Whilst blogging for GoodnessDirect, I came across this interesting article ranting about how consumers are consuming the concept of "Green".

I've made a note of this here because it relates to my philosophy of gadgets and "useful" technology and simplicity.

"Being Green", like eating heathly, starts off well but soon becomes a fashion statement and ethically the opposite.
The concept of Green is about using less/spending less, consuming less.

Taken from GoodnessDirect blog

Another day, another new "must-have" gadget/update/add-on that will no-doubt increase your productivity, efficiency and so on.

In the last year, I have given myself some tough discipling about technology. I have sought to wean myself away from possessing everything new toy that appears and being sucked into the whole geek-fever/consumerism of it all.

We should all be Eco/Green minded with our gadgets these days and less should be more.

What do you need?
Do you need that GPS? Really?

Do you need that iPod since you are sat on a computer most of the day anyway (and maybe you should look around you when ourdoors instead of plugging yourself up and blocking out the world??).

Do you need all those functions on your phone - full internet, GPS, media player, camera (especially since you may have all those functions on native devices anyway).

I know I've been there at time, but I'm still shocked at how people are still so easily duped by consumerism and the desperation to spend - it's like self-harm.

The money burns so much and we can't find any relief until we go and blow it on something.

And it's not even that adverts and salesmen are to blame as we would like. The fact is, we don't need something to be sold to us at all - if it's NEW! and shiny, then we'll buy it.

Anyway, for the sake of our own sanity and the saving of our intellect, AND the environment, let's minimise. Try and get what you need - that's what you need, not what they say you need.

You don't need that GPS - you have a brain and roads have sign posts - also you have that road map under the seat which works just fine.

You don't need an iPhone - yes they are "cool" and very shiny.

You don't need a data tariff on your phone - you have internet at home AND at work.

Ditto for iPod and music.

You don't need an Eeepc or portable laptop-laptop - yes it fit's in your obviously large pockets (pun intended), but do you need it to fill the gaps between home pc and laptop on train and work pc?

And if you do have some gadgets, don't just replace them with the latest new thing - use them until they drop then replace out of need, not want.

I recently DID get an iPod but justify it for different reasons - all my music is on it. At home, I use the iPod alone as my stereo. I don't walk around outside listening to it, but do use it at work for viewing podcasts of work-related material (see Podcasts in the sidebar).
This also means the macbook is being freed of storage by removing all my music from it. :o

Also, I opted for a low-spec mobile phone since I use a phone for texting and making calls (rarely) so I DON'T need it to be able to get the web, music, video and so on.
It cost £50.

A while ago now, I also sold my Desktop PC which more than paid for my lovely Macbook (not Pro), meaning I do everything on one, little laptop (power saving in itself).
I got the lowest-end Macbook I could, only with 2gb ram which suits me fine for taking it to work and doing freelance web design.

Greed In the Name Of Green

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Posted By Justin Fleming to Fuchsia Shock Design - freelance web design and blog on 3/10/2008 12:01:00 PM