I gave up magazines long before the “less stuff” challenge, and we recently gave up a daily paper in favour of only buying one at the weekend, when we actually have time to read most of it. My objection to magazines is that the distinction between “advertising features” and “articles” is virtually non-existent and you might as well just sign right up to feeling totally dissatisfied with your current life compared to the gloss and glitter on display within. The Saturday paper does come with a magazine, but now the Guardian also appears to be carrying an occasional publication called “Green”, edited by erstwhile Cambridge Green parliamentary candidate, Tony Juniper. There is much here which is superficially interesting – there’s even a small article on page 16 about websites “which facilitate local lending by linking lenders and borrowers” (for a fee), which is something which we in the Histon and Impington group are already doing amongst ourselves (for free). However, I looked through the pages with an increasing sense of dismay, for every other page is, as usual, advertising or “reporting on” some product or other that we are being encouraged to buy. It is an insidious tactic to call the promotion of consumption “Green”. Wanting to have “green” stuff is just another version of “my lifestyle’s no good: I need to buy something else” – which usually also involves throwing out the stuff you already have.
I must admit to feeling momentarily tempted by the “Pulse Eco Shower”. It sounds great….. which is why it’s so good for me to be part of the “Less Stuff” challenge, because I’m not going to buy one without giving it at least a year’s careful thought!