Design 21: Social Design Network

I'm trying to understand the specifics of your first question and how it relates to my post before reyplying at length, Carolina. Do you mean to ask if capitalism itself, as a political ideology, is sustainable for society?

Secondly, we weren't as a whole commenting specifically "on the way Americans live" so I wouldn't want to speak for the other designers who were also in attendance, several of whom are American citizens. (Myself, I'm Canadian!) But a few times, for sure, the topic of "mass consumerism" came up, and I think we all agreed that mindless mass consumption (if one can spend money, one does, just because) is not sustainable, but that there is such a thing as "conscious consumption" (if one can spend money, one does, for carefully considered reasons, which run the gamut from beauty to function to eco-mindfulness to social need, and combinations of all of the above). We'd like to encourage the latter - for Americans, and all the rest of us global citizens.

I agree with Jennifer that 'conscious consumption' leads to greater satisfaction. If we can fall in love with one useful artifact and get value and pleasure out of it for a long time then we may not need a pile of other "cheap things."

In extending our notions of sustainable design beyond rethinking how we we make things we can also focus on the services that people desire instead of the product in itself. Consumer needs may be inexhaustible but what if they can be filled, even if it is temporarily, without creating so much waste, with an emphasis on producer responsibility and still generate income?

I've been reading a bit about the business case for sustainability, CC. I found good info in: Natural Capitalism and a talk by Bob Willard - his books address sustainability through risk management and asset management. - JN

Thank you for your input. I live in the States and to be honest I feel jaded. I attend school in Orange County and the level of awarness is shockingly low!