freeganism?

[readblood]

I was waiting for my take-out a few days ago and grabbed a New York Press from a stack on the counter.  Their cover story was a rolling eyes moment if I've ever had one.

"The activity is part of a larger social movement known as freeganism, which views capitalism as the primary force in destroying the environment and avoids the capitalist structure

Comments

[charlotte_s]

i haven't read the article you are referring to, but it seems like they're trying to make freegans out to be no-good, lazy bums as opposed to relatively intelligent activists they tend to be

[readblood]

Thanks for this. It does shed some light.

I'm certainly not equipped to debate with you (econ queen) on this matter, but I like (responsible) capitalism. I do think, in many ways, it does serve needs and if everyone became a "freegan," we'd be living in some type of (oxymoronic) new stone age. Foraging is cool in theory, but despite how "evil" capitalism and is and all the ills it brings to the world, statistically speaking, we have a longer life expectancy than ever before and it's helped a lot of people grow a voice they otherwise wouldn't have (e.g as opposed to say, communist cuba).

Again, you're more educated on the subject, but I can't help but think I have some point here.

[charlotte_s]

you're comparing capitalism to state-run "communism". that's not what freegans stand for... think more hippy-run commune. a system where people people work, but work for things that directly benefit them and their small community (i.e. food, clothing, etc.)

i'm not actually anti-capitalism and i don't think i would ever be able to adopt a freegan lifestyle. i like "things". that said, i think they are generally incredibly intelligent people, well-versed in economic theory who have their own strong ideas that they are willing to live out. i respect that.

[readblood]

Isn't freeganism rather unrealistic though? I mean, could it ever be applied to a state? If it could, wouldn't it eventually evolve into state-run communism? And if not, couldn't it be defined as a rather paradoxically selfish movement since it can't be effective in the social structure we have set up in most places around the world?

I think I'm "cool" with the cause, but it seems impractical on a larger social scale.