Life in the Age of Waste

To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter... to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring — these are some of the rewards of the simple life.
― John Burroughs

Even clothes are hard to come by these days for a savage, but anyway, there is free air, fresh water, and all day of beautiful scenery. What else should I need? I don't really know how to preach about excessive lifestyle but I can only share some values you can take from a lifestyle without excess.

Even though times are hard these days, I believe that my quality of life has greatly increased. No rush and no more excessive consumption. The wage life and having to live according to the western society's standard of go, go, go and get, get, get only made me feel tired, depleted and unsatisfied. These days are gone and I have more time to do things that I really like such as reading books, traveling, writing and sleeping. The society frowns at me, calling me a full-time bum. The thing is, this is my life. I don't really want to wait for the retirement age to do these things, and I want to travel while I am still capable of walking long distances. Being able to travel has only been made possible by embracing a simple life. And the result of this simple life is inner peace and equilibrium. The Buddhist wisdom is real, less attachment to things means happiness.

Some people probably just don't understand that food is a big thing in other parts of the world, it is not just a picture-perfect thing. Your $30 worth of food and drinks in a restaurant - of steaks, hamburgers, fries, hors-d'oeuvres, cocktails, wine, supersized meals can feed a whole family, and also be aware of those food waste that could have fed more lives. Of course, you don't know that. It is hard to feel other people's hunger from a distance. Back in the city, more and more fast-food chains are being introduced, which also mean less healthy foods and more packaging wastes in the sea. Those who brought these corporations here should see the real effects of production in nature.

I must admit that I have lost many things when people who needed my gadgets more took them without my permission. I don't really like stuff I have worked hard for to be stolen from me, but I'm pretty sure some of them can eat now. I never have to replace my mobile phone, laptop or upgrade these to the newest versions. I mean what for? It just means more money out of my pocket, more chances of getting my things stolen, more anxiety and more waste in the society.

Waste is horrible in richer nations because the people here can afford to have excess, just look at how they consume food. They even throw lapsed products to the bin spreading bleach on it so the dumpster divers cannot live off the waste of other people. In poorer nations, there are a lot of people who scavenge, eat leftovers and make something out of someone else's trash. More of the surplus products of the bigger nations are also being dumped here just because other people don't like these things anymore. And if you go look at all the floating rubbish on the sea, you'll have a serious think about the consequences of materialism.

Perhaps, the media and all these advertisements that manipulate the minds of people are to be blamed, or the consumers who are just easily manipulated. The corporations advertised to the people in the untainted parts of the world that they need more, and the result is the destruction of nature. Don't even blame the lack of education, people had been uneducated long time ago. Back in the days, people used to be content with the air they breathed and the food they ate. Stop and think if there's a need to feel better by having more and by living in these so-called happiest countries. I've seen the quality of laughter and genuine happiness of the people in my travel experience in these so-called less-privileged countries.

It is hard to think for ourselves these days, it can be more convenient to let the outside force to decide for us - what to eat, what to buy and what to need. The price of this over-consumption is that we sacrifice the quality of time for ourselves, loved ones and other things that are more important in our lives. However, the worst effect is not really to us but more to our environment, where the future generation will live and thrive. Sure, there are people who can benefit from our waste but why do we let other humans reduce to scavengers? In my opinion, I think poverty is perpetuated because this is just one of the evil ways to make other nations richer and richer. Just imagine the amount of raw materials being taken to the western world to make their own corporations richer, and the waste being dumped back that disguise 'as to benefit' the poorer countries. The price of globalization, capitalism and technological advancements.

The society gave us this idea that having more is the goal and the answer. Do more possessions really improve and add value to our lives?

It is desirable that a man live in all respects so simply and preparedly that if an enemy take the town... he can walk out the gate empty-handed and without anxiety.
― Henry David Thoreau