Done Good.

The rest of Berman's "Do Good" contains instructions and suggestions on how to bring about the improvement Berman is so adamantly stressing for our future.  He recommends methods and materials for producing the least wasteful items and being able to truthfully communicate them accordingly.  For companies that have already been sucked into the hole of deceit, Berman suggests that they begin developing alternative products under their brand name to keep their business going as they start weaning themselves off of the unhealthy product.  He concludes the book with what he refers to as "the do good pledge."  This pledge calls for an immediate shift in one's own:

Ethics - "I will be true to my profession."

Principles - "I will be true to myself."

Effort - "I will spend at lease 10% of my professional time helping repair the world."

This applies to not just designers, but any professional in the world.

If we all make an effort, only good can come from our working together.

I really enjoyed Berman's book; I learned so much about the mask that is put on everything and anything to make it appealing to consumers.  Think about grocery stores shelves- those tricky chip bags that are filled with air, appearing to contain double the amount of chips we are usually disappointed to discover.  And it doesn't necessarily stop at product advertising.  Look at today's fashions- high waisted skirts to elongate legs and push-up bras to create the illusion of fuller breasts.  Our society is centered on illusion.  Even if we are unaware that we are contributing to this mass facade, we each can be guilty of falsely promoting ourselves.

The only thing that I didn't necessarily appreciate about Berman's book is the voice he used.  He constantly spoke with a pushy, ordering voice that irked me a little bit; Who likes to be told what to do?  Yet it makes sense that Berman would choose to use this way of speaking.  The change he is asking for is on such a big scale that polite suggestions and pleading might not cut it.  For me, his message certainly overpowered the way he spoke.  In fact, I was most inspired by his little "Shopping Tips for Agents of Social Change" speil (pg 145), which began with the command, "Have a personal mission. Rethink."  I hope that this book will find its way around the United States and that the majority of its readers will find some insight and compassion within themselves to take Berman's message to heart and try to help reintroduce truth and goodness to our society.