Many of my peers, and even I, will likely joke about how they’re a “broke college student.” Which, I mean, have you seen the tuition for this place? Of course, we’re all broke. Yet, I consistently see my fellow students spending money on the most asinine, pointless, worthless pieces of crap that they just “have to have.” Or better yet, they need it.
Now, this isn’t entirely the consumer’s fault. In fact, if you are aware of the capitalist society we live in, this isn’t a surprise. Companies need money. They need your money, and you, the consumer, will give it to them. Because you saw it on several people’s TikToks. Or the news convinced you that every home just has to have one.
And you never have to think about the people being affected. You purchase your item on a Wednesday for an event this Saturday. It will be packaged, shipped and delivered on time. Don’t question the manual labor. In fact, it was delayed a day. You’d better complain. How dare countless hours of labor be inefficient? Don’t they know they have to perfect?
Otherwise, maybe you’ll realize this isn’t normal. That transactions shouldn’t be these faceless exchanges. That two-day delivery is jarringly quick. Yes, I’m talking about Amazon specifically.
The crazy thing is that many consumers know how unethical Amazon is, and yet you simply don’t care. So, let’s crack open the book of Amazon’s crimes against humanity and see what we can find. A memorable one for me is when Amazon in 2021 forced workers to continue working despite an imminent tornado, and the company’s cellphone ban prevented access to emergency alerts. The tornado struck an Amazon warehouse, killing six people when the building collapsed. Or the next year, when a worker in a New Jersey warehouse died from heat stress after years upon years of workers complaining about the lack of AC in these facilities. The Intercept in 2022 launched an investigation that found Amazon’s planned internal messaging app was set to ban words like union, living wage, freedom, pay raise and restrooms. In 2024, the California Labor Commissioner’s Office revealed 59,017 violations of California’s Warehouse Quotas law.
So, yeah, go ahead and order those 200 plastic ducks. They’re definitely worth it. So cute and funny! Might as well just throw them and your money into the landfill while you’re at it. I mean, that’s where they’ll end up anyway, right?
Some of you, dear readers, may be feeling a little attacked by this piece. I’m not claiming to be better than anyone. What’s the saying, no consumption is ethical under capitalism? Am I a human being living in the United States? Of course, I’m a consumer.
It’s just that I’ve boycotted Amazon for several years now and a bunch of other corporations. Not to mention all those shops I wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole–I’m side-eyeing Temu, Zara and SHEIN right now. It’s always because of some combination of unethical business practices, damage to the environment, human rights violations, political stances, etc.
Besides, it’s just more fun shopping small. I get limited edition books from an independent bookstore in Colorado, I order my favorite albums on CD from a small store in Toronto and I always look forward to a trip to my favorite candy store in Omaha. These aren’t the closest stores to me, but they’re the ones I’ve built connections with. I mean genuine human connections, not just a rewards program. You can buy most things second-hand, too. Plus, if you frequent estate sales, you not only get a shopping experience but a look into another person’s life.
Obviously, shopping small or local is not always possible. But overconsumption is a real problem. And I think if you’re walking around campus bragging about your $15 SHEIN order, the people around you should be allowed to throw you and your bad morals into the lake. Although I wouldn’t want to pollute the lake with that garbage. Maybe you should have to work in a sweatshop until you make $15 in wages, then see if you want to place another order.
