Witchcraft under Capitalism 🏡 Cottagecore, Witchcore, and the Classism of Ethical Consumerism
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💸ko-fi.com/activistwitch 💸 in this video essay we talk about Capitalism, Consumerism and how they affect us in the witchcraft community through aesthetics such as Cottagecore and Specifically Witchcore. Thanks to the lovely voces of:
@abwitchjournal
@polishfolkwitch
@LavenderHazelwood
@PantheraTheFeralwoodWitch
@saplingtarot
@TarotMagpie
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Sammie and Sabrin FULL Q&A video @glittercymru • Sammie and Sabrin ANSW...
🕰️ CHAPTERS 🕰️
00:00 Witchcraft and Capitalism
02:49 A Brief History of Capitalism
21:57 PR, Marketing and Influencers
38:39 Form and Function: Beauty and Dopamine
46:15 Shein, Fast Fashion and Cottagecore Classism
01:04:03 Neurodivergence Fails Consumerism
01:05:55 My Conclusions
📚BIBLIOGRAPHY📚
Devon Price PhD - Laziness Does Not Exist
amzn.to/3ygYDXm
Dr. Anna Lembke - Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence
amzn.to/4a8zY4T
tiktok is kind of bad for fashion by @gremlita • tiktok is kind of bad ...
let's talk about the rise of ‘-core’ and ‘girl’ aesthetics by @gremlita • let's talk about the r...
The Fantastical History Of Cottagecore | A Style is Born ft. @ArielBissett and @monalogue • The Fantastical Histor...
The Century of the Self - Part 1: "Happiness Machines"
@justadamcurtis9178 • The Century of the Sel...
Why Beautiful Things Make us Happy - Beauty Explained
• Why Beautiful Things M...
Our Consumer Society
@ThenNow • Our Consumer Society
Neoliberalism: From Ronald Reagan to the Gig Economy by @Tom_Nicholas
• Neoliberalism: From Ro...
Should We Abolish Copyright? by @Tom_Nicholas
• Should We Abolish Copy...
How Protestant Christianity Made Us Rich.
• How Protestant Christi...
Vicky Osterweil - Remembering As an Act of Revolt
all-cats-are-beautiful.ghost....
Serotonin vs. Dopamine - 7 Key Differences Between Pleasure and Happiness • Serotonin vs. Dopamine...
The Myth of the Temporarily Embarrassed Millionaire
jacobin.com/2018/05/americans...
What are internet aesthetics and subcultures? Two Aesthetics Wiki members explain
screenshot-media.com/culture/...
aesthetics.fandom.com/wiki/Ae...
aesthetics.fandom.com/wiki/Wi...
revisesociology.com/2017/09/2...
Cottagecore Was Just the Beginning
www.theatlantic.com/technolog...
The case for scaling up Housing First in England - Crisis
www.crisis.org.uk/media/24574...
harward business review - Hard Work Doesn’t Always Lead to Success
hbr.org/2023/09/hard-work-doe...
veritasium - Is Success Luck or Hard Work?
• Is Success Luck or Har...
www.thoughtco.com/edward-bern...
British Pathe - Time To Remember - Teenage Flapper 1920s - Reel 2 (1920-1929)
• Time To Remember - Tee...
"Keynesian economics." Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Dec. 2021, www.britannica.com/money/Keyn....
Keynesian Economics Theory
www.thebalancemoney.com/keyne...
🎼 MUSIC 🎼
Fairy Meeting - Emily A. Sprague
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#cottagecore #aesthetic #shein
@accountmoved13 Ай бұрын
Cottagecore suddenly seems way more appealing when I focus on values and meaning. I'd throw a fit wearing the clothes because a lot of them, I have issues with the feeling of clothes. But having my friends over and just cooking spaghetti for them, picking fresh flowers to put on the table, I can't so far name something more fulfilling. Reading together in an apartment, but leaving the world outside. Corporations made us forget to just experience living. I also very much appreciate the neurodivergent appreciation bit. Finally, someone gets it!
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Glad to hear this resonates with you too. Cottagecore as a package of items to sell (as most aesthetics get picked up by business to be sold nowadays) is just adding insult to injury because it's literally the idea of leaving the system, but since we can't, we buy the feeling... Which indeed is opposite to consumerism, but if we're left with nothing else what are we to do? Ideally organise and take down the system if you ask me 😉. Thank you so much for watching and commenting 🖤🙏🏽
@alisonmercer5946 26 күн бұрын
I pick wildflowers flowers and read books but I'm not cottage core, its just something I do. I love flowers n reading. I'm not anything core because I like different things that just wouldn't fit under some "aesthetic core" anyway. That whole thing sounds so manufactured itself , I just realised and thats (partly) why it annoys me to call everything this core that core, but I don't know who started it. Or I'm wrong and it's iust a way to categorize this, that and the other thing and it had an organic start? Im convinced it was started in marketing lol. Looking around at my stuff i have all.kinds of different things that would be not in the same core 😂.
@kikidevine694 Ай бұрын
I've been on the witchcraft scene for forty years; it used to be a case of using your imagination and cutlery drawer; now you can't move for the latest cool accessory you absolutely need to do what you could do with nothing years ago. I don't need more clutter to make others richer.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Part of my misunderstanding of what was happening in my village being fill Witchcraft was indeed that tools and aesthetics weren't a thing, if anything everything was hidden behind religious iconography
@alisonmercer5946 26 күн бұрын
Yes
@RoseBleueDuRosierSec Ай бұрын
In fact, sometimes it's cheaper to buy clothes from the bargain bin and use the fabric for a different thing than buying new fabric. We've used my mom's old blouse to make a skirt this year. No way I can afford that quality in new materials.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
I do remember my grandparents doing the same, in her old age it's all my grandmother did. The time alone to do it, without even considering learning, is a luxury in today's poverty we cannot afford.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
@@FunkyLittlePoptart the fact you can't imagine how much people have to multitask with their time is shocking to me. Do you know when **I** who make KZfaq video have time to watch a 1h video? When I wash the dishes, when I have to clean the house. I cannot afford to not multitask. Do you want to add anything to show how your privilege doesn't even let you imagine how poor people survive?
@casehill417 28 күн бұрын
Exactly. Even when I was poor as dirt and working 50+ hours, I would still go to the thrift shop and use those clothes or that fabric to make things. It's something I love doing and it's my happy place. I didn't have a sewing machine for awhile, so I'd just hand sew and hand embroider things.
@meowsmyths 27 күн бұрын
@@activistwitch I'm in college rn (scholarship, could NOT afford this otherwise), I pick up sewing stitches by bringing my stuff to class, deconstructing half the seam on an old garment, and then re-sewing it repeatedly til I can mimic the stitch pattern. learned leatherwork cleaning tack at a riding stable for a job pre-COVID. observe everything.
@meowsmyths 27 күн бұрын
@@activistwitch doing dishes to this video literally right now lol
@louiserossiter4310 Ай бұрын
Even once you've learned to knit making your own garments is an expensive hobby - you could buy cheap yarn from the pound shop and look for a free pattern but then where's your motivation to spend the 20 to 40 hours knitting it into a jumper that you're not going to love making and wearing and at minimum wage costs between £228 and £457 in labour
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Very true. I crochet and it's a limited hobby of mine exactly because of a) yarn costs for pretty, sturdy, durable yarn and b) it's not sustainable to do or to even make stuff beyond a hobby because it's impossible to monetize for the time it takes.
