corporation-free.org @ 6 Billion Ways

We’re going to be at 6 Billion Ways: Global Meltdown in London this Saturday. The event, which includes debates, speakers, workshops and a party, is…

“…a day where the arts meet ideas, discussion and action to explore the causes and find solutions to interlinked global crises.”

The organisers include Friends of the Earth, People & Planet, and War on Want, who all run campaigns against the Big 8. It’s free, but you’ll need to register now because places are going fast.

Perhaps we'll meet you there,

Pete

Giving up the Big 8

The corporation-free pledge is intentionally a bit weak. You are only asked to “try” to live without the Big 8. This is because you may have the occasional slip-up or find yourself in circumstances where you have no choice. This brings me on to three questions that I have been asked:

Q1. If I bank with NatWest or get electricity from E.ON, can I sign the pledge now and switch when I get the chance?
A. Yes. Better to take the pledge and start living without the other 6 or 7.

Q2. If someone gives me some After Eights or Quality Street, can I eat them?
A. Yes. It would be a shame to be wasteful, but be brave and politely tell them why you try to avoid buying Nestlé. They might thank you for it.

Q3. But I love Coca-Cola/KFC! How can I live without it?
A. You probably just love the brand that you have known your whole life. You are capable of developing a taste for the alternatives. Also, people can’t actually tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi, so you could be fooling yourself.

Remember, if you do have a moment of weakness, tell someone about it. You can even confess on in the community message boards. That way, you won’t make a habit of it.

As it’s pancake day, why not sign the pledge today, give up the Big 8 for Lent, then see if you can keep it going for longer.

Pete

Welcome to the corporation-free.org blog

I have just launched corporation-free.org (only 30 minutes late) and I feel a mixture of relief and excitement. Relief because creating this website has been an obsession that has caused me many sleepless nights and erased much of my free time in the last few weeks. Excitement because I have a good feeling about it. My efforts, I hope, have been well directed.

I will be blogging here along with Madalena, who is kindly helping me to publicise the website. We will add to this blog irregularly, but frequently. As well as sharing our general musings with you, we will try to pick up on news about the Big 8 corporations and what you are talking about in the corporation-free.org communities on Myspace and Facebook.

Please follow the blog, join the community and, of course, sign the pledge. With your help, corporation-free.org will flourish.

Thank you,

Pete