Rachel Kesel & John Perry: Are You a Consumer Addict? (1/15/2008)

Rachel Kesel, Founding Member, The Compact
John Perry, Founding Member, The Compact

On January 1, 2006, a group of nine San Franciscans formed The Compact, vowing not to buy anything new for a year – food, drink, health and safety necessities excluded. American consumerism, they say, has led to global environmental and socioeconomic crises, and the only way to reverse it is to stop buying into it. The Compact has spread to almost nine countries and 2,000 people who borrow, barter or buy used. In the spirit of The Compact, we will be hosting a holiday gift exchange where attendees will get to barter for better and keep their unwanted and unused gifts out of a landfill.

This program was recorded in front of a live audience at The Commonwealth Club on January 15, 2008.