Please don't take the following post as THE number one reason people are silly; this is just my first time posting on the subject. There will definitely be more on this subject in the future.
I was cleaning my kitchen today, a task which required much disposing of recyclables. I like to recycle and feel like I should be doing more. I would love to have seven separate containers for various types of paper and plastic and such, and to have a compost pile in my backyard. Unfortunately, I live in an apartment and, to be honest, I need to do more research on what my recycling company accepts.
As I was doing my chores, I got to thinking that our country really blows on how it handles recycling. I don't know why this isn't a more important topic in our society. We could hypothetically end up in a situation like in Wall-E; the planet covered in garbage with nowhere for us to go but float around space for a while. Of course I don't ACTUALLY think that will happen. I do think we will hurl massive trash balls into space hoping they will just 'go away' with no future repercussions. As a seasoned problem-haver, I know these things don't ever fix themselves.
Anyway, I was wondering why recycling isn't mandatory everywhere (it was in West Chester, a great move on the town's part given the massive amount of beer and liquor bottles being discarded every day) and why people shouldn't be fined for failing to recycle. This lead me to remember my notion that people will go to greater lengths to avoid a punishment than to reap a reward. We are a lazy country in some respects. I'm not saying Americans don't work hard or anything; some do, some don't, same as anywhere. But I do think that overall, people will not go out of their way much for their own benefit, whereas they never want to be put in a position of being told they did something wrong. Sort of a western version of not wanting to lose face.
One example of this is at the grocery store. The economy is bad, food prices are rising, but everyone still has to eat, has to shop. So, places like Aldi and Bottom Dollar are thriving, boasting affordable, quality groceries. A friend was explaining these stores to me, detailing the ways in which they keep the prices low. One, is that they do not provide bags. They DO have bags available, but they charge five cents a bag to encourage you to bring your own.
Novel idea?
Well, sure. However, plenty of grocery stores reimburse customers for bringing their own bags. How much, you ask? Wouldn't you know... five cents! So, in effect, it is the same thing. The wording is different, but the concept is the same: bring your bag, save five cents. I will say that when I use re-usable bags I tend to shove more stuff in them, thereby using fewer bags and receiving less of a rebate than I might be charged for purchasing bags, but I think that is beside the point. The point is... people are silly.
I remember my friend being thoroughly unimpressed with the information I presented. Saving five cents for bringing your own bag is trivial, but being CHARGED five cents for a bag is unforgivable. I guess it makes sense.
Grocery stores that aim to provide cheaper alternatives for food are a great idea. I am a big fan of cooking and any way to encourage more people to cook at home I see as a positive. I just can never forget that these are places of business and they will always find ways to manipulate your consumer-centered brain. Especially when all it takes is five cents.
Reasons People Are Silly:
1. Being manipulated by semantics.
“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than a sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
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