Leading the Examined Life

by WiredBerries Editors — December 31, 2007

As the year draws to a close, we often take stock of our lives and consider ways we'd like our habits to change for the better. Patagonia, the clothing and gear maker, sets an excellent example of how to continue this process of lifestyle evaluation and improvement in an effort to live a better, more environmentally sound life. "Every one of us does things in the course of a day that adversely affect the health of the planet. We don't decide to, we just don't give it a thought. Surprising, though, how many habitual practices we can - and do - change once we give them some thought. We can all name environmental habits we've changed and more we intend to. This has to be done, and more often by more of us. The impact of an unexamined life is far more serious than it once was - deadly so." The company highlights their own examination of its life and habits as a company, giving more of their practices air and thought in an effort to change habits often played out on an industrial scale, with concomitant effects. Check out the Footprint Chronicles , an interactive mini-site that allows you to track the impact of five specific Patagonia products from design through delivery, perhaps inspiring you to lead an examined life.