@ReikiRev Ай бұрын
Not to mention people shaming you for using acrylic yarn. Yet will buy imported wool that had to be delivered on a freight ship truck or plane
@technopoptart Ай бұрын
i know this is aside from the point but you can unravel charity shop sweaters and blankets for very cheap yarn, you jsut has to make sure the hems/seams are not trimmed
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
@@technopoptart always good to know 👍🏽
@cronchyskull 25 күн бұрын
Also the horrors of starring to knit a sock, putting it down for a few months because, y'know, life stuff, and then picking it up again to have no clue where you got to and you're only on the first damn sock still. 😭 A nice problem to have, sure, but still shows how it's not super practical.
@sienathewayfarer Ай бұрын
As a physiologist, I want to clarify some functions of dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine of course modulates a sense of reward, but it has more to do with motivation. In the best scenario, dopamine actually does help motivate us to participate in long-term projects. If you already know and have experienced the reward behind and understood action, you actually get the most dopamine release in the build up to receive that result. Dopamine is released during new rewards. Serotonin, on the other hand, specifically influences mood. It is not simply a happiness chemical. For example, there is a circuit in the brain which shuts down the prefrontal cortex and therefore shuts down some logical reasoning while a trauma response is being formed. Serotonin released within this circuit actually creates the trauma response. You don't want all the serotonin all across your brain always. When it comes to the ways that social media hijacks our reward system, essentially, what it is doing is taking away neurochemical resources from our long-term motivation system.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Thank you for the full explanation, I skimmed on it but thankfully the resource cover that 😉👍🏽
@kj5250 Ай бұрын
That’s so interesting Thankyou!
@dejahdanger Ай бұрын
Thank you for that explanation.
@nineblackgoats Ай бұрын
I am so glad someone is finally pointing this out. As a fervent nature lover I try my best to be eco-conscious within my means, but the thing is, living sustainably IS expensive and time consuming. I have bills to pay and only 24 hours in a day, when am I supposed to churn my butter and sew my clothes? Also, speaking of clothes, I'm in love with your sweater 🐸💗
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
The most problematic thing is I deed how capitalism just turned things around and went: no why should the system change when I can provide the illusion of ethical consumption for a premium and that way pit people against each other? We'd love to think as individuals we can make a change but capitalism uses that to make us focus on the wrong thing when the only thing that works is organising as people against the system
@RoaenHere Ай бұрын
Gonna make a painting that says "Pleasure but not happiness" that I can upload as the front for all of my debit and credit cards from this day forward.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Hey, marketing uses propaganda to make us want stuff we don't need, having a reminder of that is just playing fair on the same ground 😉
@lalat5899 Ай бұрын
<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="65">1:05</a>:52 As a self diagnosed neurodivergent, it makes so much sense why I’d get frustrated with humanity for not seeing or caring about the game being played on us. But recently I’ve had to let it go and be at peace with the way the world just is. People are pack animals and most animals follow the heard.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Then again without us we likely would have never branched off and created the wonderful multicultural world that exists so I still try to focus on that. The world can stand still for so long, and then one of us comes around and shakes it like a Polaroid picture 😉
@megsmagicalmansion3543 Ай бұрын
As a person who sews... I love this! I get most of my fabrics by thrifting or repurposing thrifted clothing. Just because something is repurposed or thrifted doesn't mean it's uncomfortable or cheaply made. I often find high-end designer clothing when thrifting, so I end up with nicer items than I could afford to buy new. Plus - There is so much satisfaction in making and wearing your own creations! I produce clothing I need and love - and it usually last a lot longer because I create items that will last. The history you brought was fascinating! The part about how this all impacts our brains chemically was so interesting, too! Thank you for sharing all this!!!
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Thank you for watching and sharing! 🙏🏽🖤
@MissMeganBeckett Ай бұрын
Yarn and nice enough fabric to make clothing that will look professionally made up when sewn up if you have that skill is also very expensive, probably even more expensive than buying from a store so even if you know how to knit or sew it’s not less expensive, especially if you’re allergic to acrylic products like I am so I can’t use a lot of the less expensive yarns. I can knit and I do sew to mend my clothes if they have been damaged but it isn’t at all cost effective to make my own clothes or to knit much actual clothing outside of for my own enjoyment in making it, so I mostly don’t make it myself I buy it because I can’t afford spending that much on clothes.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Same, I have learnt to crochet but between yarn and time costs it's just not a luxury I can afford beyond the random placemat
@teresekokholm9723 Ай бұрын
It used to be. I learned to sew in the 90's and for about a decade I made my own clothes cheaper than at stores, but since 2000's it is cheaper to buy clothes from fast fashion (and the fabric is probably produced under the same conditions) Yarn is extremely expensive! if you can spin your own yarn, you can get wool for free or a bottle of wine from hobby meat farmers though (but the amount of time an effort to make a sweater is huge - why we made factories in the first place)
@WolfsbaneWitch Ай бұрын
I loved everything about this video! Thank you for such an awesome break down of capitalism and the illusions of consumerism. I think topics like this need to be explored deeper, especially within the witchy/spiritual communities. If we strive to be connected, aware, and to able to "see beyond", then we must be able to see beyond not just in terms of the unseen world, but in our seen reality as well. Late stage capitalism is at the door, we can no longer afford to live under illusions. A bit of a personal tangent here but... I went to art school for Visual Communications. I learned advertising, graphic design, marketing, etc... and over that process I feel like it radicalized me into realizing that modern art and design is only made to manipulate people into buying lifestyles (aka, products). I did my senior thesis on comparing advertising to political propaganda and I wish I had more time to write it because the rabbit hole goes deep... I gave up my dream to become a professional artist because I realized in order to succeed in the commercial world, I'd need to sell my soul to make visual PR for companies. I'd rather be poor with high personal value than rich and morally bankrupt.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
This is so interesting, thank you for sharing Eddie! If you ever feel like making a video sharing what you learnt and how you seneit applies to the community I would definitely watch!!!
@EmL-kg5gn Ай бұрын
If you ever explain this in more detail I’d be super interested too!!
@Rey-it3sg Ай бұрын
Going to art school also radicalized me in this way. There's no real "art" jobs that value art itself. Art centered careers only value wealth and connections. If you're not from a rich family with connections in the high art society, then you won't succeed. That's why most high art or modern art is less about expressionism or abstraction and more about making meaningless art with the most expensive materials to sell for as much money as possible. Basically, rich people money laundering is what high art is. I'm ok with Jackson pollock and his splatter paintings but I loathe Anish Kapoor and his red-paint-shit-through-doorway bs. If your art isn't going to have a message/meaning, at least lean on the elements and principles of art to make something visually appealing or that makes the viewer think. When I see Anish Kapoor's art all I see is rampant consumerism, capitalism, and waste, which is exactly why I hate it. That's to say, I still do art on the side, but my career focus is now architecture, horticulture, and landscaping as I want to make an active difference in my community.
