On Dumpster Diving Essay Example

principles involve using the senses and common sense to evaluate the condition of the found materials, knowing the Dumpsters in a specific area, and regularly checking them. The author also emphasizes the importance of always questioning why an item was discarded. Additionally, the author developed various techniques for determining the quality of different types of food. Through his research, he discovered that canned food, fruits and vegetables with intact skin, hard candy, sealed yogurts, and discarded warm food from restaurants are typically safe to consume.

The text emphasizes the hazards of consuming contaminated or expired food and beverages. It also discusses the ethical guidelines scavengers adhere to when handling discarded items. Surprisingly, the author found personal documents such as bank statements and correspondence in Dumpsters, unveiling confidential information. Furthermore, pill bottles frequently disclose patients' names, while medications for AIDS, anti-psychotic drugs, and birth control pills provide extensive details that could potentially compromise personal data.

The author believes it is unethical for scavengers to misappropriate the information they find. Scavengers often save extra items like shoes, clothing, and canned goods because they dislike seeing valuable things go to waste. Any items they cannot use are left in good condition for others to find. The author highlights that even though scavengers are impoverished and homeless, they have their own moral principles that guide them. Additionally, the author contends that living on the streets and surviving by rummaging through Dumpsters is not as challenging as one might think.

However, the essay brings attention to troubling incidents. The author lived a solitary life without friends or family, with only his dog Lizbeth for company. The consequences

of making wrong choices were severe. Once, he ended up intoxicated on a public street in broad daylight after mistakenly drinking an alcoholic beverage (par. 26). Despite being extremely careful, he would still suffer from dysentery every month (par. 30). Living near a Dumpster that was home to red ants was also an unpleasant experience.

The author highlights that he endured both physical and emotional struggles. He was often disturbed by dumpsters, which would result in the destruction of cute things like bears and wedding books. He frequently encountered dead pets in the dumpsters, causing him to worry about his own companion, Lizbeth, meeting a similar fate. The fear of Lizbeth being caught by dog catchers also weighed heavily on him (par. 53). Despite presenting his experiences without any display of emotions throughout the essay, these events and fears invoke sympathy for his sorrow.

While reading the essay, one can observe the author's impressive intellectual ability. He not only shares his personal experiences but also presents his ethical dilemma. Through his encounters with scavenging, he gained two profound insights. The first was the concept of 'taking what you want and letting the rest go by'. The second was realizing that material possessions are not permanent. Mr. Eighner learned not to attach sentimental value to objects. Now, he claims to possess only emotions rather than items. After losing everything, he became a thrifty individual. Losing things did not make him sad as he understood that no object could remain with him forever.

The author is confident that he will find all his needs fulfilled in the future, drawing from his own experiences. He

argues that wealthy individuals also hold this belief, recognizing the abundance of resources accessible to them (par. 65). Nevertheless, I beg to differ with this perspective. Philosophers have consistently advocated for a modest existence without any expectations, although this guidance is frequently misunderstood. These wise thinkers always stressed the significance of being thrifty but never advised abandoning personal development and success.

Despite the author still finding some work, it is clear that their motivation to better their life has vanished and they appear to have given up on themselves. While the author may argue that they share a similar attitude, one cannot truly possess the same level of dignity if ambition is lacking. I firmly believe that dignity holds immense importance in our lives. Ayn Rand once said, "The man who does not value himself, cannot value anything or anyone." The essay's viewpoint lacks any sense of optimistic hope or self-worth, which greatly troubles the reader.