Christmas is over. January sales begin. Welcome to the hamster wheel. Just remember, when you get on, you can't get off. In a throwaway society, quality is hard to come by and comes at a price. They don't make things like they used to. But then, why would they? A quick turnaround generates more cash. Every new advances in technology and design make it possible to produce goods out of date, almost before you get them home. Bargains are rarely bargains. Excitement builds at the anticipated delivery of a comfy sofa, the most up-to-date phone, a slimline telly, or a new bike from Santa. It's not long before these cherished items are discarded, to be replaced by the next, bigger, better, upgraded thing. Children's toys, once loved, are cast aside, destined for landfill. Tired mattresses and rusty white goods are dumped at the edge of the footpath next to the bins, often remaining there for weeks, waiting for the council to collect. This consumer-driven mentality is exacerbated by the continual bombardment of advertisements on the tv, radio and social media. These luxuries are not going to be given up easily. Televisions and mobile phones are just two examples...both here to stay. A person's happiness and well-being are supposedly linked to Consumerism, but at what cost to the environment? A continuous downward treadmill, welcome to the hamster wheel.

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About
Born in the North East of England, Paul is an observer, an opportunist with a camera. Self-taught, he bought his first real camera in 1986. Wherever he goes, his camera goes. He studies and documents all forms of daily life, idiosyncrasies, eccentricities and traditions of Britain and the British good or bad.