Sensitive content warning: graphic discussion of animal cruelty
Imagine your house is on fire and, instead of calling 911 and trying to put it out, you keep throwing more wood into the flames. Isn’t that absurd?
Well, news flash: that’s exactly what we’ve been doing to ourselves this whole time.
I’m sure we’re all well aware of issues like global warming and sustainable practices. The cause is so highly publicized that it even turned into a trend, the 2019 VSCO girl era marked by its infamous catchphrase, “Save the Turtles!”. Yes, when given thought and value, saving the turtles is just as significant as any other issue. But are we truly concerned or are we just pretending to be? The truth is, the issue is far more severe than most people think; what’s worse is that little is being done to take action. In this article, I will explore the topic of exploitation by examining its root causes, investigating a real life example, and sharing my perspective on why this crisis demands urgent action.
The foundation of the severe issue of commodification dates back to the late 18th century, just as the industrial movement began to emerge. The Industrial Revolution was a period of significant scientific and technological changes which marked a turning point in the economy, transforming a largely rural society to one driven by mechanization. While the revolution did have many positive impacts, of which include economic growth, efficiency, and overall improved quality of life, its negative impacts are often overlooked.
The Industrial Revolution brought upon humans a new attitude towards Earth’s resources. The two pictures below exhibit the shift in mindset:
Society before the revolution viewed our resources as a means of nourishment, to keep us alive. This reflects the idea of a subsistence economy, where only what is necessary for survival is produced. On the other hand, after the revolution, people started to commercialize their goods, viewing Earth’s resources as a means to make profit. Ever since, society has been driven by the profit motive, and while profit isn’t inherently bad and promotes economic growth, there is a line that should not be crossed. The relentless pursuit of profit has led people to care more about financial gain above all else, as if nothing else matters. When other equally important aspects of society- such as the environment and humanity- are excessively sacrificed for profit, it becomes clear that a line should be drawn.
Let’s talk about a particularly horrifying example: the downright barbaric process of making foie gras. Widely regarded as a bougie French delicacy, foie gras literally translates to “fat liver” in English. Workers force-feed ducks and geese by ramming pipes down their throats, making it easier to shove a grotesque amount of food into their mouths. This causes their livers to degenerate and eventually grow to up to ten times the normal size due to all the accumulated fat- all to produce the so-called “delicacy” many enjoy. On top of the involuntary obesity faced by these animals and the unnecessary injuring of organs, they are also kept in living conditions ill-suited for their well-being. Not only are they held captive in tiny cages, which restricts their physical abilities, they are also squeezed by metal bars during force-feeding procedures to make their necks easier to grasp.
Despite all of this, those who are unaware of this issue (and those who are but choose to ignore it) still consider foie gras a luxury and sign of opulence, ultimately prioritizing their own enjoyment over the welfare of other equally important aspects of society. This is just one example of exploitation; there are a plethora of cases of unethical business practices, and to even think about all of them is quite astonishing.
I’ve always wondered, though, to myself: what’s the point of all this? Although I will never truly understand, I’ve realized that this was just another money-making scheme that leaders of the economy came up with to fill their already bloated pockets. This is what we call consumerism. By catering to consumer’s wants and needs, companies are trapping us into an endless cycle of work, shop, sleep, repeat. It has gotten to the point where the very meaning of life seems to revolve around how many material possessions you own. The worst part is that while we, the consumers, bear the costs of consumerism, companies benefit from our downfall, drowning in excessive revenue.
Consumers like us are mere pawns in their little game of chess. The industry is highly manipulative, and although I have to admit that they’ve done a great job at concealing the truth, the consequences are shattering. There are unseen cases in our everyday lives that we don’t even notice because of the superficial values of consumerism. For instance, the 10 free items you got from your friend’s Temu link weren’t actually free- who even knows how much was sacrificed? Earth’s resources are being exploited, labour rights violated, and animal welfare dismissed; the list of hidden costs goes on and on. Sure, your Temu order was free in money, but certainly not free in the bigger picture. What seems like a harmless no-cost transaction is actually part of a larger, very destructive system.
With that being said, I am not trying to promote a life with absolutely zero consumer products (let’s be real, I will never be able to give up shopping, what did you expect). However, what I am trying to say is that our “me, myself, and I” mindset will not do for the next generations. With workers who have no other choice but to undergo forced labour and the planet’s resources being ruthlessly exploited, humanity is slowly killing itself with its anthropocentric attitude.
Although many view our resources, society, and ecosystem as “expendable” and “less worthy” than humans, this should not be how we think. The triple bottom line theory states that people, planet, and prosperity all matter, and only when all three factors are taken into consideration will we build a truly sustainable economy. This is something that needs to be taken seriously, especially for our generation, as we will be the ones to deal with the consequences.
That is why it is important to understand how we can move forward, by prioritizing long term growth over short term gains. People are already talking about colonizing Mars or some other “suitable” celestial body. I find it difficult to understand why this is even a priority. We are blessed with a perfectly ideal planet and our plan is to go to Mars? I don’t see the point of abandoning Earth when we could just protect it ourselves. By promoting sustainable development, we can ensure a better future- not just for ourselves, but for the many generations to come. It is ultimately up to us to make the right choices for our future.
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