@EmilysTarotandMagick Ай бұрын
So interesting Eddie. I second @EmL-kg5gn I would love to hear more about this if you decide to do a VR and expand on your experiences. 🙏 xx
@zazilsolis78 Ай бұрын
I love this! I studied Communication and digital media, with a specialization on art and I completely agree with you! I also radicalize myself, I realized that “authentic” art it’s pretty rare, because you have to sell your soul to sell everything. Now days, nobody cares about the craft itself, nobody cares about making art just for “arts sake”, the spirits of the artists who refuse to sell themselves is so long death. It’s tragic to actually inform yourself about how much we are always being sold things. 💔
@geraldinegranger9186 Ай бұрын
Ah, I can see why witches have historically been marginalized and persecuted. This all makes too much sense! Kind of scary to the power structure. Great podcast!
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Yeah in fairness there's an entire video to be made based solely on how the witches trials were really against women living independently of a man out of their own labour helping other women (midwives) or the village (herbalist). Silvia Federici's Caliban and the Witch is entirely about that and maybe if it's of interest might do a video specifically about that in the future
@kat8559 Ай бұрын
@@activistwitch this is historically untrue and has been debunked by many historians
@BeverleyButterfly Ай бұрын
Omg please talk about the pandemics! Suddenly all the things disabled people had been asking for like theatre at home and jobs able to be done at home and had always been told couldn't be done... Happened so easy! And now? It's all gone
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
I will definitely look into it to see if there is actual research done on it otherwise might take me some time but even just speaking to disabled people or people who became disabled during the pandemic with long COVID and such, might be needed sooner rather than later
@kristena5825 Ай бұрын
Something I always try to remember is that if I didn't need it and go looking for it, buying it isn't my decision. If I go to the store and see something and say oh that's so cute I should buy it, that decision has been made for me by someone who couldn't care less about adding value to my life. Me choosing not to buy it won't bankrupt the corrupt companies marketing it, but it will preserve a little bit of my free will and that is enough reason to ignore the dopamine rush of "retail therapy." I'm not fighting against capitalism because I think I can win, I'm fighting to protect my ability to keep fighting.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
And if you can make that choice and it makes you feel better good for you. It becomes a problem when our "goodness" becomes something to look down upon others who we don't know the struggle of to judge the choice by our own metre.
@nonaureos Ай бұрын
Perfect video. Hits exactly all of what my silly little brain wants. Discussions of capitalism, marketing schemes of morality, dopamine addictions, “pleasure but not happiness,” and the place of aesthetics/cores as both sedative and signifiers, among others. My brain spins on these topics seemingly endlessly and I like the way you’ve brought them together. I watched this video in quick succession after Zoe Bees video on fascism and imagination, which has led me to connect some dots, especially regarding potentially utilizing the impacts of the pandemic for radical change. These are good videos to watch together, I would recommend the combo. Also I like organized, yet unscripted style. Perfect video, good job, thank you.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
So here's the shocking thing to me: on another channel I tried to make video essays since 2021. Zoe Bee is indeed one of the video essayst I most looked up to so hearing that accidentally on this channel that started purely for person reasons I managed to do something that echos and resonates with people who watch those I so look up to means truly the world. Thank you for your word, thank you for watching, thank you for taking the time to tell me this 🙏🏽🖤
@NostalgicHime 18 күн бұрын
This is such a refreshing video! It has been bugging me lately how many of the content creators I see push slow fashion products but are unrealistically pricey! Paying $245 (not counting shipping) for ONE single item of clothing is just not reachable for so many of us. It is very easy when the company gifts these items to the content creator. It's just not our reality. We shouldn't be feeling awful about ourselves for buying fast fashion clothes which is more affordable. And if we think on it, thrift stores depend on people that donate their fast fashion items. Thrift stores are not what they used to be. Since they are on "trend" they're becoming just as pricey.
@activistwitch 16 күн бұрын
Thank you so much for watching, so glad it resonated with you!
@lauriannebonnici Ай бұрын
You’re the YT witch I’ve been searching for 😍 I’m not even halfway through the vid but pausing and saying WOAH. Thanks for the amount of information that went into it! Explaining the economic systems better that any of my university professors AND tying it all with historical events, trends and witchcraft?! I’m gonna be scouring through your channel heavily!
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
I'm so glad you found it useful! I know uni and school in general was so confusing to me too until I started to come around podcasts and essays and realised "this helps A lot to put things together and without having dyslexia challenging me" 😅
@s.thrall7838 Ай бұрын
Really loved this video. Especially the discussion of dopamine and how the drive for more drives consumerism. It really helps me put my personal psychology into a historical context in a way that is providing valuable insight. Thank you! And I appreciate the reminder to look at the context of someone's situation before moralizing on their actions.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
@FoxInTheStudio Ай бұрын
On the idea of "stolen wages"... Anyone who makes their own products and then sells them themselves knows that having to do it all within a business by yourself is ultra draining. I'd argue that the stolen wages are actually management wages. The problem is when management becomes bloated and parasitic rather than symbiotic.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Then it brings the issue though: once the profit they kept lays back for their investments, what's the excuse of still stealing wages? The thing is, the capitalist doesn't manage, still hires someone to do it, much like a landlord hasn't built so won't maintain the house you still pay rent to
@FoxInTheStudio Ай бұрын
@@activistwitch I think the ideal situation is someone who wants to invest capital has a set period where they get paid back, essentially being paid for lending their money/rendering a service, and after that, they have nothing to do with it, end of contract, go on their way and find other labourers/artisans with skills but no assets to start up, which is what banks do anyway. I also agree with the "you don't need money after x amount so let's keep societal dignity levels high", so a world where people will seek to help others (and help themselves a little in the process) but where excess is useless to the individual would be much better. I was more commenting that, as someone who makes a lot of my own stuff, I have often lamented that it would be nice to essentially have a business partner who was business inclined in a way that I am not, so I can see that appeal
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
@@FoxInTheStudio no the ideal situation is the people own the means of production.
@colorblockpoprocks6973 Ай бұрын
@@activistwitch managers aint people
@LauraRamirez-zd3il 8 күн бұрын
As someone who has been a manager and director of sales, and who worked proxy a variety of 'positions' to assist makers in bringing their items to a larger market, and with much success (as quantified by the makers themselves) i co-sign your post. I saw many others who did what i did and did so in a very greedy and dishonest manner and ultimately stole wages from the makers.
@nharber9837 Ай бұрын
My mother’s friend had a thing she would say when I was growing up, and it’s stuck with me: We’re all a few missed paychecks away from giving lap dances at a truck stop to survive. Unless you’re rich, but that’s a conversation neither of us can afford.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
And in fairness it's a wrong perception that getting into lap dancing is that easy even when as a last resort
@wickedash_ 5 күн бұрын
Most people aren’t willing or ready to step outside of their performative activism to have such nuanced conversation and radical empathy. I appreciate this video so much.
@activistwitch Күн бұрын
youre righ and to be fair, i am not sure even i would have understood the practicality of things had things not gotten as bad as they did at some point. empathy would be great but as human beings sympathy is much easier to develop when theres a chance of identification more than abstraction. if sharing my research and my first hand experience helps others being better than me before i fell on hard times, then it was almost worth it!
