Conscious Choice: Fashion? Not hot.

September 2008 | To The Editor

Fashion? Not hot.

What’s the difference in the “Hot Earth” feature and an Abercrombie advertisement or Chanel jeans billboard with a naked lady? Nothing. What message are you trying to get across? If you’re selling me on jeans, why am I looking at some guy’s back, with no view of the jeans at all? No prices, no web links, no phone numbers… just models posing. Where is the linen if it’s hot? Where are the thin organic cottons? This feature brought no consciousness of how clothes are made or why it’s important to choose sustainable clothing. Why are we looking at a couple of guys wearing their own sunglasses and shoes? Does this make our lives whole?

I’ve always found your magazine interesting, even articles about eating meat — the whole animal — and I don’t believe in eating meat. There have always been features to make us think, but this is thoughtless. Not stimulating. Please continue to stimulate us.

— Eric Moore, Los Angeles, Calif.

You Love Us. You Really, Really Love Us.

I just want to say how much I enjoy your magazine and your terrific writers. Chris Malcomb’s piece, “Practice Makes Better,” had me in stitches, because it was like looking in a mirror! There were some wonderful reminders in the latter part of essay: “Suffering, it turns out, isn’t about what happens, it’s about our response.” Indeed.

I also particularly look forward to reading Daniel Pinchbeck each month, and August’s “If I Were President...” was especially good. Very well thought out (as is all of his work, IMO). Too bad he isn’t running for president!

Keep up the good work there at Whole Life Times!

— Dany Carol, Burbank, Calif.

“If I Were President...” by Daniel Pinchbeck was awesome. We need more of this in the magazine — which I read every issue. Thanks, and more of this, please.

— Frank Belsito, via email

As to Daniel Pinchbeck’s article, “If I Were President...,” everything he stated is right on, and I know that many other people agree. Not until I read and heard Ralph Nader when I was in college in the late ’90s did I realize that we don’t live in a democracy, we live in a plutocracy; a country in which we are ruled by the wealthy and their interests. Even worse, our government wants us to believe that this is actually democracy, uses fear and intimidation to do so, and has the conceit to make its citizens think that this way is the best way. In other words, I would vote for Mr. Pinchbeck in a second!

— Laura Lakin, Chicago

I am just now reading the August issue and have been meaning to email to tell you what a great job I think you are doing. Your stories are always ahead of the curve and the titles and teasers are all very well done (and know that’s an art all by itself). I am glad you continue to write stories about beauty products, because I know so many of us just don’t think they could be dangerous. Keep up the good work.

— Kathleen Warren, Seattle

For a Small Footprint, Meet Your Meat

Choosing to eat wholly or primarily as a vegetarian is indeed good for the environment compared to the typical American diet. But those of us whose bodies don’t do well relying on plant-based protein need not feel guilty. Use of local, sustainably-harvested or raised seafood, meat, eggs and dairy products involves a modest environmental footprint — in some cases less than a vegetarian diet based on industrialized agriculture. Furthermore, in the greater Bay Area, grazing of cows for meat and dairy plays a major role in preserving open space from development.

— Steve Meyers, Berkeley, Calif.

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