#DestinationWeddings also put the emphasis squarely on a #consumerist #spectacle rather than a substantive #ceremony …

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:5zca2ola2zxpkw37w4f3wxtu/post/3lsocxlhaak2k

How #consumerist #capitalism defeated #environmentalism: ”Consumer choice”

By appealing to a naive & narrow idea of ”freedom”, environmentally friendly products were cast as niche.

By being priced above what poor people could afford, they were bound to become an elitist product from the start.

Environmentalists supporting this scam painted themselves into a corner: Environmentalism was not for the poor, who were left out of the hope of saving the planet.

Finally, they grew tired of it.

Or it's a rejection of #mindlessconsumption?

Commentary: Is #underconsumption the new #consumption?
"Every generation thinks that they have stumbled onto something new & innovative, but soon realises tt it’s mostly been done before. With underconsumption core, I doubt tt anyone #GenX & older will bat an eyelid.. Underconsumption - or just normal consumption - requires practices tt #overconsumption doesn't: #Selfdiscipline & #restraint, especially in a #consumerist world"
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/underconsumption-trend-tiktok-regular-consumption-recycle-second-hand-frugal-4682346

@pixel @lumi then I guess the level of pain isn't high enough for them to make the switchover to something evidently better...

• I for once refuse to use garbage and have ceased any use of #Shitter!

Call me a "#BenevolentDictator" in that sense, but I refuse to obey #TechIlliterates demanding me to use #enshittified garbage...

• OFC that means people need to actually be #educated and get some basic #TechLiteracy into their brains to deprogram their #consumerist #lazyness....

And yes, it's hard not to become bitterly sarcastic about this issue...

• Either way, you both are correct! https://snug.moe/notes/9yqd1mthgk7pwkb5https://desu.social/@pixel/113217852779051941

Starting university? Here’s the ultimate guide on what to take – by students themselves.

Good concept for an article that then turns into full-on #consumerist bollox; from the ‘environmentally conscious’ daily newspaper, The Guardian.

🤦🏻‍♂️

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/article/2024/sep/08/starting-university-ultimate-guide-what-to-take-students-?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

And now, a quick little list of sites I used to visit daily, but have fallen off my radar - with reason why.

#IMDB
Amazon killed off the news sections, so I now only use it to look things up.

#boxofficemojo
Amazon killed off the news sections. Replaced with TheNumbers.

The #Consumerist
Site sold then shutdown.

#Lifehacker
Changes in leadership and ownership caused site content to become more "mainstream" and clickbait like.

#Last.fm
Site design pushed social media aspects above discovery. Radio service discontinued.

#Google Music
Site focus changed from listening to my uploaded music to buying new music. Replaced with Jellyfin.

reddit
CEO fully stated his soulless love for money. Replaced with Lemmy.

#twitter
Site purchased by #elonmusk. Replaced with Mastodon.

Geeks of Doom
Site no longer updated.

Oh, the Horror!
Site no longer updated.

Ok, I thought #LucidMotors is funded by #Dubai, which would be questionable, at best, but I was wrong.

They're funded by #MohammedBinSalman (#MBS) as part of his 2030 campaign for #SaudiArabia, like #NEOM's #TheLine project, and many others.

So, even if I had the money, I couldn't buy the two #LucidAir models I lust after, the Grand Touring for every day use and road trips, and the Sapphire for going out on the town.

Poor ass #consumerist problems 😢

#Dreams #EV

Why do we still worship the #DeathCult? As we stand on the precipice of onrushing #climatechaos and spreading social break down, it should be clear that much of the world remains on the path of what we usefully call the DeathCult—a term to describe the pervasive, destructive ideology that prioritizes power, wealth, and control over human life and our collective survival. The worship of this cult can clearly be seen in the #mainstreaming response that is less concerned with averting disaster and more focused on maintaining the status quo at any cost.

The west’s climate-catastrophe plan, the strategies being employed by the few in power to mediate the escalating #climatecrisis reveals a dark and cynical world-view. Rather than addressing the root causes of environmental destruction, the current plan involves:

• Silencing and Jailing Dissenters: Across the globe, activists, whistleblowers, and truth-tellers are increasingly targeted by governments. The criminalization of protest, the surveillance of dissidents, and the erosion of civil liberties are all used to silence the few people who challenge the current path. By removing voices of opposition, the nasty few hopes to stifle the more apathetic meany that might threaten their current power and wealth.
• Impoverishing and Brainwashing the Masses: Economic inequality is not a by-product of the current system; it is a deliberate strategy. By keeping the majority of people in a state of economic insecurity, the few ruling class maintain control. At the same time, mass media and it “invisible” propaganda shape public understanding and motivation to divert attention away from real critical issues, to reinforce the #consumerist story’s that support the current mess.
• Imposing Forever Wars and Prison-Camp Epidemics: The endless cycle of wars, coupled with the spread of diseases exacerbated by poor living conditions, serves a dual purpose. It destabilizes regions, making them easier to control, while also reducing populations that might otherwise resist. The situation in Gaza, where millions are trapped in what is essentially an open-air prison, is a stark example of what this could look like when the brutal strategy is used on us as #climatecrises spread floods of migration.

