Enough Stuff

Petite Couquette: Lingerie for Little Girls

2011-08-23T11:35:00.000-04:00

Here is an excellent blog that sets straight some of the notions that sexualization of children is just an opportunity for little girls to feel "pretty."

French Vogue's Controversial and Shameful Kiddie Fashion Spread

2011-08-19T22:02:00.002-04:00

French Vogue's Controversial Kiddie Fashion Spread - Fashionist: French Vogue's Controversial Kiddie Fashion Spread

This is almost too creepy to be posted, but if we are afraid to confront this attack on children it will just continue.

Send your thoughts to French Vogue

Media Madness: The Impact of Sex, Violence, & Commercial Culture on Adults, Children, and Society

2011-05-31T17:24:00.001-04:00

Worried about the effect of Sex, Violence, & Commercial Culture on Children Society. This June workshop might be of interest. It's certainly interesting to know that educators, parents, and activists are concerned about these issues. The event is led by Diane Levin author of So Sexy So Soon. If you can't attend it might be worth taking a look at her book and watch for news after the workshop from CCFC.

Never Enough when it Comes to Health

2011-05-09T10:56:00.001-04:00

Send or show this to any teens you know!

Marketers Push Sexuality on Little Girls

2011-04-25T22:23:00.001-04:00

I was in Mexico lately and was surprised by this store of makeup for little girls.

Read an article from CCFC about inappropriate and harmful advertising for little girls.

2011-03-12T17:26:00.005-05:00

In 2011 there will be 7 Billion people in the world. Watch this National Geographic clip and find out what the world needs for all of us to live better. And it isn't more space.

MSG: One More Attack on Consumers?

2011-03-01T10:48:00.001-05:00

Dr. Hal Brown - Naturopath Vancouver BC - MSG: "MSG manufacturers themselves admit that it addicts people to their products. It makes people choose their product over others, and makes people eat more of it than they would if MSG wasn't added. Not only is MSG scientifically proven to cause obesity, it is an addictive substance!"

I always thought MSG was a preservative to protect us from food spoilage. Not so according to this article.

Only in America? Not!

2010-12-12T17:29:00.000-05:00

The United States of Nannymerica: "The United States of Nannymerica
By Nick Hodge Thursday, December 9th, 2010
The U.S. population has turned into a placated blob.
Forget 1984. It's a brave new world out there. Reduced to passivity and egotism, what's truly important has become lost in an ocean of irrelevance.
A zombie nanny-state has emerged — media our pacifier, pop culture our brains. Placated by the box office, the lottery, smart phones, reality TV, video games and other trivial pursuits, the American spirit is all but a forgotten ancestor.
Our economy continues to falter, our political system continues to fail us, the banks continue to mock us...
And what have we done about it? Nothing worth noting."

Report: Fast-Food Chains Increase Targeting Our Kids

2010-12-01T14:53:00.001-05:00

Report: Fast-Food Chains Increase Targeting Our Kids: "You might have thought that with all the finger-pointing and concerns over childhood plumpness, America's fast- food industry would be trying to reduce the gut-busting, calorie-loaded, fat-filled offerings on their menus and the kid-targeted advertising.

Not so, say researchers from Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity who released today what they say is the 'most comprehensive study of fast-food nutrition and marketing ever conducted.'"

Report: Fast-Food Chains Increase Targeting Our Kids

2010-12-01T14:53:00.000-05:00

Facebook (2) | Small Business Saturday

2010-11-22T11:42:00.000-05:00

Facebook (2) Small Business Saturday: "A day to come together in support of the small businesses we love.
The businesses that are the heartbeat of our communities and local economies.
That day is November 27, 2010—the first-ever Small Business SaturdaySM.
Join the movement, spread the word."

Despite Spending Billions on Advertising, the Fast Food Industry Blames Parents for Skyrocketing Obesity Rates | | AlterNet

2010-10-28T16:01:00.000-04:00

Despite Spending Billions on Advertising, the Fast Food Industry Blames Parents for Skyrocketing Obesity Rates AlterNet: "Corporations spend hundreds of millions of dollars each year marketing a dangerous product to America's children."

Healthy Halloween Tips

2010-10-06T15:56:00.000-04:00

Healthy Home Tips Halloween Tips Environmental Working Group: "Dressing up and celebrating Halloween can be fun -- especially for kids. It's easy to make it a healthy holiday for your family and the environment"

Toys and Food

2010-09-24T13:29:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago I listened to several good people joking and complaining that do gooders wanted to stop making toys available from food chains. They talked about wanting to keep up their collections. They talked about how it should be parents' jobs to monitor their kids food.

As I said these were good people who are obviously uninformed about the epidemic we have of childhood diseases created by fast food. They are uninformed about the invasiveness of advertising and the fact that most parents have no idea that they are harming their kids with fats and sugars. I just learned this week that in the U.S. they add sugar to milk!

Here's one city trying to make a difference. It should not be only in San Francisco!

Our children are continuing to get sick at an alarming rate from the food they eat. One in three children born today will develop Type 2 diabetes in their lifetime. Based on current rates of overweight and obesity, more will suffer a range of debilitating chronic diseases related to diet.

But it doesn't have to be this way. One study estimates that cutting fast food TV ads to kids would reduce the number of overweight kids by 20 percent. Now imagine if those ads had nothing to sell children on.

Each year, toys help sell more than a billion junk food meals to kids -- meals that fail to meet the most basic, federal nutritional guidelines. Toys are the principle reason kids desire the not-so-happy meals their parents tell them they can't have. And that's why San Francisco County Supervisor Eric Mar is championing an ordinance that calls for toy incentives to be removed from unhealthy meals."

No Happy Meal Giveaways in California?

2010-08-27T15:25:00.000-04:00

Statement: San Francisco move to limit junk food toy giveaways a huge plus for public health Corporate Accountability International: "Statement: San Francisco"

The philosophy of anti-consumerism

2010-08-27T08:48:00.000-04:00

The philosophy of anti-consumerism: "Many Americans have heard of David Horowitz, the consumer advocate.
My name is Bob Horowitz, and I am the anti-consumer advocate.
I'm asking all wealthy people of the world, especially Americans, to stop consuming so much. I would not ask you to do anything I do not do myself."

Eat, pray, shop: movie inspires loads of products

2010-08-27T08:45:00.000-04:00

Eat, pray, shop: movie inspires loads of products: "While the tale is anti-consumerism, the marketing is as big as for any Hollywood blockbuster - think 'Toy Story' or 'Twilight' for adults."

Cosmetics: Consuming Poison With Each Smear and Spray

2010-07-21T21:23:00.000-04:00

"Few consumer products tell the story of 'toxics in, toxics out' quite like cosmetics: the average person smears between 6 and 12 personal care products on his or her body every day. Its like a giant science experiment-we're using all of these mystery chemicals and just waiting to see what happens."

See the Story of Cosmetics here.

Consumers Responsible for BP oil spill?

2010-07-02T10:52:00.001-04:00

Well not exactly but consumer demands certainly rule the excavation of the earth's resources.

This week's GOOP Newsletter says: "There’s no question that we’re facing the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history. But this crisis also offers a powerful call to action, and I believe it's seeding the early stages of a nationwide awakening."

Read an article in Gwyneth Paltrow's blog GOOP about the connection of oil and consumerism.

Developing a Baby Sweet Tooth for Future Sales

2010-06-28T15:47:00.001-04:00

Many packaged toddler and baby foods too sweet: study Sympatico.ca News: "'…There is no nutritional reason that babies should complete their meals with Banana Coconut Cream Dessert puree or cookies, organic or otherwise. Equally significant is the way such products steer our youngest consumers down the wrong path in terms of reinforcing tastes for sweet foods," Charlene Elliott said.

More stuff, including more sugar, is apparently always the way to go for manufacturers! No wonder we are mostly obese and the number of diabetics has grown to epidemic proportions. When will enough be too much!

Marketing has become an all out war for control of our kids.

CSPI to Sue McDonald's If It Continues Using Toys to Market Junk Food to Children ~ Newsroom ~ News from CSPI ~ Center for Science in the Public Interest

2010-06-24T12:13:00.001-04:00

CSPI to Sue McDonald's If It Continues Using Toys to Market Junk Food to Children ~ Newsroom ~ News from CSPI ~ Center for Science in the Public Interest: "Using Toys to Promote “Happy Meals” Is Unfair, Deceptive & Illegal, Group Says, Citing State Laws
June 22, 2010
WASHINGTON—Tell it to the judge, Ronald: A nutrition watchdog group will sue McDonald’s if the fast-food chain continues to use toys to promote Happy Meals."

down---to---earth

2010-05-25T17:14:00.001-04:00

Here's a new blog to check out on simpler living. Rhonda Hertzel is the blogger and she says:

"I want this blog to take you on a journey inside yourself to discover your passions, uncover your true potential and to help you be the authentic you. Mindless consumerism masks us all. It surrounds us with junk that turns us into curators of merchandise. Free yourself of all that ties you down, be that debt, clutter, stress, envy, or wanting too much. In a world filled with overindulgence, simplicity will liberate you."

