It’s a core belief of mine that for us to make the best use of our freedom of choice, we have to know things. Every democracy – the political kind and the marketplace kind – relies on enlightened citizens to keep it alive and headed in the right direction.

That’s been a theme for me this month. In my column in Canadian Business, I had a bit of fun with Brooklynization and hipster culture, underneath which was the very serious message that their faddish ways might teach us to get back in touch with where our products come from. As we continue to count the cost of the tragedy in Bangladesh and watch how brands are and are not responding, it seems an even more urgent lesson. Then, on May 29, it will be my great pleasure to share the stage with the brilliant Terry O’Reilly and host Carol Off at a reading series event for World Literacy Canada. That literacy is the foundation of every kind of freedom needs no defence. I’ll be punching a little above my weight that night, but I am delighted to be part of it.

Read a label, read a book, enjoy the arrival of spring, and rejoice that you can. I certainly am.