@LavenderHazelwood Ай бұрын
Lots of good points here that I could never string together in a coherent talk myself. xo, Aurora
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Thank you so much for your help Aurora! ❤️🙏🏽
@EmilysTarotandMagick Ай бұрын
Yes soooo much gold and so wonderfully presented ❤
@queenfrankiesoup Ай бұрын
Thank you for this video - it's incredibly refreshing. I'm literally writing a dissertation right now about knitting and class in the north of England in the 20th century. Knitting isn't money-saving, in material or time. Even using the cheapest acrylic yarn, it's conspicuous consumption - you're saying you have the time and skill to wear custom clothing. Also, if you wear complicated knitted garments, you're placing yourself in a position of power in a community of knitters - you can choose to serve as teacher or gatekeeper. (Re. neurodivergence - there is evidence that microtransactions are particularly dangerous for people with ADHD so we're not always immune to capitalism's "charms" - see Laura Kate Dale's accessibility channel, or Steph Sterling's Jimquisition re. this.)
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
You have an excellent point on micro transactions and ND people and to be fair once I finished this video I realised "I need an entire one specifically geared towards tarot and collectionism" because that kind of thing really becomes enticing for an ND person that makes that their special interest. Sapling tarot recently made a video about tarot and autism which I highly recommend
@queenfrankiesoup Ай бұрын
@@activistwitch Oooooooh, I do have an unhealthy obsession with tarot and lots of neurospice! I will definitely check it out - thank you!
@saplingtarot Ай бұрын
Such an interesting video and a whole bunch of topics we need to be discussing more!
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Thank you so so much for your help on this Imogen, your work was absolutely outstanding! 🙏🏽🖤
@EmilysTarotandMagick Ай бұрын
Yesssssss 💯 😘
@lilykatmoon4508 Ай бұрын
What a fantastic analysis! I taught high school in Texas, USA for 18 years. Economics was one of the subjects I taught, and I wish I had this breakdown of capitalism to show them. Of course, being in Texas, I would have been burnt at the stake, lol, but I thought it a very succinct explanation of how we got where we are now. I did become a witch during the pandemic. Rather, I discovered I was one during this time, but I have health issues and money issues and getting on disability has been a three year odyssey so far. I dont have much disposable income to spend on anything. I really liked how you pointed out the problems of fast fashion but didn’t shame those who purchase it. I’m also pursuing wearing historical dress as an authentic expression of myself. I’m slowly sewing a late 18th century outfit, and it takes a lot of time. I’ve acquired materials from the thrift store and asked for resources for Christmas and birthday presents. I’m very privileged to have extensive support from my family. I recognize that many people don’t have the resources I do have. I continue to wear my modern clothes, but I have only bought one item of clothing (jeans for work) in the past three years. I’m thankful to you for including lots of resources for us to check out to further our education on this topic and have saved this video to go back and reference those sources. I love your channel, your content, and your spirit. Take care.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
This is one of the best compliments anyone could pay me, that you so much!!!
@alicek5178 Ай бұрын
An incredibly well put video. Thank you for the depth with which you discussed this topic, it was a really refreshing look at it.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
I'm so glad you found it useful! Thank you so much for taking the time to watch! 🙏🏽🖤
@beanbaghagwag Ай бұрын
Thank you for all the work you did to research this topic! I must admit that I fall asleep to cottage core every night. Puts me right to sleep. What is with the corsets worn on the outside of a dress??? I don't get it! LOL That and always with the leather belt. OMG I am so far from Cottage Core! Even witch core. My sister farmed. I know what farming looks like, and it's not cottage core. I know what witching looks like, and it's not witch core, but I find both inspiring as far as the aesthetics go. My house is Trish Core. I have a style all my own. I LOVE this awesome and thought-provoking video. By the way, your sweater is SO CUTE, and you look cute in it.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
I feel you! The life in my grandparents farm and the cottage core aesthetic are as far from each other on practical terms as one can imagine, I noticed it every time I spent time in a rented cottage built and furnished exactly according to an aesthetic rather than the real practical way a farm cottage is set up.
@EmilysTarotandMagick Ай бұрын
Trish Core yessssss! 😂 I know what farming looks like! 👏 lol - exactly - here in Devon its a lot of mud all the time living next to woodlands and farms - but it gets soooooo romanticised its actually odd when you start to objectively consider it Xx
@agatabrioches2917 27 күн бұрын
Idk I usually don’t comment under videos but I found your channel and I’m so happy cause your videos are great and finally I know that there are other activist witches out there! Lots of love❤
@activistwitch 26 күн бұрын
Thank you so much!!
@KayleenGnwmythr Ай бұрын
Thank you for an absolutely brilliant video 😊 The nuances are exactly what I have wanted to see someone cover - especially classism and poverty, and you have done all that so well.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
thank you so much Kayleen it helps so much to hear it other can appreciate the nuances. Alas it is true that there is no ethical consumption against capitalism, but whilst trapped in it we can either fight each other or understand and then support each other against the system, and I hope all I do serves the latter
@KayleenGnwmythr Ай бұрын
@@activistwitchI think the collaboration you have included here is a great example of supporting each other against the system.
@BenebellWen Ай бұрын
This was such a fantastic presentation. I was riveted from start to finish. And learned quite a bit. Thank you for putting this together and putting it out there. A very important conversation for our community to be having.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
I literally went giddy seeing this comment from you Benebell! I love your works and videos so much, your attention to detail and resources are always so impeccable that it I have done something YOU appreciate, then it's truly the best compliment possible for me 🙏🏽❤️
@iefim Ай бұрын
The full quote goes: "Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people." Opium is not just an addictive substance, but a medicine and a painkiller. What Marx meant, is that religion makes lives of the oppressed tolerable.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Tolerable is not exactly the point of opiates though, the point is loss of consciousness enough to not care and keep following what comes from "above"
@franettamcmillian5645 13 күн бұрын
Thank you for an informative hour! I’ll be checking out more of your videos in the future.
@activistwitch 13 күн бұрын
Thank you so much for watching 🙏🏽 glad to hear you found it useful!
@insolubleCorrosion 15 күн бұрын
my local thrift stores are full of shein clothes that are more expensive than on the shein site 😭😭 luckily I am able to spend the time to shop around and wait for sales/coupons and such but to say that thrifting is a good replacement for ALL fast fashion is just not realistic
@activistwitch 14 күн бұрын
The irony!!!
@yalasongs Ай бұрын
Very glad your video got recommended to me. Your voice is very pleasing to hear as I draw & learn :D Thank you for putting so many reference videos in the description as well!
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
I am still so grateful for the wife reach this video has because it's really the kind of video I've wanted to make for years so I'm glad this channel gave me the excuse finally to do it! I have a new similar, albeit shorter, coming out tomorrow about catholicism and witchcraft, stay tuned 😉
@selmar6918 Ай бұрын
What a fantastic discussion this is - thank you so much for bringing a bit of much needed philosophy and thought into witchy KZfaq world! thanks for all your work behind scenes
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Thank you so much for having the patience to sit through this! I was really glad I had the chance to bring some theory and the educational side of my life into a video that's about my personal side and practice, seeing how the votes for the next videos are going in the community tab there's going to be more of this 😉
@selmar6918 Ай бұрын
@@activistwitch It was an absolute delight to listen to the whole video, honestly - Im glad this is being felt by many others and definitely mega thumbs-up to more of this type of content, if it feels inviting to you too!
