Modern Ascetic part I

I don’t always feel a strong connection to the more-than-human world in a kinship-like manner, and this is something that leaves me feeling somewhat self-conscious. Here are some areas where I’ve recognized behaviors that make me feel exploitative:

I frequently make purchases on Amazon. I have a tendency to buy an excessive number of shoes. I often opt for non-local food items that come wrapped in plastic. I have a preference for leather shoes and jackets. I admit that I can be inattentive to my immediate surroundings at times. In recent times, my sensitivity to issues of exploitation has been heightened, with my Amazon ordering standing out as a particularly exploitative practice. It’s not limited to just books; for instance, I recently bought a laminator, convinced that I needed it to preserve various documents. It’s given me pause, reflecting on how our society has evolved to create and market such products, and how I’ve come to believe I require them.

I am committed to avoiding non-essential purchases from companies solely driven by profit motives. In my view, companies should transition from a unidirectional focus on profitability to a multi-faceted approach that includes social and ecological justice. What’s more, I find myself deeply attuned to the suffering that arises from common business practices, feeling a profound sense of empathy for the hardships associated with sourcing, manufacturing, distribution, and eventual recycling, such as in the case of the laminator.