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Thursday, January 8, 2009

Sheherazde Goldsmith

I wish I were Sheherazade Goldsmith. What a fantastic name. I almost tempted to have a child so I can call it that.

But there's a point to this.

I have recently been participating in a conversation about imperialism and consumerism. And as such it is somewhat ironic that I, without seeing the connection at the time, today purchased a slice of organic life, by the aforementioned wonder woman (who since i have googled seems to be quite well known in some parts of the world, but I had not encountered her before. The purchase is a nasty side effect of me now working on a university campus and therefore having ready access to a bookshop).

This is ironic for two reasons. Firstly this is an obvious Australian-ised version of an overseas book. I can tell because the forward is by another wonder woman, Stephanie Alexander. But the content has been altered for Australian readers (although I suspect the photographs have not).

The second point relates to consumerism. Being a pinko-feminist, consumerism is not something I'm much fond of. And as it's early January, New Year thoughts have been running through my head. So I though I would put some of them down on.....errrrr..... paper.

1. I will get water tanks installed and stop participating on the pressure being put on the River Murray
2. Once I have water I will grow my own vegetables. I'm a crap gardener, but I will try to get better at it
3. I will look into getting a solar hot water service
4. I will eat less meat, and when I do try my best to eat organic, free-range meat
5. I will eat more organic everything, and make a conscious effort to eat more locally produced foods lowering my carbon foot print
6. I will drive my car to work no more than once a month

... and I will report back on it here. So the cyber-gods can punish me for failing to live up to these NYR. I would also like to watch less TV. As such, I'm off now to read my book in bed. Good night to you all.

3 comments:

A Free Man said...

The thing is, Kitty, that you and I would actually agree quite a bit on the plague that is consumerism. I just don't think America is completely at fault. The American chains succeed overseas because their are customers.

That being said, I love your six 'resolutions'?. I try to do my part as well. I ride the bus to work. Ride my bike to the park and ride. I buy local wherever possible. We've started using semi-biodegradable nappies. Really should use cloth, but Christ there's only so much time in a day.

Looking forward to your guest post!

Kitty said...

I don't think any one could say that America is at fault. I do, however, think that the number of chains that are pusing a particular type of consumerism have a disproportinatly high number of american ones among them, along with the swiss, the german, the french, the australian etc. And yes, those who buy from the chains (and who doesn't) are all to blame as well. Thier marketing is so ruthless. I also get the feeling from them that they're pushing an American lifestyle as being superior to others - maybe this is me being extra sensitive. In no way do I see this as being the doing of the average American on the street, anymore than your standard Berlin could be blamed for WWII. The system seems from the outside to be so profit driven - retail, health, education, the lot. We all buy into it, so we're all funding it, so we're all to blame. Each time you buy a coke an iraqi baby dies etc etc

Kitty said...

I also have a good, good friend who is more environmental concious that anyone I've ever known. She buys a fully compostable disposable nappy, which they do put in their compost bin. She's done the research and they use less water to make and transport than cloth. I think she gets them from somewhere in Grange.