Consumed

National Public Radio has been providing different views about our consumer society under the title" Consumed Is our consumer society sustainable?" On its web site npr states the objectives of the series as: "...Is our consumer society sustainable? Marketplace and American Public Media take on that question in this special series. We follow consumerism from its origins to its dominance in the world's economy and, arguably, its culture. And we examine how, and if, it might be adapted to reduce its destructive consequences while keeping store shelves stocked."

Audio reports, web stories and blogs are dealing with the effects consumption is having on individuals, families, regions, nations, environments. It tells stories like how a Chinese woman gained a net worth of $10 billion with our garbage or how a country, Bhutan, which was closed off from the rest of the world changed since they opened their doors seven years ago.

A Pearl Harbor without War

The following article "A Pearl Harbor without War" presents journalist Gabor Steingart's
view of the implications for the USA of China's prediction "the dollar is likely to lose its status as the world's leading currency." Gabor Steingart is the Washington correspondent of the German news magazine Der Spiegel. Summarizing his article he suggests it is high time for the USA and her government to improve the international trading position especially via China. The latter is approaching the end of her patience to accept further declines in the value of her US treasury bond holdings.