CCFC/Kraft 1 Nickelodeon 0

2010-05-14T16:27:00.002-04:00

"On Tuesday, CCFC found advertising for Lunchables, Kraft's popular brand of packaged lunches for young children, on Perry the Sneak 2, Nickelodeon's naughty games that are completely unsuitable for kids.

On Wednesday, AddictingGames.com won the CCFC TOADY (Toys Oppressive And Destructive to Young Children) Award for the worst toy of the year. And CCFC asked Kraft to stop advertising on the site.

On Thursday, Kraft Lunchables advertising was removed from Addicting Games."

The public (PARENTS) do have some clout when it comes to protecting kids against marketing attacks on children. If enough companies like Kraft respond perhaps sanity will return.

KIDS TRUMP DOLLARS!

And the Toady Goes to...

2010-05-12T11:37:00.002-04:00

The people have spoken. Inspired by Nickelodeon's blatant disregard for children's well-being, you overwhelmingly chose AddictingGames.com as this year's winner of CCFC's TOADY (Toys Oppressive And Destructive to Young Children) Award for the worst toy of the year. With an astounding 64% of the vote, AddictingGames.com easily outpaced its TOADY rivals.

Nickelodeon's decision to exploit its reputation as a family-friendly company by linking to the games directly from its popular websites for young children earned AddictingGames.com the award for worst of the worst. TOADY voters were aghast that Nick allows children such easy access to the horrific content on AddictingGames.com, including the Perry the Sneak series, where gamers take the role of a peeping Tom trying to catch revealing glimpses of naked women showering--and successful voyeurs are rewarded by getting in bed with their prey; Stick Dude Killing Arena, the object of which is to "Train to Kill Until You Die"; and Kitty Cannon, where players can "make Fluffy bloody" by shooting a kitten out of a cannon onto a row of metal spikes.

The fact that the games are free, making them accessible to any child with Internet access, was another reason voters frequently gave for why AddictingGames.com got their TOADY vote.

You can send a message to Nickelodeon from CCFC's Web site.

What Do You Think You're Eating?

2010-05-04T10:17:00.004-04:00

Did you know that eating the fruits and veggies on the Dirty Dozen list will expose a person to about 10 pesticides per day, on average? And that's not counting all the chemicals and preservatives to make the food look better and last longer.
The Dirty Dozen are the worst foods for pesticides:
celery
peaches
strawberries
apples
blueberries
nectarines
bell peppers
kale
spinach
cherries
potates
and grapes

Not only are we not told what's in or on the genetically modified food we eat but the packaging and ads don't even show us what the foods really look like. Here are two examples of not getting what you think you're getting.

a fast food breakfast
and a fish sandwich

Food is no longer good for your health! Profits trump health and safety.

Ice Cream Man

2010-05-03T20:17:00.003-04:00

Great spring weather has arrived and so has the ice cream truck. Everyday the van drives up and down the neighbourhood streets playing demented polka music. It seems to take forever for him to get out of ear shot. Apparently the homes in my area don't have freezers. Why else would kids and parents flock to buy frozen treats that cost twice as much as they do from the grocery store? A little willpower please!

Is there something about that wind-up, jack-in-the-box sound that makes people hypnotically appear on their driveways, wallets in hand?

Retire Ronald

2010-04-30T17:31:00.001-04:00

Wish him Good bye and good riddance!

Retire Ronald

CCFC TOADY Awards 2010 - Thanks for Voting!

2010-04-27T13:45:00.003-04:00

CCFC TOADY Awards 2010 -
Hi,
I just voted for the worst toy of the year. Voting is now open for the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood’s annual TOADY (Toys Oppressive And Destructive to Young Children) Award for the worst toy of the year – you wouldn’t believe the nominees. Vote now
Last year, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader Barbie took home the top prize. From thousands of toys that promote violence and/or precocious sexuality to children and push branded entertainment at the expense of children’s play, CCFC has selected five exceptional finalists. Who will win the dreaded TOADY? It’s up to you.

Thanks!"

YouTube - The Banker

2010-04-21T10:51:00.000-04:00

YouTube - The Banker: "The Banker"

Be a Savvy Cheapskate

2010-04-21T10:39:00.002-04:00

How to Be a Savvy Cheapskate - Yahoo! Finance

Jeff Yeager, the author of The Ultimate Cheapskate's Roadmap to True Riches, says consumers should direct their frugal efforts toward downsizing their lifestyle--in major areas like housing and transportation--rather than saving a buck here and there.

U.S. News recently spoke to Yeager about the most effective ways to economize. Excerpts:

Explain your 'cheapskate' philosophy

I focus more on quality-of-life and happiness issues ... especially the idea of deciding what "enough" is for you. Most people don't ask themselves that. What would be enough money and enough stuff for you? My wife and I established what I call a "permanent standard of living," a level we still live comfortably at today, even though we could afford to spend more ...

What sorts of decisions?

Well, for me, it's all about the bigger financial decisions in life. I'm a big believer in finishing in your starter home: Buy a modest home when you're first starting out and ignore people who tell you not to pay it off right away. Pay off your mortgage as quickly as you can, settle in and get to know your neighbors, and make your house your home.

These days with the tight economy, you hear so much in the media about economizing. But that's almost always about "how to get more for less" ... how to clip a coupon or find a bargain. But I think we're missing what could be the golden epiphany of these hard times: We shouldn't be asking ourselves "How can we afford it?" We should instead be asking, "Do we really need it?"

There's lots of social science that shows that once you're above poverty level, more money and more stuff doesn't contribute to happiness.

Eat lower on the food chain. I try to spend only a dollar a pound on food. It's a myth that it costs more to eat healthy. I encourage people to eat more meals at home. There's a lot of waste, too. According to the USDA, about 25 percent of food is thrown away, so arguably you could reduce your spending here by 25 percent simply by being smarter about food storage and portion control.

The relationship between being frugal and environmentally conscious

The greenest thing you can do is consume less, which probably means spending less. I think there's some hypocrisy in the current green movement, even though I've been an ardent environmentalist my whole adult life. I fear that the so-called green movement is catching on now because there's a bunch of cool, expensive green stuff we can by. It's become what I call a "cause de stuff."

I don't see Americans being that committed to environmentalism. We're really mostly committed to buying cool, expensive, green stuff. That's the hypocrisy I'm talking about.

Do a What The Heck Audit

Once or twice a year, I look at the things I've spent more money on, and ask myself one simple question: "If I had it to do over again, would I have spent that money?" I call it a 'what the heck was I thinking? audit." It's a way of helping you learn from your mistakes and change your spending behavior.

Digital Detox Week

2010-04-18T13:23:00.001-04:00

Here's a message from AdBusters about
Digital Detox Week April 19-24

We are all living through the digital revolution, an amazing, exciting time where knowledge is free and the world is at our fingertips. But there is a dark side to our digital emancipation. Jumping brain syndrome, decreased creativity, isolation and depression all stem from an overload of instantly accessible media.

Next week during Digital Detox Week we urge you to take some time to pull back from the wired world and assess the damage. Rethink your love affair with technology, stop obsessing over your virtual life, get outside and reignite your relationships with each other. You don't have to go cold turkey on the screens in your life – we won't. Simply take a few small steps away from them every day.

To help prepare you for this challenge here are links to some of the most inspiring mental environmental stories we've run recently:
The End of ChildhoodChildren who spend more time inside than in the wilderness experience poorer health in adulthood. We must let them roam free.
Virtual MoralityAs videogames create better, more immersive models of reality, are we free to do anything we want in a virtual world, or are some things still inherently wrong?
Quit Facebook
The decision to destroy my carefully built-up virtual image came as a result of wanting to enhance my profile.
The Era of Simulation
Consequences of a digital revolution.

Consumer Spending

2010-04-14T09:57:00.003-04:00

April in Canada--the daffodils are out in full measure and so apparently are consumer wallets.

A new report by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce(CIBC)says Canadians are spending beyond their limits and a looming higher interest rate may stretch spenders very thin.

Consumer "confidence" (perhaps a better term is foolishness) is rising and personal spending is up. However the factors needed to back up increased spending are missing: things like higher incomes, less unemployment, and smaller debts.

Much of that spending is on house mortgages and all the "stuff" required for the household.

Yet ask Canadians what they expect of the economy and 20% say it will worsen; 20% say they think they or a family member will lose their job; and 67% say interest rates will rise. About 2/3s say their finances keep them awake at night and half of those say they have no faith that their finances are in good shape.

The question is with all these doubts why don't Canadians change their spending habits. Enough stuff already!

Are Japanese the Consumer Kings?

2010-04-06T18:06:00.002-04:00

After visiting Shanghai and Hong Kong I thought perhaps the Chinese were the ultimate consumer wantabies. Now I wonder. This is from a book called Civic Engagement in Contemportary Japan.

Japanese consumers are the toughest. In business and marketing circles they are regarded the most meticulous and demanding of all. A producer, a sales person, or shop keeper should offer the best quality products and services if they want to survive in Japan. Websites advising how to do business in Japan all emphasize the key role of quality and the high brand consciousness in Japan. There does not seem an end in sight of the number of newly opening Chanel, Prada, or Vuitton flagship stores. The Japanese seem willing to queue in long lines to be part of the latest brand-shopping experience. Krispy Kreme’s only donut store in Japan at the up-market Shinjuku Southern Terrace complex in Tokyo has a daily queue of more than 200 people at any time of the day, for as long as it has opened doors late December 2006. The opening of yet another famous brand electronics store in Northern Osaka in early March 2008 led to queues curling around the soccer field size store in full circle, for 3 weeks in a row, from morning 10 to evening 10, every day. The very same store of the same size can be visited a 20-min subway ride from there, but it is being part of a new shopping event that attracts crowds in amazing numbers.

Hawking Pepsi in Schools

2010-04-02T12:09:00.004-04:00

In March 2010, Pepsi pledged to pull high sugar drinks from schools by 2012. The company has received much favourable press for this voluntary initiative but a cynic might ask, "Isn't that a rather long time to withdraw a product?"

This decision comes after years of campaigning by public health agencies to limit children's access to sugary foods that are creating an obesity epidemic. The same cynic might ask why it takes a decision by a softdrink manufacturer rather than the will of parents and school boards to protect the kids.

David Soderham, professor at the University of Toronto, is quoted in the Toronto Star as saying that when companies have to face very convincing and public information that their products are harmful, then they react in order to maintain their business.

You can be sure that Pepsi's favourable press will mean that their diet drinks and bottled water appear to replace the product they are withdrawing. It should also be noted that this initiative does not in any way mean that Pepsi will stop advertising to children.

Here's a report about such voluntary manufacturing activities:

"In 2008, many of the nation's (U.S.) major food companies formed the Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI) in an effort to stave off government regulation. The CFBAI was supposed to improve the food environment for children by having companies adopt voluntary-and self-defined-guidelines for marketing food and beverages to children. Many children's advocates were understandably skeptical that self-regulation would end the barrage of junk food marketing aimed at children. Two recent studies demonstrate that these fears where well founded.

In December, research released by Children Now conclusively demonstrated that the food industry's self-regulation efforts have failed to significantly improve the nutritional quality of foods marketed to children. And a new study by the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity finds that in-store promotions aimed at children - such as the use of licensed characters on packaging - are increasing dramatically. And the nutritional quality of the items marketed through these cross-promotions actually declined over the course of the three-year study. Is there anyone not on a food company payroll who honestly believes the food industry will shape up on its own?"

Hawking Goods to Newborns

2010-04-02T11:17:00.006-04:00

Breastfeeding mothers are competition for formula companies.

Since the late 1800's baby formula has been touted as the best food for babies. "There is no other food to compare with it," claimed Henri Nestle of the multi national Nestle Company. Since the 1970's groups all over the world have vigourously reproached and boycotted against this form of advertising to third world countries where baby formula has been proven to create health and economic problems for babies and moms.

As the world's largest babyfood company, Nestlé sets the marketing standards for the industry. Currently, rather than setting a good example, it is the single most prolific violator of the International Code. Participants in the Nestlé Boycott refuse to buy any Nestlé products in order to put pressure on the company by creating bad publicity and lowering sales.

The World Health Organization supports breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of life and their Code demands that no free samples of formula be given out to new moms as a marketing ploy.

The significance of formula companies pushing their product to moms around the world is not lost. Henri Nestlé’s company now spends more on just advertising its products than the total budget of the World Health Organisation (WHO). The company’s annual turnover is greater than the gross national product of every African country apart from Nigeria and South Africa. The company is firmly committed to selling this product despite world wide condemnation and despite the fact that infant formula makes up only 2% of its production.

Now the fight over this manufactured demand is closer to home. In March a Toronto Public Health Report stated that 40% of new moms were given samples of formula in hospital despite the WHO stipulations. These moms were 3.5 times more likely to give up on breastfeeding than moms who were not given samples.

New moms at home who are stressed and isolated and who feel pressured to give up breastfeeding will naturally look favourably on the brand given to them in hospital. But in fact, supplying hospitals with a product is big business involving signing bonuses and free products for hospitals.

Another example of big profits over health and cradle to grave marketing!

Manufacturers Use Potentially Harmful Chemicals Kept Secret Under Law

2010-04-01T14:18:00.002-04:00

Chemicals are used to produce cheaper, longer-lasting stuff at the expense of our health and the wellbeing of the environment.

"Of the 84,000 chemicals in commercial use in the United States -- from flame retardants in furniture to household cleaners -- nearly 20 percent are secret, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, their names and physical properties guarded from consumers and virtually all public officials under a little-known federal provision.

The policy was designed 33 years ago to protect trade secrets in a highly competitive industry. But critics -- including the Obama administration -- say the secrecy has grown out of control, making it impossible for regulators to control potential dangers or for consumers to know which toxic substances they might be exposed to."

At least 10 of the 151 high-volume confidential chemicals produced or imported in amounts greater than 300,000 pounds a year are used in products specifically intended for use by children age 14 or younger.

Children, Commercialism, and Environmental Sustainability | Solutions

2010-03-31T11:31:00.001-04:00

Read this article from CCFC about consumerism as an environmental issue.

Children, Commercialism, and Environmental Sustainability | Solutions: "Because children’s less-developed cognitive capacities leave them more vulnerable to marketing, and because their identities are still forming, they are particularly susceptible to the onslaught of messages that encourage them to value the materialistic aims that research shows will conflict with their desire and ability to make and demand the changes required to live sustainably. Reducing children’s exposure to marketing now will give them extra protection from this toxic culture and help prepare them for the changes ahead."

Water is Stuff Too

2010-03-30T16:05:00.002-04:00

Check out this new video from Annie Leonard who created the amazingly popular Story of Stuff.

The Story of Bottled Water

Advertising and Women

2010-03-14T12:20:00.003-04:00

Killing Us Softly is the title of this clip from YouTube that is a great conversation starter and thought provoker. Advertising tells us what we need, what we should look like, what is Normal! How can we not pay more attention to the false messaging!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTlmho_RovY

Don't Mess with Disney

2010-03-10T13:31:00.002-05:00

Do you recall the group that faced down Disney over the Baby Einstein materials and won compensation for all parents who had believed the false advertising? Well now they are paying the price. This is from a recent email from CCFC:

"As described in today's New York Times, last fall's successful campaign to get Disney to offer refunds on Baby Einstein videos came at a price. At the height of the media flurry about the refunds, representatives from Disney contacted JBCC, and our relationship with the Center was changed irrevocably. We were pressured to stop talking to the press about Baby Einstein. Questions were raised about whether CCFC's mission was appropriate for a JBCC program. Finally, in January, we were told that we had to leave - quickly. And, for our remaining time under JBCC's auspices, we were forbidden from conducting any advocacy aimed at a specific corporation or product. You may have noticed that you haven't heard from us in a while.

It is chilling that any corporation, particularly one marketing itself as family friendly, would lean on a children's mental health center. We have great admiration for the Center's staff, and the work they do for children. At the same time, we are deeply saddened that the institution ceded its ground and stopped supporting CCFC and our efforts to challenge powerful interests in order to protect children and support parents.

The sudden loss of the home where we flourished was a tremendous blow. Our move was unexpected and expensive. We know that Disney - and Nickelodeon, McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Scholastic and all of the companies whose profits are threatened when we stand up for children - would love to see CCFC go away. But we are more determined than ever to continue our important work."

