Diabolical Lies "Ethical Consumption" & the History of "Selling Out"
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Nov 2, 2025 Dive into the complexities of ethical consumption versus selling out in a capitalist world. The hosts discuss the origins of the phrase 'no ethical consumption under capitalism' and explore critiques of consumerism. They examine the impact of anti-litter campaigns that shifted blame to individuals and question if boycotts can truly affect corporations. Cultural shifts in the music industry are highlighted, alongside debates on artists performing for questionable regimes. The conversation wraps up with reflections on the enduring entanglement of commerce and culture.
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Origin And Effect Of The Slogan
- The phrase "there is no ethical consumption under capitalism" aimed to refocus blame from consumers to systemic production problems.
- Its popularity equalized moral responsibility and sometimes encouraged passivity instead of structural change.
How Litter Campaigns Protected Plastics
- Keep America Beautiful was founded and funded by beverage and packaging companies to shift blame onto littering individuals.
- The campaign popularized 'litterbug' and opposed legislation restricting disposable containers, enabling mass disposability.
Amazon's Profit Engine Is Not Retail
- Amazon's public face as a retailer obscures that AWS supplies most of its profits.
- Targeting consumer purchases alone won't easily harm Amazon without coordinated structural or labor pressure.
