A brand-free life

[Fana]

"Neil Boorman torched his designer wardrobe and possessions and tried to live a brand-free life for a year - so how did he do? "

BBC NEWS | Magazine | My brand new life

 

[taB]

Nice idea but the guy seems to have missed his mark by a fair way.

I take it he didn't use a bus, taxi, the underground, a car or even a bicycle (unless he made it himself using non-branded parts) during this time.

What make are his glasses?

And most importantly what the hell did he drink for a year...no booze?

As bad as these things are and while I believe it may well be possible to live a brand free lifestyle, I somehow doubt London's the place to do it. He should have gone on that castaway program and not been allowed any tools or tinned food.

 

[Scouse]

Yep. Like the man in the article wished he'd said: Capitalism is a big pile of shit*!





*although Babylon 5 did had some redeeming features

 

[nath]

Hawk the Slayer's rubbish!

 

[old.user4556]

sucker for a brand

 

[Calaen]

Yay but buy my super book!!!!!!

Moron, he bought the clothes cause he has a small penis. now he doesnt get the chicks so he does not have to worry about them laughing at his nodger. Thats why the stress has gone.

 

[dysfunction]

I would also be depressed if i was that ugly...

 

[Sharma]

Could be worse, you could be an accountant...


Oh wait.

 

[Wazzerphuk]

Also, if he drank tap water he was drinking a brand. If he used any gas/electric he was using a brand. The list goes on and on...

 

[GReaper]

Also, if he drank tap water he was drinking a brand. If he used any gas/electric he was using a brand. The list goes on and on...

I think it's reasonably easy to tell the difference between buying a product for the brand and buying a product for other reasons. Every product usually has a brand, it's a case of picking one according to stuff you need, not because it'll make you feel better.

His websites Bonfire Of The Brands and Brand Aid give a bit more information. I found the video on this page the most interesting. He really did go to the extremes in avoiding brands, buying from local markets only and avoiding anything with a label - even down to the toilet paper!

 

[Draylor]

He really did go to the extremes

Of course he did, he addressed the problem of having an obsession rule his life by finding another obsession.

Very healthy.

 

[Sharma]

I detect some sarcasm Draylor.

Did you read the full article?

His bank balance is no longer spiralling into masses of debt and he's lost a stone due to eating local produce instead of processed food.

TBH it seems to me that his brand-free lifestyle has had more benefits than just saving money.

 

[dysfunction]

You can eat so called branded foods and still be healthy!
Its not all processed and high in fat content.

 

[tris-]

most pre packed meals are processed, if not all i reckon.

 

[Draylor]

I detect some sarcasm Draylor.

Did you read the full article?

I did actually. Laughing at him obsessing over finding unbranded toilet paper and underwear.

Buying the random stores own brand wouldve achieved just as much (well, little, but anyway)

 

[GReaper]

I'm just curious about what he did for entertainment with his brand free lifestyle. He mentioned that he didn't have a TV and read books instead. Just what can you do whilst avoiding brands? Eating out in a restaurant chain is probably out, as well as many other things.

Yes he's probably saved quite a lot of money by avoiding brands, so what the hell does he spend all the extra money on?

 

[Clown]

More shit products.

 

[Wazzerphuk]

If he read books, then he was still partaking in brand culture.

Publishers are a bit like brands these days - they generally have their own ethos and style.

The bloke's just kidding himself.

 

[Jarakin]

Hawk the Slayer's rubbish!

*goes Billy Bailey on your ass*