EarthPulse 2010 - Vital Statistics Map - National Geographic

2010-03-09T17:39:00.001-05:00

This interesting site from National Geographic provides an easy to understand look at statistics around the world including population density and consumption.
EarthPulse 2010 - Vital Statistics Map - National Geographic: "Vital Statistics
Map and compare global trends. Explore related essays, photo galleries, and information graphics."

Obsession with Stuff

2010-03-08T10:30:00.002-05:00

Nobody can describe our obsession with stuff quite like the late George Carlin!
Check it out.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

2010-03-02T17:25:00.001-05:00

Dr Seuss's popular books are often about real life issues. If you think we have Enough Stuff or you are worried about the environment, take another look at The Lorax.

The Lorax is a children's book, written by Dr. Seuss and first published in 1971! It chronicles the plight of the environment and the Lorax who speaks for the trees against the greedy Once-ler. It ends with a warning about mass production and rampant consumerism on the barren landscape at the end of the book, "UNLESS..."

On July 28, 2009, it was announced that Universal Studios and Illumination Entertainment are teaming up to produce a 3-D, CGI film based upon the book expected to be released in March 2012, the 108th anniversary of Dr. Seuss's birth.

2010-02-28T15:01:00.000-05:00

"We live in an age when unnecessary things are our only necessities."
Oscar Wilde 1850-1900

Shielding youth from pressure to buy - thestar.com

2010-02-26T12:13:00.001-05:00

This column in the Toronto Star points to some exciting opportunities to stop the ad attack on kids. Read the whole article and then investigate what we as individuals can do to protect our kids. Suggestions to follow! Please add your ideas!

Goar: Shielding youth from pressure to buy - thestar.com: "The city's Board of Health would like to make Toronto Canada's second commercial-free zone for kids.
But since municipalities don't have the power to do that, it is turning to parents, educators, health-care workers, outdoor enthusiasts and sympathetic federal and provincial politicians to help it push for a Canada-wide ban on advertising that targets children."

True Cost of Corporate Bad Habits

2010-02-23T13:58:00.004-05:00

Trucost is a London consulting firm that has spent 8 years looking at the cost of corporate irresponsibility towards the environment. The report will be released in May but the bottom line in True Costs? $2.2 trillion. But there is good news too.

Trucost COO Richard Mattison says:

the report is intended to educate investors who want to affect positive environmental change through business decisions.
I hope I am not being optimistic or naïve in saying that the majority of people do think actively about and factor corporate social responsibility into their list of must-haves when they are considering consumer loyalty to a corporation or business.
Even big players like Wal-Mart, Cisco, and Nike have made strides in the last year to be as energy efficient and environmentally conscious as possible with their coveted profit margin still riding in the driver's seat. And for many of us, our hard-earned money is spent in better conscience with an outfit that's making real effort to reform business practices and impact on the communities in which they operate.
Corporate responsibility increases sustained quality of life for consumers and for the business, and a system of checks-and-balances exists so that those who damage what is not theirs to damage pay for it. Consumers invest in firms that uphold a level of CSR and shop at stores that are conscious of their impact on the environment. It all comes full circle, and at some point, the losses incurred by companies for their poor practices are recouped when they clean up their acts.
One of the first lessons we are taught in pre-school is that if you make a mess, you clean it up. This must be translated into business practice.

The Great American Apparel Diet

2010-02-16T18:25:00.001-05:00

About | The Great American Apparel Diet: "The Great American Apparel Diet, what is it? We are a group of women who have decided to go on a diet of sorts. A fast really. We are completely eliminating “new apparel” from our diets for one year. Yes, the next time you see us sporting new togs it will be Sept. 2, 2010. Sound easy? Well think again. This is going to be a stretch for most of us. You see, like most women we are attached to our wardrobes in some form or another. In fact buying a new something-or-other is as natural as a dark choclate pick-me-up. We all have our reasons for embarking on this project but it all gets down to this…who are we without something hip and new in our closets? We shall see."

The Anti-Consumer Dare

2010-02-16T18:18:00.001-05:00

"YouTube - The Dare (Anti-Consumerism)
Presented by MJ Santa Ana and Jiawen Zhou. Environmental and economic point of view. For one week, don't buy anything except the essentials."

Hyper Parents & Coddled Kids

2010-02-06T14:59:00.003-05:00

If you have kids you should watch this CBC documentary. A multi-billion dollar industry has convinced parents to "helicopter", "hover" and even "blackhawk." So much so that there has been a whole new trend of parenting worldwide that has produced a multitude of problems.

Hyper Parents & Coddled Kids - Doc Zone | CBC-TV: "Are today's well-meaning parents giving their children a leg up in life, or creating problems that will last their child's lifetime? The new CBC documentary Hyper Parents & Coddled Kids explores the cultural pressures on parents to be hyper-parents and the impact it has on their children."

You might also read a book by Carl Honore called Under Pressure. He found himself succombing to the parental pressures until his son complained that parents always try to take over everything. That's when Honore stepped back and wrote his book.

Cupid’s Day or Consumer Day?

2010-02-06T11:24:00.008-05:00

Singles unite to say nay to Cupid’s Day - thestar.com: "The teens are part of a small but growing trend to declare war on February 14 and its sappy trappings. Fed up with commercial stereotypes of love and romance, they’re giving traditional celebrations the kiss-off with a darker, cynical twist.
As a British blogger soured on sentiment puts it: “Nothing says I love you like saturated fat and slutty lingerie ... Don’t say it with flowers, say it with bile.”
That sums up the Oshawa bash — which is being replicated at other libraries, including those in Whitby and Vaughan — where partygoers clad in red and black will do “the opposite of what you’d normally do on Valentine’s Day,” explains teen librarian Tiffany Pahman. That means enjoying “cranky crafts, moody music and spiteful snacks” such as broken-heart cookies.
“They’re teens, full of angst and kind of dark. Maybe they’ve already been through a bad relationship,” Pahman says, insisting the activities are all in good fun. “They don’t get to do this in school.”
So it seems. Students still celebrate with cards, candy-grams, parties and dances, says Andrea Pidwerbecki, spokesperson for the Durham District School Board.
“Valentine’s Day is alive and well in the happy and traditional sense.”
Not so for 18-year-old Kaitlain Leeshue, who’s helping organize the Love Stinks event.
“I dislike Valentine’s Day all together,” says the Oshawa student. “We’re definitely protesting how it’s celebrated.”"

In a related note market research company IBIS in the U.S. says Valentine's spending on dining out should gain 8% to $8.5 billion; romantic get-aways will reach $2.05 billion; card sales will increase to $784 million and clothing (sexy lingerie) will reach about $1.13 billion in sales; flower sales will decline to $1.26 billion and jewellry to $1.31 billion; candy sales will stay pretty even at $3.47 billion.

Yes I checked--that's billions each time except for cards.

Enough Meat

2010-02-04T10:08:00.002-05:00

Try a Meat-free Monday! This is an initiative started by Paul McCartney and his family in the UK based on a UN report. He says:

GOOP Newsletter: "With this in mind, my family and I launched Meat Free Monday in the UK, an idea which has been gaining support from people like Tom Parker-Bowles who, after a lifetime of denigrating vegetarians, recently wrote in his Daily Mail column, “I wince at the memory of my boorish antics” and who pronounced himself “intrigued” by MFM: “There’s no doubting the plain common sense of the message…Meat Free Monday is something to really savour”. Another supporter is Al Gore who stated that initiatives like Meat Free Monday “represent a responsible and welcome component of a comprehensive strategy for reducing global warming pollution and simultaneously improving human health.'"

The UN report listed the following
>The Livestock industry produces gases that are extremely dangerous for the future of our environment.
>The two main gases, methane and nitrous oxide, are considered to be more harmful than CO2 (methane is 21 times more powerful than CO2 and nitrous oxide is 310 times more powerful than CO2) so the data suggests that this is causing a highly dangerous situation for ourselves and, more importantly, for future generations.
>Methane also remains in the atmosphere for 9 to 15 years; nitrous oxide remains in the atmosphere for 114 years, on average, and is 296 times more potent than CO2 - the gases released today will continue to be active in degrading the climate decades from now.
>Livestock production is land intensive: a recent report by Greenpeace on land use in the largest meat producing state in Brazil found that livestock (cattle) production was responsible for vastly more deforestation than soya.
>A third of all cereal crops, and well over 90% of soya, goes into animal feed, not food for humans. Eating less meat will free up a lot of agricultural land which can revert to growing trees and other vegetation, which, in turn, will absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
>Livestock production is water intensive: it accounts for around 8% of global human water use. The estimated 634 gallons of fresh water required to produce one 5.2 ounce (150g) beef burger would be enough for a four-hour shower. For comparison, the same quantity of tofu requires 143 gallons of water to produce.
>Livestock production is the largest source of water pollutants, principally animal wastes, antibiotics, hormones, chemicals from tanneries, fertilizers and pesticides used for feed crops, and sediments from eroded pastures.
>The meat industry is set to double its production by 2050 so even if they manage to lower emissions by 50%, as they have promised to, we will still be in the same position.

