we're learning to love the things that we hate

[the_siobhan]

I keep getting these Facebook notifications about people sending me cartoon plants that will supposedly raise funds to plant trees in the rain forest. I got an email the other day that told me that if I click on a link some company will donate 10 cents to breast cancer research. And every day I patiently sort through all the petitions sent to me by sincere and well-meaning individuals who want to improve the situation in their city/country/planet - all brought to you by our sponsor.

I want to do good things. But I swear to the heavens if looking at advertising for the rest of my life is what it really takes to save the world - I'm not sure that it's worth it.

What I'm listening to right this second: New Model Army. Because you can never have too much New Model Army.

Comments

[victorianrose23.livejournal.com]

Amen and hallelujah. I love you :D

re: we're learning to love the things that we hate

[betonica.livejournal.com]

Is that what all those obnoxious things on fb are about. Thank you for giving me good rationale for all of the ignoring I've been doing. Advertising. Feh.

Re: we're learning to love the things that we hate

[the-siobhan.livejournal.com]

The thing is, I have no doubt that they really do give their pennies per hundred clicks towards planting trees in the Amazon.

If they were lying to me it would be easy.

Re: we're learning to love the things that we hate

[betonica.livejournal.com]

Even if they're giving pennies - wouldn't it be simpler (and probably more cost-effective) just to send a few bucks to a charity of your choice every now and then, and ignore the advertising? But I *hate* advertising, so maybe it's just me.

I'm very pleased with myself for sending four boxes of stuff (with my mother's contributions as well) to the Rosebud reservation in South Dakota. They had a horrible blizzard, people are freezing and starving, and they'll be without power for days or weeks. So I feel all self-satisfied, now, and can ignore fractions-of-pennies-per-click nonsense for MONTHS with a clear conscience.

Re: we're learning to love the things that we hate

[the-siobhan.livejournal.com]

Well yeah, if you have the few bucks to give. I think one of the reasons why these click-for-a-fraction-of-a-penny schemes are so popular is because they allow pe9ple to feel like they are contributing who otherwise would not be able to donate money.

I do get where you are coming from, though. I hate those commercial enterprises where they say, "Spend $30 on a t-shirt and we'll donate a dollar to this charity". So whenever I'm tempted I just say fuck the tshit and donate the money directly.

Re: we're learning to love the things that we hate

[redbird]

If I want to donate anyway, I will sometimes do so in a way that gets me a t-shirt or a CD: but that's about making sure I pick up this year's t-shirt when I renew my zoo membership, not about buying a shirt because the seller says they'll donate to charity. And I now carefully say "no thank you" to free tote bags, because all they do around here is gather dust. (Not that tote bags are inherently problematic, but I already have more than I need.)

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

"Thunder and Consolation" is one of my all-time most beloved albums. It just hits the nail right on the head of so many emotions and experiences...

Thunder and Consolation

[theevilchemist.livejournal.com]

""Thunder and Consolation" is one of my all-time most beloved albums. It just hits the nail right on the head of so many emotions and experiences...

It's an lp that quite unequivocally "changed my life"

225 completely overhauled the way I look at technology, capitalism and cosumerism.

"We Never Asked for Any of this!

I ask myself "Do I need this? Will it enhance my life?" everytime I think of buying something as a result of that line in the song.

And of course "White Coats" is devastating to me, as I struggle with the notion of "the ethical scientist."


jv

[eveofdstruction.livejournal.com]

Because you can never have too much New Model Army.
Damn straight.

[excess-and-oohs.livejournal.com]

heh. i think you may have been the one who sent me my first plant :D

[the-siobhan.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't be at all surprised.

[rbowspryte.livejournal.com]

There is a woman at work who loves those fundraisers. She sends me like a hundred. I dislike them but don't have the heart sometimes...*sigh**

[rbowspryte.livejournal.com]

and goddamn Facebook apps are stoopid! I think they decrease IQ.

[the-siobhan.livejournal.com]

They seem to be all that Facebook really does.

I got completely sucked into them at first. Now I'm only bitching because I'm buried under them and it's my own fault.

[eciklb.livejournal.com]

Ya know, there is a thing you can click that says "ignore this application" or something like that. If you click it, even if people keep on sending them by the gazillion, you'll never see them.

Never

[theevilchemist.livejournal.com]

"What I'm listening to right this second: New Model Army. Because you can never have too much New Model Army.

and their catalog of wonderful songs is larger than any band I know.

I really can't figure out Facebook. There's just too much bling for my tastes.
jv