April 27 2009, GM announced that it will phase out the Pontiac brand as part of a restructuring effort to reduce costs. Is this decision wise? Consider this. Pontiac is a grand and old brand to which millions of people were and are still loyal. Introduced in 1906 by Pontiac Spring & Wagon Works, it […]

Around the planet, a vast majority of people have reduced their discretionary spending, both with regards to consumer goods, such as clothing, and for major purchases such as home appliances, a vehicle or a house. As reported in a Washington Post article, Economist Peter Morici from University of Maryland states that «What consumers are not […]

This column is subsequent to two radio interviews broadcasted today, Tuesday November 25 2008: the first with host Christiane Charette on Radio-Canada (95.1 FM), the second with host Michel Gailloux on Radio Ville-Marie (91.3 FM). The rise of luxury leads to excess both from the consumer and the producer. This is the central theme of […]

If, like a good many people, you are exasperated by unwanted telemarketing calls, a solution is now available. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has established a National Do Not Call List (DNCL) (). Since September 30, you may register your residential, wireless, fax or VoIP telephone number directly on the DNCL Web site. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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’. […]

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 […]

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 […]