Radical Simplicity:
Small Footprints on a Finite Earth
by Jim Merkel

Imagine that you are first in line at a potluck supper. The spread includes not just food and water, but all the materials needed for shelter, clothing, healthcare, and education. How do you know how much to take? How much must you leave for your neighbors behind you - not just the 6 billion human beings, but our fellow creatures and the yet-to-be-born?



Some believe that recycling and use of energy efficient appliances is sustainable living. In Radical Simplicity, Jim Merkel argues that to live in a sustainable manner requires a complete rethinking of our way of life. If the world's total bioproductive area is divided by the world's population, each of us gets a 4.7-acre share. Right now Canadians use up on average 22 acres of natural resources a year. To close this gap truly requires radical solutions.

Another thing I heard him say once was to think in terms of NEED and WANT when you're met with a consumer issue.

"Do I NEED this item, or do I simply WANT this item? Try to stick with just what you NEED."

This book came out about 5 years ago, but it's been crossing my path recently and followed me here to Easy Bake Coven.

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One For Me, One For You

Swapsites are the new do-good, feel-good sport
By Rachel Kaufman

No matter how well-meaning but misguided, you’d never toss a holiday gift (not even the heinous reindeer coffee mug from the office Secret Santa). And the whole re-gifting thing can be a serious faux pas if you get caught. But that doesn’t mean you should relegate those unmentionables to catching dust in the far corner of your closet.

To get what you really want, log online. For only the cost of shipping, you can trade video games, books, music and even clothing with people all over the world. Instead of having to barter directly with one person — where a successful trade depends on you having exactly what they’re looking for — most online swap sites give you points which can be redeemed for other items down the road. With no fees or commissions to pay, swapping may be the most economical way to breathe new life into your old stuff. And it goes without saying that trading is earth-friendly too: let’s keep the stuff we’ve got circulating instead of investing in something new.

Here are a few of the best places to get your swap on:

Swango.com At just a few months old, Swango is gaining momentum as the web’s clothing swapsite of choice. Free to join, the site’s policy is that buyer and seller go halvsies on shipping. Post ten items, and your first ten trading credits are free — additional credits rack up as your clothes are "bought" by other Swango users.

Paperbackswap.com Trade any book — not just paperbacks — with an ISBN for one of 1.5 million available. The site offers printable postage and delivery confirmation, a wish list and lively discussion forums.

Barterbee.com At BarterBee, trade for music, movies and games. It’s free and hundreds of titles are listed.

[Read More »»]

Know of any more good places for freebies, swapping, or bartering?

NOKI'S HOUSE OF SUSTAINABILITY

NOKI did not disappoint at London's Fashion East show with a melange of thrift that appeared to be styled by Edward Scissorhands.

Jonathan "JJ" Hudson is a club kid cum music industry stylist who goes by the name NOKI and he states that House of Sustainability is not for sale. Something of a recluse you'll rarely see pictures of him (then only with trademark mask) and he doesn't want to sell you clothes.

The Noki House of Sustainability (NHS) is about inspiring everyone to have a bash at customizing and recycling their old stuff. You don't have to go nuts attacking an old bridesmaid's dress with scissors and pvc- try altering necklines and hemlines or head to a haberdashers and get some beads to tart up a plain top.

Appropriately enough, both Gareth Pugh and his mate, BoomBox founder and current patron saint of London drag queens, Richard Mortimer, were in the front row.



Via: Inhabitat | MySpace | More »

I'm passionate about alternative design. And I like that D&B has introduced riding crops in their collection. (Dominatrix, party of one?) Can't you see scores of women casually carrying a crop?

Operation 2012

Operation: 2012 is dedicated to the establishment of social justice and bringing about the end of both government and corporate tyranny by utilizing progressive media in order to promote worker solidarity, greater consumer awareness and encourage non-violent civil disobedience or civil initiative. We promote a five-step process dedicated to changing the existing power structure that has invaded the American/global political system.

We call for a collective movement by the nations labor unions to strike in protest to governments domestic policy.

We call for a boycott of non-sustainable corporations and endorse rescinding corporate personhood.

We reject the campaign of falsification, disinformation, and misrepresentations of the corporate media.

We promote greater consumer awareness in the market place and encourage sustainable socially responsible investing.

We encourage civil disobedience/civil initiative.

Operation 2012 recognizes the American and coalition military presence in Iraq as an illegal occupation in violation of international law. We call for an immediate military and corporate withdrawal. We also encourage impeachment hearings against the current administration to become a part of mainstream political discourse.

We are not anti-government, nor anti-democratic, but rather we seek to expose the corporate interests that currently dictate the U.S. foreign and domestic policy. The liberation of America from the grip of corporate influence is contingent upon grassroots organizing and local efforts to stop feeding the corporate machine by withholding our dollars and re-examining our role in its workforce. Rather than dwelling on problems and social ills, we focus on reversing these trends and righting the wrongs.

Operation 2012 is also a source of daily headlines related to our movement.

The term 2012 is derived from the Mayan civilization; the year that human beings will enter a new era of awareness.

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