this post was submitted on 26 Jul 2024
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There's no ethical consumption under capitalism. We don't hang ourselves. Our system crushes us under its boot.
OP, those assholes have you blaming yourself. But, they've provided for us no practical alternatives.
From the consumers point of view, you can only choose products that are in supply, so we think our choices don't really have an impact. People often see it as a systemic issue that's outside of our control.
From the corporations point of view, the consumer creates the demand and if they didn't provide the supply, another corporation would. They also see it as a systemic issue that's outside of their control.
The corporations love nothing more than the message "just consume our stuff and don't blame yourself for any environmental impact. You can't be perfect anyways, so might as well book a flight, buy a gas car, or buy our beef." It's so comfortable for both parties because they don't have to change anything and can just point the finger at each other for the negative consequences.
Of course it's sometimes necessary to do something polluting. People who need a car and can only afford a used car probably won't be able to buy an electric one. I don't even think that's unethical consumption. But those who can afford an electric car and choose a new gas car instead do something unethical. Ultimately many of these practical issues will be solved as green technology matures, there will be cheap-ish used electric cars in the future, for example.
The vast majority of Americans lack practical alternative choices as a function of Weber's Iron Cage, effective poverty, and time scarcity.
It's a minority privilege that seemingly you and I enjoy to be able to speak with our dollar. It's important we realize others have far less freedom than we do.