Conscious Consumerism

To me, practicing mindfulness in the act of consuming is the basic act of social justice.

- Thich Nhat Hanh

Interview by Catherine Ingram, In the Footsteps of Gandhi.

I agree. Buying conscientiously is an effective form of passive resistance/social protest. In a capitalistic society the only real power citizens have is the manner in which they consume goods. Since the country is governed by a need for constant consumption, lack of consumption, as opposed to vocal exhibitions of moral outrage or demonstrations in the streets, will better get the attention of those in power. If a large percentage of citizens stopped buying from a specific company for a month that company could be thrown into bankruptcy.