Perspective

[JeanneP]

Originally Posted by Peter Owen

I was not a little shocked when I followed Jeanne's pointer to that page with all the battery free devices - the number and variety of torches doing essentially the same thing in the name of eco-awareness somehow defied belief; multiplying this page by similar ones for every product which the human heart desires - including breadmakers - and I had a brief moment of real despair about the modern curse of consumerism.

We went through a difficult transition when we returned to the States after 17 years of cruising outside the US. The constant bombardment of ads for everything imaginable, what seems like a pound of paper a week stuffed into our mailbox with all the specials, coupons, "3-day only weekend sale!" I am still uncomfortable with it all. The US has been the Mecca for shoppers for as long as I can remember, but it seems so much more shallow lately.

I think that one of the side effects of traveling as far as we did and spending as much time as we did in so many undeveloped countries is our intolerance for the petty concerns of the modern consumer society. Some of it I genuinely loathe.

Twelve different types of flashlight? Or ten brands of peanut butter? Paris Hilton as a role model?

Enough. Husband Peter and I get going on this topic and we are really annoying - even to ourselves.

[Nausikaa]

Originally Posted by JeanneP

Paris Hilton as a role model?

Precious little to do with sailing. I think the only time she got wet was when she took a bath, with the ubiquitous paparazzi ever present.

But as a role model? Now that goes beyond the realms of fantacy.

Aye // Stephen

[Hud3]

One of the best things about cruising is not being bombarded by all the (usually bad) news on TV. You can focus on the basics--groceries, laundry, water, fuel, friends, getting to know the locals, beautiful scenery, boat projects, sunsets, the "green flash"...[add your own favorites].