I’ve always been pretty suspicious of movements, philosophies, -isms, etc., particularly those that enjoy periods of mass popularity. I would place into this category yoga, social networking, deconstructionism, veganism, communism, those yellow rubber bands that people wore on their wrists, dadaism, “grunge,” scrapbooking, and anything than can be encapsulated on a single bumper sticker.

There’s another movement that’s certainly become the cause célèbre-ity — that is of Green, and it just so happens to be the theme of this year’s Blog Action Day. I’m all for sustainability, eco-consciousness, and whatnot, but too often the champions of this movement come across as a bit shrill, smug, or exasperating. Luckily, I’ve come to realize that I already am “green” and can smugly say so without any necessary change in my behavior. My secret? I’m cheap, and obsessively opposed to accumulating “stuff” so that instantly puts me in a better place than all the Prius-drivers in Marin.

I loathe shopping and despair at any new items brought into our compact apartment (my wife is not so militant but she tolerates my manias). Since the recent birth our beautiful boy we have been waging a new war against cheap ugly plastic crap that the baby industry seems resolved to place in our home. Before, when I railed against clutter, stores, and spending money on useless stuff I came across as cheap and OCD. Now, I’m “green” and “sustainable.” It all works out!

Blog Action Day, green, measurement