As a non-extreme minimalist, just watching the film trailer for No Impact Man: The Documentary is rather stressful. What you see is a radical lifestyle change.
“No Impact Man” committed to living one year of his life creating the least amount of impact on the environment that he could. And documenting it on film. He has also written a book, No Impact Man: The Adventures of a Guilty Liberal Who Attempts to Save the Planet, and the Discoveries He Makes About Himself and Our Way of Life in the Process.
His wife seems to be rather reluctantly “going along” with the project. She loves TV, and they can’t have one. It wouldn’t work anyway — they use no electricity. She loves to shop, and that’s out too. Cosmetics are out. Washing machines are out. And yes, even toilet paper is out.
Just how far can extreme minimalist living go? We might get our answers in the documentary. It stars the Beavan family — Colin Beavan, Colin’s wife, Michelle Conlin, and their daughter.
See the official trailer for the film:
No matter how extreme or not your minimalist lifestyle happens to be, you still might learn something from NoImpactMan. Colin explains his blog as “…what each of us can do to end our environmental crisis, make a better place to live for ourselves and everyone else, and hopefully come up with a happier way of life along the way.”
In one of his posts, No Impact Man quotes Howard Thurman. “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
With the idea of extreme minimalism, Colin Beavan seems to have found what makes him come alive. That is fascinating and compelling to me. His passion is there for the taking. What do you come away with from what he shares?
Watch No Impact Man on Demand
Photo Credit: daddy’s footprint by lisajames. Browse Baby Cards
MiMi
I must see that film!! It has a Michael Moore, Super-size this feel to to it!
Having said that, I need to incorporate some of these changes into my life style. And America is the very worst offender regarding messing with Mother Earth.
The danger is extremism. Rigidity. Judgment of how the rest of the people live. Holier than thou–etc etc. But I really want to see this movie–never thought I’d ever see another film after Avatar, but guess this one is IT!!
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You know, Kate, in every cause or belief we have is that danger. An “I don’t do, so you shouldn’t” attitude. But, I think the more we learn, the better we are able to come to our own life’s choices.
I hope you enjoy the movie. I may write about it again after I’ve watched it if it inspires me to somehow. :)
This is going to be arrogant, but I am NOT giving up toilet paper! I have made many changes, and plan on making more, but toilet paper is not going to be one of them.
I know everybody has to do what they think is right, it is not my place to judge.
I just think to truly have Zero impact you would have to go live in the woods and be Swiss Family Robinson or something. Not setting on your sofa, wearing store bought clothes. Just my thought, if you were going to go to that extreme.
Not arrogant, Kim. Tissue is the greatest invention of all time. :D
It would be interesting to see a family try to survive Robinson style. I don’t think it’ll start a trend, though. :)
Wow! Well, I am willing to make some changes, and I do believe if we all make some changes, together we will have an impact. But totally minimalist living? I don’t see that for me.
The other thing that struck me was the idea that it just takes one to make an impact — and Colin seems to be that man for this issue.
Thought provoking post, Mimi!
Joan, thank you. I don’t see a radical lifestyle change happening for me, either. When I watch the film and read the blog, though, I will take away from it what I can.
For me, The part which captured my attention was the family relationship, how it grew from a seed to blossoming like a flower. Without having the modern day distractions it seems almost fact that ones relationship with the family or partner will become Stronger.
James, I have not seen the movie yet, but I get the feeling that the family can’t help but grow. Looking forward to seeing it. :)
I think we can all probably take away some good advice from Colin but what struck me the most was his idea of No Impact yet he is impacting his wife with choices that she doesn’t necessarily hold close to her heart.
The other thing that troubled me a little was the no TV yet he uses a computer to Blog and get his message out. The movie will consume a lot of electricity being shown in theaters, on computers, or on a TV set. And there is the Impact of the actual processes in printing the book.
If we all went to the extreme nature of following his “no impact” lifestyle no one would know about his book or movie.
Yet, we can all make some wiser choices to respect Mother Earth in following some of his advice; just maybe not to the extreme Colin extols.
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Bev, I noticed that, too. I do believe there is going to be some take away from all of the viewers that do wish to learn something. It might even change a mind or two about doing “something” rather than nothing.