Hidden Costs

So I've alluded to this in a previous post but the primary reason I'm participating in the 30 for 30 challenge is my desire to increase my awareness of consumer related issues. We are all consumers; it can't be avoided and I feel that the biggest power we all hold in our lives is our money, regardless of how much you have. Every time you buy something you are casting a vote, telling the industry that you like this item and they will in turn keep doing what they're doing.

However, with great power, comes great responsibility (yeah, I went there) and I want to be aware of where my money is going and what it is supporting. What are the hidden costs of my purchase? After learning of Walmart's unethical business practices, I swore off Walmart three years ago. Sure, I've been in a Walmart since (tagging along with people) but I have probably spent no more than $50 at Walmart in those three years. ($50? Don't judge. Walmart happened to be the only store open {surprise surprise} on NYE 2011 when I desperately needed food for unexpected {the best kind :-S} guests) Here is a summary of why, as stated by Green America, Walmart is the epitome of unethical big business:

"Wal-Mart, which has become both the face of big box retailers and of corporate irresponsibility, has been found guilty of violating federal and state wage laws by forcing employees to work unpaid overtime and child labor laws in the United States; Wal-Mart does not provide health insurance for its workers, forcing many to seek government assistance and costing taxpayers millions of dollars; Wal-Mart also closed a Canadian store whose workers were on the verge of becoming the first ever to win a union contract from the company. " Source

Do I really want to help support that? More recently, I've sworn off Forever21. I have also begun to research my favorite brands to ascertain whether I should continue supporting them (and looking cute in their stuff). While I love a good deal and retailers such as Walmart and Forever21 can certainly deliver, the overall cost of the product goes far beyond what comes out of my pocket. How are the workers producing these products being treated? Are they being paid fairly? Do they have benefits? If companies can't answer these questions favorably or don't want to answer them, then they should not get my money.

You can visit the Green America website where they have graded major retailers based on their ethics. As I said, this is a work in progress for me and I'm learning something new every day. I will say that phasing out unethical companies is difficult when I feel like there aren't enough ethical retailers to replace them with. I do think that as consumers start demanding fair treatment for retail workers (especially overseas) then more options will present themselves.

 What about you guys? Will the unethical behavior of companies stop you from giving them your business?

-A

Psychopathology vs. Pseudoscience

For the greater part of human history, mental illness has been regarded as a sign of the possession of one’s body by an evil spirit, the Devil or a malicious curse. The most commonly accepted cure available to treat the possessed was exorcism, prison, or if they were lucky - death. What is even more striking is the fact that this view of “abnormality” is still accepted by some even today. Those few are bound to resort to pseudoscientific methods, such as exorcism, to attempt to “cure” the mentally ill. Surprising as it might seem to some, pseudoscience is not a real science (many people fail to acknowledge the meaning of the word), its methods are not empirical, and its effects extremely uncertain. Conversely, psychopathology is an established science that has adopted the scientific method in its attempt to examine, describe, and treat psychological disorders. The driving force behind both pseudoscientific options and psychopathology is similar. It is the innate curiosity to search for and find an answer to the question “What went wrong with a certain person and why?” Humans’ strong desire to uncover the secret behind a mental illness, however, can sometimes cloud one’s ability to reason and make him/her vulnerable to a variety of non-scientific (for lack of a better word) beliefs. Psychopathology attempts to counter such beliefs through advances in research and the collection of evidence to further develop a scientific basis for the comprehension of mental illness. 

Whether skeptics or avid followers, people should realize that the study of psychopathology is both challenging and necessary. It is the science concerned with the study of abnormal and maladaptive behaviors and as clichéd as it might sound, its major goal is the actual improvement of human condition. As any other science it is not able to give us all the answers and is not always certain about its findings. To the best of its abilities, however, by utilizing empirical methods it provides us with an objective view of psychological disorders. And despite all the established theories proven to work, those undergoing the study of psychopathology manage to remain critical of its main tenets, a sign, I hope, that this is a science that rejects dogma and is not afraid to change and adapt.

- K

Perspective

It's 31 degrees right now...have I mentioned that I'm in Texas? C'est la vie...in Texas. I had to really bundle up this morning with about 5 layers on, yikes!

What do you see when you look at the picture below? Don't worry, this is not a projective test. There is a right and wrong answer.

That's an action shot. I had just jumped off the mini-wall I was standing on. It was a moment, let me tell ya. For those few seconds after I jumped off that 3 foot high wall, I felt like I was flying. Unfortunately, the moment captured by the camera is an altogether different one. It's all about perspective, ay? Kind of like Northerners scoffing at 31 degrees?

-A

So It Starts

30 for 30, day 1 (which was actually yesterday). Here is my outfit and before those of you who are uber observant say anything, yes, that turquoise tank is not part of my 30 items but hear me out. Anything that you wouldn't wear by itself is not considered part of the challenge. I do not wear sleeveless items (due to religious beliefs on modesty) and so that tank does not count. Ha ha! Please refer to my previous post entitled 'who you calling a cheater?'

As you can see, I likes to mix my colors. While it is now very cold in Houston (30 degrees!), I'm in a spring state of mind as reflected in my color palette. This picture was taken yesterday afternoon when the temperature had dropped into the high 30s. Yeah that's me...outside...in the cold. I'm super committed, I know.

I have to say, this challenge had me nervous. I don't wear skirts or dresses (those religious beliefs again) and so I feel like I'll be wearing the same pants all month (which I will be) but that seems more problematic than if I wore skirts or dresses. On to the next!

-A

Celebrate Valentine's Day without the Guilt!

What: Screening of the movie The Dark Side of Chocolate and tasting of fair-trade Araya Chocolate; Information on many options of places where you can buy fair trade goodies will be provided;

When: February 10th, 2011 at 7pm

Where: River Oaks Theatre, 2009 West Gray, Houston, TX

If you would like to purchase a ticket ($10 donation), please call 713.874.0290.

- K

What is the matter with the overuse of air conditioners in Houston?

Ok, I admit it, the major reason I moved to Houston is because I was seriously fed up with the asperity of West Virginian winters. Yes, I have heard the saying that there is no bad weather, there is only inappropriate clothing. But I don’t care what people wear, the freezing Appalachian winds will have an easy task turning them, with the speed of light at that, into nice, cold, and grumpy icicles.

Having been in Houston for four and a half years, though, a disturbing habit is making me reconsider the decision to move down south for a warmer and more pleasant climate. Anyone who’s ever been to Houston is aware that winters are usually mild while summers are hot, unbearably humid, and last about eight to nine months of the year (or at least it seems as if they do…). However, if you are like the majority of Houston residents and spend most of your time at work or in school, you will find a use for your winter clothes any day of summer. Courtesy: the mighty air conditioner. So glad I kept some of my sweaters and jackets when I made that move from East Coast! 

Currently, it is winter and I hear many people state (Should I write exclaim?), as they watch the news about severe weather in the northern and East Coast states, that they are so happy they live in Houston where severe weather is when the temperature falls below freezing for a little longer than 5 minutes. Yet, in summer, those same people accept freezing in the office/classroom/car/store/bus as a normal, if not a required, occurrence.   

Call me particular, but I prefer to be cold in the winter and warm in the summer. Or at least, to not have to wear two sets of clothes at all times to help me survive the heat and humidity of  the outside and the frigid air of the indoors. 

- K

Healthcare

A second federal judge has declared the Health Reform Act signed into law by President Obama as unconstitutional. Said judge agrees that the healthcare system needs to be reformed but this act over reaches and so is unconstitutional.

Well I'm glad that he can say that the system needs to be reformed but come on, we've all known this for decades!  I personally am frustrated with hearing 'something needs to be done' but not enough people focusing on what this 'something' needs to be. It seems that all the energy and focus is on what we don't want rather than what we do want; a lot of the conversation on healthcare is focused on reacting to proposed changes rather than proposing what you would like in a proactive manner. It's time to get a little solution-focused, no? It might take a while, it will definitely be messy (although hopefully not as hate fueled as this last round) but it needs.to.be.done.

Some great links to visit regarding healthcare reform in America. It needs to happen.

Healthcare Now

Health Reform

Documentaries:

Frontline: Sick Around The World

Frontline: Sick Around America

What do you think? Is the law unconstitutional? Should healthcare reform be a top priority for lawmakers?

-A