Check out Gwyneth Paltrow's blog for some Monday meals.

New Anti-Consumer Book

2010-02-02T21:34:00.001-05:00

Ever since I researched and wrote a book on consumerism and children I have wanting to look into how we got swallowed up in a consumer world in the first place. Is it the way the world is supposed to be? Is it really a case of TINA (There is no alternative?) Or is it a manipulative greedy scheme? I felt foolish considering a conspiracy theory.

This week I was excited to see an ad (yes I do look at them) for a new book that may be the start of that research: Raj Patel's The Value of Nothing. I am intrigued by his statement: "The opposite of consumerism is not thrift. It is generosity." Wow!

If you've read The value of Nothing add a comment. If not I will review it soon.

Has Rev. Billy Something to Say to Canada?

2010-02-02T21:09:00.003-05:00

Ever since attending the Canadian premiere of What Would Jesus Buy and listening to Rev. Billy speak I have been fascinated by his comedic approach to very serious matters. He is now running for mayor of NYC and in this interview he might have something to say to Canada as well.

Olympics, Patriotism, and Consumerism

2010-01-31T15:53:00.005-05:00

I have just returned from a January visit to Vancouver, British Columbia. Yes my Olympic timing was off.

Already the flags are flying and teams are gathering dressed in their highly marked national outfits. The Olympics are as much about patriotism and nationalism as they are about sports.

I was also bemused by the number of items to buy that are clearly needed to enjoy the Games. Hats, mitts, sweaters, toys, mugs, pins, bags, backpacks and on and on. (Window shopping only please.) Olympic consumerism is alive and well!

It made me think that anti-consumerism used to be considered unpatriotic--shopping is the western way of life! More and more I see anti-consumer messages appearing in main stream newspapers and magazines and even in "hollywood" style movies.

Is anti-consumerism more accepted? Dare we hope?

What do you think?

AAFP and Coke Partnership

2009-12-10T12:50:00.001-05:00

"Things don't always go better with Coke. Medical advice certainly doesn't, and neither do organizations whose mission is to promote public health.

That's why we were so disappointed to learn about the American Academy of Family Physicians' new partnership with Coca-Cola Company. Coke is providing a grant to the AAFP to offer health advice related to beverages and sweeteners for FamilyDoctor.org, an award-winning consumer health and wellness resource. It's part of a new AAFP program called the Consumer Alliance, where corporate partners like Coke can 'educate consumers about the role their products can play in a healthy, active lifestyle.'"

2009-12-10T12:50:00.000-05:00

Protest the AAFP and Coke Partnership

2009-12-10T12:49:00.001-05:00

Protest the AAFP and Coke Partnership: "Tell Family Physicians: Coke and Health Education Don't Mix
Not everything goes better with Coke. Medical advice certainly doesn't, and neither do organizations whose mission is to promote public health.
That's why we were so disappointed to learn about the American Academy of Family Physicians' new partnership with Coca-Cola Company. Coke is providing a grant to the AAFP to offer health advice related to beverages and sweeteners for FamilyDoctor.org, an award-winning consumer health and wellness resource. It's part of a new AAFP program called the Consumer Alliance, where corporate partners like Coke can 'educate consumers about the role their products can play in a healthy, active lifestyle.'

Tell the AAFP - Health Education does not go better with Coke."

Protest the AAFP and Coke Partnership

2009-12-10T12:49:00.000-05:00

Protest the AAFP and Coke Partnership: "Not everything goes better with Coke. Medical advice certainly doesn't, and neither do organizations whose mission is to promote public health.
That's why we were so disappointed to learn about the American Academy of Family Physicians' new partnership with Coca-Cola Company. Coke is providing a grant to the AAFP to offer health advice related to beverages and sweeteners for FamilyDoctor.org, an award-winning consumer health and wellness resource. It's part of a new AAFP program called the Consumer Alliance, where corporate partners like Coke can 'educate consumers about the role their products can play in a healthy, active lifestyle.'"

Protest the AAFP and Coke Partnership

2009-12-10T12:48:00.000-05:00

Should business have a place dictating health guidelines. I don't think so! I was appalled when my doctor gave me a chart about healthy eating habits that was clearly sponsored by Becel margarine! How unbiased could it be?

The Committee for a Commercial Free Childhood is concerned about the new affiliation of Coke and the American Academy of family Physicians. For those of us in Canada who see lots of American TV and ads, it is something to watch.

Protest the AAFP and Coke Partnership: "Not everything goes better with Coke. Medical advice certainly doesn't, and neither do organizations whose mission is to promote public health.
That's why we were so disappointed to learn about the American Academy of Family Physicians' new partnership with Coca-Cola Company. Coke is providing a grant to the AAFP to offer health advice related to beverages and sweeteners for FamilyDoctor.org, an award-winning consumer health and wellness resource. It's part of a new AAFP program called the Consumer Alliance, where corporate partners like Coke can 'educate consumers about the role their products can play in a healthy, active lifestyle.'"

AAFP and Coke Partnership

2009-12-10T12:47:00.000-05:00

Protest the AAFP and Coke Partnership: "Not everything goes better with Coke. Medical advice certainly doesn't, and neither do organizations whose mission is to promote public health.
That's why we were so disappointed to learn about the American Academy of Family Physicians' new partnership with Coca-Cola Company. Coke is providing a grant to the AAFP to offer health advice related to beverages and sweeteners for FamilyDoctor.org, an award-winning consumer health and wellness resource. It's part of a new AAFP program called the Consumer Alliance, where corporate partners like Coke can 'educate consumers about the role their products can play in a healthy, active lifestyle.'"

Why Big Shopping Bargains Are Bad News For America - TIME

2009-12-01T16:24:00.001-05:00

Here's an interesting reminder about the real cost of all those Christmas bargains:

Why Big Shopping Bargains Are Bad News For America - TIME: "Now, I do realize it's an odd time to lobby for higher prices. We're coming off the worst recession in a quarter century. One in ten Americans is out of work and plenty of people feel like they need low prices to be able to buy anything at all.
But I also realize that part of what got us here was overspending, and that that overspending was fostered by a shopping culture that uses cheap goods to hook people on feeling like they're winning at something. As a country, we held nearly $1 trillion in credit-card debt this time last year—about the same as the value of all the goods and services produced in South Korea annually. We've bought so much stuff that we've struggled to find places to fit it all. The U.S. went from having 300 million square feet of self-storage space in 1984 to 2.4 billion square feet in 2008, according to the Self Storage Association, a 700% surge. By 2005, one in five new houses came with three garage bays—the third, real-estate agents explained, to store all the 'toys.'"

Stuff is Wrecking the Planet

2009-12-01T10:06:00.002-05:00

"This morning, The Story of Stuff Project launched a brand new short film, The Story of Cap & Trade.
It's a fast-paced, fact-filled look at the leading climate change solution on the table in Copenhagen and in the halls of Congress. If you've heard about cap and trade, but aren't sure how it works (or who benefits), this is the film is for you!"

Proof We Have Enough Stuff

2009-11-29T20:18:00.002-05:00

I've been watching the Christmas ads for those weird gizmo gift ideas. How over-stuffed are we when we consider these items as something anyone would need:

genuine leather chewing gum holders

a gadget to roll up the rim (for you non-Canadians, we have a coffee chain that offers prize notices under the rolled rim of their paper cups. Apparently unrolling a paper cup rim now requires a tool.)

a telephone shaped like a cheeseburger

a self-stirring mug

Waste Line

2009-11-25T09:52:00.001-05:00

It's not just that we have too much stuff under the Christmas tree. Apparently there is more than Enough Stuff on the table! Here are some stats I hadn't seen before. They are American but the principle applies here in the north too.

Ideal Bite suggests we Watch the Waste Line:

"Less waste. Every year, we waste 28 billion pounds of food - or about 100 pounds per person - between Thanksgiving and New Years.
Food left to rot in landfills gives off methane, a gas at least 20 times as powerful at trapping heat than carbon dioxide (translation: You'll contribute less to global warming).
You won't have to loosen your belt or your purse strings, since these tricks could save you money (we throw away $42 billion worth of food during the holidays each year)."

