I have a copy of No Logo, but I haven't read it yet... not because I'm reluctant to "give up my brands", but just because so many other books are still in line in front of it. Shit, it's going to take me a while to finish Origin of Species. And that's partially because I keep dipping into other books, not to mention magazines and random websites LIKE THIS ONE!
As for the big four, I have a pair of walking shoes made by Brooks (I despise Nike and I encourage subvertising* whenever possible), I do occasionally but not regularly eat at McDonald's (if there were a Subway's in my neighborhood, I'd eat there all the time), a Starbuck's recently opened in my neighborhood and I NEVER go there (partially because I hate coffee, partially because I hate Starbucks) -- in fact, I consider vandalizing it every single time I walk past it, which is most days of my life, and I use Windows because... well, because I'm not a Mac user.
I have a friend who first pointed out the value of NOT buying things made in China, so I try to do that (it's actually pretty easy -- just check before you buy that cheap, $1 piece of crap). I wear jungle boots with no visible brand, if I buy pants with a brand name, I take a razor blade and cut the patch off of them (fuck free advertising for them)... in fact, I remove brands on the rare occasions when they're there in the first place.
Not to mention the first of the three R's: REDUCE. You won't have to buy as many of a given item, and you therefore won't have to worry about typically American (no idea about the UK) consumption, if you just hold on to what you've got. Which it sounds like some people in here do do. That's good.
On the other hand, I don't mind advertising a product if I'm really enthusiastic about it. For example, I have a Leatherman Wave (pocket knife/pliers thingie), and it rocks, and I love to show it off to people, and I ALWAYS wear it on my belt, so I don't mind that the belt sheath says "Leatherman WAVE" on it. It's in small letters, anyway.
You wouldn't believe how many zombies I see every day here in the Big Apple wearing the Swooshtika on some random article of clothing. I want to stop them and say, "Who the fuck told you Nike was cool?" but I don't. I'm convinced they wouldn't even understand the question. That is a little depressing.
Hey, where was I?
Clavis
*"Subvertising" is what I call making little stickers that say things like "Enjoy DRUGS" and "Engage in COITUS" and "Think ALIKE" and "Obey FASHION" and sticking them on ads where people can see them. It's my way of "translating" the true message of ads to those who may not realize what they're really being sold. It works great on the subway. (Er, that's the "tube" or "underground" or "choo-choo" or whatever you call it over there in England.  ) |
