Unconsumption
Unconsumption is a tumblelog and wiki that challenges people to take on a more responsible relationship with the "stuff" in their lives.
From the site description:
“Consumption is a word used to describe acts of acquisition – generally, the acquisition of things, in exchange for money. Unconsumption is a word used to describe everything that happens after an act of acquisition.”
PET bottle recycled into a coin purse
- “Unconsumption means the thrill of finding a new use for something that you were about to throw away.”
- “Unconsumption means… find[ing] a new home for the functioning VCR you just replaced, rather than throwing it in the garbage.”
- “Unconsumption means enjoying the things you own to the fullest – not just at the moment of acquisition.”
Old bathtub converted into chaise lounge
This is a philosophy Design Less Better stands firmly behind. Creating less waste and getting more use and enjoyment out of the things we have is a fine example of good design ethics.
To their advice about re-purposing and recycling used things, we would also add, from an earlier post:
- Instead of buying cheaply made things that will fall apart quickly, start by making an investment in quality design (and take good care of it!!).
| Tagged with: | Culture, Design Ethics, Maintenence, Unconsumption, Waste |
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1.
Here is a great example of unconsumption: I have a pile of paper from conferences that I was going to recycle. Instead, I am using the backs of each page to run my “Watch Me Draw Stuff” show on Youtube. (Here is a link to the playlist for the show: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=1B86420985AC69FC)