An hour walk this morning. 4.3 km in total. I walked down the sidewalk along a through road for about a km. This was where most of the cups were found. Then I went around a slightly newer residential neighbourhood where I found hardly any at all. I finally finished by going back via another through street. My initial observation was that if you don't live there you drop your cups there. Total seen today was 41 including the image I used as the blog background and on the About this Project page.
12 comments:
Great idea, Mike! Looking forwardf to see more posts :)
While taking photos of all the cups does put things into perspective of how much waste we create, what exactly does this accomplish? Why don't you make an actual difference by picking up all these cups and disposing of them properly? I realize all this litter isn't your problem, but I strongly believe in the quote, "You must be the change you want to see in the world."
Thanks Pelleron. :)
@Anon:
First, the goal of this project is to draw attention to the sheer magnitude of this avoidable waste problem.
Second, I use a stainless steel travel mug 99% of the time and have for quite a while. A direct contribution I am making is not causing any of this litter to occur.
Third, I sort of disagree on the litter isn't my problem point. It is all of our problems. But when out walking, I didn't have a garbage bag and work gloves to collect all the waste, and there were no public garbage cans to dispose of the 40 cups I saw - and other garbage as well - for the entire duration of my walk.
I will probably, when out for walks in the future, pick up the ones I can dispose of. But my main goal, as I said, is to draw attention to this. Not to pick up garbage.
Mike: Pretty sure most people are already aware of the waste issue, but the problem lies in people not caring about it or wanting to do anything about it. It's great that you use a travel mug, but I just feel if this waste issue bothers you enough that you want to take photos of it all and bring it to everyone's attention, that perhaps you should do something about it. Aside from carrying a plastic bag with you on your future outings to photograph all these cups, maybe you can bring this to the city's attention that a garbage bin should be put into place where you found the majority of these cups? Show them your pictures of all the cups you found in the area; that's bringing it to someone's attention. If the city does nothing about it, well, there's nothing you can do about that, but you will feel better knowing you tried. You will also feel good knowing you're making a difference by picking up any of the cups you find. At the end of your walks, you could even take pics of all the cups you collected in your garbage bag too, just to make things more interesting.
@ anon: I guess I am not making my point. I am not going on outings to find these cups. I am shooting photos as I encounter them doing other things.
You wouldn't see the local radio or tv media where ever you are cover a story on any subject by participating in the story themselves - unless it was a non reporter morning show person on a remote somewhere.
This is new media. I am a photographer and an artist. I am drawing attention to it in my way. I am baffled by the fact you are finding fault with the goal of this page or my actions. But you are entitled to your opinion.
And so you know, I do feel good when I post images, knowing I am making even a little bit of a difference.
Mike: I get that you are a photographer. I also get your point of wanting to show people the waste problem; this you are accomplishing well (although as I said, most people are already aware of the waste issue). I just strongly feel you should do something more with this "project" by making an actual difference at the same time because when it's all said and done, posting pics isn’t changing anything.
This is a pointless now circular argument that neither you nor I will likely budge from. And I am fine with that. Posting photos does change things.
Mike: Other than bringing attention to the obvious waste issue, what does posting photos of the waste actually change though? Please explain that part.
Photographing and in turn bringing attention to the obvious waste issue is my goal. It is my only goal. Am I going to mount a campaign or email people or troll through rivers and pick up garbage and so on? No. I am documenting what I see. That is it.
What if these images eventually get seen by coffee shops like Tim Hortons or Starbucks or Coffee Time or McDonalds (or Toyota on the roll up cups) and they realize that their corporate logo is essentially on garbage everywhere?
Perhaps they might re-evaluate how their corporate images are being viewed, and internally explore how they can change and encourage their customers to change. Same goes for local governments and the lack of public garbage cans that is simply encouraging people to drop stuff everywhere.
How other people choose to act when they view any of my photos - or apparently like you negatively react to my simply stated goal - is up to them. Not me. You may say that is a cop out I am sure. That is your call not mine.
Since you are all about me doing things beyond my intentions, what are you doing to make a difference about this garbage aside from trying to make me pick it up?
I luv this concept...was thinking about a series on junk food wrappers etc....and the responsibility of the franchises to acknowledge their responsibility in cleaning it up...at least addressing their culpability...
Mike, very interesting! This work generated immediate, almost heated response, engaged people to talk passionately about a subject.I love it. congrats. can only encourage you to continue you efforts-the journey of 1000 miles begins with a single footstep. and a reusable mug full of espresso. keep up the fab work my friend! xxx
Mike: Thank you for explaining your intensions and what you are hoping to accomplish with this project in more detail. Despite what you think, I was not trying to be rude or anything, I was just expressing that I thought you should do something more about it since at the time I didn't understand how posting pictures would actually change anything. Although now that I do further understand your goals, I still don't see why you wouldn't at least pick up some of these cups if you're able to?
As for what I’m doing to make a difference, although I don’t pick up garbage, I make differences in other issues on this planet actually. The main thing I do is try to save abused and neglected animals since this issue bothers me most.
Post a Comment