Consumerism | Unexpected Leisure

February 15, 2011

Spotting Job Scams

You've seen the ads; they're all over the web and if you do anything that hints of looking for work (like posting a resume or applying for a job online) you'll see them pile up in your email in-box. For heaven's sake, life is hard enough when you're scrambling for something, anything that can help pay the bills. Read more [...]

February 12, 2011

What Happens When a Community Connects

An article that appears in a recent issue of Yes! magazine caught my attention this morning. The article talks about how consumerism has caused families to weaken by prompting them to turn over more and more tasks that were once the province of the family to professionals and how in the process the authors believe something has been lost. Read more [...]

February 8, 2011

Simplify, Simplify!

Simplicity is not simple, and it is not easy. You can do it, and it can have a remarkably exhilarating effect on your life. But there's a catch. Read more [...]

February 2, 2011February 2, 2011

Toward a New Aesthetic of Ostentation

The imperative to keep up with the Jonesâ€™ has driven many a consumer to spend beyond their means. Purveyors of stuff, particularly expensive stuff know this and pitch their wares accordingly. As a culture we have seen an entire set of standards developed and imposed on us to dictate what we buy and why we buy it. Read more [...]