Ask Lemmy

I've learned that the vast vast vast majority of people don't care. I can spend all my time hating everyone for being lazy and ordering daily items from Amazon, or eating Chick Fil A, or whatever, but I'll end up hating 99% of the population. I don't have time for that.

All I can do is focus on myself and what I spend my money on. Sure I educate where I can, but you don't want to be the preachy person either, because they'll just start ignoring you. Do what you can, but if you're going to judge people for buying things - you're going to judge everyone - and then that's more on you.

Everyone saw that Hitler salute in 2024. There wasn't a person on the planet who didn't see that. I highly distrust anyone driving around in a 2025 Tesla, the new ones with the knockoff versions of the Lucid light bars. Creepy AF to see, especially in a theoretically "progressive" area. Salute aside, he's an enemy to just about everyone on the planet for multiple reasons.

At least we know now.

I think people should boycott entities that they feel deserve it, but only to the extent that their financial situation warrants it. For example, I try to not buy from Amazon. I think everyone should do this, but I have the luxury of being able to afford paying more for the same thing bought elsewhere. Some people don't, and that's OK.

Everyone has different values, different pieces of information (and different amounts of time to do research), and different resources.

No, I don't judge people for not boycotting something I'm boycotting, though I'll mention it if it's going to cause a problem. For example, a friend is a massive fan of seeing things in theaters, including re-releases. If they want to see a re-release of Harry Potter, I'll decline, saying that I'm boycotting Rowling, and offer an alternative.

However, if they've been saying that they're really for/against something and seem to be going to buy something from a company that opposes that view, I'll mention, "Hey, I don't know if you know, but they support XYZ." If they still have to get it, then it's none of my business: everyone has different needs and different resources.

I boycott businesses whose practices I oppose, but I won’t necessarily judge others for not doing the same unless they are deliberately supporting harmful ideologies and practices. Sometimes financial or geographical constraints prevent access to ethical alternatives.

Sometimes. If somebody claims to be a gay ally, but then eats at Chick-fil-A and shops at Target or Hobby Lobby, they’re not really being an ally. You’ve gotta put your money where your mouth is if you want any change in this world. Stop giving money to people that hate you.

Only if they do something really crazy like willingly using Microsoft Teams.

Nah. People are more ignorant than they are evil, and ethical consumption in capitalism is at least difficult. I'm sure I'm doing something that inadvertently helps an evil cause somewhere in the world...

Thinking anyone is a terrible person is a great first step in making sure you will never win them over to your way of seeing things.

We all have different priorities in life. I'm far from perfect so I'm in no place to assume moral superiority over someone just because of a product they purchased.

I didn't used to, but I'm getting more judgemental as time goes on. I'm an ally and involved in LGBTQIA orgs and I can't tell you how many gay friends and acquaintances I have that still go to Chick-fil-A and Walmart. I'm harsher with those two, but now, I'll speak out against folks going to Target as well. Even without Target, Walmart and Amazon, I still have no trouble buying anything I need without inconvenience. The only language large corporations speak is money and if you can't even boycott a company that makes mid fast food that's spending money to take away your rights, it seems pathetic to me.

Depends, because often times people need to survive and can only afford/don't have another choice than to spend their money on a bad company (I.e. Walmart), but if they are buying a Tesla, then yes

I judge people who claim to be boycotting something they were never planning on purchasing. That's like not collecting stamps as a hobby.

Depends on the situation and who is being boycotted. If you can't get the things and you need it and you can only get it from x, then sucks but understandable. If you have alternatives and know about the boycott and why it's going on and still get the thing because you just want it? You're a selfish prick.

Yes, but generally not really harshly. I just assume they don't know any better or don't have the determination to live up to their ideals.

Unless of course they genuinely are awful people, but in that event, there are signs far more relevant than merely not sharing my boycotts.

If you don't have to support terrible people and you knowingly do anyway, it's not going to be easy to make a discernment personally.

I think a lot of people haven't come to the awareness that there is NO such thing as ethical consumption under our current systems tho (and you can't boycott everything bad without causing a lot more worse stuff.)

It's the internet. People get worked up over pizza toppings. Boycotting won't solve this crisis, it's a personal preference thing as far as I'm concerned. I do it like I try to keep waste to a minimum. I don't want to be a part of the problem where possible but I don't expect to cause a detectable impact. If I and others do - even better.

I dont Judge unless the person actively talks about hating that thing. For example if someone is constantly going on about how they big tech and they havent even made a single step towards moving away then yeah im going to judge. Stand by your morals.

I know someone who is always going on about how bad fast fashion is and she buys all her clothes from Shien to wear a few times. Like come on you cant expect your words to hold any weight when you say one thing and do another. I'd never say I support gay people's rights then give money to a gay people rights crushing machine.

Yes, even myself.

Family member wanted to go to a store that was in the same strip mall as a Hobby Lobby and I was sitting in the car hating everybody that I saw going into that Christofascist rat den. Those assholes are part of the reason healthcare and insurance is so fucking abysmal and hostile to women.

First of all, I would ask them if they're familiar with the boycott and the reasons why it is happening. If they are, ask them them if they have a reason not to participate. Based on that, and how serious the cause behind the boycott is, I would judge.

If they know, and it's not vital, and they don't care, then I think less of them.

Some people have less self control than a toddler

Of course.

Well, no, not everyone is equally informed to begin with. And you can't make such a blanket statement as "if you don't live like I do you're a terrible person", reality is nuanced, always.

However , I will judge the hell out of them and add them to my mental lists of People Who Do This Or That. But no, they're not necessarily terrible persons

Judge… no… help to educate… try to be better myself… yes.

Also, consider the part you’re saying “… many Internet forums…”.

The same forums filled with random people… some of which have nothing better to do than bitch and complain… act better than others just because… preach their perspective because it’s “right”.

Even Lemmy is not immune to “you’re a terrible person” syndrome.

This question is never going to be black and white, regarding how or where people spend their money responsibly. Especially given the difficulty of knowing where some products originate, or what they are tied to, not just where you buy them from.

literally hitler! seriously though its an individual choice but all the same I see lines at chik fila and just think of pigs gathering for slop. So its basically a data point. The more someone knows you the less likely it matters.

i really don't a reason to judge people

Only if you disregard any viable alternatives.

Yes :3

Buy a nazi car if you wanr, but I am sure gonna fuxkin judge you for that.

Fuck your feelings.

I judge people for many things, like all people do.

They say only God can judge me, and she seems to be okay with those people doing those things, so who am I to judge?

A people, that's who.

Yeah, but to a lesser degree.

Depends, how many people even know that in n' out is a hateful company? A lot of people know about Chick-fil-A, but shockingly, a lot of people don't know about Nestle. So yeah, I'll judge a person for buying Tesla or a bland chicken sandwich, but I'll just inform someone who buys an in n out burger or a crunch bar.

I've been boycotting Ray Ban because they make the Meta glasses. I met a guy recently who has them but he works for Meta, so I guess I'm not too surprised. I told him that I hate the concept of AI glasses especially if they're made by Meta. Apparently Oakley and other companies are going to start making them as well,but Oakley and Ray Ban are owned by the same company. I don't even want to be looked at by someone wearing the Meta glasses.