This post is part of a new series called E.C.S.T.A.S.Y. — End Consumption, Save The Air & Sea, Y'all! It's a support group and discussion forum for those who want to kick the habits of consumption that are damaging the world we live in.
If you haven't yet heard of Annie Leonard and her very popular online video The Story of Stuff, there's still time to get with it, y'all! Leonard's just released a new book with the same title and.... this is so exciting... she'll be here in DC (!!!) this evening hosting a book signing event, at my favorite independent bookstore, Politics and Prose. That's tonight, Sunday March 14, at 5 pm, Eastern Daylight Time. See below the fold for the coordinates.
Hey, y'all, this woman really gets it, and she tells it like it is so well that everybody else gets it too. In my view, President Obama really goofed up by passing her over as Secretary of Commerce.
Calling all Washingtonians, come on out this evening to see Annie Leonard talk about her new book and inspire us all to buy smarter and for goodness sakes to buy less stuff - except for, uh, her new book!
The event is free, and she'll even custom-sign the cover page, making it a collector's item!
*** Coordinates: 5 pm, Sunday March 14 at Politics and Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave in Northwest DC ***
Annie Leonard has also distilled down into plain language other important topics related to our obsession with over-consumption and the literal trashing of the planet. It's truthful story-telling with captivating simplicity --- understandable enough for a fifth grader or your average Member of Congress -- and engaging enough for your precocious five-year-old.
Besides Annie's excellent "stuff" video and book, she has an assortment of other stuff....
For you video-gamers and iPhoners....
The Story of Electronics
For you climate-change-low-carbon-society wonks and wonkettes,
The Story of Cap and Trade
And for you thirsty souls, coming March 22:
The Story of Bottled Water
So come on out and check it out. Or if you're not from DC (be thankful for that!), you can still get the book at your local indy book store, they're a dying breed and need all the help they can get! Better yet, borrow it from your local library, or a friend, or just watch the free videos. My rating: five stars, guaranteed not to disappoint.
KEY LINKS
Politics and Prose book event for The Story of Stuff
The Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping
An invaluable tool for calculating the ecological footprint of your lifestyle, from the good folks at Redefining Progress.
and by the way.... if any of our readers know of a resource that should be included in ECSTASY diaries, please include the link and a few words about it in the comments!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------
Housekeeping Note: ECSTASY diaries will appear most often on weekends, and at other times depending on the convenience of the diary author. All diaries dealing with the problems of living in a Consumerist society are potential candidates. If you think you've got something to contribute, please contact WarrenS and he'll schedule you in.
The next diary planned is expected to appear on Wednesday evening; G2Geek will continue discussing the importance of measuring your consumption. On Sunday, March 21, we will hear from from RL Miller on the subject of Chickens.
The ECSTASY series thus far:
February 28: Introducing ECSTASY.
March 7: The Work of Julian Lee and Juliet Schor: Two Voices of Sanity.
March 10: G2Geek's Measure The Power.