The history of throw-away culture and our thirst for new things
Matleena Frisk studies a period in history during which Finnish consumers became fond of disposable products, such as paper tablecloths, napkins, and even disposable sheets. How did these cheap substitutes become fashionable, and how did they change our culture? Professor Frank Trentmann tells us how the cult of novelty was born and what could be found in landfills in the 17th century. Looking at history raises a moral question: is it better to waste a little and not think about it, or consume a lot and have a bad conscience?