@EmilysTarotandMagick Ай бұрын
This video is honestly pure gold Ysha! Amazing beautiful voices - I loved this so much. And yes soooo true. I felt nourished, seen, heard, held, supported and fortified listening to this - like finding my tribe ♥ I love how you approached this with such sensitivity and understanding - the nuances around this are so key to highlight as well - the elitism of aesthetics! Just so beautifully articulated! 👏 Thank you thank u thank u! ☺ 🙌 🌟 I am so thrilled that your work is reaching more people as well. Truly magical. So grateful for u and your voice in the community 😘 Xxxx
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Thank you so so much Emily I am very glad to hear it resonated. I've always wanted to make this kind of video and I'm glad if in the future there will be other ways to bring random theory that got stuck in my head through the years with witchy examples that fit 😉👍🏽
@pointedlogic 17 күн бұрын
This is my first video of yours (I found you through Aunty K's tarot) but three minutes in and I'm here to stay!!! Love your approach, your subjects of choice, and your sweater too 🥰
@activistwitch 16 күн бұрын
Thank you so much I'm so glad you found this useful!
@AnMuiren 11 күн бұрын
Brilliant! Thank you and your learned, creative comrades so much.
@activistwitch 11 күн бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it! my pleasure to share!
@pokeppokep Ай бұрын
Remarkable work, I'm so glad to have found your channel!
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Honestly had it in my had for months I'm so glad I finally had an excuse to share my thoughts on the matter 😉 and so glad you found me! Hopefully the other stuff on the channel is to your liking too (I do recommend the playlist on problematic sides of witchcraft cause the maiden mother crone and bioesseentialist nature of Wicca at times so needs dissecting)
@clarebeforebreakfast5044 Ай бұрын
<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="60">1:00</a>:21 on the cage-free vs caged eggs: I just took an animal welfare/ethics program and an animal husbandry program (each 16 credits) back to back and we talked extensively about caged vs cage-free egg or broiler chickens honestly torn. Cage free chickens get to roam around, but the legal requirement for how many chickens can occupy space is increased (so they’re packed tighter), they have higher risk of disease, bullying, cannibalism, etc. Caged chickens don’t get to roam around, but they are also physically safer from disease and other chickens. So it depends on what aspects of animal welfare you care about. It’s a lot more complicated than that, with a lot more factors, but that’s the 101 of the complexity of the topic.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Thank you for sharing these details!
@ingiefilms8327 Ай бұрын
Thanks so much again for such an informative thought provoking video. You’re a star, blessings ❤️
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
You are so welcome, glad.to hear it was useful!
@lhetarot3771 Ай бұрын
Thank you, fantastic work 💜
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
So glad you found it interesting, thanks for watching!
@verucabeckwith3014 Ай бұрын
Ysha, I really appreciated the nuances discussed here. Brilliantly said. I wanted to leave something poignant but you've said it all! ❤ Side note: I always enjoy your video essays! Happy to see one on this channel!
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Thank you so much for spending time watching this Veruca, it's so appreciated 🙏🏽❤️
@lisahopkins9117 22 күн бұрын
I loved this!!! This is the first time I’ve watched any of your videos, but it won’t be the last time. I studied anthropology in college, and this brought up so much theory that I’d learned but never pieced together with specific economics. Thank you for this thought-provoking video.
@activistwitch 22 күн бұрын
I'm so glad to hear, I have all this information randomly stored too that sometimes it's food to have the excuse to make a video just to make sense of it
@terinskyweaver Ай бұрын
I really appreciate this Ysha, thank you.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed! That's for watching!
@moonfairy2325 Ай бұрын
I had so many awakenings during this video, thank you for making these concepts so tangible
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
i'm so glad to hear I managed to make sense :)
@rosemarysykes6178 Ай бұрын
Thank you for your research and passion; you raise so many important points.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
My pleasure! So glad all this random info in my brain finally paid off to share this!
@itty-bittyghost9787 Ай бұрын
This is by far the most insightful video essay on the topic of consumerism I’ve had the pleasure of watching, the gears are turning. thank you for sharing!!!
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
So glad to know it was useful! Thank you for watching!
@MegHardin-de2yc 23 күн бұрын
I love the distinction you give between aesthetic and subculture! This was very helpful for me in restructuring my thinking. Thank you for the video.
@activistwitch 22 күн бұрын
So glad it was useful, it actually comes from an article I linked in the resources if you're interested in looking more into the comparison between the two
@sabbycat Ай бұрын
I watched this entire video and holy moly it was interesting the entire way through. Thank you for opening my eyes for some things
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
So glad to hear you found it useful at all! Thank you for watching and for commenting!!!
@thewisdomwench7908 Ай бұрын
Great video! I just want to take a moment to appreciate the amount of research that went into this, its amazing 🌱
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Thank you so much for watching. This was basically the evolution of theast night chats I have with my wife where I keep asking "why" like children do. Eventually after a few years I asked enough that I finally understood and then could share 😅👍🏽
@ArtemisScowl Ай бұрын
You are such a good teacher, it was so easy to follow along ❤
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
That's really one of the best compliments one can give me, I'm so glad to hear that! Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment 🙏🏽🖤
@gothmaze Ай бұрын
Immediately I have become a subscriber. Thank you for bringing up topics that really resonate no matter who you are. Also, your frog sweater is freakin adorable! Hail! 🖤🐦⬛💀
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Glad you found it interesting! Thank you for taking the time to watch and even comment!
@SteviesEarthBasedKitchen 24 күн бұрын
I really needed to go to bed, but I watched the whole thing! You explain things so well. Thank you!
@activistwitch 23 күн бұрын
Gosh thank you so much for watching 😅
@ADHDqueenB Ай бұрын
Thank you for this video!
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching!
@JennieMaeJune 27 күн бұрын
It’s like when food pantries only have canned food, but no chips, cookies or candy. Like poor people don’t deserve pleasure because they’re poor.
@activistwitch 26 күн бұрын
Very true!
@brnne Ай бұрын
Its good hearing a fellow comrade, following here
@activistwitch 29 күн бұрын
Glad to hear you found it useful! Thank you!
@maycarmel8416 Ай бұрын
This was a really good video, thank you for doing this!
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment!!!
@TarotMagpie Ай бұрын
Loved this, so many interesting topics in this video!
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Thank you so so much for your help on this Sylvie! I look up to your work and the values that transpire from what you share so it really means a lot to know I have done something that encounters your favour 🙏🏽🖤
@saddragonbean Ай бұрын
Having been leaning more into practice and daily meditation, beginning days in a clearer mind so I have the ability to point my ND brain at the things I want to get done, I'm happy I came across this video. It's a good reminder to carve out that space. Disconnect from the dopamine wheel.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Finding out how dopamine works literally encouraged me to do meditation now that I understand the mechanisms more than any promotion of it I heard all along!
@mitchelrow3 2 күн бұрын
The effort that must have gone into this video really shows! I enjoyed this so much! Thanks!
@activistwitch 2 күн бұрын
@@mitchelrow3 thank you so much! I was literally talking now with my spouse about how this was made in four days but really, to know and be able to make the connections between the things we talked about here, that's the work of years of personal curiosity and active research. It has given me great confidence to see how my mind thankfully now just draws connections independently after gathering casually so much info 😅
@mitchelrow3 Күн бұрын
@@activistwitch That's so lovely to hear! I'm trying to go on a similar journey of curiosity, right now, so this is really hopeful. Thank you!!
@sentientbeingslove Ай бұрын
I am sooo in love with that sweater though, it looks like something my grandma would have made and worn ❤ But great video. Very well researched and comprehensibly explained, interesting throughout, and wonderful points!
