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Consumption of financial products: Caution!

Thursday, 2 October, 2008

I wish to make it clear right away that what follows strictly applies to stock market investments. According to experts, Canadian banks are strong and amounts invested in bonds, bank accounts, guaranteed investment certificates and other similar tools are safe. If you are unsure about the nature of your investment, contact your financial institution or […]

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Hyperconsumption and the global financial crisis

Sunday, 28 September, 2008

For many years, I have warned people against the misdeeds of hyperconsumption; for many, daily life is centered on purchasing increasingly luxurious goods and services, first of all for one’s pleasure, a fleeting satisfaction. In fact, the evanescence of contentment procured by consumption is also what has allowed excessive consumption to rise. Once purchased, the […]

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Wild fluctuations in the price of gasoline

Friday, 12 September, 2008

In Le prix de l’essence laisse songeur, an article published Thursday September 11 in La Presse, journalist Hélène Baril states: «During the last week, the price of a litre of regular gasoline has fallen by almost 4 cents in Toronto and only 0.6 cent in Montreal. » The article goes on reporting justifications from various […]

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Consumption and technology

Sunday, 7 September, 2008

My next book, whose publishing (in French at first) is planned for winter of 2009, will focus on consumption and technology; here’s a glimpse of its content. In our hyperconsumption society, technological development is essentially dictated by commercial considerations, the first of which being the necessity for manufacturers to differentiate their products from their competitors’. […]

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Comparing the price of gasoline between Montreal and Paris

Saturday, 30 August, 2008

I wish that with each new rise in the price of gasoline, some people would cease to comfort consumers telling them that gasoline is still much less expensive in Canada than in Europe.On August 30 in Paris, one could find regular gasoline (SP95) at 1,399 € per litre (French Ministry of economy) while on August […]

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Consumption and commerce are essential

Thursday, 3 April, 2008

In my writings and my public position, I criticize several aspects of consumption, especially excesses on the part of consumers and speculation on the part of sellers. However, I am in no way against the consumption and I do not preach in favour of self deprivation or hard core simple living. These solutions are so […]

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Results of the mini survey about Mega shopping centers

Tuesday, 18 March, 2008

Since the televised debate on «Il va y avoir du sport», on the theme «For or against Mega shopping centers», some expressed their surprise seeing me present the positive aspects of Mega shopping centers. It is rather curious because I have never been moralizing towards consumption; as I write in my blog presentation, «I claim […]

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For or against Mega shopping centers?

Friday, 7 March, 2008

Vous pouvez lire cette chronique en français. In anticipation of my participation in the IL VA Y AVOIR DU SPORT show, I submit a question on the selected theme: FOR OR AGAINST MEGA SHOPPING CENTERS? The show will be broadcasted on Tele-Quebec Friday, March 14 at 7:30 PM, Saturday, March 15 at 2:30 PM and […]

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Purchasing a vehicle: price, fuel consumption and style before the environment

Thursday, 7 February, 2008

In a chronicle published January 26, 2008 (French only), I reported the results of a mini-survey concerning the criteria deemed to be the most important when purchasing or leasing a vehicle. Clicking here will allow you to see a graph showing the number of responses received for the five assertions I considered the most important, […]

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MINI: the pleasure of accessible luxury

Monday, 17 December, 2007

Next to the Hummer, the juggernaut I mentioned in several October and November 2007 columns, the MINI is Lilliputian. How can one not love its friendly face; according to surveys conducted by MINI Canada in 2007, its appearance is the most important factor in the purchase decision. Its remarkable sobriety, thanks to its 1.6 litre […]

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