The point of "buy nothing day" -- for the uninformed

[IrateCitizen]

Buy Nothing Day, contrary to the popular belief of the naysayers (whose numbers I was surprised to see at this board) is not a "meaningless statement". It is not an attempt to turn everybody into a bunch of luddites, either. What it is, is an attempt to highlight the extent to which mindless consumerism has taken over our lives in every area.

Seriously, what is really more fun the day after Thanksgiving -- going to the mall, fighting the crowds, and spending money on a bunch of shit you really don't need; or spending an extra day with your family, sharing stories, playing games, working around the house, or just spending time together? When I think back on my fondest memories growing up, NONE of them were about buying things. ALL of them were about spending time with family or friends, and the timeless memories that result from those times.

The whole point of Buy Nothing Day is to get us back to realizing that human relationships are the true source of happiness in our lives, and that the belief that buying more and more stuff will bring us happiness is really just a falsehood that many of us have been conditioned to believe.

But if you still truly believe that mindless, rampant consumerism -- and the traffic jams and long lines at the malls that go with it -- is the key to true happiness, then by all means continue on your course. But if you're interested in actually LIVING, then try Buy Nothing Day out. It's only 24 hours, and you might be surprised in what you realize is important in that short time.

[Bluzmann57]

1. Personally I dislike crowds

so if I don't work, I generally stay home and drink beer and watch football the day after Thanksgiving. If that spoils the point of "buy nothing day" then so be it. However, I am scheduled to work this year and since it takes money to get by in our society, I'm going to go to work.

[theivoryqueen]

2. oops, what date is it?

Haven't been to adbusters site lately

[IrateCitizen]

12. It's always the Friday after Thanksgiving

The #1 shopping day of the year.

[Hep]

3. I can easily spend a day buying nothing

without advertising it and using it as a platform to look down on people.

[DUreader]

7. "a platform to look down on people"?

?

[Hep]

13. Yeah

That's what this is. Although it's kind of ironic, isn't it? What's the big plan this year? Go to walmart and picket?

[IrateCitizen]

9. How is it a forum to look down on people???

Millions of Americans are addicted to consumerism. And I mean it when I say that -- ADDICTED. At least to one degree or another.

By your logic, Alcoholics Anonymous, by advertising themselves as an alternative to alcoholism, is "looking down" on those who continue to drink.

The point of "buy nothing day" is to present an alternative to consumerism, to help people understand that BUYING is not LIVING. Maybe, just maybe, then they'll be able to actually get back to LIVING. :shrug:

[Hep]

15. come on!

Millions of Americans are addicted to consumerism. And I mean it when I say that -- ADDICTED. At least to one degree or another.

So this is an intervention. Maybe people like being addicted to consumerism.

By your logic, Alcoholics Anonymous, by advertising themselves as an alternative to alcoholism, is "looking down" on those who continue to drink.

That's a terrible analogy. Everyone in an AA meeting is alcoholic. They don't go to bars telling people to stop drinking.

The point of "buy nothing day" is to present an alternative to consumerism, to help people understand that BUYING is not LIVING. Maybe, just maybe, then they'll be able to actually get back to LIVING. :shrug:

Buying IS living. I'm not going to refuse to buy groceries on the 28th just because some people are addicted to consumerism.

[sangh0]

21. "Buying IS living."????

And you don't think consumerism is addictive?

I've heard addicts say similar things about their drugs.

[IrateCitizen]

24. Come on, yourself!

So this is an intervention. Maybe people like being addicted to consumerism.

Yeah. That's why Americans are all so happy right now and taking antidepressants and numbing ourselves at every opportunity.

Buying IS living. I'm not going to refuse to buy groceries on the 28th just because some people are addicted to consumerism.

Don't equate purchasing the necessities for living with actually living your life to the fullest. The campaign isn't about stopping people from grocery shopping, anyway. It's about convincing people that there's a better way to spend the day after Thanksgiving that flooding the malls for the entire day and spending a bunch of money on stuff they don't need. If that's lost on you, then I don't know how to explain it to you.