@dejahdanger Ай бұрын
Great video. Definitely looking forward to more of your content. 🖤🖤🖤
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Thank you so much 🙏🏽
@xxTobehxx 28 күн бұрын
Wow I learned so much from this video, thank you so much! :)
@activistwitch 28 күн бұрын
So glad.you found it useful! Thank you for watching!
@jillianarbour5323 Ай бұрын
So happy I found your channel!! This is the kind of witchcraft I can get behind
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Glad to hear! Thank you so much for watching!
@athenagames2574 Ай бұрын
This is an awesome video, such good research amd critical thinking
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
glad you enjoyed it! I figured instead of just having long chats and debates with my wife and my friends it was worth putting into perspective and share :)
@enyan6696 29 күн бұрын
Im so happy I found your channel!!!
@activistwitch 29 күн бұрын
Glad to be found by like-minded people! 😉👍🏽 Welcome!!!
@ClaireGreen-wd2gm 6 күн бұрын
I work at a factory in the US for the last decade. We make metal hose ends, washing machine parts, and fire extinguishers. The CEOs dad built a machine by himself that could turn out more of those metal hose ends faster than anyone else around at that time and at a far better quality. (A leaking hose end for a washing machine can actually do massive property damage). He employed people in our small town and gave us a way to gain income in this 3 traffic light town. The stolen wages idea is quite insane. The factory cost is more than the machines and material. The electric bill alone is thousands a month. If our CEO couldnt make any profit for himself and his family why would he trouble himself to run the business? We aren't unionized and we make almost triple minimum wage in my state with no college education doing low skill labor. I only have a roof over my head because someone else used their great mind to invent a machine that I never could myself that started a business. Do I absolutely love going to work? No. Am I safe there? Yes. Am I rich? No. Am I able to own a home and feel secure? Yes. I dont understand how anyone thinks communism works based on history. I know you canr work because you say you are disabled so please just enjoy the fruits of the labor of the working people and stop asking for more free stuff.
@activistwitch 5 күн бұрын
I understand the need to settle for what one feels has been "lucky enough" to already have. But that's complacency. Historically communism has actually never happened past the revolution step. The USSR is not an example of communism because it never moved past the military state phase. Cuba would be as close as it gets but we never saw it thrive not because communism doesn't work but because the US is so terrified of people like you seeing communism works better than whatever they fed you so far that they have been under a US man made blockade for decades. That's without going into all the coups the US sponsored in any country that was working under leftist (nor even communism, leftists governments.) You'd think if you were right and communism historically just failed the US wouldn't have spent so much energy destabilising countries that simply worked under a different system that was doomed to fail anyway no? I suggest you read "the Jakarta method" amzn.to/4bhJEdC to see how your your government is terrified of communism and has actively worked to indoctrinate you to talk like you did, and spent billions to make sure you don't know any better.
@bones3748 Ай бұрын
The perfect video to play while I’m cleaning up and resetting my altar ❤❤
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Love me some witchy learning 😉
@blvespark Ай бұрын
so much integrity spoken, well done
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
"My poverty, not [just] my will" made it kind of necessary (apologies for the bastardisation of that Shakespeare quote)
@glowerworm 22 күн бұрын
The extent of my interaction of cottagecore is my minecraft world. I'm practically vomiting flowers and greenery everywhere in order to make my world into a sort of digital serene heavenly home for myself. Especially since I plan to leave my country in a year, and I expect I'll need some mental safe space. And the extent of my experience with witchcraft is just Senua's Saga (a very emotional, spiritual, Nordic game). So in a way I'm your standard consumer, but I think it shows how these "artistic life styles" are more than just their fashion or even their history. Young people are interacting with these scenes because they like the current lifestyle or aesthetic, and for better and worse, sometimes their opinions aren't shaped by the history.
@activistwitch 22 күн бұрын
I completely get it, that's why I tried to provide a tiny hint to scratch the surface. Ps I know hellblade! A friend of mine consulted on it!
@CherylynnLima 21 күн бұрын
this video is insanely good
@activistwitch 21 күн бұрын
Glad you found it useful, thank you for watching!
@lagreenwitch 10 күн бұрын
So good to ear a witch talking/caring about capitalism and other connected things. It's one of my specific interests. I wanted to add that aesthetics are a form of internalized capitalism. We no longer need ads to associate feelings/fantasies and commodities. I think it's also linked to the constant entertainment flow our generations used to absorb. I'm nearly 40 and still don't know who I am without these layers of movies, music, fantasy worlds, etc. Of course the web 2.0 accelerates this. I also have a pop magick era and then realize that it was like wanting to use the Sauron's ring against him. I'll watch your other videos to feed my starving brain 😄
@activistwitch 10 күн бұрын
I think you're hitting the nail right on the head: we learn by watching others, by assimilation and repetition. the media has simply been coopeted by capitalism at this point and so normalised we do their job for them
@Volundur9567 Ай бұрын
Cottagecore is very thriftable.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
I have a section in the video covering that towards the 40:00 mark
@BeverleyButterfly Ай бұрын
This was an incredible talk and so interesting! I loved the history and talking about capitalism which clearly only works for a small amount of people. I love cottagecore and witchcore I dress this way most days and I get most of my wardrobe by thrifting! I show what I thrift on my channel so I can encourage people to buy more second hand. But I'm also on benefits and know not everyone is average size like me and cannot buy from charity shops. The internet makes people too much towards people who have no choice but to buy from fast fashion. They have their place it only annoys me when people could buy from small shops and slow fashion but choose not to! I loved this video it needs to be a regular podcast xx
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Eheh i wish we could always update this, hopefully we'll manage to do at least once a month videos like this. In the UK admittedly we're lucky with Cottagecore as in most charity shops have so many things coming from old people's houses that the random knick knacks alone are naturally shabby chic. I do love your videos on thrifting 🙏🏽❤️
@alanamcnaughton9807 Ай бұрын
This video is so well done. There are so many moving parts to capitalism and you are able to speak on multiple parts and how they overlap in such a digestible way. Well done. I especially appreciate the emphasis on class. I've seen way too many folks being shamed on their consumption habits in a way that benefits/perpetuates capitalism. I hate that corporations have more rights than most humans.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Very glad to hear it was easy to follow! It's the first video essay that I do unscripted but I reckon having researched the topics for years it was pretty cemented to allow.memto simplify and exemplify as much as possible
@isadora6092 Ай бұрын
fantastic video!! i've been waiting for a witch on youtube that would actually tackle specifically the relationship between witchcraft and capitalism. we arent doing witchcraft in a vacuum!!
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Oh yeah I'm so glad you found this interesting. I was quite worried bringing this side of research and work to the witchtube community but I'm delighted to see we can have these conversations!
