BrandAware

For anyone who hasn't heard of this 'holiday', Buy Nothing Day was created by an artist in Vancouver and has been promoted by Adbusters Magazine for the last 10 years or so.  The idea is to 'buy nothing' for the entire day. For American consumers, this is particularly relevant since today is Black Friday - the day where stores provide pre-Christmas deals (and shoppers lose all sense of reason). It was almost exactly a year ago today that a Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death because of a stampede of shoppers racing to buy discounted goods.  Trampled.  People couldn't be bothered to stop and help her up.  Two people were also shot to death at a Toys R' Us in a dispute over a toy.  I don't know about anyone else, but these are scary, scary things to read about.  For years people have talked about how our need for consumption is figuratively killing us.  Well now it's actually killing us. 



Buy Nothing Day has received it's share of criticism since many people claim their purchases are merely put off for a day or that it doesn't have an impact.  I would like to encourage everyone to use Buy Nothing Day to reflect on how we live our lifestyles all year long.  Even if you have to buy something tomorrow, I think the more important thing is to be conscious of it.

What to do instead of shop:

• Adbusters has a list of events.  
• You can check out a protest or culture jam.
• Spend time with friends and family.
• Enjoy the outdoors! Go for a walk/bike ride/run.
• Stay home, cut up your credit cards and make homemade gifts instead.

For those of you who are determined to face the Black Friday swarms, please remember to be safe and to be considerate of those around you.  It is after all, just stuff.  It can be replaced, where as human lives cannot.


Adbusters: Buy Nothing Day