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How Our Obsession with Stuff Is Trashing the Planet, Our Communities, and Our Health-and a Vision for Change
Americans have way too much Stuff , and way too much of it is toxic. That’s the message Annie Leonard has been spreading ever since her college days, and most recently in her short Internet film The Story of Stuff, which has been viewed by over 12 million people. But the film is only the tip of the iceberg.
To tell you the truth- this book was not a page turner. It got boring at times, but it was highly informative. From giving information about water usage in making clothing, to giving suggestions to how to get companies to recycle more, the book was definitely super involved, and educational. I also liked how she brought into the book how our consumerism plays out across the globe- IE- those giant SUVs and all the gas the burn up to go buy milk? (Come now- we all know about the oil wars- right? Annie goes into detail- who, what, why- and how to help it stop. ) Those lovely diamonds that are supposedly a girls best friend? Not so much for those who die to get them (or smuggle them- ever heard the term “blood diamond?”)
We do have a LOT of stuff. Most of us.
Why? It’s cheap (meaning that it does not cost much- but also meaning that it breaks easily) and because we buy into the mantra of “the more stuff we have, the happier we will be!” That’s not true, of course. Did you know in the 1950’s, people bought less- but were happier? True, true. Also- not from the book, but an interesting note- people with less stuff tend to be thinner. More clutter in your home tends to mean more clutter on your waist, LOL.
It was a good read. Took a while to get through, but it was well worth it.
Happy De-Cluttering!
Clutter drives me crazy, although if it were for that then I should be skinny {guess I’m the exception 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Sounds like a good book. I am in the process of cleaning out my home office and cannot begin to tell you all the “stuff” I found in here that was of no use, trash, or just a waste of money. Love the honest review!
Looks like a great book and would be a great gift as well. Each year I try my best to gather everything that I don’t need anymore and wait for our yearly garage sale event to get rid off it all. Thanks for sharing.
MAybe my husband should take a look at this book. He is the one that holds me back. I wish I could trash everything in my garage but he feels the need to hold on to it all
I reviewed this book also. It did make me take a look at some changes my family and I can make. It was eye-opening!
Sometimes I dream about selling everything – but I know that when I lived in New Zealand for a year without everything I owned I bought cheap ‘necessities’ that ended up breaking and going in the garbage. Now, I really think about every purchase I make and save up to get something of really good quality rather than whatever is least expensive.
I always feel better with less stuff. I like being a clean lean no stuff machine. But honestly I do have less than most and am happier than most who do have a lot. It is all in the mindset. I like the more self sufficient life style and I am even tempted to give up my answering machine and cell phone.