Freeganism is a truly fascinating way of approaching life, that involves reusing leftover food (dumpster diving), living in unused spaces (squatting) and avoiding jobs or owning vehicles whenever possible. Like Burning Man participants or others who create and visit Temporary Autonomous Zones, Freegans try to operate outside of normal societal boundaries.
Since being decommissioned, many of these have gained strange second lives as everything from luxury resorts and private retreats to micronations and pirate radio stations.
The dust has finally settled in the Black Rock Desert, both literally and otherwise, leaving at least one death and many other contentious issues in its wake.
def interesting way to live, somewhat crazy as well… i am a vegan and i would never go as far to dig into a dumpster (there may be meat or dairy on top of that lettuce) or avoid work…. respectable but way too extreme for me
That’s a very good point, given that they take their name in part from veganism. The issues of cleanliness and health would seem to (potentially) contradict or come into conflict with other freeganist goals.
I first discovered dumpster diving about 8yrs aga,owhen I got a baby goat. It ate heaps, so I would forage in the local greengrocers and supermarket bins. Of course some of it was off, but most of what I found in there was fresh! I was really surprised. I found that there were items sealed in plastic that looked really good. I ate some, though my daughter thought it was gross. I always take items of ‘trash’ if they are any use to me, I have furnished most of my house this way- bunk beds, cupboards; people throw amazing stuff away. I think the philosophy of ‘Freeganism’ is on track, and it doesn’t have to be unsanitary. But I also think that ‘anti-bacterial’ products such as cleaning products and that horrid hand wash are way too extreme.
Sounds like an interesting lifestyle … I’d never heard anything about it, but I guess freegan is a combination of ‘free’ and ‘vegan.’ Pretty fascinating.