Monday, November 22, 2004Buy Nothing DayThe press and the retailers always claim that the day after Thanksgiving, November 26, is the busiest shopping day of the year. My guess is that it once was the busiest day since many workers had the day off and spent it buying gifts for Christmas. It quite possibly could still be the busiest day of the year, but I think the impression that it is, that's what's important. By encouraging that impression, it encourages the same behavior. Cause if everyone else is out shopping, you should be too. (After all, it's your patriotic duty.) And since the hype of that day still exists, then the fight for that day should too. November 26 is Buy Nothing Day, which means you take a day off from our consumer culture and refuse to participate in the endless cycle of consumerism that affects the environment, that affects ourselves, that affects the world. It's a day to reflect on, well, whatever you want, but the intended purpose is to focus on what all this mass consumption in a marketed-to-death society means. So take the day off and enjoy it. Jump out of the cycle for just a day and see how it feels. Think about life, talk to a friend, go for a walk, listen to the world. Just leave your credit cards at home. UPDATE: Here's a handy test to determine your impact on the planet, in terms of consumption of resources. posted by chris at 2:20 PM ------------------ |
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