[Hep]

29. Well golly

Yeah. That's why Americans are all so happy right now and taking antidepressants and numbing ourselves at every opportunity.

I"m not taking anti-=depressants. Maybe you should stop projecting. Or at least stop using "ALL" in sentences.

Don't equate purchasing the necessities for living with actually living your life to the fullest.

So buy nothing day is actually buy some things day?

Maybe the point of this is lost on me because I already know the premise. But what the fuck do you care what other people do the day after thanksgiving?

Do you want people to stop giving presents at Christmas?

Who cares if it's a family's tradition to go to a mall and do their christmas shopping? Maybe for them it is a chance to get together and have some fun. Who the hell are you to judge them?

[IrateCitizen]

33. Hey, where's that sense of humor, Hep?

You're telling me to get one, but you're displaying quite a bit of venom toward me.

Maybe the point of this is lost on me because I already know the premise. But what the fuck do you care what other people do the day after thanksgiving?

Do you want people to stop giving presents at Christmas?

Who cares if it's a family's tradition to go to a mall and do their christmas shopping? Maybe for them it is a chance to get together and have some fun. Who the hell are you to judge them?

Nice strawman. What I care about is the continuation of a lifestyle that will ultimately destroy the planet. That lifestyle is consumerism, and it doesn't bring happiness.. And although I am far from perfect in this matter, I have realized my deficiencies and am taking steps to rectify them. What I would actually like, is to help other people come to the same realizations.

For a little background, try reading the book Affluenza -- or even picking up the PBS 2-part miniseries by the same name. Perhaps then you'll realize where I'm coming from.

[Hep]

35. Tell a funny joke and I'll laugh

Yeah, I hate pointless activism. Sue me.

Nice strawman. What I care about is the continuation of a lifestyle that will ultimately destroy the planet.

By nothing day is confrontational and will accomplish NOTHING except making participants feel better about themselves. IT'S POINTLESS.


That lifestyle is consumerism, and it doesn't bring happiness.. And although I am far from perfect in this matter, I have realized my deficiencies and am taking steps to rectify them. What I would actually like, is to help other people come to the same realizations.

ANd you're helping people HOW exactly?

I know that overconsumption is a problem. How does buy nothing day help? It's a stupid name. And it's a stupid thing to do, especially if people who support it are going to BUY THINGS. This is not a solution.

[IrateCitizen]

39. Then what is YOUR solution, oh wise one?

Since I am so simple-minded and clueless, perhaps you could clue me into what a real solution might be. :dunce:

[Hep]

45. Well

I have a solution. But first, allow me to point out that a bad solution can be worse than NO solution. *cough* buy nothing day *cough*

First of all, YOUR problem is that you don't differentiate between a SPECIAL OCCASION and a LIFESTYLE. Christmas is a special occasion. The day after thanksgiving is the first day of christmas shopping (NOT the busiest day, however). People are going out and shopping for CHRISTMAS presents. It's a special occasion, a holiday marked by the giving of GIFTS. Sure, I like to make my gifts for people, but I buy some as well, and see nothing wrong with it.

THE PROBLEM is overconsumption. Going to BK every day for lunch and supersizing everything. Owning a TV in every room. Four cars. That's a LIFESTYLE. That happens every day. But the day it is LEAST likely to be going on is the day after thanksgiving, because that's one day where people genreally THINK ABOUT BUYING THINGS FOR OTHERS. But that's beside the point. The point is that people focus on THINGS, how many things they can own, how big, etc.

We need to encourage buy nothing lifestyles. But we don't do it on the day that everyone is preoccupied with others, on the day they think of as part of the tradition. It's a lame PR move. Pointless activism. A waste of time. The only thing that comes from it is self righteous pride that you stuck it to the man.

[IrateCitizen]

50. Strangely enough, I agree with you regarding "lifestyle"

And personally, I look at "buy nothing day" as something that I just mention to my family and friends. I don't browbeat people about it, I just encourage them to look at it as a time for reflection about what the holidays are REALLY about.

But I do have to point out one thing -- the day after Thanksgiving is THE biggest single shopping day of the year. That much is a fact, and it's why Adbusters chose that day to be designated as "Buy Nothing Day".

