Celebrate the thanksgiving holiday differently this year. Try not being such a consumer. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving where throngs of people are driven like cattle to the mall, has another name…it’s BUY NOTHING DAY. AdBusters came up with the concept several years ago to get people to re-think their consumption. I think the point should be clear by now. People buy way too much. The exclamation point comes by way of the housing market crisis where people are taking loans for more than they can afford to pay back, and losing their homes. Obviously that goes too far, but I believe the same underlying principles apply.
But everything is discounted!
Ask yourself:
DO YOU NEED IT?
because its not as cheap as if you just didn’t buy it in the first place.
To show you how far some people have gone with BND, in Canada:
Two Kensington Market retailers in Toronto: “Left Feet” and “Heart on Your Sleeve” are closing their doors in observation of “Buy Nothing Day”. They are promoting a “Sell Nothing Day!” as a stance against rampant consumerism. They believe in ethical retail, and believe that businesses have a role to play in reducing our global environmental impact.
Although there’s not much time left, there is a Louisville group HERE trying to organize something such as maybe a zombie walk. Get in on it and help organize (I’ll be in Lexington all weekend). Far and away, and I remember reading about this when it first happened, my favorite project was done by the Space HiJackers of London. They simply had “Everything Half Off” shirts printed up, and walked in groups and assisted customers in Oxford Circus. Read Everything Half Off. Other good ideas are here. Also, the space hijackers have had some other good ideas in the past, all of which were very guerilla.
Below is this year’s ad. MTv said it isn’t “appropriate” for their viewers so they wouldn’t show it. Guess it doesn’t appeal to their corporate disposition quite like parading half-naked high school girls
UPDATE: Here is a pic from Best Buy this morning…
While I won’t disagree with the principle that we, as a nation, consume far more than we should I just can’t get on the Buy Nothing train. On one level it’s take a certain amount of financial freedom to be able to turn down the deals that companies throw out on Black Friday. My grandparents already have their shopping day for tomorrow planned out because they’ll be able to get Christmas gifts yes, but also household items and other things they want/need for really good deals. Do my grandparents buy too much stuff? Maybe, but I don’t think so since they don’t have a lot of money and aren’t materialistic.
On another level lots of local, independent businesses benefit from Black Friday so I wouldn’t do anything to discourage people from supporting those businesses. People enjoy shopping during Thanksgiving weekend with friends and family. Yes, the malls and corporate shops get most of the money from those shopping adventures but not all of it. Independent shops benefit as well.
So instead of buy nothing how about “buy local” or “support independent businesses with your shopping dollars.” I know those slogans aren’t as catchy but I like them. You can put those slogans into action in Louisville this Black Friday. My suggestions?
Hit FAT Friday Trolley Hop for shopping at local galleries and shops, including Just Creations.
And also swing by Butchertown Market for art sale organized by Moxie Letterpress. Over 20 local artists will be selling their works. At that event you can do good X2. Support local artists and the local, independent businesses that are in the Butchertown Market full time.
By: Michelle on November 22, 2007
at 10:27 am
I can definitely agree with what you’re saying. Really its just a consciousness that BND is intended to promote. BND is a direct attack the large corporate entities who can afford to massively cut back one day of profits for the volume of sales that they get. The local business cannot do that, and I think a Buy Nothing but Local day would be great. Once you have to draw lines though, it gets fuzzy.
By: Cory Greenwell on November 22, 2007
at 1:30 pm
I will be in a cabin in the hills of Georgia. By default I will be participating in BND.
By: nicholashart on November 22, 2007
at 3:04 pm
yeah this isnt gonna work for me. i finally got a haircut scheduled and i’m probably going to get booze later on. it is friday after all. hey thats the best buy right next to my house.
By: crticalacclaim on November 23, 2007
at 4:12 pm