Create a Less Commercial Holiday

2009-11-23T17:51:00.000-05:00

"For parents trying to pass on positive values to children in a commercialized culture, the December holidays pose an especially difficult challenge. Each year, holiday marketing begins earlier. And our children, targets for marketing all year round, face an ever-intensified onslaught of advertising designed to supplant the cultural, spiritual, social-political meaning of the holidays with materialistic values-celebrating acquisition instead of altruism, spending instead of spirituality, and getting instead of giving.

There's no one size fits all method for getting through the holidays with your values intact. So we created the CCFC Guide to Commercial-Free Holidays to provide an array of suggestions, from people we respect and admire, for reclaiming your family celebrations from marketers."

The Orion - Center promotes buying fair trade items on Black Friday

2009-11-17T15:58:00.003-05:00

For those in the U.S. who can't deal with a Buy Nothing Day, some American stores are promoting fair trade items on Black Friday.

The day after Thanksgiving is touted as the biggest shopping day of the year, with commercials piled on consumers in the days preceding it urging them to buy this and that. While some people will be waiting in lines winding around the registers and into the aisles, others will be abstaining from shopping altogether.

For people involved in some sustainability movements, Black Friday is also known as “Buy Nothing Day.” To take a stand against mass consumerism, participants do not go out to malls or department stores. For the third year running, the Chico Peace and Justice Center will be open on “Buy Nothing Day” to promote buying fair trade items. Certified fair trade is a way to support farmers, growers and artisans in a fair and socially just way,said Lisa Sun, Chico Peace and Justice Center volunteer coordinator.

Wildcat General Strike on November 27

2009-11-15T15:46:00.002-05:00

This just out from Adbusters:

"Buy Nothing Day morphs into a Wildcat General Strike on November 27

There is only one way to avoid the collapse of this human experiment of
ours on Planet Earth: we have to consume less. So this November 27 (November 28
in Europe and overseas), we’re calling for a Wildcat General Strike. We’re
asking tens of millions of people around the world to bring the capitalist
consumption machine to a grinding – if only momentary – halt. We want you to
shut off your lights, televisions and other nonessential appliances. We want you
to park your car, turn off your phones and log off of your computer for the day.
We’re calling for a Ramadan-like fast. From sunrise to sunset we’ll abstain en
masse – not only from holiday shopping, but from all the temptations of our
five-planet lifestyles.

Learn more about Buy Nothing Day and get involved:
Take the plunge and plan or join an event. Let’s bring about the global
mindshift our survival depends on!"

Safer Cleaning Stuff and Tips for Your Home

2009-11-10T11:44:00.003-05:00

A new study just released by EWG in California says that toxic cleaner fumes could contaminate classrooms. Widely used cleaning supplies emit more than 450 contaminants into the air, including chemicals that trigger asthma and may be linked to cancer.

Think about all the chemicals that we are encouraged to buy for our home as well: stuff to clean windows, baby's room, ovens, toilets, even vegetables! How many of those cleaners can we really trust? This is a quote from the press release:

Popular Household Brands are also a Big Problem:
The 20-plus cleaning products EWG tested included a handful of popular brands such as Comet Disinfectant Powder Cleanser, which produced 143 air contaminants when used as directed, more than any other product tested. Comet fumes included formaldehyde, benzene, chloroform, and four other chemicals identified by the state of California as causing cancer or reproductive harm. Among the others tested were the general purpose cleaner Simple Green and the air freshener Febreze Air Effects, which produced 92 and 88 air contaminants, respectively.

Here are some Safe Cleaning Tips for Your Home Environmental Working Group

Holiday Decorating: Enough Stuff Says Scrooge

2009-11-09T10:02:00.003-05:00

Are you seeing all the Christmas decorating stuff in stores these days. Last week I saw a blowup supersize mechanical Santa that moons people driving by your house. A Christmas dream!!

This year try to buy less stuff for decorating or at least buy smarter and greener. Here's a blog with some suggestions.

Ideal Bite Center of Attention: "Holiday Decorating
Center of Attention"

Feeling Fluish?

2009-11-04T09:51:00.000-05:00

The marketing bandwagon is in full swing selling us pills and potions to protect us from the flu (especially since the government is making such a hash of it.)

This morning on the news the guest came with a whole table full of bottles and jars of vitamins and concoctions. As a parting shot she said you might actually try Grandma's home remedy of chicken soup. Seems Grandma knew what she was talking about.

If you decide to try the good-for-you food route, here's an article about organic foods actually being healthier in this flu season. Apparently when you take away all the chemicals of regular farm industries, the plants actually produce more of the good stuff to protect themselves from disease and thereby are better for us when we eat them.

Organic food might reduce heart attacks - 14 March 2002 - New Scientist

Ideal Bite | Winter Games

2009-11-02T08:47:00.001-05:00

There's frost on the roof today. Welcome November!
Consume less fuel this winter by winterizing your home. Here's one checklist from Ideal Bite.
Ideal Bite | Winter Games

Climate Change Video

2009-10-30T22:08:00.002-04:00

Consumerism and the environment are inextricably linked! Most who support the latter are aware of the dangers of the first.

In Canada we now face the shameful reality of being one of the worst nations when it comes to accumulating stuff and one of the worst when it comes to government action to care for creation.

Check out this video.

A greener shade of pink ribbon : Super Eco

2009-10-27T17:20:00.001-04:00

A greener shade of pink ribbon : Super Eco: "Breast Cancer Awareness Month is winding down, but there's still plenty of time to support the cause—that is, if you consider buying more pink stuff to be a productive use of your time and hard-earned cash. At first blush, purchasing pink products that donate part of their proceeds to breast cancer research and screenings sounds like a rosy prospect. We can spy two flies in the ointment: Are these items that are pink also sustainably, non-toxically green? And is buying more stuff really the best way to raise awareness and support better breast health?"

Read this article and then consider buying less pink and sending more green to the charity.

When Pop Culture Grows a Conscience : The Rebel Yell

2009-10-27T17:02:00.004-04:00

When pop culture grows a conscience : The Rebel Yell:
Here's something to try as a family or a discussion group with young people. Watch that engaging movie Wall-E and make note of what it's saying about "Enough Stuff" or is it TOO MUCH STUFF?
Wall-E

Who knew that one of 2008’s most compelling movies would be a cartoon? This instant classic follows the misadventures of one of the last robots left on earth still trying to clean-up what humans left behind.
There’s a cute love interest story with another robot who shows up, EVE, but the film really gets interesting in the second half, when Wall-E travels to a massive spaceship containing the current human population.
From experiences there, and archived films, humans are portrayed as fat, lazy purveyors of a throwaway consumer culture – an obvious comment on the current state of world, or at least American, culture.
Some felt this commentary was a little heavy-handed and detracted from the film, but it’s more likely that the same reason will secure its spot as a notable film for many years.

Marketers Think We Are Losers!

2009-10-27T10:51:00.006-04:00

So how incapable do they think we are?

Not only do marketers try to convince me that I need more and more stuff to be in touch, in tune, and happy; now online stores are actually writing my Christmas wish list for me. They are basing it on what I bought in the past and just want access to my contacts so they can email it off!

Get away from me!!!

CCFC Victory: Disney Offers Parents Refunds on Baby Einstein Videos

2009-10-22T15:31:00.002-04:00

CCFC Victory: Disney Offers Parents Refunds on Baby Einstein Videos: "CCFC Victory: Disney Offers Refunds on Baby Einstein Videos"

Finally Disney admits that their claims that infants benefit from these "educational" videos were unfounded. Of course this is after their creator and Disney themselves have made a bundle!!

Buy Nothing Day November 28, 2009

2009-09-18T19:00:00.006-04:00

BUY NOTHING DAY From Adbusters

The annual day of consumer abstinence is just around the corner. This year Adbusters is taking it to a new level by challenging people to face up to the root cause of our planetary crisis – overconsumption – AND to resist the global systems that promote that consumption. They’re thinking of calling for a Global General Strike on Nov. 27: no work, no school, no driving, no shopping …and for some of us, a Ramadan-inspired fast from sunrise to sunset. Instead of mindless consumption, they’ll dish up pranks, provocations and actions by day.At night celebrate like the fate of the whole world depended on us. What do you think?

Click here for tools for activists.

