iUnconsume

Like everybody else, I guess, I was a bit caught up in the hype last week around the iPhone. In my case, I was strictly observing: I had no intention of actually going to stand in line or whatever. But I was amazed at the level of mass participation involved in the phenomenon. It became, like any mass event, more about being part of something big than about the particular thing being consumed. Even here in Savannah, people were waiting in line at the stores that promised to have the device on offer from the get-go. It was like “Star Wars” or Woodstock or something — people seemed to want to be involved just for the sake of being involved.

In the aftermath, what is there to say? Nothing, I thought. But this entry on the site Carbon Neutral Journal makes the point that, as a result of iPhone-mania, a lot of perfectly good mobiles must now be gotten rid of. It points to CollectiveGood.
The Unconsumption page of Murketing.com lists a variety of other options.

I almost hesitate to bring this up. The two recent posts here about green hype have not exactly been hits with you readers — the comments mostly seem to be saying that I’m a big spoilsport for failing to be excited about the alleged eco-consumer revolution. So don’t misunderstand me. I’m not raining on your parade, iPhone freaks. Enjoy your new gizmo to the fullest. But, as a bonus, you can also get a hit of unconsumption satisfaction, too, by getting rid of your obsolete (you know what I mean) ex-phone in the most responsible manner possible. You’ll feel that much better when you do.