USE UP — The Manifest to Consume

USE UP — THE CONSUMER’S MANIFEST is a suggestion for a more aware use of products:

  • away from too much – towards less but better
  • away from superficial – towards well-founded
  • away from arbitrary – towards binding

The goal is a process of real wanting, acquiring and utilising. Through a deeper, personally motivated identification, products with more utility value, meaning and durability should emerge.

A

as Attachment point:

  • Resources on Earth are limited.
  • Products need and bind resources.
  • Humanity is growing.
  • People consume — for survival, life and for many other reasons.
  • The more products we produce and the faster they are consumed, the more energy we need and the faster our resources are coming to an end.
  • “Lack” could become reality more quickly than we are aware of.

B

as Beware:

  • Buy* only what you need.
  • Buy* only what you still want to own and use in two years.
  • Buy* only what you use or consciously perceive more than twice a year.
  • Buy* only what you would (let) produce yourself in this way.
  • Buy* only what you value.
  • Buy* only what has a direct benefit or (aesthetic) value for you.
  • Buy* only what you are convinced of.
  • Buy* only what you would share with conviction and your best recommendation.

* (Acquire, Give, Wish, Advertise)

C

as Charisma:

  • If you find that you have bought something “wrong”, return it immediately.
  • If you can no longer return it, give (sell/gift) it to someone who sees a true value in it.
  • If you bought something “wrong” that you can’t get rid of in this way, or it’s already in your possession, use it anyway. (Even if you will find it hard and don’t like it.)
    (Even if you will find it hard and don’t like it.)
  • Only by using “wrong” or “inappropriate” perceived products a learning process takes place.
  • The longer you use something “inappropriate”, the deeper is your understanding of its meaning and your requirements.
  • Consumables should be used up completely. (Even if the effect does not correspond to your conception.)
  • Only when you have developed an understanding for your demands, you can replace the “unsuitable” with something “suitable”.
  • Before you buy something new, use the old until it is broken.
  • If something is broken, repair it or have it repaired.*

* If this is no longer possible, recycle or upcycling it.

This is also a manifesto for the fans of FridaysForFuture …