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> I agree that individuals should be conscious of which companies they support through their labor and/or spending habits. Agreed, but this is a lot of work. A

> I agree that individuals should be conscious of which companies they support through their labor and/or spending habits. Agreed, but this is a lot of work. After doing it myself, I find that the options are almost always choose the least evil, choose something expensive, or don't buy that thing at all. Choosing something expensive is a sacrifice I'm willing to make to support a company I believe is doing good. The hard part becomes not buying anything at all when there are no good choices. When I had a car, filling it up with gas felt like a crime against humanity's future.

Mezzie 5y ago
I feel similarly, and recently I've been focusing on acquiring tools that enable me to disengage from our rotting culture by making things for myself. Of course not everything can be done, but a lot can be, especially if you start letting other people use the tools. Instead of fast fashion, I'm getting a sewing machine and fabric and just letting several people use it in return for making me clothes (I have money, they have time). Likewise, I'm investing in knitting/crocheting stuff and lending it out. Instead of plastic doohickies, I'm getting a 3D printer: What I make may be cheap crap on par with what I'd get at Walmart, but at least I won't be exploiting or enslaving anyone. Also buying used and repairing is an option. Basically I like to ask myself 'will this help me need less from big corporations?' before I buy something. Not that small business is inherently more moral, but it's easier to hold to account as an individual consumer. I can actually sue/raise enough of a ruckus to put a local business out of business if they hurt me, whereas Amazon doesn't care.
fxtentacle 5y ago
> The hard part becomes not buying anything at all when there are no good choices That pretty much describes me and my Android phone right now. I don't want to use an iPhone, but I also want a phone that still fits into my hand and my pocket. Sadly, there's nothing comparable to the 2016 iPhone SE on the market. I could easily get a new phone for free from work, but I would hate to support a product that I actively dislike. So I wait and hope for a small Android phone to be released in the future.
alisonkisk 5y ago
You can get a car that doesn't run on gas.

Mezzie 5y ago

I feel similarly, and recently I've been focusing on acquiring tools that enable me to disengage from our rotting culture by making things for myself. Of course not everything can be done, but a lot can be, especially if you start letting other people use the tools. Instead of fast fashion, I'm getting a sewing machine and fabric and just letting several people use it in return for making me clothes (I have money, they have time). Likewise, I'm investing in knitting/crocheting stuff and lending it out. Instead of plastic doohickies, I'm getting a 3D printer: What I make may be cheap crap on par with what I'd get at Walmart, but at least I won't be exploiting or enslaving anyone. Also buying used and repairing is an option. Basically I like to ask myself 'will this help me need less from big corporations?' before I buy something. Not that small business is inherently more moral, but it's easier to hold to account as an individual consumer. I can actually sue/raise enough of a ruckus to put a local business out of business if they hurt me, whereas Amazon doesn't care.

fxtentacle 5y ago

> The hard part becomes not buying anything at all when there are no good choices That pretty much describes me and my Android phone right now. I don't want to use an iPhone, but I also want a phone that still fits into my hand and my pocket. Sadly, there's nothing comparable to the 2016 iPhone SE on the market. I could easily get a new phone for free from work, but I would hate to support a product that I actively dislike. So I wait and hope for a small Android phone to be released in the future.

alisonkisk 5y ago

You can get a car that doesn't run on gas.