Commercial Free Childhood

2009-09-15T12:01:00.002-04:00

Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood is a national coalition of health care professionals, educators, advocacy groups, parents, and individuals who care about children. Headquartered at the Judge Baker Children's Center in Boston, CCFC is the only national American organization devoted to limiting the impact of commercial culture on children. CCFC’s staff and Steering Committee are activists, authors, and leading experts on the impact of media and marketing on children. Most are also parents.

CCFC - Facts and Resources: CCFC has produced a series of printable fact sheets about marketing to children. The sheets are organized by topic. Use these sheets to stay informed and to let others know about how marketing harms children.

Two Angry Moms

2009-09-02T10:59:00.004-04:00

Two Angry Moms : "If you're frustrated with the school food environment in your community, you've come to the right place! It all started with my daughters' lunch. My husband and I were packing healthy lunches for our kids, only to find that we were being undermined by the school's offerings of junk food with no nutritional value. It made me angry. So I decided to do something about it. I made a movie.

Along with the movie, we've assembled some tools that will help you create change in your school district. Now our goal is to grow from two to two million angry moms.
Join us! Your kids will thank you!"

The schedule for the movie seems to be completely American at the moment but click here for some clips from two moms fighting the unhealthy marketing of food for kids.

Read about School Lunchroom Revolutionaries in Canada.

Check out another blog discussing an Edible Schoolyard project in the U.S.

Shoppers Angry

2009-08-30T22:00:00.003-04:00

The August 29th Toronto Star notes that its summer and the stores are already starting to advertise for Christmas.

"It's disgusting," say shoppers in their summer shorts staring at red velvet Santas. "The kids aren't even back at school."

"Not that long ago, consumers seemed surprised – and dismayed – to see Christmas
decor in the stores before Halloween.
This year, the season seems to have
started well before Labour Day.
It seems particularly jarring after a cool
summer to see garlands of green and red showing up in stores just as the
thermometer finally soared.
But after a disastrous Christmas last year and
lacklustre sales most of this year, many retailers are desperate to make up the
shortfall in the final four months.
Holiday sales can account for as much as
40 per cent of annual sales."

And back to the comment that kids aren't even back at school. In fact hoardes of kids are in stores looking at those "back-to-school" sales. When could be a better time to haul out the Christmas ads to catch their eye. Coincidence? Not on your life!

Read more:
TheStar.com Business It's beginning to look a bit like Christmas - already

Audacity of Huge: Futility of Stuff

2009-08-25T19:58:00.005-04:00

Click to watch Chris Keating's anti-consumerism track and video.

Smarter Back to School Shopping

2009-08-18T09:37:00.001-04:00

Here are some ideas for college and university students dreading the cost of books.

"Handcuffed to high textbook prices? You could alert the authorities, or you could just rent, go for used, or buy e-textbooks, all of which save both cash and trees. We'll put our hands up for that."

Final Season for (M)ad Men?

2009-08-17T21:03:00.002-04:00

Despite the overwhelming popularity of the television series Mad Men, real admen might not be so popular.

A real-life Mad Man thinks that advertising firms might be in trouble and will soon be facing a dilema.

"The downward spiral of the global economy is having some serious implications for the advertising industry, says Steve Henry, co-founder of London-based advertising firm Howell Henry Chaldecott Lury (HHCL).

Indeed, Henry is convinced the industry is at a watershed, as it is going through an extraordinary time of change and challenge – one like never before.

The global recession, he says, has started to get people thinking about greed and excess; that if the rest of the world were to consume at the same rate as the US does, we would need four planets to sustain ourselves.

“People are getting fed up and bored with consumerism. For the last 20 years in the UK, people have filled their houses full of stuff, but they were not really happy."

Read more and view video.

Ten things I can't live without | Leo Hickman | Environment | The Guardian

2009-08-17T20:52:00.001-04:00

Ten things I can't live without Leo Hickman Environment The Guardian: "Stuff. We have far too much of it in our lives, and we invest too much time, money and emotion accumulating it. This is not a modern-day revelation but one that was made 2,000 years ago by the prolific Roman author, Pliny the Elder. 'An object in possession seldom retains the same charm that it had in pursuit,' he wrote."

Here's a tongue in cheek challenge along with some real reflections on consumer habits.

What Does Living Green Look Like?

2009-07-31T17:13:00.002-04:00

In a previous post, I talked about the Butterfly Effect and how small things make a difference when it comes to anti-consumerism. Here's an article that expands on that thinking:

What Does Living Green Look Like?: "By this point, we all know we need to do something about climate change, but will switching lightbulbs or hauling groceries in a hemp sack really stop the Arctic meltdown?"

A New Consumer Spin?

2009-07-31T17:07:00.003-04:00

AFP: Retail titan Wal-Mart launches 'sustainability index': "WASHINGTON — US retail giant Wal-Mart on Thursday announced plans to develop a database that it said would revolutionize shopping by putting information about products' sustainability at consumers' fingertips.
The database, dubbed the sustainability index, could put information about how environmentally-friendly suppliers, manufacturers and their products are, just a garment label or barcode-scan away for shoppers, according to Wal-Mart executives speaking at a webcast gathering of their suppliers."

Yeah and cows can fly.

Pardon the cynicism but if WalMart is doing it, it's only to improve profits. On top of all the questions that come to mind--Why start with U.S. manufacturers when most of their stuff comes from off-shore? Can factories, say in China, even answer the questions? Who will make sure that the info collected is accurate?--I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. WalMart, long touted as the corporate and consumer bad guy, has been polishing its image lately by using "green" as a mantra. It remains to be seen if this new initiative has any merit. Don't be too quick to cheer.

Avoid Back to School Sales

2009-07-30T18:07:00.005-04:00

Consumers take note.

Apparently if you haven't loaded up on back to school junk by now you may be out of luck! So indicates a popular clothing chain. Their Back to School Sale ends July 30. And this is in Ontario where kids aren't even half way through their summer break.

The sale flyer has the headline "Spoiled Starlets?" and then assures parents that "Even with their massive wardrobe of school uniforms... they have their heads screwed on right."

"What's the secret to being the talk of the halls at school?" You know it - their fabulous outfits.

It's the first time I noticed the use of "uniforms" for trendy outfits. I am hoping it's just a sales pitch to make parents think these are "gotta-have" clothes. Surely some school board didn't make a deal with a chain store!

Nevertheless keep away from the hard pitch for your hard earned money! Back to school is second only to Christmas for sales. Don't buy into the illusion that kids need all that junk to fit in or that they need to start worrying about school in mid summer. These sales pitches get worse and worse because they work. They work because we get sucked in.

Enough this year! Help your kids see what the ads are all about. Help them figure out what they really need for back to school and then spend the time and money saved doing fun family things for the rest of the summer!

Enough Stuff for Baby

2009-07-14T17:31:00.001-04:00

Those who are having a new baby are reconsidering more than their two-seater coupe and one bedroom apartment. They are seriously considering just how much stuff they really need for their new offspring.

For Firstborns, Secondhand Fits the Bill - NYTimes.com: "The recession, it seems, has catalyzed a moment of reflection among the formerly free-spending new-parent set: used is good; free is best. New purchases have become more considered, less spontaneous.
Experts say the children’s market is just playing catch-up to a radical consumer shift taking place across all luxury sectors. But some say the new attitude reflects a broader change in perspective when it comes to conspicuous consumption for young children. No longer is it necessary to buy a thousand-dollar changing table in order to prove your parental savvy and breadth of love; if anything, the opposite is true."

Consumerism and Media Predictions

2009-07-09T21:31:00.005-04:00

Too bad nobody was listening.

Thirty seven years ago, media guru Marshall McLuhan declared the end of the consumer age. Sitting in a press conference in July, 1972 he told the press gathered, “The consumer age is already over and I think of the media as being the big oppressors of our time.”

The question, he said, was: “Is advertising content or is it total environment?”

Representative government, he continued, could not stand up to TV culture. He thought that people would eventually discover that the media were huge world diseases – like bubonic plague – that had destroyed man over and over again. They had wiped out cultures, he declared.

“Western man has never dared study the effects of technology on himself, he said, “because his ego is a product of technology.”

What do you think? Is advertising just part of the content or has it become the total environment?

See the original report .

Parenting: Bragging Rights | Psychology Today

2009-07-07T23:59:00.001-04:00

Since when has moving to a new house involved hiring a dumpster to clean up the stuff in the garage? Lately I have noticed that more and more Sold signs are quickly followed by the appearance of an industrial size container in the driveway to haul away the extra stuff that has filled up the basements and garages and yards of family homes. Inevitably these are towed away bulging with plastic toys enough to do a WalMart proud.

