tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885527867833311224.post3102025684868017295..comments2024-01-17T02:41:29.011-06:00Comments on The Humanist Contemplative Blog: Changing course on consumerismUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885527867833311224.post-86342230247865093542011-11-19T12:29:11.623-06:002011-11-19T12:29:11.623-06:00Great comments BT and Len! Thanks :)Great comments BT and Len! Thanks :)DT Strainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02261855680365590369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885527867833311224.post-36716165366440023482011-11-17T13:37:34.761-06:002011-11-17T13:37:34.761-06:00Nice post -- and would probably be received well b...Nice post -- and would probably be received well by most rational adults. Try explaining this to a 7 year old. She understands that Christmas isn't supposed to be a gluttonous shovel-fest, but she is actively targeted by the retail machine who relentless attack what little pleistocene defenses she has. We even shamelessly use the Santa's listening thought-police threat at this time of year as another behaviour control - are we bad parents? What has happened to us?Len Laytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11419888042204055029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-885527867833311224.post-84801960182517894852011-11-17T10:28:13.009-06:002011-11-17T10:28:13.009-06:00The Japanese have a popular custom of bringing bac...The Japanese have a popular custom of bringing back omiyage, or souvenir gifts, for co-workers and friends whenever they travel. While this would seem to promote waste and clutter, they work it out in an interesting way. Omiyage are almost always consumables of some kind, like food or soap. So you enjoy them for a time and then they're gone. They are around just long enough to be the bearer of that caring thought of the giver. They also give you a little taste of local flare, as omiyage are almost always local specialties of the place where you buy them.<br /><br />Does this promote consumerism? Well, yes, it certainly does. But it also undermines one of the worst aspects of consumerism: stupid waste and clutter. It satisfies people's urge to give something concrete, but without cluttering up the receiver's house. It also promotes local economies, especially unique local industries.<br /><br />Personally, I do think there is something worthwhile in tangible, material gift-giving, whether it means travel souvenirs, Christmas gifts, or offerings in a religious ritual. There's something about holding it in your hand, the physical act of handing it over (to the person or onto the altar or into the sacrificial fire), and then having it literally out of your hands, beyond your possession and control. <br /><br />Bonobo chimps redistribute bananas as a social act of bonding. Maybe I just like bananas. ;-)B. T. Newberghttp://humanisticpaganism.comnoreply@blogger.com