This is why I try to curate my collection well. If people are buying books just to own books (I have been guilty of this), there's definitely a problem there. That would be a problem in any product category. But being a reader and owning a large collection of books you love isn't really an issue.
I used to be a book hoarder. Anything and everything. But over time, I realized how unsustainable and problematic this was in a variety of ways so now I am just more resourceful and intentional about acquiring books
I've been circling around this problem for a while, but I don't think I would've hit upon fast fashion. Perfect articulation of the problem with this sort of stuff.
Hi, and nice to read you again. I buy used books whenever possible. Best source is Friends of Library sales. Books that I don't wish to keep and re-read someday get donated to the library. Used to try to sell on eBay, but the cost of postage, including media mail, and eBay's policies made that unsatisfactory.
I agree; I like having a library, but books sometimes come home on a whim. I still move enough that I can't hoard anything - so my curation is deadly. Anything that sits for too long gets the axe. I just did a purge and hope the good things find their way into someone else's home.
I truly hope that people pay attention to what they consume - we only have one Earth.
I’ve been curious about this analogy between books and fast fashion. As far as I know, fast fashion is a problem because it creates environmental waste and exploits workers. Books don’t do either, right? If a reader buys three different collector copies of a novel, is there a detriment to the environment or is any worker is exploited?
I love how you took the fast fashion conversation but flipped it to the consumer's solution. Like you, I've seen the "books as FF" convo, but never anyone saying "look at the good ideas people have about guarding against FF" -- so clever!
Based on an idea from a dear friend at another university, my husband, Andy, and I started a “Free Books” shelf for students and employees in the hallway of our English/Humanities building at our uni. We have since gotten other people involved bringing books for the “Free Book” shelf—only good fun stuff, no old out-of-date textbooks! The shelf is in its second year and continues to be a huge success! What a delight my first week of class to have a student gush about all the amazing and FREE books!
This is why I try to curate my collection well. If people are buying books just to own books (I have been guilty of this), there's definitely a problem there. That would be a problem in any product category. But being a reader and owning a large collection of books you love isn't really an issue.
I used to be a book hoarder. Anything and everything. But over time, I realized how unsustainable and problematic this was in a variety of ways so now I am just more resourceful and intentional about acquiring books
I've been circling around this problem for a while, but I don't think I would've hit upon fast fashion. Perfect articulation of the problem with this sort of stuff.
You are so on point my dude. 🫶🏻
Hi, and nice to read you again. I buy used books whenever possible. Best source is Friends of Library sales. Books that I don't wish to keep and re-read someday get donated to the library. Used to try to sell on eBay, but the cost of postage, including media mail, and eBay's policies made that unsatisfactory.
I agree; I like having a library, but books sometimes come home on a whim. I still move enough that I can't hoard anything - so my curation is deadly. Anything that sits for too long gets the axe. I just did a purge and hope the good things find their way into someone else's home.
I truly hope that people pay attention to what they consume - we only have one Earth.
I’ve been curious about this analogy between books and fast fashion. As far as I know, fast fashion is a problem because it creates environmental waste and exploits workers. Books don’t do either, right? If a reader buys three different collector copies of a novel, is there a detriment to the environment or is any worker is exploited?
Great tips! It is so important, especially now when a lot of public libraries and institutions are being defunded, to support our local libraries!
I love how you took the fast fashion conversation but flipped it to the consumer's solution. Like you, I've seen the "books as FF" convo, but never anyone saying "look at the good ideas people have about guarding against FF" -- so clever!
Based on an idea from a dear friend at another university, my husband, Andy, and I started a “Free Books” shelf for students and employees in the hallway of our English/Humanities building at our uni. We have since gotten other people involved bringing books for the “Free Book” shelf—only good fun stuff, no old out-of-date textbooks! The shelf is in its second year and continues to be a huge success! What a delight my first week of class to have a student gush about all the amazing and FREE books!
I love allllll of these!!