Ironically, I began this blog with the opposite of my intention which was to write light-heartedly with "merry wit." Instead, I darkly leaped into complaint, a familiar land whose hills and valleys I've tread upon year after year.
So, I suppose my next challenge is to find something amusing and simultaneously intelligent for my "squat pen" (from Seamus Heaney's poem "Digging," 1966) to scribble about.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Green with Irony
Incredulous. That's the feeling I have when I peruse the most recent contents of the altar for all stay-at-home moms: the Target dollar bins. As one such group member, I often chuck a few goodies in the cart as "treats" for special occasions. These items usually include goofy socks or cheap plastic toys which are carefully coordinated in colors so as to trick the consumer into seeing the products are really well-made, valuable items for a steal of a price. And, I'm the first sucker in line for any new products placed there.
But today, I found myself huffing at what I found. Notepads labeled "Eco Girl, " and kelly green bandanas adorned with a calico-like smattering of miniature peace signs. Barrettes and hair ribbons proclaiming one's allegiance to all things environmentally friendly.
What's wrong with this picture?
If consumers really want to promote a healthier planet, the best strategy is to not purchase mass-produced propaganda for chic, fashionable self-labeling (in much the same vein as people do when they purchase Ralph Lauren's little polo player atop a horse or Coach's signature lettered handbags). The rub is that these bins and bins full of cheaply made stuff is an ironic farce against the true movement to reduce waste and consumption--the ultimate tricks to promote a healthier living.
The "Green" movement has legitimacy and importance, but now that ad execs and marketing gurus have tuned into it, the principles of the movement are subjugated to the power of profiting; it's all a bit like a circus. I am reminded of a Billy Wilder film starring Kirk Douglas called Ace in the Hole (1951). The premise of the film is that a fame-seeking journalist exploits a tragedy of a man who fell into a mining hole. Tapping into public interest, Douglas (the journalist) capitalizes on the man's situation. Douglas' character helps to create not only a media circus around the rescue effort but an actual circus full of nosy, American onlookers who voyeuristically camp out at the hole awaiting daily updates about the man's condition. Ultimately, Douglas influences the rescue effort and becomes responsible for his death--all the sake of fame.
Perhaps this example is loosely connected to my strong feelings of disgust at my sacred Target bins, but perhaps not. In both cases, large-scale greed trumps decency.
But today, I found myself huffing at what I found. Notepads labeled "Eco Girl, " and kelly green bandanas adorned with a calico-like smattering of miniature peace signs. Barrettes and hair ribbons proclaiming one's allegiance to all things environmentally friendly.
What's wrong with this picture?
If consumers really want to promote a healthier planet, the best strategy is to not purchase mass-produced propaganda for chic, fashionable self-labeling (in much the same vein as people do when they purchase Ralph Lauren's little polo player atop a horse or Coach's signature lettered handbags). The rub is that these bins and bins full of cheaply made stuff is an ironic farce against the true movement to reduce waste and consumption--the ultimate tricks to promote a healthier living.
The "Green" movement has legitimacy and importance, but now that ad execs and marketing gurus have tuned into it, the principles of the movement are subjugated to the power of profiting; it's all a bit like a circus. I am reminded of a Billy Wilder film starring Kirk Douglas called Ace in the Hole (1951). The premise of the film is that a fame-seeking journalist exploits a tragedy of a man who fell into a mining hole. Tapping into public interest, Douglas (the journalist) capitalizes on the man's situation. Douglas' character helps to create not only a media circus around the rescue effort but an actual circus full of nosy, American onlookers who voyeuristically camp out at the hole awaiting daily updates about the man's condition. Ultimately, Douglas influences the rescue effort and becomes responsible for his death--all the sake of fame.
Perhaps this example is loosely connected to my strong feelings of disgust at my sacred Target bins, but perhaps not. In both cases, large-scale greed trumps decency.
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