This is the messy path we are walking down to the very real possibility of 21st century global fascism as a failed “solution” to the mess these people are spreading. The combination of repression, economic control, and orchestrated chaos can easily amount to the spread of global fascism, where the primary goal is the preservation of power for a nasty few. The psychopaths who design and implement this care for little beyond their own dominance—not even the future of their children, who will inherit a world on the path of collapse.

Most of these architects of destruction are older men who will likely die in comfort, shielded from the consequences of their actions. Their callous disregard for human life is a normal outcome of “success” of the priests of the #deathcult. If you care to take a moment to look it can be seen in meany #fashionista philosophies like “#longtermism,” which argue that even if billions perish in the coming climate catastrophe, we shouldn’t be too concerned, as the long-term survival of humanity (as they define it) is all that matters.

The DeathCult is a metaphor for #neoliberalisam which worships success in grabbing power above all else. It views the world as a zero-sum game, where the suffering of the many is justified by the comfort and security of the few. Over the last 40 years this ideology has been deeply entrenched in the institutions of the West, from organizations like the #EU, #WTO etc to national governments and corporations, and it is perpetuated by those who benefit from the existing mess. They have no plan or ideas to change this path, even our liberals are talking about this https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-11/joseph-stiglitz-the-road-to-freedom-neoliberalism-fascism/104210670

We need to take a different path to breaking free from the DeathCult, to overcome this grim reality, we must first recognize the insidious influence of neoliberalism on our lives and societies for the last 40 years. Understanding its tactics and objectives allows us to resist its “common sense” pull and work towards creating a world that values humanistic paths over simplistic power and profit.

The is a urgent need for a paradigm shift, we are at a crossroads. The choices we make now will determine the future of humanity and our existence on this planet. It is imperative that we reject the nihilism of the #DeathCult and instead embrace different paradigms—one’s that prioritizes #KISS social justice, environmental stewardship, and genuine democracy. This shift won’t come easily, social change is hard, but it is needed if we are to mediate the worst consequences of #climatechaos.

By recognizing, and change, challenging the paths that keep us locked in this destructive cycle, we can start to dismantle the structures of power that push inequality and environmental degradation. The time for action is yesterday, now is a start, before it’s too late.

PLEASE don’t be a prat about this, you can help us shift paths here https://opencollective.com/open-media-network

This post was inspired by this article https://mastodon.social/deck/@DrALJONES/111462675685824404

The Seven Stages of climate denial:

1. It’s not real
2. It’s not us
3. It’s not that bad
4. We have time 
5. It’s too expensive to fix
6. Here’s a fake solution
7. It’s too late: you should have warned us earlier

Trolls use all of these stages to deny reality of #climatechange

https://hamishcampbell.com/the-wests-climate-catastrophe-is-native-to-the-mess-we-are-in/

#climatechange #climatechaos #climatecrises #climatecrisis #consumerist #deathcult #EU #fashionista #KISS #mainstreaming #neoliberalisam #WTO

Dear Friends of #drones, :ablobgoodnight:
#Today I have been guzzling ginger beer and #sipping #Port.
Eating #Homemade #twittermass … eh sorry Siri, X-Mass #Cake.

All delicious!

I am #pleased to report we have been #gifted:

• kettle chips, including #vegan #lentil chips. Also known as #cwisps
  in the #FreeStates of #Brexit Island
• mince pies with suet but no mincing or quince
• alcohol free #Punch … (is there a #Judy version?)
• #chocolate brownies
• liqueur chocolates
  etc.
  Was also able to see #Granny #Smiths #Apples (a #Pure #Consumerist Americana) latest bauble babble AI work as not intended. Our familiar friend is a ‘#creatives’ #trainer
  touting Apple as more secure than #Android/#Alexia. A turn on your tracker fan-gal
  and Apple ‘free’ training sessions, slave/employee of the mouth

Well I must #admit I was more #tempted by the #unavailable #courses:

• #Jail-breaking with #OpenSource #Swift (no hollow #laughing at the back please)
• #Running #Debian on your McDonald’s booking, Sorry Siri, Mac-book Pro
• Bartering in your VPN, Search Engine, Afri-acana #Safari #browser for a brand olde
  wonderland real life computer …

As I was a little drunk was able to be admonished by Siri on two separate spook devices … eh … table phones.
Yep! Peeps feel it is safe to have phones on, and on the table.
Therefore think it is OK to hijack other peoples devices by saying hey Siri and …
talking over their efforts and issuing commands to turn themselves off permanently and provide a list of swear words they do not recommend etc.