[Hep]

53. We have common ground

And personally, I look at "buy nothing day" as something that I just mention to my family and friends. I don't browbeat people about it, I just encourage them to look at it as a time for reflection about what the holidays are REALLY about.

I appreciate that. The browbeating is what gets to me. As a personal tradition, buy nothing day is fine by me.

But I do have to point out one thing -- the day after Thanksgiving is THE biggest single shopping day of the year. That much is a fact, and it's why Adbusters chose that day to be designated as "Buy Nothing Day".

It's not a fact. It's actually a myth.

http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/shopping.htm

[sangh0]

41. You hate pointless activism?? That's not what you said here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=779931#780123

In that post you express support for symbolic actions, which is what Buy Nothing Day is.

[JanMichael]

43. Stop holding people to their own statements!

That makes us look "Angry" and "Mean":evilgrin:

[northernsoul]

4. I gotta buy beer for a Law School Democrats party

I'm hosting

but that's all I'm gonna buy - honest!

[cjbuchanan]

5. Why not buy it today?

That way you don't have to buy anything on Friday.

[northernsoul]

8. no $$$ til friday

for what it's worth, I'll be buying from a family owned and operated liquor store that's nowhere near a mall.

[IrateCitizen]

14. Stuff like that isn't the point of the campaign, anyway

The point of the campaign is to get people to think before piling the family into the car to head off to the mall for several hours, buying a bunch of stuff you don't need.

Personally, I'll probably be buying some wood that day to make a new bookcase -- but it's the one day I have to take advantage of my father's radial arm saw while I'm visiting!

[Hep]

18. YOU'RE BUYING SOMETHING ON BUY NOTHING DAY?

The horror! Maybe they should call it, "Buy Something if you Have to But Remember its about something other than buying nothing Day."

Is there anyone who supports this that actually ISN'T buying anything?

[sangh0]

23. IC's reaction proves Hep is wrong

Hep falsely claims that this is an excuse to look down on people who do buy stuff on Buy Nothing Day, but IC's tolerant reaction proves Hep is blowing wind.

[IrateCitizen]

27. And now who is looking down on whom?

Pot, meet kettle.

[Hep]

30. Get a sense of humor.

I'm not the one who gave this day sucha stupid name. I don't give a damn what you do. Jesus.

[IrateCitizen]

34. Then why did you weigh in so haughtily in the first place?

Sounds like you're the one who needs to switch to Sanka.

[Hep]

37. Because this is stupid.

and pointless.

But let's take a quick poll. Do you think more, fewer, or about the same number of people still consume too much since the very first buy nothing day?

[IrateCitizen]

38. Then why did you even bother responding?

If it's stupid, and pointless, and those who talk about it are trying to look down at others, then why did you even bother engaging?

Was it...
a) so you could educate others on what's right and wrong?
b) so you could pass judgment on others on this board?
c) so you could feel superior to others?
d) all of the above?

[Hep]

46. You don't feel like participating in the poll?

Is that because you don't know the answer or because YOU KNOW IT?

It's stupid and pointless, and I have the same right to decry it that you have to promote it. So I guess that would be (E)

[GinaMaria]

28. Count me in

I will buy nothing this Friday. I've recently heard about people doing this once a week. Mondays, I think. They let businesses they normally patronize know about it. I've deliberately had 'no spend' days. It's amazing how many times I reach for my wallet. 'No spend' days just increase my awareness about my own spending, what it is I really need, and what and who I am supporting. I usually emerge from it a better saver.

For Christmas again this year, my side of the family will not buy each other anything. We will choose a letter to Santa, written by foster kids in our area and buy gifts for someone who needs things like a winter coat. I'm hoping by next year my husband's family will be in on this too. There are a few on his side that will have difficulty letting go of all the buying they do. I for one, do not need any more crap. I look around and all I think is "I have enough' I really don't need any more stuff.

[KFC]

6. I did not buy any thing yesterday

And I felt so warm and fuzzy. But I did buy something Monday, and I felt pretty good that day too. And I even managed to have a good time with my family EVEN THOUGH I ACTUALLY BOUGHT SOMETHING THAT DAY!

