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Consumed

The Need for Collective Change; Colonialism, Climate Change & Consumerism

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Consumed

By: Aja Barber
Narrated by: Aja Barber
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Summary

Aja Barber wants change. 

In the 'learning' first half of the book, she will expose you to the endemic injustices in our consumer industries and the uncomfortable history of the textile industry; one which brokered slavery, racism and today's wealth inequality. And how these oppressive systems have bled into the fashion industry and its lack of diversity and equality. She will also reveal how we spend our money and whose pockets it goes into and whose it doesn't (clue: the people who do the actual work) and will tell her story of how she came to learn the truth.

In the second 'unlearning' half of the book, she will help you to understand the uncomfortable truth behind why you consume the way you do. She asks you to confront the sense of lack you have, the feeling that you are never quite enough and the reasons why you fill the aching void with consumption rather than compassion. And she makes you challenge this power disparity and take back ownership of it. The less you buy into the consumer culture the more power you have.

Consumed will teach you how to be a citizen not a consumer.

©2021 Aja Barber (P)2021 Octopus Publishing Group Anthropology Art & Literature Beauty, Grooming & Style Personal Development Politics & Government Racism & Discrimination Social Sciences Discrimination Money Capitalism
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I have just finished ‘Consumed’ and honestly feel quite emotional! We are dealing with huge humanitarian and ecological crisis in the name of fashion, and it can feel completely overwhelming. Aja Barber breaks this down, and then builds us back up in such a thoughtful, personal and succinct way in her book.
These systems affect everything in our day to day lives, so it is vital that we understand them, in all of their nuance.

Essential reading!

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I didn't think I'd listen to all of this book, maybe scan listen skip but chapter by chapter I was pulled in to learn more and think more. I'm left with some hard decisions to make to change my behaviour and align cognitive dissonance instead of letting it tear away at me. Confronting on the colonial and racism fronts but also gives me the sense to do better in future. I dont knownif can say enjoyed, but has given me work to do for the better. A must read for literally everyone.

Confronting, actions for change, fact-driven

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Consumed is worth a listen. The speaker is a bit unconventional but as other reviews have said it is well researched.

Well searched and contectualised

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A great story of how fast fashion has been created, with some original lines of thought towards how the love of apparel can be recreated so that the Elephant-in-the-Room of consumption (the over churn of garments) can be addressed. This book goes to places other texts don't & should be congratulated for it. Well worth the listen (& follow the author) as it answers the questions that others don't even ask towards. Good development of thought from the great Fixing Fashion report by the HoC's Environmental Audit Committee, but the world keep progressing - there is now the EU Green Deal to be accommodated

on the money - very current

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This is superbly informative, well researched book. A must for anyone interested in sustainability and trying to break out of consumerism and understanding reasons why it is related to and tied up with colonialism. A great place to start with practical information and there’s plenty to learn to those already well informed.

Fantastic, informative book

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