I am a #bad, bad #juvenile #hostess. Too #Bad! More #tips #welcome?

Anyways, we all had a great #FunTime, Apart from #Siri the Artificial Imbecile (#AI)
Gaia coming soon. General Ass-kicking Inclusive Assistant :black_block_blob:

Dear Friends of Real #Watches, :ablobdancer:
Just #updated the #date on my real #analogue dial, ‘stupids’ watch:

• #Smart enough to not need charging (#battery lasts about 5 years)
• Date and #time updates with an outer rim dial
• Can be #worn in the shower, #swimming pool to 50 meters #depth, all the time etc
• #Button push for #night time view
• alarm, timer etc

Mine was a #present, not very expensive. May look at some of the #extra #features. Needs a new strap. Maybe I’ll make one or just found a very cheap watch and might just #transfer the strap …

Do you have a #consumerist #clown watch and tracking, data collection, device instead? You probably use your phone. Same thing. :ablobsplosion:

Dear friends of the #unexpected,

Later in the day, my sibling arrives for #homemade #flan (#savoury open #pie).

#Meanwhile … #Apple the well known closed #computing systemic #consumerist marketing is slowly wondering how to increase margins.

Personally I am moving towards #dried and #tested #Linux. More #Free software. And creating new AI (Actual Intelligence)

#Welcome one and #Yule #Yall

Imported marketing bollocks is certainly not on MY mind. This US phenomenon is not relevant to #australia - why should we get all lathered up into a #consumerist frenzy?

Why do #Australians have to slavishly copy US consumerist culture?

#BuyNothingDay #CircularEconomy #capitalism (screengrab from Sydney Morning Herald) #auspol

Oh, these are the specific incense that prompted this #consumerist #anxiety spiral: https://seawitchbotanicals.com/products/mabon-incense-with-all-natural-coffee-vanilla-bergamot-spices

@sam

Hope you will be successful! 👍

It's hard for many people to leave a #consumerist state-of-mind and get themselves involved in a #cooperative.

🌺

@SiegePerilous
Gave up cards and presents, other than for children, over thirty years ago.

#Christmas is a cancerous #consumerist waste. I wrote this short piece about the problem on my blog back in January 2005:

'Crap Gift Mountain: £881 Million of Bread Makers and Foot Spa's.

According to Radio Four this morning there are £450 million worth of unused foot-spa's and £431 million of unused bread makers languishing unused in British homes. These items, unwanted gifts, show us much that is wrong with the way we do things.

£881 million of technology, human effort, scarce resources, all wasted. Of course, this is just bread makers and foot-spa's. Think of all the other unwanted gifts and you start to get to very scary numbers. The resource waste is the most appalling aspect. The manufacture of many of these gifts uses energy, water, plastics - oil and precious metals. These are all scarce resources which could, without exception, be used to great benefit elsewhere.

Gift-giving is about the ego of the giver. Presents are bought to support the self-image of the buyer. This is why they are so often wrong for the receiver. Will your gifts end up on the ever expanding "Crap Gift Mountain"?'

> .. #TheMarket cannot guarantee integral human development and social inclusion.. we have “a.. ‘superdevelopment’ of a wasteful and #consumerist kind which forms an unacceptable contrast with.. ongoing.. #dehumanizing deprivation”.. while we are.. too slow in developing economic institutions and social initiatives which can give the poor.. access to basic resources.. our.. failures.. have to do with the direction, goals, meaning and social implications of technological and #EconomicGrowth.

@realcaseyrollins
True, maybe there is an entire set of Fediverse that hides itself away with temporary posts that only last for 24 hours. They scramble little notes among themselves but never dare look beyond the nest.

We did see an instance like that actually once, it was awful, very #consumerist and #tabloid-driven, with #bigBrands and celebrity etc. Extremely media heavy with bots feeding #clickBait articles.

There really is a fediverse instance for everyone out there.

@VGM
By swapping the word "#consumer" with "corporate" or "#consumerist", it might make sense. How do they define "#consumerInterests"? *wink

@zorotl
#FederalReserve, rather.

One of our favourite documentaries that shows how we were slowly transformed from citizen to #consumerist is 'The Century Of The Self' by Adam Curtis (2002).

It was largely produced before 9/11, so it has journalistic integrity that isn't seen anymore.

https://invidious.snopyta.org/watch?v=DnPmg0R1M04

3/3

Maybe they exist as a #warmBranklet, "Remember these productions, these are the fruits of the #consumerist #westernSociety we created. Don't you still #love them!?"

"Don't you still love these #celebrities we #elevated, just for your #entertainment while we were out pilaging the #earths resources under the pretense of #humanitarian aide?"