@Silly_Sulky_Seli 6 күн бұрын
what I've been doing is informing people, recently a coworker mentioned he's thinking about ordering from Temu and I said "really?" someone else said "I don't it's not good quality" and gave a personal example, I agreed, but knowing he'd still need the item he mentioned wich I didn't know any shop for I mentioned "I heard Shien's better quality, but if you can I'd just research it some more" and we also talked about how the advertising each do shows their mindset on their quality "Shien keeps it clearly to the point and Temu is like quick to get a free DRONE now!!" and discribing the ad made him laugh and agree he'd rather take Shien so he felt swell so he can get what he needs while having the info he'd need and not feel terrible, so if he can have a choice it wouldn't be a random shot in the dark wich can reduce the worst of worst cheaply bad stuff to die off first
@activistwitch 6 күн бұрын
Channel 4 recently made a dispatches episode on temu and you're very right :the issue there is not only quality but safery
@Tera_B_Twilight Ай бұрын
Buying the fabric also, as counterintuitive as it sounds, does not save you any money compared to buying something mass produced.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Between fabric and time to make it and time to learn you're absolutely right, I don't think people giving that option actually spend time understanding the privilege that's still needed, it just become a quick way to put others down and feel indeed just morally superior
@lampyrisnoctiluca9904 Ай бұрын
Great video. You have a new subscriber!
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Welcome! 👋🏽
@raeorion Ай бұрын
Im so excited this video seems to have popped off for you! Yourube suggested it for me and I appreciate your perspective so much. I'm often surprised by the number of people who don't intersect over anticapitalism and spirituality. Many of my leftist friends are pretty atheist science focused people which I totally appreciate as well but I think qualities of things like spirituality and magic are things that we will one day understand with science and we just haven't gotten there yet. And on the other side a lot of really cool and interesting channels I have found about topics like witchcraft, paganism, spirituality etcetera end up being wildly profit motivated and focused on what actually seems pretty explicitly capitalist motivated. I get we all have to survive in the system in which we live, but that doesn't mean we need to lean into it and forget about the repercussions of the consumerism we participate in or perpetuate.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
I'm glad to hear I wasn't the only one needing this then! I opened the channel last autumn exactly because I knew that activism and spirituality in general (and witchcraft in particular) were intrinsically related but no one else made it their main point. I have been discouraged repeatedly by other content creators to NOT make this my niche but I'm so so glad to see I wasn't the only one who needed to explore the intersection! Thank you so.much for this comment definitely makes me feel less alone 🙏🏽🖤
@okkovacs569 20 күн бұрын
This reminds me of Slavoj Žižek's commentary on recycling; The mass majority of pollution is done by massive corporations and their factories..yet they offset the responsibility on to the population and gave us recycling bins to "Do our Part" ...only for us to discover later that recycling and regular garbage is brought and dumped into the same pile, but home owners are charged for Recycling Pickup services.
@activistwitch 16 күн бұрын
I will have to look into that because yep, exactly the same thing 😔
@irinaphoenix2169 18 күн бұрын
I'm listening to his audiobook on systemic shame - it's amazing!!!
@neurospicypisces Ай бұрын
Liked, subscribed, saved to playlist...and actually, shared. KZfaq, please show me more of this
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Ehehe thank you, you might be in luck because, much shorter, but I'm a few hours a similar video on catholicism amd witchcraft is coming out 😉
@lachsvierhundertzwanzig9395 26 күн бұрын
Our planet, our home is on fire. The fire rages, threatening to consume everything we hold dear. In this moment of crisis we have two options: Either we immediately grab everything at our disposal to put out the fire and save our home, fight the blaze with all our might as we are powerfull especially together, or maybe do we gather first in the living room having endless debates about who caused the fire, who is most exhausted and which fire extinguisher would be best? What are we going to do?
@activistwitch 26 күн бұрын
Or it's secret option 3: understand that individual responsibility is how the corporations keep you distracted with your own egotistical need to think you're "good" and what we need to do is unite to end the system, because no matter what we do to one company, 10 more will sprout in a system that rewards shein's behaviour.
@lachsvierhundertzwanzig9395 26 күн бұрын
@@activistwitchAll eyes on the corporations and politics. But without our impulses nothing will change. We need to act on all levels together. It's not about thinking oneself is good, the others are bad. But it's also not about finding excuses for going on like always, that's all. It's about doing together all possible. If enough people boycott the most harmful companies this creates pressure on these companies and pressure will be exerted not only on these companies, but on the general approach. And this is just one factor of the wide range, which we need to do now, same as politics
@activistwitch 26 күн бұрын
Ok, in all of this maybe don't put the moral demand on people who count pennies to the end of the month? But you clearly kinda like it seeing at your comment history just here.
@lachsvierhundertzwanzig9395 26 күн бұрын
@@activistwitch I clearly said everyone has different prerequisites and opportunities to influence things. But please don't underestimate people's power so much just because they are financially disadvantaged. We are still powerful, if we forget that, their plan will work that we, the majority of society, will allow ourselves to be completely disempowered by the system. I think we both ultimately want the same thing.
@activistwitch 26 күн бұрын
and infact the BDS list exist, but when you take the moral highground in who follows it more, you lose any touch with reality that's not yours.
@Eyeolair Ай бұрын
Not sure how I got here but thank you for an insightful video ❤
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Serendipitous discoveries are the best aren't they? Glad you enjoyed it, thank you for watching!
@yellowzora Ай бұрын
I haven't finished the video all the way yet but wanted to say thank you. For me, it really is about buying fewer things (because I already have a lot of quality clothes that fit me well and where I like the style, I'm very fortunate in that regard) and I have the time to volunteer in a charity shop for a couple of hours a week. I also have the time to teach myself how to sew my own clothes (I made a skirt last year and making a top this year, not exactly fast going but it's very fulfilling) so I know that at least for right now, I don't give fast fashion my money. But that doesn't mean that if lots of my clothes suddenly break and I can't find a good substitute in a charity shop, I won't go there and buy from them, because I really don't have the money to pay for more. It is an individual choice, everyone should be aware of what the options are and then they can decide what they can do, personally. If people earn lots of money and constantly overbuy on everything, I will judge without holding back. But I don't know any people like that myself
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
And to be fair you are highlighting a way to show solidarity from those who have either time or economic privilege, because I don't have a choice, but those who do help not adding up just out of consumerism. And that's how we get out of the crab bucket.
@runestarckx1135 25 күн бұрын
I just want to add a bit to this conversation about shein; yes all fast fashion (and even some bigger 'luxery' brands) is bad. They all steal designs, they are aaallllll veeerrryy bad for the environment. but sadly SHEIN is WORSE. there are multiple articles, video essays, etc. that make it very clear that shein just overproduces even more than others, they often ask even more of factory workers, they work on a way bigger scale, etc. Its pretty clear that SHEIN is by far the worst worst option. Also; yes everyone needs clothes, but the entire point of slow living is that we dont need to overconsume. So yes, buy from fast fashion if you dont have time and money; but only if you really need it. If you do have time and money, go and buy secondhand or ethical but also only if you really need it! i really enjoyed this video and its an interesting conversation :))
@activistwitch 25 күн бұрын
On the overproduction I will point to this source which unfortunately I found after the video was already published: clothes still with labels (from TJ maxx specifically in the picture, so "high" labels) thrown in massive dumpsters in the Atacama desert. Again, I am surprised at how easily we fall prey of the subtle racism to make Shein out to be something western washed corporations have invented, but because they know how to market themselves, we still think the Chinese corporations are worse. www.tumblr.com/thescentofrainonstone/751854167344168960/tchaikovskaya-unbossed-im-really-not-trying-to?source=share
@Crappybara Ай бұрын
I love this video so much
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Glad you found it! Thank you for watching!
