Animal cruelty, climate change, monoculture...the list goes on.

[ChrissyStar]

I feel hopeless and have decided not to have children because of the state of the world (why would I wish to bring a child into this when I myself, do not like to live here?). Does anyone else feel the same?

[Unbeliever]

Peppermintbach,
Thanks for passing on that message on Just Sara's (Sez's) behalf.

Just Sara (Sez),
The doco's I recommended I defefinitely consider to be "must see's" for everyone at least once. They contain unique insights, perspectives and in many cases extremely harsh truths that people either don't have any idea, are confused about or actively avoid learning... (many of which should have been required learning classes for school kids 40 years ago... along with required "morals and ethics", "Cultural Diversity" and "Basic Australian politics, consumer law and do your own taxes" class units... but that is for another thread perhaps).

However, while they are all great in their own way... most of them are more about informing people about what is happening, more than providing solutions. Which can make them tough to get through mentally if you watch them all back to back without breaking them up with "lighter" things. (Doco style series like "The War on Waste", "The Checkout" etc being the exception... they DO provide solutions).

(Although, in many cases I consider the "solutions" to be quite obvious... simply stop contributing or at least reduce contributions. Ironically the vast majority of these problems require "doing nothing" with only very few requiring actively "taking action").

So, I am going to add a few "solutions" type documentaries to the list which some people might find more uplifting and less depressing.

"Growing Cities" (2013),
"Tomorrow" (2015)
and to a lesser extent "How to Change the World" (2015).

... there are more but I can't think of their names at the moment.

Running with the theme of "informative but lighter" series worth watching...

These 2 highly underrated series are great because they emphasise many, MANY things that are commonly believed (because most we were taught incorrectly in school or are falsehoods that have been passed down from parents to children for generations).

"Horrible Histories" (2009-18) (8 seasons now I think)... this might seem like a series for young teenagers (lots of jokes, comedy skits, purposely bad acting etc) but in reality is overflowing with so many misconceptions about history that is should be required watching for kids and adults.

And "QI" (Quite Interesting) (in particular the earlier series with Stephen fry hosting)... again people might think it's a cheap gameshow, but is overflowing with info about so many things we were taught wrong all our lives.

Both are lighter and full of info.

[Just Sara]

Massive thankyou UB; (Big waves and thanks to Pepper and Birdy for lovely responses and 'respect' to Chrissystar too for starting this thread)

I'm taping the War on Waste episodes thru Foxtel and watched a UK episode on farmers and supermarket food wastage, recycling and clothing (that was an eye opener!!). I'll endeavour to get thru your list as time permits. Looking forward to it.

Your list of 'must have subjects' for school is a ripper! Solution? I have a 14 yr old great-nephew in high school who's showing signs of fear/depression from global events. It started when he was 8. His mum has 5 kids and doesn't have the time to focus on his woes, but I've decided to chat with him; maybe he can contribute an article on your list in the school newspaper for comments to the editor. Being able to take part in some form of active participation might lift his spirits.

Before I became ill, I had many positive routines in place. I still cull my clothes twice a yr, though this Winter I didn't. In the UK, teens/young adults wear clothes once and toss them in the bin. Most people throw them away instead of giving them to charity. I find this bizarre!

Apparently, 4 tons of clothes are binned each hour there! A staggering 34,944 tons or 8,736 tip trucks of mostly synthetics annually which ends up as landfill. What the...!?

I give my clothes to the local psych hospital for new patients who present to the critical unit just with the clothes on their backs. Staff are really grateful as few people realise there's a need. One man's trash is another man's treasure.. 🙂 I buy them new underwear sometimes as it's their biggest problem item.

Writing this has been cathartic. Ever so grateful for you inviting me here Pepper.

Care and (pragmatic) kindness to all;

Sez xo

[Peppermintbach]

Hi ChrissyStar and all,

birdy: Yes, I agree with you. Thank you again for sharing that quote with us here. I looked it up, and assuming it’s correct, I believe it was Maya Angelou who imparted those pearls...funny that you quoted her just when I started reading one of her books 🙂

Thanks, yes, I may as well use up my current products. It’s a sunk cost/an already done harm so I may as well just finish using it and look for more cruelty free alternatives...this isn’t me excusing myself (I’m not) but I’m just being pragmatic about the whole thing.

What I mean is regardless of whether I sit here berating myself or not, it doesn’t change the fact that I still have some non-cruelty free products in my home. I may as well just use it up then channel my energy more productively to find cruelty free alternatives...your cruelty free toothpaste sounds fantastic btw! I love how it comes with a biodegradable toothbrush.

Your plant based mince burger sounds delicious! I tried a plant based hot dog the other day at this local eatery, and it was really tasty: plant based sausage, caramelised onion, mixed leaves, truffles and special sauce 🙂

UB: you’re most welcome. But seriously, it took me about 30 seconds to quote Sez so it was no big deal 😉

Sez: no worries at all. I should be thanking you for being so patient and understanding of me and my musings on your thread 🙂 Thanks again!

I’m happy you’re feeling inspired by UB’s documentary recommendations. Hopefully your suggestions help your great nephew...

I think it’s great how you give old clothes to places that need them like your local psych ward 🙂 Good for you.

Speaking of which, you might be interested in a documentary about fast fashion and its environmental impact plus its role in worker exploitation. It’s called The True Cost. I don’t know if you’ve seen it already though...

I don’t think fashion is inherently bad. But I do think there is an issue with fast fashion...

I’m quite picky with my clothes. I tend to buy either really high quality new pieces (the type that will last a lifetime like a stylish and very well constructed handbag that will last 50 + years if I take care of it) or other quality secondhand pieces.

