Consumed cover art

Consumed

The Need for Collective Change; Colonialism, Climate Change & Consumerism

 Preview

Get 30 days of Premium Plus free

£8.99/month after 30-day free trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options
Buy Now for £12.99

Buy Now for £12.99

About this listen

Aja Barber wants change.

In the 'learning' first half of the book, she will expose you to the endemic injustices in our consumer industries and the uncomfortable history of the textile industry; one which brokered slavery, racism and today's wealth inequality. And how these oppressive systems have bled into the fashion industry and its lack of diversity and equality. She will also reveal how we spend our money and whose pockets it goes into and whose it doesn't (clue: the people who do the actual work) and will tell her story of how she came to learn the truth.

In the second 'unlearning' half of the book, she will help you to understand the uncomfortable truth behind why you consume the way you do. She asks you to confront the sense of lack you have, the feeling that you are never quite enough and the reasons why you fill the aching void with consumption rather than compassion. And she makes you challenge this power disparity and take back ownership of it. The less you buy into the consumer culture the more power you have.

Consumed will teach you how to be a citizen not a consumer.

©2021 Aja Barber (P)2021 Octopus Publishing Group Anthropology Art & Literature Beauty, Grooming & Style Personal Development Politics & Government Racism & Discrimination Social Sciences Discrimination Money Capitalism
All stars
Most relevant
I have just finished ‘Consumed’ and honestly feel quite emotional! We are dealing with huge humanitarian and ecological crisis in the name of fashion, and it can feel completely overwhelming. Aja Barber breaks this down, and then builds us back up in such a thoughtful, personal and succinct way in her book.
These systems affect everything in our day to day lives, so it is vital that we understand them, in all of their nuance.

Essential reading!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Brilliant book which made me think critically about my consumption (and not specifically fast fashion). Excellent analysis of the systems that structure the world, enable exploitation of workers and manipulation of consumers. An excellent read even if you’re not a huge fast fashion person.

Fantastic

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Absolutely brilliant book that everyone needs to read. written with beautiful humour and kindness, in a way that will fill you with the excitement of change.

Everyone should read this book!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Timely, exceptionally well researched and so necessary in our current climate. A must read for anyone looking to curb their fast fashion consumption or learn more about its impact on our planet and the garment workers involved in its production.

Fantastic Work

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I didn't think I'd listen to all of this book, maybe scan listen skip but chapter by chapter I was pulled in to learn more and think more. I'm left with some hard decisions to make to change my behaviour and align cognitive dissonance instead of letting it tear away at me. Confronting on the colonial and racism fronts but also gives me the sense to do better in future. I dont knownif can say enjoyed, but has given me work to do for the better. A must read for literally everyone.

Confronting, actions for change, fact-driven

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews