Zbieranie nakrętek, czyli o wyrzutach sumienia w późnym kapitalizmie

Abstract

The authors prove that collecting plastic screw tops for charity – a widespread practice among contemporary Polish society – is a phenomenon that is based on self-contradictory economical and ecological rationalization. Such practices of collecting pieces of rubbish for charity also have a well established history as social myths and urban legends. The authors utilize psychoanalytic theories to argue that this phenomenon is an acting out of remorse for the consumptionist lifestyle of the late capitalist society – specifically for the fact that we always live at the expense of others.