posted January 06, 2007 09:35 PM         

Any thoughts out of reflection?

posted January 11, 2007 02:57 AM         

That night, I took off my earrings.

The motion picture, especially toward the ending, is intensely and profoundly moving. Leonardo DiCaprio really did a fine job again this time, and he would have my vote for the Golden Globe and the Academy Award as well! This movie is a good team work- and the background music of the ending credits is very poignant but also hopeful.

posted January 11, 2007 06:04 AM         

GreenKarat

Our greater goal at greenKarat is to end destructive gold and diamond mining. We do not, however, strive to force that change through radical activism. While activist organizations play a critically important role in educating and motivating consumers, we believe that widespread and permanent change will ultimately occur through the voice of consumer buying decisions.

posted January 11, 2007 08:52 AM         

And to tell you the truth, I hate those "activist organizations"- PETA, Viva! etc, etc, etc

Social changes are supposed to be carried out with moderation and balance, NOT in radical fashion- otherwise, it becomes propaganda, which is not only pathetic, but sick.

posted January 11, 2007 10:12 AM         

quote:

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Our greater goal at greenKarat is to end destructive gold and diamond mining. We do not, however, strive to force that change through radical activism.

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and neither do they discourage the wearing of jewelry -- they rather encourage it, by the artistic crafting and marketing of beautiful jewelry according to ecological and fair trade practices.

quote:

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Throughout history, jewelry has held a special place in the fabric of human culture. Unfortunately, industrial methods of extracting jewelry’s precious metals and gems from the earth damage the land and endanger ecosystems. Further, industrial values frequently reduce the labor component of production to the level of a cog in a machine.

Because of the cultural importance of jewelry, it is impractical to impose an end to its use. Efforts to create startling change rarely achieve significant impact. Long-term progress is realized when consumers internalize new values and infuse them into custom.

Our greater goal at greenKarat is to end destructive gold and diamond mining. We do not, however, strive to force that change through radical activism. While activist organizations play a critically important role in educating and motivating consumers, we believe that widespread and permanent change will ultimately occur through the voice of consumer buying decisions.

Our mission is to provide an ecologically and socially responsible jewelry alternative to those who seek change. We want to help you, in some small way, become part of the permanent solution. Together we can make a difference.

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http://www.greenkarat.com/about/philosophy.asp

i think this jewelry company is precisely in the spirit of "inspiration and enlightenment to further think of the more humane ways to change...."

posted January 11, 2007 10:20 AM         

Me: Who needs diamonds anyway....sniff, sniff
Him: OK then, I won't buy you any...
Me: Weeell... on the second thought

posted January 12, 2007 01:11 AM         

I had been thinking about it, actually- it wasn't that I became anti-jewelry overnight and a die-hard opponent. That would be really stupid. I still would have liked to wear some pretty things on me- earrings, necklaces, etc. I probably didn't make myself clear in my earlier posts and some might get the impression that I've been preaching a certain distorted moral value. I appreciate Naiad's participation in this discussion, and the links she and Kamilla have provided, which I would like to have a look later when time allows.