I tend to avoid fast fashion or cheap new clothes at a discount chain because in order for those clothes to be so cheap, let’s just say, someone somewhere is being exploited for it...cheap is fine but there are other cheap alternatives like op shops or flea markets 🙂

Pepper xoxo

[Peppermintbach]

Hi again birdy (a wave to ChrissyStar and all),

Sorry, I forgot to include this in the above post...

I wanted to thank you for your latest post on my thread. I looked up the poem...very, very powerful words. It’s still sinking in. Haven’t fully processed it yet...

I thought it was particularly meaningful and moving that you chose a poem by a civil rights activist. I just found it interesting that both a recent quote of yours (here on this thread) plus the aforementioned poem were both by civil rights activists. Not sure if that was intentional or a happy coincidence. Regardless, thank you so much for sharing 🙂

You seem to have impeccable timing as I’ve been really interested in learning more about the Civil rights movement lately. A grateful thank you once again.

Pepper xoxo

[Peppermintbach]

Sorry, I forgot to mention.

Just be mindful that some of the content in The True Cost might be triggering for some of you as it shows things like footage of a garment factory collapse in Mumbai, mention of violence, etc.

So please just be very mindful....

Thanks 🙂

Pepper xoxo

[Just Sara]

Thanks Pepper; (Waves to all)

Btw, Maya Angelou rocks! What an amazing and lovely human being. The innate wisdom she imparted on humanity will forever be in our hearts and minds. "Rest in Peace beautiful lady..."

Yes, the human cost of unethical fashion has been a topic of contentious discussion for many decades. When I was young, Melbourne was/had been 'the' hub of activity for high fashion design, garments and textiles in Australia which employed thousands of local and grateful people in Melbourne's CBD.

Of course this was before the mindset of profits before people became popular. Now third world factories are considered the norm which is shocking yet, we keep buying their products.

I used to make clothing to sell but couldn't make a go of it due to costs. All I wanted was enough to survive.

Anyway, I digress. We shall overcome...

Take care;

Sez

[Birdy77]

Hi Pepper ❤

Happy coincidence. Just the type of stuff I've been reading.

Peace, happiness to all.

🌻birdy

[Unbeliever]

Just Sara (Sez)... a comment just for you.

I'm sorry that I didn't respond to your other deeply emotional post. But once again I became restricted by the 2500 limit and was unable to post back to back... So I had to wait.

There is absolutely no need to apologise. I did notice that you suddenly stopped posting on my thread a while ago. I was concerned that I had upset you with some of my unfiltered comments and didn't know how or where I could contact you to address this if that was the case.

As you know, I re-developed my old sleeping difficulties again late last year which is why I became reluctant posting on this website for so long. I learned the hard way long ago that I simultaneously become both blunter and sharper the longer I stop sleeping. My frustrations at failing to communicate at my normal effectiveness make people's misinterpretations of my words easily frustrating and my responses become colder and less... compromising.

This is something I have to make myself constantly aware of especially here on this website where words can cut so deeply and many people are so vulnerable and on the edge. And bite my tongue and walk away when necessary.

Normally, I can easily see that people can only interact with others on any level within certain bounds... the information they have had access to, their own personal life experiences and if they are comfortable enough in themselves currently in their lives to be able to see alternative perspectives without compromising their own feelings of safety and security (the beliefs they need to prevent them from falling apart).

"Longterm Sleepy Unbeliever" logically still knows this... but struggles to always keep it in mind.

My thread was always going provoke certain thoughts that would scare some people, make others uncomfortable... and threaten the stability of some peoples carefully constructed perceptions that they rely on to feel "safe". I admit that I knew that when I created it.

But no matter what, remember this Sez... Your truth is just as important as my truth, perhaps more so.

I am not easy to "attune" to, that you didn't feel able to is nothing to feel bad about. Few people ever have and even then within strict limitations. I am a unique type of monster. 🙂 I've been aware of this for some time.

Your apology has been heard, comprehended and accepted... and is completely unnecessary.

As far as I can tell, you are fine the way you are and I'm confident that I am not the only person who thinks so.

[Peppermintbach]

Hey UB (and a wave to all),

Sorry, I realise the above was not addressed to me but can I just really quickly say something?

I just wanted to comment on your thread in a very general sense....

The very things that you said about making people feel uncomfortable because of your alternative (not “mainstream”) perspective, challenging people and pushing people out of their “safe” bubbles/comfort zones a little (or a lot in some cases) was precisely what I liked about your thread 🙂 I suppose timing and expression is everything too but I feel sometimes it’s good to hear a perspective less mainstream...

I, for one, really appreciated and found value in your thread. I liked that it was so different. It was refreshing. In some ways, I found your voice to be a relief regardless of whether I agreed with you or not...

Anyway, I just wanted to say that...I’ll now let you and Sez continue that conversation.

As (the 2 of) you were...

Pepper xoxo

P.S. I’ll reply to you, Sez and birdy, tomorrow. Have to go...always seem to be in a rush. Lol

[Unbeliever]

Oh, hey everyone.

My previous post was not meant to "highjack" this thread. Please everyone continue contributing to it as normal without hesitation.

I was simply taking the opportunity to say something I wanted to a while ago but could never find the appropriate place to do it. And since Sez wrote to me directly here... it was exactly the chance I needed.

And there is no need for Sez to respond, I think we covered the most important things that we both felt the need to say.

I think it is best for this thread to resume discussing the topics presented by the original poster rather than get too sidetracked.

Regardless, everyone please continue posting here as normal without concern of "interrupting" anything.

... as you were. 🙂