Topic: It is not a happy world

[tim]

Daughter picked these up in Delhi last week - 10 for £1.20. Can't show it, but every facet sparkles.

The mind boggles!!

Slumdog Millionaires?

[artichoke]

Yes, my daughter brought me a couple from a similar source. Do you mean people are miserable in some sweat shop, making them?

[pigeonseed]

Yes we all live at someone else's expense here don't we?

Although some of the plenty has to do with modern manufacturing techniques as well. Sometimes I think the dazzling range of beautiful things, in every shop for such low prices, is a bit sad because it makes it less special. (Is that what you meant as well, Tim?)

When I was small, I dreamed of wearing a pair of shoes which sparkled like Dorothy's in the Wizard of Oz - now kids' shoes sparkle in every colour and they're everywhere. Things become less attractive when they're ubiquitous.

You can have too much of a good thing.

[manicscousers]

we bought some of these in a shop in Cornwall, 1.20 each  :o

[PurpleHeather]

It is very sad to note the small amount some have and that is an example.

Having been to such places and seen how poor  these people really are makes you realise that there is just nothing we can do.

If we buy the stuff we are contributing to exploitation.
If we do not those people have no other income. No DHSS they don't eat. simple as.

Damned if you do
Damned if you don't.

[pigeonseed]

Yes it needs bigger change than we can achieve with shopping. People do overestimate consumer power. But then, I suppose that's why politics was invented...

I suppose in terms of consumer power, we can buy ethical goods whenever we're able. There are cooperatives and so on in India.