Idea: Stop pretending people are going to change

 
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  • Created on: 22 May 2007
  • Idea status: Just a thought
  • Town: Claybrooke Parva, Lutterworth, Leicestershire
 

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What it's all about

I guess this is less of an idea and more of a principle...

We spend so much time getting people to change - give more money to charity, volunteer, make ethical consumer choices, be more aware of third world issues, be different, be different, be different etc etc etc.

This takes up so much time and energy...and is such hard work. People don't want to change. It took my mum 26 years to try and get me to rinse the plates before they go in the dishwasher, and I still don't do it. PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO CHANGE!

But, all is not lost. We have to look at the things people WANT to do and that they ALREADY do.

They buy food they like and can afford, they travel to work as cheaply and comfortably and quickly as possible, they go and watch films that are fun and easy to watch, they meet friends they like at the pub, they spend time looking at fun stuff on the internet, they try to be as attractive to the opposite sex as possible, they buy clothes that look good..etc

We need to start here! We won't get people to suddenly not do these things....like start buying food they don't like and can't afford, like spend time reading to old people instead of having a beer at the pub, like giving away half thier money to charity instead of buying a new pair of Diesel jeans.

What's needed to make it a reality

What we need is really good ideas...and there are already some around.

People buy Green and Blacks chocolate cos they like it, cos its not too expensive and cos they can get it everywhere. Same with Innocent smoothies. The fact that lots of Green and Blacks is fairly traded and that Innocent invest lots of profits in sustainable environmental projects doesn't matter to them.

Its all about how good ideas. Products, services, films, books, food, drinks, clubs etc etc...make stuff that people want to use, buy, spend time in and make them have a social impact as a result of them being popular...not as an alternative.

Thats what I'm going to do anyway...

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Comments

  • Avatar Michael Daley 20:55, 29 March 2007 V inspiring Nicko! How you gonna do it?

    Care to share some ideas? :)
  • Avatar B 15:55, 30 March 2007 I learn about this kinda stuff at uni. Consumption and consumerism! Its also about something called Consumer Fetish - where people buy things but don't actually know where it is coming from - the processes and people behind the production, construction and transportation of the goods are lost amongst its material values. For example, a pair of Nike trainers - they may have been made by people in developing countries who are not paid well, who are treated in a bad way, etc but when u look at these trainers, you would never be able to see those things.

    With Fair Trade, the reason why it is so successful is because of the way in which it is marketed. Its traded fairly, products which look good, taste good and are benefiting the producers - they are not hidden behind Consumer Fetishism.

    It's a really interesting topic to read into - there is loads of material out there. If you would like, I could have a look on the internet and send you some weblink, etc.

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