meeting with “anonymous capitalists” who meet in discussion groups

In order to cure consumer addiction, these groups have been meeting for several months to discuss how to achieve a more ecological lifestyle.

There are about ten of them, sitting in a circle. Julien, founder of Capitalists Anonymous, leads the meeting which is held in Issy-les-Moulineaux, just outside Paris.“We are committed to attentive and caring listening, both to what is said and to the way in which it resonates within us,” he explains.

On the program today: feelings about the environmental crisis. “Do you feel sad for humanity?”asks Julien. “Sadness sometimes and anger often when not as many things are happening as should be happening to move in the right direction,” replies a participant. Another explains: “Me, sadness sometimes towards my children, when I see things in nature and I say to myself that perhaps they will not experience that”.

The opportunity for everyone to share their anxieties but also their journey towards a more “sober” and the difficulties this entails.“I have a guilty pleasure for meat, I find it difficult to do without eating it, but I make an effort”, testifies an “anonymous capitalist”. A mother abounds : “I have three children, I buy in bulk but I have to go every two days.”

After an hour and a half of discussion at the end of the session, we find Julien, 38 years old, who initiated this meeting. He has developed eight steps to cure drug addiction. “The first is to admit one’s participation in a capitalist system which destroys the planet and living things. Then we go through a whole series of stages. Transforming these fears into an engine of change, concretely implementing a sobriety approach in his daily life And the eighth step is to support other ‘Capitalists’, in their daily approach.

Tania, a retired teacher, embarked on this protocol: “The first thing I did was really compost. Afterwards, it was to reduce waste.” This support group helps him a lot. “It feels good to exchange, to talk. So we exchange ideas on how to do our laundry. Sometimes we’re not in the mood so we exchange and then we always come home rather happy and not weighed down “.

Two other circles of Anonymous Capitalists opened, one in Paris, the other in Mérignac. Bordeaux, Nantes will follow next month and soon Marseille, Rennes or Strasbourg.