In response, I'd argue that for us the new flat screen TV or iPod or Blackberry is the exact equivalent of the mirror for the Indians. It is new technology in both cases and equally magical. We have as little idea of how our gadgets work as the Indians did of the mirror.

As far as material desire being intrinsic, all life on earth seeks to grasp and expand until it meets opposition either from other forms of life or from the environment being too cold, too hot, too dry. It is part of the design that all but assures survival under the most adverse circumstances but it is definitely unsuitable to our situation, where we can endlessly produce more stuff. By breaking free of the nature that produced us, we threaten nature itself.

I make the case that for all our intelligence, we are no different in our drive to grasp all we can, just as the plant seeks the sun. Witness people like Oprah, who, enabled with fabulous wealth, proceed to buy huge estates and not just one but many! She meets no obstacles to expansion and so she grasps for more, no different than any animal or plant though with far more of an impact on the earth! Such consumption is absurdly past all possible need, yet we admire the rich and crave what they have. In Oprah's case we ignore her hyper-consumption and instead hail her as a great humanitarian, as we've done with the fabulously wealthy before her.

But we as humans have the ability, unique in all life on earth, to find enlightenment. This enlightenment was what the Buddha spoke about so long ago, so it is not news. He asked people to look at the situation of human life and take action to end the suffering that comes with the territory – that is, the suffering that comes from insatiable desire which is innate.

The people who read this blog and Beth as well are at or on the road to enlightenment. I don't however, see this spreading to the extent necessary to save humanity from itself. In the race between desire and enlightenment the contest has been unequal and, as you mentioned, desire is promoted by the economic system that promotes and sustains it. Capitalism has institutionalized desire in the shape of business, further casting the path of enlightenment in deep shade.

Enlightenment comes with time and the wish to escape the treadmill described by Goethe who said, "From desire I rush to satisfaction. From satisfaction I leap to desire". Goethe died in the early 19th century, but that was life then, was long before him and is still so today.

I then found your site, I had heard about the Take Back the Filter campaign and began collecting them and saving them without even knowing you or your blog. In fact, I still have them and haven't mailed them in yet, because they serve as a reminder of consumption but also of where I began.

The little things DO matter because they start us to question the motives and reasoning behind that changed action. When looking at it, the socio-psychology behind it is that we want to understand the world around us and have it fit into what we understand. However, if we learn that an action we are doing is harming something else and we have empathy about what is occurring, we will change by either changing our actions or our identity. Usually, a bit of both happens, usually with small simple changes, like short showers.

For me, I research everything to the nth degree, it used to not matter as much, but with having a child, I have changed my viewpoint on life in general and us as a collective. I know from my own viewpoint that I make my choices and people ask questions, then those around me start to make changes. I joined a CSA, then soon so many people at my work are joining and falling in love with going to the farmer's market, using reusable bags, biking more, etc. With these experiences I learn that the little ones matter.

Overall, yes, just looking at the little things, they don't matter in a grand scheme, but that's the surface. What matters, is what happens after the little things. The changes within the person and then the people, the community, etc. Yes, changing sooner will be better for all, so talking about our beliefs with our friends, with our neighbors, with our communities will be the change that may instigate wider little changes that lead to big changes.

The little change to go across the street and talk to you neighbor about plastic and if they would like some advice on how to reduce their plastic is a little change that can lead to a big change. For me, going across the street to ask for their used glass jars of pasta sauce started a conversation of about conservation and composting and the saving of our natural resources.

I just have to say, thank you Beth, you are an inspiration. We all go through moments where we question what it is we are doing in our own lives and if it or any of it matters, it helps to define us. If you choose to stop your campaign, stop blogging, go back to your way of life, all I have to say is thank you. Thank you for everything that you have done over these past few years, you have personally affected my life in ways I cannot explain and I have never met you nor spoken with you. Your simple act of starting a blog has been important in the shaping of my life, thank you for your small act of kindness.

Laura

If you look at the whole picture in the terms that we are industry and agriculture – then individual contribution accounts for much more. If you choose to live simply, you are effectively causing less widgets to be manufactured and less "industry" to be using up resources and power to produce that for you. So, if you look at your own personal trash can for throwing away a broken toaster… it might only be part of the 3% total household contribution. However, by widespread promotion of the idea to fix your own toaster instead of just throwing it away – you are contributing to reducing the larger industrial portion.

The article begins with Horrific history that has been overcome and the author seems to be implying that it didn't come from (in the case of slavery) personally loving your neighbor. I disagree with his take on this because no policy can be derived or sucessfully implemented without first having community support. This kind of support starts with a few outspoken people who affect a few others and so on. In your own home, teaching your children to respect others and resources.

These simple things have a multiplicative effect that form the basis for social change.

Emily

Hi Beth,

Of course personal changes matter. All our actions and connections with others builds momentum. I always suspect naysayers whatever their ideas as they are simply sowing confusion, when clear-headed determination is necessary.

The 3% municipal waste is a start, as here in the UK. Sort this first and then take on the next target.
Consumers have power to change the situation.

An example is your Whole Foods use in the US. Recently I have found a retailer who plans a similar setup here. That is a result. I have bought desiccated coconut for the first time in 18 months, and Zero Waste.

As more and more individuals see the need for change, they will be making different consumer decisions which ultimately impact big business because their individual decisions when made together are a collective decision which now has clout.

And you already have impacted big business as someone pointed out. Brita now recycles filters in North America.

I appreciate all that you have done in the way of activism. I don't know if I have an activism gene. At the moment, I am just making my individual decisions. And I have far to go in cleaning up my own individual act before I start trying to clean up others.

I hope my changes are influencing those in my sphere. My friends are starting to find out about my No Plastic Eating Challenge and are quite intrigued. Actually intrigued enough to provide suggestions on how to reduce. One step leads to another.

I have seen a huge shift in the people around me just by them seeing me reducing, recycling, and reusing. For example, coworkers come to me and say, "I don't want to just throw this away. Is there a way to recycle it?" My office is now using reusable plates and silverware for office parties. My parents have started using vinegar in a glass bottle for fabric softener, and they recycle everything their city allows.

Sure, these are tiny changes, yet small steps change to big steps when you lead by example. Thank you Beth for leading by example!

English is not my usual language so sorry for any grammar mistake…

Oh and again I'll recommend watching "Zeitgeist: addendum", which explains what I just said soooo much better!