Free Radicals

Raiding garbage bins outside supermarkets is not exactly a new concept. Individuals have been doing it for years; we call them "homeless people."
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I am pretty much against all forms of extremism. Radical anythingism can't be healthy. But my antagonism is rooted more in envy than any philosophical point of view; I envy anyone who can feel so strongly about an issue, aside from Yankees-Red Sox or Salma-Penelope, that is.

So, it's no surprise that I am not down with this whole Freegan thing.

While reading this article, two things immediately dawned on me:

1) The "leader" of this rebel movement lives at home with his father and grandparents. Move out of your childhood bedroom, Ché, and maybe then I can take you and your followers seriously;

2) Raiding garbage bins outside supermarkets is not exactly a new concept. Individuals have been doing it for years; we call them "homeless people." What the hell are they supposed to do for food, now? I see a showdown looming, and I don't think the Crunchies are up to this Battle of the Bulge. Next fall, NBC will definitely air a Law & Order episode about a 24-year old Freegan found behind a dumpster, a bloody 3-day old Baguette next to his corpse.

Obviously, there's a big upside to Freeganism, but there's also an overlooked victim: hygiene. "Once in a while I may buy a box of baking soda for toothpaste," Mr. Adam Weissman, the leader, told Judith Miller. His coworkers must love his commitment to the cause. And what about deodorant? I don't see summertime Freegans getting invited to a lot of parties (certainly no potluck dinners). But isn't "summertime Freegan" redundant? I mean, much like Concerts in the Park, Freeganism can't play in wintertime. Dumpster diving in July is ripe and dandy, but no way these people are freezing their asses off in February when Daddy just ordered Chinese for dinner.

I'd write more, but a friend and I are arguing over where to go for lunch: Subway or Quizno's. I wonder which has better garbage...

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