Gareth Kane on Paris Hilton (and Abstinence)
With the news that his favourite socialite and amateur film maker is now banged up (in jail that is), Gareth Kane looks at the two extremes of consumption.
I thought I'd heard it all about Paris Hilton until I found out this weekend that she spends $35 a bottle on Bling H20 water for her dog. The Bling H2O website makes no secret of the fact that their mission is to take money off stupid rich people. Well they don't quite say that, but if you are really trying to define yourself by the water you drink (or feed your dog), then you're unlikely to be a closet intellectual. And surely if you really wanted to make a statement about how cool you were, you wouldn't go near a product with 'Bling' in its name. Or maybe Paris, not normally renowned for dry wit or artistic statement, is being ironic?
At the other end of the scale is The Compact, a loose group of Americans who have pledged to avoid buying anything new except food, drink, medicine (but no Viagra or Botox), cleaning products but not equipment , socks and underwear (but "utilitarian only") and pyjamas for children. The original group only intended to go without for 2006, but have enjoyed it so much they've extended it into 2007. Members have started trying to outdo each other on how well they can live within these restrictions.
I can't help thinking that instead of subjecting poor Paris to the horrors of prison (like tap water), they should have sentenced her to 12 months of the Compact. It would have been much cheaper for the US taxpayer, and what could be a better contender for her own Room 101 than a year in utilitarian pants.
Until next time,
Gareth
Gareth Kane
Eco-living Blog
Terra Infirma
