More and more and more


On my desk there are piles of cut-out newspaper articles about which I want to blog, but this entry fits the Live Earth day that has just taken place. First of all, there is the article from the New York Times, which was printed as a supplement in the Süddeutsche Zeitung on June 25, 2007, “Living in the Grip of Technology”. In it, Laurie J. Flynn reports on buyers of a second camera, a second iPod, a two-computer and so on. For example, an iPod is bought solely for jogging because you are afraid of damaging the large model while running. Or a second digital camera is bought that can do more than the mid-range model, which was initially intended to be content with. Or you can buy a smaller camera for on the go. The increasing popularity of laptops has also led to households owning more than one computer. The typical American household reportedly has 25 electronic devices and spends an average of $1,200 annually on new devices. One could understand this as a counter-movement to The Compact. Don’t consume less, but more and more (Herwig Mitteregger’s “Immer mehr” comes to mind, but he meant something completely different; it’s a pity that he doesn’t seem to make music anymore btw).

About my The Compact activities: Almost 4 months have now passed, and my consumption has actually been reduced. The exception here are books, but even here I bought less than usual and try to read the ones I already have. But there were also purchases of new goods:

  • A pair of running shoes: You can’t buy them second-hand, not with the best will in the world, but that’s not what The Compact philosophy demands.
  • A new toaster. Ok, you can argue about that. Somehow I find used toasters unhygienic, and it was a tempting offer after the old toaster had been around more and more.

And now it comes: a piano. I bought a new piano, not a classical, but a digital piano, and of course you can see that as an absolute sin. On the other hand, I had wanted a piano for a very, very long time (I otherwise only own old synthesizers, which always have to be wired up and connected in my mini-studio, spontaneous strumming is impossible), and I have been looking for a used model for many months. In addition, our daughter’s music teacher had given me first-class advice, and his offer included delivery and a small discount. I hadn’t found a used model cheaper (new goods were always more expensive on eBay!), not to mention that I would have had the trouble with transport on eBay. But as it was, the piano was delivered, assembled and subjected to a function test; the packaging was also taken back. I also try to calm my conscience a little by saying that The Compact allows the consumption of culture, albeit immaterial. The piano is extremely material, but it allows the creation of the immaterial. Anyway, I don’t have a guilty conscience about the piano. The first piece I played was from the Well-Tempered Clavier

Another variant of anti-consumption are the freegans (comes from vegans), which was also reported in the New York Times supplement of the Süddeutsche (issue of July 2). In contrast to The Compact, Freeganism has been around since the mid-90s, which is explained in detail on the accompanying website Freegan.info. The article describes how the freegans rummage through the garbage containers for recyclables the evening after the last lecture at NYU. Many rich students leave the campus and throw goods in the garbage, which cause the freegans to rub their eyes: In addition to unused stamps, there is a fully functional Sharp TV and beautiful pictures. But freegans go even further and eat food that has just expired or negotiate with supermarkets about surpluses that are not sold. In addition, they organize freemeets, flea markets where no money is exchanged. They do all this to protest against out-of-control consumption and to deprive companies of support.

In Hamburg, I see more and more people rummaging through the garbage cans, not because they are against consumption, but because they can’t afford anything else. Of course, you can see that in America as well, and I wonder how those who can’t help it think about those who don’t want to do otherwise. Or about those who are just buying their second iPod.

The Compact: 4 weeks of experience


ATTENTION: The Compact has NOTHING to do with the magazine Compact! 4 weeks ago I had decided to renounce consumption for 6 months and not to buy anything new. First of all: It’s easier than you think, and it’s relieving. You no longer have to buy anything at the last minute just because you want to buy something. However, I also have to report failures:
  • 1 pair of jeans (one broke, and I didn’t have the time to go buy a used one between two business trips)
  • 1 memory card for the digital camera (during the vacation I had to choose whether we either take fewer photos or buy the memory; eBay was out of the question at short notice)
  • 1 software update (absolutely pointless, the software had done well before)
  • 1 book for the daughter’s heart
All in all, not the big editions, but annoying except for the book (I think I will generally allow exceptions for books, as long as the books are really read immediately; I can’t always wait until a book is available used for professional reasons). Since food is allowed, I brought chocolate from the business trips or we used gifts that we had “in stock”. My girlfriend benefited from the whole story in that some purchases were due for her; also expenses for concerts etc. are allowed, and thus the wallet has not really been spared. The participants in the Compact group at Yahoo! go much further, some are thinking about how to save on gas, water and electricity, which leads to suggestions such as using water several times (taking washing water for the toilet). Saving energy is a good idea, and I have decided not to leave my computer in sleep mode anymore, but to really shut it down when I don’t need it. Even more radical is a couple on the East Coast who call their experiment No Impact and about whom even the New York Times has written: They live only on organic food grown within a 400-kilometer radius of Manhattan, produce no waste except compost, use no paper and do not use carbon-fueled transportation. No toilet paper. The project is not entirely altruistic, because the husband is a writer and uses what he has experienced for a new book. Even though I’m not quite as radical, the first 4 weeks went quite well. This is now my plan for the next month:
  • Get rid of everything on ebay that I don’t really need
  • No more buying drinks in plastic bottles or paper cups (if it can be avoided, this is a bit difficult when traveling by air, after all, you can no longer bring your own drinks)
  • Always shut down the computers in the evening, as well as do not leave the TV/DVD player on standby
  • Finally read the books that are still unread on the shelf

The Compact: Life Beyond Consumption


ATTENTION: The Compact has NOTHING to do with the magazine Compact!

In the New York Times supplement of yesterday’s Süddeutsche Zeitung, there is a report on a group that has decided not to buy anything new for 6 months. The goals of the group, which calls itself The Compact, are as follows:

  • Going beyond recycling to counteract the negative global environmental and socio-economic impacts of the throwaway and consumer society and to support local companies and farmers
  • Reduce the clutter and garbage in your home
  • Simplify your life

There are two principles to achieve these goals:

  • Don’t buy new products of any kind from stores, websites, etc
  • Borrow, exchange or buy used

There are exceptions, of course you can buy personal things such as laundry, toothpaste and toothbrush, and of course you have to buy something to eat. It is also allowed to spend money on intangible things such as music or sports. It’s not about castigating oneself, but about reflective consumption.

In addition to the financial savings, the participants say they get more time that had previously been lost due to shopping and its effects.

The group’s action turned into a global movement. More information can be found in the Yahoo! group, of which there is now also a European counterpart, as well as a blog.

For me as a gadget addict, this is both a nightmare and a relief, and I have several questions:

  • Can I bring surprises from long journeys to my loved ones at home?
  • Can I buy a new battery for my computer if the old one is flat?
  • What about software?

Apart from these questions, I will start today. And I will report on it. 6 months.