NPR states the news in a calm manner, ABC has dramatic music and proclaims the headlines with urgency. I don't want to spend my life in fear. Anniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00537467381822778488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-89811301378654089302017-01-28T08:09:48.980-04:002017-01-28T08:09:48.980-04:00In my mind I am positive that we in the Western so...In my mind I am positive that we in the Western society have been indoctrinated with consumerism. Even those frugal and no spending blogs are full of how they spend money or bargains they got and enormous joy if sale is there. I don't think in the recent history we ever had more ghastly food to eat, prefabricated or clothing made by slaves at 50 cents per hour. Thanks Linda and Greg for NBA SaffronAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4312736954468978064.post-91137652094155439572017-01-28T04:46:53.050-04:002017-01-28T04:46:53.050-04:00Jerry Mander's book on the elimination of tele...Jerry Mander's book on the elimination of television is also a good read. Television appears to be bad for whole populations, with increased crime rates when it is introduced. The BBC is a particularly awful and corrupt organisation, crafting limited world view that is bad for consciousness. The statelite channels are like a cheap drug and will pay the GDP of a small country to watch men running around after a ball.<br />It's ironic that alternative health practitioners are called quacks while the pharmaceutical industry is built on lies. The industry acts like a mafia and is absolutely corrupt. The problem is the doctor's and big pharma have a special language of science that keeps lay people out of the loop. Early detection causes harm, mammography causes more harm than good, a large amount of drugs simply do not work and a large amount of drugs are dangerous for mental health.<br />The reason why there so many hospitals is mainly due to diet and processed food.<br />Peace,<br />Alex<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com