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kamomo's review against another edition
5.0
I HIGHLY recommend this book. It was well-researched, well-written, well-organized and impactful. It has a very important message, and is engaging and interesting. I'll be thinking about it for a long time.
heathercorinne's review against another edition
4.0
This book was incredibly interesting, educational and continued to pull me back to read more. Each chapter is relatively short and centered around a slightly different topic. While fascinating to my 'minimalist' mind, it was also a little disheartening that our individual efforts are not likely to change anything really...that said there are practical tips you can pull from it to live a more satisfying life. Maybe eventually there would be enough of us 'outcasts' to make a difference?
A highly interesting thought experiment around what would actually happen if we stopped shopping.
Overall Review/Summary:
"When it comes to reducing consumption, you can be the change you want to see in the world, but it will not change the world...Nearly every aspect of de-consumption turns out to demand changes beyond what can be achieved through an individual’s choice to consume less...Simple living was 'destined to be a minority ethic.' In every era it would appeal to some people, and sometimes to many people, but never to most of them. Less would never be more."
Most people agree on the important things in life but materialism crowds them out. However, if the majority were to adapt to a lower consumer society we could make real differences in the planet (and probably be happier people as a whole). Less stress. More free time for people and things that matter most to us. More meaningful work. Healthier people and a healthier planet. But will we ever become that as a majority? Or will we destroy ourselves?
So what can you do, really?
You can join the fringe stepping out of the norm for a more simple approach. But understand that you may feel isolated and ostracized by doing so...but also probably more content and less stressed (and likely mellow according to studies).
In the hopes that the minority will one day become the majority, the new world will need new approaches to most everything:
- new products and services
- new theories of how an economy can function
- new ways of making meaning in our lives
- new models for doing business
- new habits
- new policies
- new infrastructure
Some Findings and Quotes that resonated:
- GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is not a good measure of the state of a nation (reminds me of BMI not really measuring health).
- Might it be better to measure the wellbeing of the people? The planet?
- Consumption has risen, but happiness has not.
- 6/10 clothing items are in the dump or incinerator within 1 year of being made.
- People become more materialistic when they feel insecurity & inequality; i.e., hoarding toilet paper and food
- We've all seen someone step out of the norm and find happiness, ironically if we all do it the system collapses.
- "Already, designers of video games and other virtual realms have noticed that users don’t like to be overwhelmed with too many goods or choices. Unlike real-world economists, who focus on expanding the GDP, makers of digital worlds are mainly interested in user satisfaction and enjoyment."
- "people who live with less, rather than those who live green, should be our role models for living more lightly on the earth."
- Practicing appreciation for the beauty in aging, reusing, patching, keeping items until they're worn out. Clothes that show wear, etc. (Wabi Sabi)
- Resale Systems - consumption would flow as needed
- Adjust to more natural temperatures indoors
- "If the world’s travellers wandered less often, then the natural world around us would grow more and more spectacular"
- Light Pollution - not good for animals, plants or probably people
- Friction is the main barrier - if things are too hard they don't work
- If we are 'consumers,' say we stop consuming and evolve into something else. A more enlightened people?
- "perhaps the single most important condition for survival in the long run is never to forget that we need one another."
A highly interesting thought experiment around what would actually happen if we stopped shopping.
Overall Review/Summary:
"When it comes to reducing consumption, you can be the change you want to see in the world, but it will not change the world...Nearly every aspect of de-consumption turns out to demand changes beyond what can be achieved through an individual’s choice to consume less...Simple living was 'destined to be a minority ethic.' In every era it would appeal to some people, and sometimes to many people, but never to most of them. Less would never be more."
Most people agree on the important things in life but materialism crowds them out. However, if the majority were to adapt to a lower consumer society we could make real differences in the planet (and probably be happier people as a whole). Less stress. More free time for people and things that matter most to us. More meaningful work. Healthier people and a healthier planet. But will we ever become that as a majority? Or will we destroy ourselves?
So what can you do, really?
You can join the fringe stepping out of the norm for a more simple approach. But understand that you may feel isolated and ostracized by doing so...but also probably more content and less stressed (and likely mellow according to studies).
In the hopes that the minority will one day become the majority, the new world will need new approaches to most everything:
- new products and services
- new theories of how an economy can function
- new ways of making meaning in our lives
- new models for doing business
- new habits
- new policies
- new infrastructure
Some Findings and Quotes that resonated:
- GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is not a good measure of the state of a nation (reminds me of BMI not really measuring health).
- Might it be better to measure the wellbeing of the people? The planet?
- Consumption has risen, but happiness has not.
- 6/10 clothing items are in the dump or incinerator within 1 year of being made.
- People become more materialistic when they feel insecurity & inequality; i.e., hoarding toilet paper and food
- We've all seen someone step out of the norm and find happiness, ironically if we all do it the system collapses.
- "Already, designers of video games and other virtual realms have noticed that users don’t like to be overwhelmed with too many goods or choices. Unlike real-world economists, who focus on expanding the GDP, makers of digital worlds are mainly interested in user satisfaction and enjoyment."
- "people who live with less, rather than those who live green, should be our role models for living more lightly on the earth."
- Practicing appreciation for the beauty in aging, reusing, patching, keeping items until they're worn out. Clothes that show wear, etc. (Wabi Sabi)
- Resale Systems - consumption would flow as needed
- Adjust to more natural temperatures indoors
- "If the world’s travellers wandered less often, then the natural world around us would grow more and more spectacular"
- Light Pollution - not good for animals, plants or probably people
- Friction is the main barrier - if things are too hard they don't work
- If we are 'consumers,' say we stop consuming and evolve into something else. A more enlightened people?
- "perhaps the single most important condition for survival in the long run is never to forget that we need one another."
funzbunz4567's review against another edition
4.0
Insightful book that shows a broad view of all forms of shopping and what it would mean to stop. I feel like an more informed consumer and now think of this book every time I make a purchase!
jeaninemarie's review against another edition
5.0
Probably more of a 4.5, but an important and interesting topic. I have already been trying to cut back on consumption before reading this book, but I became more aware of other areas I can improve.
Also grateful for the ability to speed up audiobooks to get through things faster!
Also grateful for the ability to speed up audiobooks to get through things faster!
j_sherrill's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
This book was about 90% theoretical and 10% practical. I wish we had had more practical takeaways from the book. That being said, I still found it inspiring and enjoyable. It reminded me of how I want to live my life.
ecn's review
I do not like this guy’s vibe. Absolute libertarian who tries to critique capitalism without actually doing so. A shallow hypothesis that lacks any intersectionality