Except most people aren't buying second hand, so you're complaining about a non-existent problem.
Edit: As an amazing proof of concept, I'm in a dive bar, saw a pair of gloves in a wicker basket of lost and found and asked about them. The bartender gave them to me, notinf they'd been here for more than a year. These are easily several hundred dollar gloves.
But if things really got to the point where many people were willing to buy second hand, there are in fact ethical brands as well for those who need new. Myself, I buy few things but as much as I can ethical either 2nd hand or from happy factories. (Though, goddamn I cannot find ethical boxers for a semi reasonable price. If you got tips...)
I don't think "yeah sure, that'd be great but if we all started doing good things it wouldn't work!" is a particularly valid critique. We are nowhere near the point of too many people buying second hand clothes.
Yes, cheap stores are common.
But the most valuable brands in America are not at the cheap level, they are things like Nike, Levi's and The Gap. Hell, even in progressive bastions so many people are rocking Arcteryx, REI etc, none of which are cheap.
Again, go to any downtown, look at the outfits and consider how much they cost. Just the same as people wearing hundreds of dollars in jewelry (yes, there's costume jewelry but that's not what most folks are wearing downtown.)
It just seems so wild. This person seems so unhappy but has zero desire to do anything, even when we try to find them free fucking therapy! "Oh no, I might talk to someone who could maybe help me!"
That's a silly slogan, I get the appeal but I think it's just an easy way to avoid taking responsibility for our own decisions.
At the very least, there is better and worse consumption. It is utter nonsense to say that buying something made possible by modern day slavery is the same as paying a local artisan for something.
Yeah. It just bothers me because you can see so many different people have taken the time to articulate solid suggestions, try to be friendly etc and are, at best, met with a "no." Like, even them complaining about their birthday, so many good people chimed in just to be kind and instead of a thank you or any kind words it's just this petulant "nooooooooo" attitude, except for literally one post where the commenter posits we're all insignificant and going to die.
It's the best and worst of the internet in a single person.
I like that viewpoint, I just don't think it really applies to most people.
I'm sure many people have causes about which they care but beyond ranting online, I'd suggest very little of it gets translated to action.
I think you're right, people are tired, have limited energy etc but having volunteered at a few charities and seeing how desperate so many are for volunteers who aren't retired, well, it makes you a little cynical.
I think the thing that bugs me is that so many people have taken the time to help in good faith to get a "naw." And the cycle repeats with another whine/question until there's enough pushback, then a couple anodyne questions, then back to the same sad self pity party.
I love the notion of a Mcdonald's employee needing MFA.
Or that the only reason people buy smartphones is for MFA (in the years before widespread MFA, I'm sure they were getting them because they knew MFA was just around the corner.)
Edit: I think it's just easier to admit people don't really give a fuck about other folks if it would cost them anything. Walk down any street, most people are wearing clothes they know to be made by children who occasionally burn to death and many of those same people will happily fork out $200 for the "coolest" versions of those same child slave made clothes.
Oh you lucky duck.