the collar

The pet business is completely out of control. It is sick in a lot of ways and I don't like the feeling that I am indulging in spending lunatic amounts of money on one single animal while there are so many animals in shelters (not to mention the human suffering . . . .).

This CCOCD [CONSUMER CULTURE OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER] doesn't does any good of course.

It isn't like the moral inequalities of the world are in any way affected by my decision of where I buy a dog collar. (Not to mention the psychic ordeal of getting a dog but that's another posting.)

The thing with CCOCD is that instead of just doing a basic task and going on to other more important matters in our lives we exert a tremendous amount of energy -- intellectual and psychic -- just thinking about spending money (it is sort of the inverse of being a shopaholic).

I just feel better buying something I need that is well made, well designed, reasonably priced and supporting a business that is run by what appear to be decent people.

And isn't it nice:
-- kind of cute but not too cutesy?

Okay. Now go consider something of relevance:

If you must.

Or, better yet, consider this.