Freeganism: How about living in poverty for a change!

Have you ever picked up a table or a desk or a chair strait from the curb when it was intended for the dumpster? Yeah, I've done that too in my younger days. Have you ever squatted in an abandoned building? Not me but I do have friends who have and their pretty okay. How about eating food strait out of the dumpster. Come on... don't make that wincing face. Haven't you ever had a hamburger or a french fries at your favorite fast food place after closing hours? All you have to do is hop inside the green bin and serve yourself. It's full of freshly thrown out good stuff in there. Call me a snob but I haven't either. In fact I had that very same look on my face the first time I heard about it.

Freeganism sounds a lot like homelessness doesn't it? It does, but it's not. It's like a very close cousin of it. Homelessness is...well, you know what it it, you don't need my pointers on the subject. Freeganism however is different, mainly because its' actually a choice. A lifestyle if you want. An environmentally friendly way of recycling, reusing, not spending so much and not letting ones self be over taken by the powers of the market. In short, freeganism is about not consuming, or at least not paying for what you consume. Where some people see abject poverty, others see concrete actions to put into practice ones belief about the consumerism and environmentalism.

Yes believe it or not. While most people are talking about the fall of the economy and the dangers to their pension plans and lifestyles, some people are actually making plans to live with less. Much less.

Allow me a quick profile of the average feegan as they are known. Young male or female born and living in the developing world. Profoundly socially inclined. Greatly disillusioned by numerous efforts to counter materialism and better the world in more conventional ways. Some have tried, marches, boycotts and local purchasing to protests against animal abuse, environmental destruction and human rights violations. They found their efforts unfruitful and have decided on a rather more radical approach. The movement is growing in popularity, web sites like Freecycle are places of organized barter to help those who have almost nothing exchange with those who have just as much.

The freegan plan is live freely. Free of social and economical constraints. Never have to trouble ones conscience with making the right purchasing choices. There is so much more to life then what you can purchase. If others are suffering, let us all suffer together.

Beautiful isn't it?

This is where I let you in on my personal impression of the whole thing. What is the freegan wrong with you freegans!!!!

Is one more homeless person on the street going to help solve any problem. Pick a problem, which ever one you prefer just pick. World poverty, child abuse, mistreatment of animals, ongoing wars, AIDS. Choose one, or two if you think you've got a leg to stand on. What is freeganism helping solve exactly??? Other then the easing of some conciences and the avoidance of many issues?

A growing an scary movement

Freegans are going to get sick, and the social services provided by the consuming class are going to help, financially and otherwise. Freegans are going to get old and the hospitals and help centers funded by the rest of us, consuming monsters, are going to be compelled to provide assistance. Freegans are going to get in trouble with the law, and the social authorities will be present ones again, at a cost to all of us. Lets not kid ourselves freegans are also going to be in danger some times and yes, once more, public funds, conscience and heart will have to come to the rescue.

My impression of this growing movement is, that it's actually a growing problem. Not a solution to age old worldwide issues but a brand new modernly crafted problem.

How can one actually consider non consumerism as a solution. Can a dying economy help the needy? If through marches and boycotts we have not been able to better the world is it right to simply give up? Or is that a worst crime.

Is anyone born in a developing country ever dreaming such a dream as freeganism. I dont think so. I dont think many people in poverty striken lands actually wish for the end of consumerism. Is it a lack of humanism on their part, a lack of understanding of how the world functions and the reality of our impending gloom. I think not. On the contrary it is most likely an acute awareness of the social benefits and responsibility that come with wealth. If you know someone who is from a third world country, then you know someone who is sending money back home to make a difference.

Lets not even talk about the apparent arrogance of the movement. Legions of under 40 year old, highly literate white kids from over nourished countries helping the world by giving up on sanity. Thanks but no thanks, says the starving mom in Botswana.

I am sincerely hoping that this movement does not last. I have much respect for those who live in poverty by no falt of their own. Despite personal disillusions regarding big corporations and governments we should all continue to forge on and believe that some help is better then no help. Freeganism is worst than trowing the towel, its adding oil on the fire.