Category: Images and Stories

Necessity?

Brian FullfordLeave a comment

My friend Josh shared this image through Facebook. Josh is an amazing person. Funny, artistic, insightful and caring. I just wanted to add that because hopefully anyone who reads this has a Josh that inspires them to be better than they presently are.

With respect to the image, I strongly believe we should enjoy the products of our labor. We should allow ourselves, our family and our friends certain comforts. It is what we strive for. It is what we want for others. I share this image because it speaks to what we value. While we all may not be guilty to this extreme, and some may not consider guilt an appropriate word, there are times in which we could make better choices with what we exchange for our labor and time.

The greater challenge is to not become apathetic or indifferent to it. To not stop believing that changing for one is somehow diminished because we cannot change for more. It has to start somewhere.

Patagonia’s “Don’t Buy This Jacket”

Brian FullfordLeave a comment

Sanctimonious. That is the word used by the gossip blog Gawker to frame Patagonia’s ad campaign this past Dark Friday (Black Friday to most of you). I will let you read the piece on your own along with the other accompanying links so you can form your own opinion or at the very least inform yourself as to who Patagonia is and how they might be received.

My only comments are these:

  • Coming from a self-professed “hopeful cynic”, at what point do you simply decide to believe in/focus on the goodness of something? Are we that afraid of being deceived? Are we so concerned that we could be associated with something that is not 100% perfect or sincere?
  • Here is where my patience gets a bit thin: Do not refer to something as “sanctimonious” just because it wishes to elevate your mind or condition. Consider that where you are at is not what is “best” for yourself or for others.
  • I hate that environmental concern is qualified as “liberal”.
  • While it might be a great marketing tool for a product that has often been called pricey (and it is), the bottom line is that in my experience the quality is stellar so your total cost of ownership ends up costing you less. If a company promotes not spending on its products how does that help their overall profit margin? They are basically telling you to buy when you need not when you want (more on that below).
  • While it is easy to compare who does more for any cause, that someone is doing something is a great start. I am not living in an eco-house or driving an electric car. I am not in a financial state to live up to my own standards. Does that make us all, to a degree, hypocrites? It does not, and do not let any one tell you otherwise. You are not putting on a “false impression” if you are simply trying to do your best.

Digging Beneath Patagonia’s “Don’t Buy This Jacket” Campaign

OH Brother Patagonia Just Give Us a Break From This Sanctimonious Crap

Don’t Buy This Unless You Need It

Ad of the Day: Patagonia

Patagonia blog about the campaign

People You Should Know

Brian FullfordLeave a comment

I had an interesting discussion on Twitter with @JWWalls a week ago regarding this tweet:

I have never been comfortable taking pictures with or getting autographs of “celebrities”. For proof, ask Chris Gandy how awkward I behaved when meeting all the guys from Toad the Wet Sprocket. For lack of a better term I am socially retarded when it comes to knowing what to say or simply how to behave. The burden of “knowing” them collides with them not “knowing” me and it is all down hill from there.

This sentiment comes from a place through which the person is seen not by what they do but who they are at ground level: another pilgrim.

For years I have preached that everyone has a story that deserves to be told. Over the past few months I have spoken with three people who I feel have lives which are inspirational and deserving of recognition. They are not soldiers returning from battle, civil servants risking their lives on a daily basis nor are they performing on a stage both grand and bright. Rather they are people who fail to allow fear to impose its will upon them. My hope is that through you will see a simple strength to Be.

I have complete faith there will be more stories to tell beyond these three, but until then look for pieces on Philip Hughes, Chris Gandy and Neil Griffin.