Social Media
It’s thinking that because you don’t see it, feel it, or it doesn’t immediately impact you, that action is optional. Part of privilege is the option to decide when to care or take action, and doing so only when it’s convenient or affects you.
About a month ago, when I knew Earth Day was coming I was super pumped. But the closer it got I started to feel mild dread. The approaching Earth Day was starting to symbolize this massive failure, because I had not written a single word in a month and the project I was hoping to announce was not ready.
Images represent ideas, and on Instagram, where images can be posted with little accountability, it means that big concepts like “#zerowaste” get represented by whoever makes images.
When you scroll through Instagram and look at pictures of things in jars you may get the feeling that you're making less waste, but you’re actually just on your phone… The reality is that we can't consume our way out of a situation that is a result of over consumption.
Social media can be a powerful tool for connection and a catalyst for inspiring change. But if you aren't using it in an intentional or conscious way, it may not serve its greatest usefulness, and may have the reverse effect, limiting your ability to be present…
If you’re into Zero Waste or just interested in being more ecofriendly, and you start looking around online, you can easily start to self-judge and notice all the things you’re not doing “right.”
A few months ago I said to @sparkclarity "I don't think I'm going to look back and be like 'I wish spent more of my late twenties and early thirties on Instagram.'" While we laughed about this and thought it was hilarious, it's real, a serious concern, and I’ve kept thinking about it.