Analysis Of The Article ' On Dumpster Diving '

Lars Eighner begins by recalling a time from before he began to dumpster dive as an attempt to reveal to his readers that his fondness for garbage cans was not something forced upon him. He quickly transitions to the time when he began to dumpster dive and describes the overall experience of it. Once he has completed his general description, the essay takes a detailed turn into what dumpster diving through the years has taught him: everything from determining good food from the bad, how wasteful students in college can be, making sure drinks are safe, the stages a beginning dumpster diver goes through (self-disgust, curiosity, realization, and possibly the dangerous hoarding), and how dumpster diving has a hand in gained weight. Further

In Lars Eighner’s short essay “On Dumpster Diving”, he describes his experience of being homeless and the art of dumpster driving. Eighner prefers being referred to as a scavenger rather than a dumpster driver. Eighner stated “I like the frankness of the word scavenging. I live from refuse of others. I am a scavenger.” (383) He describes scavenging as a full time job, that requires a lot of effort. He believes that if one follows certain guidelines and rules, with doing so this could possibly help one to become efficient. One rule is knowing good place and time to look for food and other items, that could be useful. Another rule is knowing how to eat safely from a dumpster . Eighner said

If American's lived their live waste free, they could avoid this problem if they threw away less, used less packaging and recycled. Another thing that could be avoided, if Americans lived a waste-free life, is the waste of perfectly good food. In, On Dumpster Diving, the author said “Students throw food away around breaks because they do not know whether it has spoiled or will spoil before they return. A typical discard is a half jar of peanut butter. In fact, nonorganic peanut butter does not require refrigeration and is unlikely to spoil in any reasonable time. The student does not know that, and since it is Daddy’s money, the student decides not to take a chance.”(Eighner). This should embarrass most people because everyone has done something like this once or twice in their life, and although students waste a lot of food and other things, they are not the only contributors to all the waste that plagues America each

In the essay “On Dumpster Diving” by Lars Eighner, Eighner talks about materialism and wealth. He explains his process of dumpster diving and the best places to go to dumpster dive. Eighner incorporates tone, detail, irony, observation, and ethos throughout his essay.

Homelessness is increasing every year and effecting Americans of different age, ethnicity and religion. In Lars Eighner “On Dumpster Diving” he explains what he went through while being homeless. He describes how and what foods someone should be looking for and to always be conscious of what one is eating because there is always a reason why something has been thrown out. He continues to go into detail about other items that can be found in the dumpster like sheets to sleep on and pieces of paper to write on. Things that can keep him busy through the day. Eighner carefully explains to his readers how being a dumpster diver has become a life style for the homeless and this is how they survive. It’s a way of living and they are comfortable

The essay “On Dumpster Diving“, by Lars Eighner is based on a man who speaks of his survival as a homeless man accompanied by his dog named Lizbeth. Not only does he explain his strategies living out of dumpsters, but also the lessons he has learned as a scavenger. Most importantly I think the true message he was trying to get across is that we waste way more then we think we do, it’s in our nature.

Lars Eighner “On Dumpster Diving” originally published in The Threepenny review in fall 1990. Eighner’s arranges his essay into 3 main ideas to all tie into his overall theme. He ties it all into the idea that our society is wasteful by nature. Eighner uses his own experiences to show how wasteful people really are. Although he has not always been homeless, it has taught him a way of life he had never dreamed imaginable. If he doesn’t discover the hidden treasure of the dumpster’s then who will.

In his essay, "On Dumpster Diving", Lars Eighner speaks of his time spent as a homeless man. Eighner states in detail the steps needed in order to successfully become a scavenger of dumpsters based on his own experiences. Though the essay could appear to just be a useful manual there is an underlying message. Lars Eighner effectively uses argumentation, process analysis, and tone to demonstrate that society is wasteful.

In Matt Porter’s video, “Freegans: Creative Living Outside of Capitalism” a gentleman states, “Our waste can feed a nation.” In this case, some of America’s waste is feeding the scavengers. Homelessness can lead to dumpster diving for a means of survival. These people dig through thrown out items that can still be eaten and used. One man’s discarded garbage, in turn, can become another man’s lifeline. “Almost everything I have now has already been cast out at least once, proving that what I own is valueless to someone,” (362) Eighner confessed about some of the treasures he has gathered from dumpster diving. Because the general public missuses its resources, dumpster finds are either used for personal gain, such as eating, or they will be

Throughout Eighner’s essay, he utilizes various strategies to explain the process of Dumpster diving and how his personal experiences have shaped his own identity. Starting with a narrative, the author describes his passion for Dumpsters and his financial reasons for becoming a scavenger. Transitioning into a didactic tone, Eighner then defines various terms surrounding this idea of Dumpster diving and contrasts the meaning of a scavenger and scrounger. To him, scavenging is “a sound and honorable niche” (55), while scrounging is crude and demeaning. After comparing the motives of Dumpster divers with average people, he discusses various foods found in Dumpsters and the processes needed to ensure safe and healthy consumption. With a negative attitude towards ignorant college students and wasteful consumers, Eighner begins

In “On Dumpster Diving”, Lars Eighner champions the idea of dumpster diving and making use of all available materials in a conservative manner. Eighner was extremely educated about the task of “dumpster diving,” and spoke to his audience of those who may oppose dumpster diving or living in a practical manner. Eighner’s purpose in scavenging through the dumpster was not just something to occupy his time, but it was his way of life. His ideal goal was seemingly to bring awareness on ways to end wastefulness in our country, as many people strive to do today.

Since 1992, an annual “Buy Nothing Day” has been held in many countries to show people the detrimental effects of overconsumption. This event often coincides with Black Friday―the prime time for eager shoppers after Thanksgiving festivities. The term “Black Friday” originated from a financial crisis in the late 1800s, but that memory changed to display one of busy roads, packed department stores, and post-Thanksgiving chaos (Pruitt). In order to raise awareness, supporters of Buy Nothing Day argued that events like Black Friday cause damage to the economy and environment. Considering counterfeit advertising and the environmental hazards of a day like Black Friday, a yearly Buy Nothing Day will be beneficial to society.

Chapter 15 of Adam Minter’s Junkyard Planet showcases the difference and the confusion that a consumer may come across based on our “ sustainable “ habits. Ultimately, he captivates readers minds and hearts to persuade us to think before consuming for the benefit of our economy and futuristic planet. He here fosters a close relationship with everyone dragged by the same wave, consumption. He proves to us how we have come to rely on recycling bins and other countries to take in our junk. Minter’s hinders a question to provoke thought, if we did not have any recycling procedures would we be living on Junkyard Planet?

The American people can be easily swayed into buying whatever they are told, and throwing away anything it replaces. This fatal flaw in society is proved by Vance Packard in his book “The Waste Makers”. He tells how corporations tricked the American public into living a wasteful life where they use something once and throw it away. A concept that had previously been unconceivable, but now was the way of living. He also proves how people had succumbed to buying things for convenience alone and nothing more. These companies did anything in their power to trick the consumer and improve their profit margins. Sometimes to their own dismay they would over sell their products and hurt themselves. Then immediately trick the public into believing another lie. Packard’s findings on the wastefulness of the American economy is irrefutable and unequivocal.

In 1992 the first “Buy Nothing Day” started in Canada. This “Buy Nothing Day” was an attempt to have a 24hr. consumer detox in order to expose the environmental and ethical consequences of overconsumption. Since then Buy Nothing Day has been held yearly in many countries. With the installment of a yearly Buy Nothing Day in many countries it is obvious to see why many business’ take a hard hit and can take a serious toll on a day in which goods are purchased.