Attack of the Microbeads!!

It turns out that certain companies have been putting little plastic beads into products such as toothpastes and exfoliating scrubs. These “microbeads” are made from polyethylene, the same kind of plastic that’s used to make most beverage bottles. Why on earth would they do this, you might ask? In the case of scrubs they are used as a cheaper alternative to natural exfoliants. In toothpaste, … Continue reading Attack of the Microbeads!!

Sociopathy and Kindness (part two)

In part one, I took a look at Martha Stout’s The Sociopath Next Door which examines the prevalence of sociopaths who, unhampered by consciences, may rise to positions of power at the expense of others. Milgram’s experiments on obedience together with studies on the psychology of killing during warfare show that most of us will obey authority, even when this goes against our better judgement, … Continue reading Sociopathy and Kindness (part two)

Sociopathy and Kindness (part one)

Happy Earth Day! I’ve read two books recently that provide some interesting insights into human behavior so I thought I’d attempt to interpret their relevance to modern commerce and consumerism. Specifically, I think it’s important to understand the psychological interplay between the decision-makers in companies that harm the planet and society, and the consumers who financially support their existence despite the harm inflicted. The Sociopath … Continue reading Sociopathy and Kindness (part one)

Introduction to the Green Stars Project

Welcome! To begin with, here’s a quick introduction to the site, which is all about a new idea called the Green Stars Project. The project is the result of years of pondering the following question: How can we best address the issue of corporate power? Specifically, how can we effectively mitigate the social injustices and environmental destruction that take place around the world every day … Continue reading Introduction to the Green Stars Project