Comments on: Do you know who’s watching you?

By: Clare

Clare — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:03:53 +0000

A couple of months ago, I was that man!

I had watched a tourist in our town allowing his kids to kick about a plastic bottle along the road that leads to our beach. No big deal, until I saw them just leave the bottle behind when bored of their game.

I couldn’t help myself. Had they just walked past the bottle, I would not have said anything, but to kick it around (even if they had not dropped it) and then leave it, just seemed selfish to me.

Anyway, the father of course rose to the bait, accused me of being crazy, and I was the one that ended up picking up the bottle and throwing it away. What a shame my efforts fell on such deaf ears. :(

By: Natalie

Natalie — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:03:32 +0000

This was a great, “punch in the gut” sort of story, (one that could have happened to anyone) – and a very important one at that! Thanks for sharing. It’s the kind of story that “arm-chair” environmentalists (including me) need to hear to help us to continue to improve ;)

By: Darris

Darris — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:39:26 +0000

Kinda scary but turned out to be a great story! I’ve been snapping photos of beach trash nearly everyday for two years. I get all kinds of interesting reactions when I’m shooting pictures of trash, dog poop bags and dead birds washed ashore. Some people ask questions which I love because it allows me to educate and hopefully inspire.

One afternoon when my husband and I were walking and cleaning up the beach a young woman said “thank you for picking up garbage” to my husband. My husband offered the woman and her companion a garbage bag and the two set off collecting. I snapped photos and we all exchanged names. I have made dozens of friends on the beach this way.

I do have to share this though . . . most often my walk down the beach I’m focused on walking, enjoying the ocean and taking photos. If I come across a larger piece of trash I draw a line in the sand so that I can locate it on the way back. Sometimes people pick it up before I get to it. That is the most gratifying feeling of all.

Thanks for all you do Beth!!

By: Lori Popkewitz Alper

Lori Popkewitz Alper — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:49:52 +0000

Thanks for sharing Beth. True-we never know who’s watching, but it also feels good to do the right thing. Glad the trip to the lake brought you an unexpected blog post!

By: Bridget Benton

Bridget Benton — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 22:09:46 +0000

For the last five years, I’ve been working on a book about artmaking and spirituality. And it just makes me laugh how often I would do something completely counter to the ideas I was working to get across in the book so that I could, well, you know, get the book done! I’m looking forward to getting back in the studio – and thank you for sharing this story so authentically and transparently!!

By: greg

greg — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 02:57:48 +0000

I used to be embarrassed also, but now I try to set an example. Just this week I bought groceries said no plastic please and the lady at checkout started putting my groceries in plastic, so I politely took one of my cloth bags and started switching things into my bags and she said sorry I forgot. Then guess what she started wrapping my fruit in plastic bags to put inside my cloth bags. I stayed nice and explained that I am a green nut but feel plastic is a huge problem etc. she said sorry you are right and put everything into my bags. The lady behind my in line said you know what I am going to buy some cloth bags, I gave her two of mine to start with. So maybe I converted someone. Of course I wish platic bags whould just be banned. g

By: peaJayFish

peaJayFish — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:56:44 +0000

Ottoline, I have the same problem. I wish I had some clever solution for you, but sadly, I don’t. Though it is quite frustrating for me that he won’t get on board with me (or even make some small efforts), he is a good man, I know who I married, and I love him. And if he lived elsewhere, as you mentioned, that only means he would be creating his garbage out of my sight. Nothing solved. I just hope that one day he will see that MY efforts DO make a difference. We should talk. (Sorry this is a bit off the topic, Beth. Love this post, as always, great lesson).

By: Ottoline

Ottoline — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:53:36 +0000

Alina,

Thank you very much for your kind response, and for the documentary suggestions. My partner and I did see ‘Bag It’ together when it played here in Portland (OR), but the effect it had on him was fleeting. He had no interest in seeing ‘Garbage’ when I brought it home from the video shop (I haven’t seen ‘Home’ yet, but will look for it). I also gave him Elizabeth Royte’s excellent and well-researched book ‘Garbageland’ to read, but he argued with her facts. He just doesn’t seem to understand that the individual is part of the problem, however small a part. Oh dear – could I be living with a crypto-obstructionist reactionary?

By: Alina

Alina — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:13:32 +0000

Hi, Ottoline
I know you expect an answer from Beth, but you might find this useful.

I think people are reluctant to change their ways when they don’t really know what they do is wrong. Assume your spouse is not into this subject. You read this blog, I bet he doesn’t. Telling him is not enough. Suggest watching together some documentaries. It will help to put things in perspective.
A few titles: Home, Garbage, Bag it.
I hope this helps

By: Bee Girl (AKA Melissa)

Bee Girl (AKA Melissa) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 03:47:06 +0000

When we work together, and listen to each other, we can achieve great things!