@TheLurkerFox Ай бұрын
Honestly, this is fairly refreshing- A lot of people shit on people for buying fast fashion, and the "consumerism" and that stuff. But people are poor and people want new and nice things... I lived in near poverty conditions, like sorry I want to be able to buy something pretty, instead of buying bargain bin clothes that look like shit and are uncomfortable, but is cheap.... There is pretty much no ethical consumption under capitalism. Like yes - Shein is environmentally crappy. But we are broke and they have nice stuff, and for someone overweight like me - they actually have my size. None of the local stores carry anything my size that doesn't look like Alla Pugacheva's closet. So sorry, I will buy my cottagecore sweater, and a pair of pants from Shein, so I can actually come to work looking decent. (Legit I have been wearing the same 3 pairs of leggings for the past 5 months, coz my last pair of jeans got torn and is way too expensive to buy now ones.)
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
We are on the same boat so truly I am glad this resonates. The way capitalism has marketed morality is so ironic and you're right: there is no ethical consumption under capitalism. In my original comment reply to that thread I also brough up the size point as well so thank you for mentioning it!
@LaLaLoopsyCutie Ай бұрын
literally. and shein clothes don’t just break down as if they’re tissue paper. i’ve seen all of hot topic’s merch feel and look the exact same as shein stuff. it’s all from the same chinese manufacturers so idk what ppl’s problems are. idk what ppl have going on w their washer and dryers but shein clothes have never torn or fell apart after a wash. i think ppl just don’t know how to wash their stuff imo. at least i don’t spend $80 on three things on shein like i do hot topic
@RoseBleueDuRosierSec Ай бұрын
@@LaLaLoopsyCutie my only problem with shein is their dyes are not very good so you are going to have to wash them separately from other clothes and in short cycles, but they do not get ripped to shreds. Also, you can mend them fine. I've had fast fashion dresses I've been using for 10 years. You're absolutely correct.
@mishasa2751 Ай бұрын
Alla is an icon, tho 💀
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
@@RoseBleueDuRosierSec oh yeah, like the bit about "shein exists because it's how the system was set up for profit" makes absolutely sense for it not to have high quality materials (though with care they can definitely survive more than the hate marketing against it say)
@lulumoonwoodmurakami8734 10 күн бұрын
I learned a lot from this and I know there is a LOT more to learn about it. I’m interested in hexing the patriarchy and want to learn more about this organizing that you speak of.
@activistwitch 5 күн бұрын
so glad to hear this was useful, i do plan on making more of this style of videos :)
@mebibibi Ай бұрын
this video really making me ruminate on all the purchases i intensely regret… 😔
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Oh yeah, awareness of the machine we're being grinded by daily it's a hell of a feeling 💀
@Perifore Ай бұрын
You are fantastic and I can't wait to hear more from you! I just realized that the difference between commerce and capitalism is mass exploitation. Of course merchants have existed as long as civilization (likely) but it was primarily individualized rather than the core tenant of society.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
You are spot on! Even if with merchants there probably was conspicuous consumption from the upper classes the lack of any other marketing, pr or advertising didn't make it exploitative. Bread was bread was bread. Sure we got to bakers trying to save up cutting floor with sawdust and then sure enough we got... Here 😓
@Radhaun 17 күн бұрын
As someone who does make some of their own clothes, people who think sewing is cheaper than buying premade have never looked into the cost of materials. A single shirt for a relatively small person is going to take anywhere from 1-4 yards of fabric (depending on the style and cut and if you cut to use as much fabric as possible or cut for continuity of grain/pattern). Just for fabric alone, you are looking at a base of 3.99/yrd of cheap acrylic fabric. Cotton is more likely to run you 5.99 but now is probably going to be closer to 7.99. And that is not including the pattern you're using, any thread you need, and if your pattern requires buttons or elastic or lace (since we're talking about cottagecore). I am 100% for people learning to mend and make clothes if that's something they enjoy, but we should stop acting like it's a cheaper alternative. Making a garment piece out of high quality materials is going to cost more than buying the same high quality garment elsewhere and is going to cost a lot more than buying a lower quality garment. If you aren't already proficient in sewing, it also probably won't fit the first time you make it and it may not last longer if it's the first thing you've ever made. Sewing is a skill that takes time to practice, there is a lot of trial and error that will also ultimately cost money (Everyone I know who sews hates the cutting process the most because once the fabric is cut, there is no going back). And of course, all this is assuming they have either the time to hand sew all their own clothes or has access to a sewing machine. I definitely support people going to thrift stores because a lot of them still have dressing rooms and it's much better to make sure you like the fit of an item before it ships to you if possible, but not everyone has the luxury of time. If you have to shop somewhere like Shein or Temu, just rigorously read reviews, especially ones that have pictures so you can make sure what's promised is actually being delivered.
@activistwitch 16 күн бұрын
Absolutely true, real pictures Vs staged pictures to sell a product are at times an issue of their own!
@linwong1494 Ай бұрын
I liked this video in general, but I want to add to "If we are not hooked all the time, we would take time off of dopamine.” While I fully agree that consumerism is used to sedate the populace into complacency, but I would argue it's the life sucking work hours we have to do in order to just *_SURVIVE_* that is the main reason none of us are taking time off either work or things that give us dopamine, and the stress of it all driving us to seek dopamine hits in lieu of having no time to breath.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
You're absolutely right and in fact we sat how things could be different during lockdown, and then when that ever we could only go for the next breast thing: Cottagecore
@VannahSavage Ай бұрын
You said so many things I’ve been unable to articulate but wanted to say around this topic, thank you! I don’t really have anything to contribute, so I just thought I’d sacrifice a comment to the Almighty Algorithm and subscribe. Blessed be!
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Thank you! Hope the algorithm goes listens to you 😅🙏🏽❤️
@victoriajankowski1197 Ай бұрын
Random aside for interaction, The Veblen effect works with names as well, poor people pick 'rich names' for their babies and in under 20 years (about a generation) those names now being associated with 'the poors' loose favor with the rich who find new names (or very old ones) and the cycle repeats.
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
It makes problematically sense thanks for sharing this!
@JoylessPumpkin 24 күн бұрын
Incredible video with tons of great information. The one point I would challenge (because I just learned this myself) is that our taxes pay for things we need. This is another lie by the state to keep us working under capitalism. For more info on this please see 1Dime's videos "The Deficit Myth: The Biggest Lie In Politics" and "The Problem With Taxing The Rich."
@activistwitch 24 күн бұрын
completely agree, considering the UK governement cannot provide a budget and expenditure for over a Billion of our taxes!
@vasilikablair-tidewell1062 Ай бұрын
You are a clever witch ❤😊❤
@activistwitch Ай бұрын
Thank you 🙏🏽❤️ hope this was useful
@LauraRamirez-zd3il 8 күн бұрын
Curious - is there a video you've made which speaks to Etsy sellers- essentially pickers who spend time going from thrift store to estate sales to garage sales and 'flip' items and charge 3x to 10x the original price they paid? I don't see these as desperate side hustles because someone who has to side hustle is already hustling elsewhere, and we then need to speak about the luxury of time (thanks for that part of this video). I only speak to these sellers because they are ultimately affecting what affordable items could be found at thrift stores by those who were in actual need of affordable items.
@activistwitch 7 күн бұрын
I haven't made a video specifically on Etsy no, I don't think I know enough in that regard, sorry
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