Shame

It seems to me that large manufacturers and retailers are genuinely out of touch with the public. As environmental awareness increases and there are more and more demands for reductions in packaging, ditching unnecessary single-use containers and abandoning built-in obsolescence, it’s time that big corporations made some changes. Now I know that it takes dinosaurs a long time to respond, but I can’t help feeling that some of the reluctance to change is because it’s simply easier not to. However, it is not impossible – specifications can be amended, processes can be modified, expectations can be altered. Making the excuse that it’s because of economics just does not wash (economics are a fiction – plastic in the sea killing marine life is a reality).

So, I have decided that I will take action. I already vote with my money, but that’s a rather private action and, whilst it is important, is not going to make a huge difference in isolation. I am, therefore, taking to social media with direct, public messages to companies that I have issues with. Today, via Twitter, I targeted Seasalt, who make lovely organic clothes, claim to be environmentally responsible and pack all their goods in plastic.2018-08-21 (2)They did respond, which is at least something, but obviously it’s easier to blame someone else:2018-08-21 (3)

They haven’t responded further, but I hope that other people will join in and we might be able to persuade them to make the change.

I would like to think that shaming companies publicly might have some effect, because after all social media is a key part of their marketing strategy. Perhaps you’d like to join me? Do tell me about any companies that you have contacted and how they have responded. Perhaps we can support each other and make our ripples into waves.

Three Things Thursday: 9 June 2016

*three things that make me smile: an exercise in gratitude – feel free to steal this idea with wild abandon and fill your blog with the happy*

First this week, I’m delighted that the raw Jersey milk arrived in tact on Tuesday (second time lucky). I’d also ordered some cream and so, although the cheese-making has to wait a day or two, I have made some lovely vanilla ice cream… and we have perfect weather for it. This is all the more special for me because I can’t eat ‘normal’ ice cream because I’m lactose intolerant. However, if I make my own I can pre-treat the dairy with lactase enzyme and then I can eat it.

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This picture doesn’t do it justice – it’s much yellower than this

Second, I’m delighted with the germination of some seeds we bought at the Eden Project. I have always been rather taken with Sensitive Plants (a sort of Mimosa, the leaves of which close up when you touch them) and when we saw packets of seeds of them at Eden, we thought it would be fun to grow some as a living souvenir. I sowed the seeds just over a week ago, and we’ve had lots of germination.

Third, I’ve been particularly amused by the antics of my vaark friends on Twitter recently… yesterday they were being very naughty and it genuinely made me laugh, and the day before they sent a picture of The Rosalind Franklin Building at Wolverhampton University (because my purple stripy varrk is named after the great lady). There’s nothing like a bit of social media silliness, is there?

So, what is making you happy this week?

Have your say

Increasingly I discover people who read this blog, but who never leave a comment. Hello to all of you!

A good spread

Come and join the party!

I know that one of the issues is that, to comment, you either have to have a WordPress blog or give some of your details, and many of you don’t want to do this. So, as an alternative, I have set up a Facebook page for the blog (and perhaps more). In theory, a link to each blog post should appear on the page as soon as it is published. If you have a Facebook account, you can leave any comments there. I also have a Twitter account (@thesnailofhappy) and links to all my posts automatically appear there too – and can be commented on (briefly). To follow me on Twitter, simply click on the link on the right.

If you want to join in with the conversation and already make use of one of these forms of social media, where’s no need to share your details with WordPress.

I really hope this means that I’ll hear the thoughts of more of you out there.

A complete twit

No. not that sort of tweet

No, not that sort of tweet

I have finally bitten the bullet and set up a Twitter account – I think this may mean that I am a Twit! I have to confess that my decision to join is mainly the result of curiosity, and perhaps I am late jumping on the bandwagon, but maybe it will be a good way to promote courses and my yarny creations – who knows?

I would be fascinated to hear other people’s experiences.

Anyway, my user name, unsurprisingly, is thesnailofhappiness and you can tag me @thesnailofhappy (happiness was four letters too many for Twitter). Eventually I will work out how to put a button here on the blog to allow you to follow me, but currently that is just too much of a challenge for my enfeebled brain.

Tweets seem to have an incredibly short life-span unless they get re-tweeted many times, so I don’t really understand how it’s useful for someone like me who doesn’t have hundreds of followers, but we will see…

… and now, in another effort to practice being concise, I’m going to write a Haiku – all will be explained tomorrow.

 

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