4 ms·

Your opinion doesn't upset me at all. I'm glad you've shared it, and it was just the sort of thing I was hoping for: discussion. I'm increasingly cynical given

Your opinion doesn't upset me at all. I'm glad you've shared it, and it was just the sort of thing I was hoping for: discussion. I'm increasingly cynical given the industry I work within. I work with many people in advertising, marketing, and "selling stuff." The curious part about this industry is that we're more than aware of the dodgy nature that often pervades our industry, and many of us are deeply concerned about it. At our studio (smashLAB), we've taken a few different approaches to addressing such topics. The first was a self-directed project called Design Can Change: www.designcanchange.org. It asked designers to place greater consideration into the creation of new objects so that we could minimize waste before it came into production. Numerous folks have made changes as a result of that project, and we've continued to support it by speaking on the topic and advocating for smarter design and more critical thinking around consumption. This particular piece was "heated," in part because such things sometimes need to be. That being said, it's the first of many new posts, and largely is intended to set the stage for other perspectives, considerations, and more actionable suggestions, to be addressed in future posts. I hope that didn't upset you. Sigh. ;-)

Mz 16y ago
This particular piece was "heated," in part because such things sometimes need to be. From what I have seen, the only need that serves is the emotional gratification of the author and, sometimes, a few of the readers. It doesn't generally foster constructive change. I live without a car. People find that shocking. Most folks assume I am simply "poor". But people in my neighborhood are walking more and the neighborhood itself is healthier, with cleaner air and healthier plants and so on. I live without drugs, in spite of a serious "incurable" medical condition. this is so shocking to people that I get accused of being a liar, charlatan and snake oil salesman. I have found that handling such information quietly and non-confrontationally is the only real hope of getting the word out. People that I argue with about it wind up defensive and even more committed to doing destructive, counter-productive things. In contrast, people who went googling for such information and tripped across my little website in some odd corner of the web are thrilled to pieces. Someday, I will get better at "marketing" myself and figure out how to make money so I can leave my day-job. In the meantime, I continue to keep one small candle burning. It greatly reduces my need to piss and moan and curse the darkness. Peace.
- karjaluoto 16y ago
  That's an excellent form of "pull" marketing, or, the idea that speaking softly results in people trying harder to actually listen. My rationale for taking a more spirited tone here is to spur discussion. It's frightening to think how much money is put into messages aimed at increasing consumption and how little is put into asking what we really need. I like your approach; I really do. More than that, I admire your resolve in a more quiet resistance. I'm an outspoken person and have a hard time not opening my mouth. Believe me: I would love to have the same self-control you do. At the same time, I don't think protest is without its merits. Sometimes one has to rattle the cage a little. In my mind there are many ways to affect how people think, which is best, I don't know. As long as we're talking, though, I think we're getting somewhere. In college, I heard about this thing called, "Buy Nothing Day." This was long ago, and I was very naive. I saw the posters and thought, "what a waste of time." Here I am, 20 years later, and I think, "what a great idea--I don't know why I didn't admire it more." If even a "lunkhead" like me can finally get it, because someone was willing to go out there and make a bit of a stink, perhaps we just need to keep asking people to think about this sort of thing. Here's Kalle, talking about that event. The points raised by the anchor are quite comical: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPQY_Cb4IlI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPQY_Cb4IlI
  - Mz 16y ago
    I like your approach; I really do. More than that, I admire your resolve in a more quiet resistance. I'm an outspoken person and have a hard time not opening my mouth. Believe me: I would love to have the same self-control you do. I always find such assessments of me amusing. If I had some kind of admirable self-control, I wouldn't be posting on HN in between bouts of vomiting today on a subject that I know will get dismissed, no matter how nicely it is handled. I spent plenty of time being a blow-hard. I had minor "fame" of a sort in some out-of-the-way corners of the internet. Looking back on it, I likely had less of a fan-following than I imagined. Most likely, it was a vocal minority that made me appear "popular". I don't have self control. What I have is a lack of patience for my own ineptitude and have made enough stupid mistakes to not feel like putting more energy into repeating the same mistakes. I'd rather go make all new mistakes. Now, if you will excuse me I think I shall go puke some more. And if I have any sense, when I return to the computer I will do something more constructive than post here while feeling like hell -- like play Simcity or Master of Magic.

Mz 16y ago

This particular piece was "heated," in part because such things sometimes need to be. From what I have seen, the only need that serves is the emotional gratification of the author and, sometimes, a few of the readers. It doesn't generally foster constructive change. I live without a car. People find that shocking. Most folks assume I am simply "poor". But people in my neighborhood are walking more and the neighborhood itself is healthier, with cleaner air and healthier plants and so on. I live without drugs, in spite of a serious "incurable" medical condition. this is so shocking to people that I get accused of being a liar, charlatan and snake oil salesman. I have found that handling such information quietly and non-confrontationally is the only real hope of getting the word out. People that I argue with about it wind up defensive and even more committed to doing destructive, counter-productive things. In contrast, people who went googling for such information and tripped across my little website in some odd corner of the web are thrilled to pieces. Someday, I will get better at "marketing" myself and figure out how to make money so I can leave my day-job. In the meantime, I continue to keep one small candle burning. It greatly reduces my need to piss and moan and curse the darkness. Peace.

karjaluoto 16y ago
That's an excellent form of "pull" marketing, or, the idea that speaking softly results in people trying harder to actually listen. My rationale for taking a more spirited tone here is to spur discussion. It's frightening to think how much money is put into messages aimed at increasing consumption and how little is put into asking what we really need. I like your approach; I really do. More than that, I admire your resolve in a more quiet resistance. I'm an outspoken person and have a hard time not opening my mouth. Believe me: I would love to have the same self-control you do. At the same time, I don't think protest is without its merits. Sometimes one has to rattle the cage a little. In my mind there are many ways to affect how people think, which is best, I don't know. As long as we're talking, though, I think we're getting somewhere. In college, I heard about this thing called, "Buy Nothing Day." This was long ago, and I was very naive. I saw the posters and thought, "what a waste of time." Here I am, 20 years later, and I think, "what a great idea--I don't know why I didn't admire it more." If even a "lunkhead" like me can finally get it, because someone was willing to go out there and make a bit of a stink, perhaps we just need to keep asking people to think about this sort of thing. Here's Kalle, talking about that event. The points raised by the anchor are quite comical: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPQY_Cb4IlI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPQY_Cb4IlI
- Mz 16y ago
  I like your approach; I really do. More than that, I admire your resolve in a more quiet resistance. I'm an outspoken person and have a hard time not opening my mouth. Believe me: I would love to have the same self-control you do. I always find such assessments of me amusing. If I had some kind of admirable self-control, I wouldn't be posting on HN in between bouts of vomiting today on a subject that I know will get dismissed, no matter how nicely it is handled. I spent plenty of time being a blow-hard. I had minor "fame" of a sort in some out-of-the-way corners of the internet. Looking back on it, I likely had less of a fan-following than I imagined. Most likely, it was a vocal minority that made me appear "popular". I don't have self control. What I have is a lack of patience for my own ineptitude and have made enough stupid mistakes to not feel like putting more energy into repeating the same mistakes. I'd rather go make all new mistakes. Now, if you will excuse me I think I shall go puke some more. And if I have any sense, when I return to the computer I will do something more constructive than post here while feeling like hell -- like play Simcity or Master of Magic.