Please don't call me green
I'm not a fan of the term "green", it seems inherently riddled with political manipulation, one that wishes to categorize toward certain worldview. One can be "green" in any variety of ways — I prefer to think of it as being a wise steward ("One who manages another's property, finances, or other affairs").
There's more to being "friendly" to the earth than merely recycling or buying organic. If one cares about the "earth", than one must care about the beings that are on it as well. A wise steward is someone who holistically understands that his possesions, his land and his family are all things he must manage (not abuse) - not merely the ground he walks on and the matter around him.
The proliferation of the "green" and "eco" vernacular has become a marketing brand behemoth; no longer an ethos or ideology, but a means for corporations (and politicians) to sell stuff and lost somewhere in the shuffle is geniality. Buying green is the new fat free. But being genuine, or a wise steward, doesn't mean you have to buy into the brand, you can be "green" by just being smart.
Why would anyone want to spend more money on energy? Its just wise to have to buy lightbulbs less often, to keep unused lights and appliances turned off, or have a car with better gas mileage. Saving money is a great thing.Who really wants to eat the meat of an animal that been injected with so many various chemicals and harmones they can almost be classified as a cyborg (you ever notice that you're growing more hair in weird places, harmones)? Being healthy is a great thing (because you live longer, unless of course you hate your life; but that's an entirely different matter all together). Or even for our family and the baby, why spend money on formula when the mom produces something that cannot be artifically recreated for free! This isn't about agendas or buzzwords or political guilt, this is about logic and reason – without those you cannot be wise. There's nothing better for the environment (which starts with people and isn't limited to icebergs and polar bears, ozones and wetlands) So don't call it green or eco-friendly (becaue I might punch your face), just call it smart.
Comments for "Please don't call me green"
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A man walks down the street
He says why am I soft in the middle now
Why am I soft in the middle
The rest of my life is so hard
I need a photo-opportunity
I want a shot at redemption
Don't want to end up a cartoon
In a cartoon graveyard
Bonedigger Bonedigger
Dogs in the moonlight
Far away my well-lit door
Mr. Beerbelly Beerbelly
Get these mutts away from me
You know I don't find this stuff amusing anymore
If you'll be my bodyguard
I can be your long lost pal
I can call you Betty
And Betty when you call me
You can call me Al
by M.A. Turner
∞ Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
great, now i have a vision of Paul Simon and Chevy dancing.
by Paul
∞ Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
You know you love it. And, in a vaguely metaphorical way, it was completely accurate. I love you. Kiss the babies.
by M.A. Turner
∞ Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
No problem with "green." Marketing agencies are going to sell you shit you don't need regardless. It's nice to see them at least try to sell you something that won't rot in a landfill for 758 years. It's also fun to call marketers out on their hypocrisy!
Your libertarian call to be smart is of course the greenest thing you can do, but "green" or "fat free" in themselves are good things, demanded choices by consumers and "smart" alternatives to autism riddled plastics and HFCS riddled food.
by Renaud
∞ Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
It's funny— well, funny in an annoying way — when an indie band you like becomes popular, or a secluded, little-known place you love becomes popular, or an ideology you respect becomes popular, etc. There's something dirty about being popular. When the herd follows something, there's gotta be something wrong with that something. Because the herd is sorta dumb.
But the thing about being a pioneer is that people are bound to follow. If the concept of green is idealogically besmirched, then find a new concept, a purer concept. Like you said, be smart. And at the same time, ride the wave of the old concept. Marketing and trends are siamese twins — they were born connected.
by Mike
∞ Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
I'm not sure marketing the concept of being green necessarily makes it any better than say, marketing the idea of being a responsible person. Is anything done purely for gain/profit "genuine"?
by Paul
∞ Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009