Now it seems that collecting stuff isn't enough. Some parents also want to collect kids' activity badges and accomplishments like notches on a belt. Are the labels or trophy kids becoming the next collectible stuff? It used to be the size of the house or the speed of the car that was important. Now it may be kids who are great at soccer, or hockey, or karate, or math.

Parenting: Bragging Rights Psychology Today: "The gifted label is an educational status symbol in certain neighborhoods, says David Elkind, a professor of child development at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, and author of The Hurried Child. 'In upper-middle-class communities, the label is really for the parents, not the kids,' he says. 'The problem is that parents push to have kids who should not be in such programs labeled gifted.'"

Too Young to Be Sexy? | Psychology Today

2009-07-07T23:41:00.002-04:00

Producers of stuff will go to almost any length to sell products, products that are not needed and indeed are harmful to young people. One of the ways to sell more products is to make items for adults that feed into there "inner child." Animated movies for adults, video games and clothing more suited for teens. An insidious trend is to move in the opposite direction and sell sex to children, or at least to parents who are convinced its cute to dress children in provocative clothing or to let them watch mature themed television and movies or to encourage little ones to act like the latest music video star.

Too Young to Be Sexy? Psychology Today: "In their book So Sexy So Soon, Diane Levin and Jean Kilbourne document the many ways in which young children in our society are being sexualized by the media. In their language, clothing styles, and actions even young children are aping their TV and music idols. The furor over the sexy photos of Miley Cyrus, star of the Disney Hannah/Montana show and role model for the 5- to 12-year-old girl contingent is a case in point. The author's argue that young children are learning sexual behavior, sexualization, before they understand true sexuality and sexual relationships. This leads to distorted attitudes both towards themselves and the opposite sex and can have long term consequences for later healthy sexual adjustment."

Stephen Balkam: Summer Vacation Spent on the Internet?

2009-07-07T23:37:00.001-04:00

Now that kids are well into a summer routine, where are they spending there time? And with whom? More and more kids will be staring at a computer screen for long periods of time and since they are on vacation, more and more time will be spent unsupervised chatting with strangers or filling up on internet solicitations and entertainment. Parents have reason to be concerned by what their kids will be sharing online. I have been researching and trying out parental control programs to see just how easy it is for parents to ensure their kids have internet controls even when they are alone. It isn't easy as many parents have discovered.

Stephen Balkam: Summer Vacation Spent on the Internet?: "Parents will soon learn about a variety of tools at their disposal. They will also realize that potential control measures that would prove effective in protecting their own security as consumers and the safety of their children are not yet offered by providers. Consumers have a strong voice and should be demanding more choice and available measures to control content. Wouldn't it be empowering if we could eliminate inappropriate online ads targeted to our teens with the simple click of an op-out button?"

Summer in the Recession: Affordable Options for Kids

2009-07-07T23:26:00.001-04:00

Summer in the Recession: Affordable Options for Kids: "Recession or not, teaching kids to appreciate simple, inexpensive activities is a worthwhile endeavor. This summer, if camp isn’t within your family budget, consider the creative tips and fun ideas suggested by experts on the Web sites below."

Consumer Culture Sexualizing Girls

2009-06-09T10:05:00.008-04:00

They troll gossip blogs, pore over Miley Cyrus videos and eyeball toy store shelves. They're not preteens, but a crew of early childhood educators on a
mission: to show parents and teachers what their five- to 11-year-old charges are ingesting.
The educators from the University of Toronto's Ontario Institute for Studies in Education are meeting with teachers across North America to drive home the message that consumerist culture is sexualizing girls, and early onset puberty is worsening the problem. more

These educators will present their research, entitled the Pink Project, at a U.S. National Association for the Education of Young Children gathering in Charlotte, N.C. In it they document the marketing and consumer products that are inappropriately aimed at 5-11 year olds. They suggest educators need to be aware of the consumer culture and its negative effects and help parents and children alike engage in the culture in healthier ways.

Suggestions?

Don't buy the clothes!

Don't get sucked into the hero worship of pop stars!

Do talk about healthy body image and build self esteem!

Talk to kids about the commercialism and marketing strategies that are being used against them!

Stop the pornification of children by complaining to regulators, stores, manufacturers, schools, wherever your voice can make a difference.

Branding Babies

2009-06-02T17:41:00.005-04:00

My three-year old grandson looked at the cola can on the table and asked,"Does that say Coke or American Idol?"

That's what product placement for kids is all about. When teens or adults see a product in the movies or on TV they associate the value of the product with the context. So the flashy car brand is associated with a cool guy, the amazing heroine is associated with the hair product on the bathroom counter. The context better fit the brand, its qualities, and its use.

Not so for little ones. The goal is to have toddlers and children associate any brand identification with any feel good experience. So Coke becomes as familiar as the title "American Idol," never mind that the child doesn't even drink coke. It's called cradle to grave marketing, and it explains why Harley makes infants' wear and Chrysler used Shrek in ads. Just burn the brand into the baby's brain and you will have a relationship for life.

Branding used to be for criminals and cattle. Not so any more.

Consumer Choices for Clean Air

2009-05-28T15:33:00.005-04:00

CLEAN AIR DAY!
Did you know that June 3rd is Clean Air Day? This day is marked as a celebration of environmentally friendly activities that promote clean air and good health across Canad a. It is a great opportunity to make environmentally friendly lifestyle choices, for you, your family and your community.
You can join in the event:
>By making sure you walk, cycle, take public transit.
>Think about all the sprays you use that add to air pollution.
>Consider the toll that producing all our stuff has on air quality. Choose responsible manufacturers.
>Look up ways that you can reduce air pollution. For example:

Follow label directions when using pesticides and fertilizers on your lawn
and garden. Practice methods to prevent pest infestations, apply products only
when necessary, and if you need to use a pesticide, use a registered product and
carefully follow the label directions.

•Use less-toxic paints, paint removers, stains and varnishes, waxes, glues and adhesives, and cleaners. Limit their use on poor air quality days.

•Try to buy cleaners that have been labelled with the EcoLogoM under the Environmental Choice ProgramM. They are certified to emit less pollution and are better for your health

•If renovating your house, use EcoLogoM low-polluting paint.

•Close paint cans when not in use and dispose of them at a hazardous waste
facility

•If you must use products containing hazardous chemicals follow manufacturer directions and wear rubber gloves, eye goggles and, if appropriate, a respirator while doing so.•Driveway sealers release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere that can contribute to the formation of smog. This can be reduced by using EcoLogoM-approved sealers, which contain lower levels of VOCs.

Spending Wisely

2009-05-18T19:56:00.004-04:00

This image appeared in the Toronto Star today advertising a new column on "Tips on Riding Out the Recession." Its a good start but why are smart consumer tips just for the recession? Should we not be looking at our unwise spending as a cause of economic problems? Tips on spending wisely should be the goal, recesssion or not. Could be worth a look.

It's the Little Things

2009-05-13T08:29:00.003-04:00

A great Canadian artist, John Hall, told me that capturing life's small moments and small "stuff" was an important function of art. He recalled his mom during hard times saving up the last bits of each bar of soap to make a new bar. He created a painting from that memory.

Using all of our stuff has somehow lost its appeal and we tend to waste that last half serving of yogurt, few ounces of milk, half inch of shampoo.

Teaching kids to use up their stuff is good economics, good for the environment. Thrift and not being wasteful are learned skills.

Here's an easy example and a surprisingly fun project to do with the kids. Use a cheese grater to grate your bits of soap into shreds, then put 'em in a microwave-safe container and zap them for 1-4 minutes (or until it's got the consistency of apple sauce). Pour the liquid into a mold, let it harden, then take it out of the mold and air-dry it for a week or so - kid-made soap. Maybe they'll even want to wash their hands more!

Teachers Needed to Tell Story of Stuff

2009-05-11T15:17:00.004-04:00

A newspaper article has documented the terrific success of The Story Of Stuff. This little video is a great tool for teachers and parents or anyone wanting to learn Stuff 101.

Consumer Detox

2009-05-11T14:48:00.006-04:00

Did you miss Digital Detox Week April 21-27?

Now that the weather is getting better, try a week of mental rehab anytime. (Okay how about a day?)

The idea is simple: take your TV, your DVD player, your video iPod, your XBOX 360, your laptop, your PSP, and say goodbye to them all for seven days. Simple, but not at all easy. Like millions of others before you, you’ll be shocked at just how difficult - yet also how life-changing - a week spent unplugged can really be. Set your kids free for a bit from the marketing invasion.