Patricia Hynes

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! In the article Consumption - North American Perspectives, author Patricia Hynes explores and characterizes consumption and ties the subject to the environment and the individual and global “ecological footprint”. She attempts to apply a “woman-centered analysis” to consumerist patterns that have emerged in the Global North and more specifically, in North America as a means of furthering the goals of “redistributing and humanizing our use of natural resourses” as well as “consumer goods and services” and considering the deep impacts of pollution and our ecosystems. In the article, Hynes cites the work of World-watch researcher Alan Durning, whose work links the birth of a “consumer society” in the U.S. in the 1920ʼs “with the emergence of name brands, the rise of the car as the…show more content…
Hynes also concludes that an altruistic, bridled, “green” or spiritual quest toward consuming less may only be a small part of the answer. Hynes goes on to say that as consumers, we must appraise our “ecological footprint” which includes government responsibility as well as genuine concern from the general public. On an individual level, it would include a more conscientious and self-aware approach to consumerism. ! As I read the Hynesʼ assessment of the different types of North American consumers, I felt pegged. Over the last decade, I have been witness to fellow Americans become only slightly more aware of the detriments humans impose on planet Earth, myself included. I saw An Inconvenient Truth and Food, Inc. and hear about those living off the grid and, as a result, felt inspired to buy green and do my part to consume responsibly and live in a manner that is environmentally sound. Yet, I find myself pessimistically judging others, who like me have the best intentions, yet fall prey to clever branding and mass marketing. I found her perspective on women centered action semi-inspiring.

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