On the 28th, I'm pretty sure we will buy some gas and food on the way to the mountains. I expect we will have a good time in spite of our purchases. If there were enough snow, we would be buying lift tickets.

[IrateCitizen]

11. Thanks for the constructive comments...

Your sarcasm on this subject has been duly noted, so I won't waste time in trying to discuss it rationally with you.

[Hep]

47. Is there anyone

with whom you will discuss it rationally?

[Cleita]

10. No problem for me.

I will be buying nothing in the foreseeable future except bare necessities.

[SOteric]

16. Excellent!

I'm 'all over' Buy Nothing Day. I have whole Buy Nothing weeks. In fact I lean heavily toward the Voluntary Simplicity end of the scale.

I find most folks are pleasantly surprised at what they can live without (material possession-wise) and how happy they can be living without it.

[CheshireCat]

32. I'm with you,SOteric!

Thankfully, I learned early in life that material possessions do not bring happiness.

Shopping at crowded malls is my "nightmare" scenario!

[buddhamama]

17. participate every year

even before it became a "Day".

i plan on spending the whole day in lounging around with books i borrwed from the library, and i'm planning on using as little electricity as possible too.

[PissedOffPollyana]

19. Wish more people agreed...

...to the notion behind "buy nothing day". If nothing else, it serves to illustrate how crucial the compliance of millions of consumers heeding the call to spend-spend-spend is to the pirates who have ravaged our economy.

What would happen if millions of people decided to donate to charities dear to their loved ones' hearts for the holidays instead of buying a bunch of generally meaningless crap?

What would happen if families decided to spend their Thanksgiving serving hot meals to those who desperately need them instead of buying an obscene feast & stuffing their faces?

What would happen if millions turned off their tv's and spent the holidays in conversation and non-consumer-driven activities?

What would happen if millions of ordinary Americans finally realized that the Wal-Mart-ization of our country is one of the primary reasons that millions of working poor exist in our country and finally decided to vote with their feet & dollars?

What would happen if millions of Americans realized that the credit card companies (and now the "debt/credit counselling" companies) have been using our greed & materialistic tendencies to keep us in financial line and finally started to be satisfied with happiness as happiness instead of confusing happiness with a shiny new _____ (insert "stuff" here)?

What would happen if just for one day, every American spent time doing something actually productive instead of spending money they probably can't afford? Anybody think it might, just might, pointedly express the power of the people and make at least a few minds contemplate what might happen if we decided to use that power and cooperation to effect real change?

I, for one, am happy to give the corporations that think they have us all figured out a wake up call, if nothing else. If our economy needs us spending more than we can afford to remain afloat, perhaps it's time to rethink that economy, no?

Just a thought, anyway...

[lastliberalintexas]

56. I actually do that

"What would happen if millions of people decided to donate to charities dear to their loved ones' hearts for the holidays instead of buying a bunch of generally meaningless crap?"

For those family members who still insist on exchanging gifts rather than simply celebrating the day/season, I ask them to contribute to a local food bank in my name.

But the majority of my family decided a few years ago to forego the gift giving and just spend time with one another. It's made the holiday season so much more enjoyable and less stressful!

[David__77]

20. Not to split hairs...

but I will offer my thinking on this. I think that the problem with this effort--though "problem" might be too strong of a word--is that it's too life-style focused. I'm afraid that people will, instead of focusing politically on the crucial questions of winning political power, choose to look inward at their own personal habits as a "way of changing the world."

[IrateCitizen]

25. Be the change you want to see in the world

ALL change in the world comes from within. And therein lies the importance of a movement like this -- or an expansion of it into the living simplicity movement.

[HalfManHalfBiscuit]

22. Sounds more like "Do Not Go To The Mall Day"

Like Yogi Berra said: "No one goes there nowadays, it's too crowded."

[IrateCitizen]

26. Yeah, that's more the thrust of it

If you really NEED to get something, you shouldn't stop yourself. But there's a big difference between buying something you really NEED right away and buying something for instant gratification -- even if it isn't something you really need at all.

[cmf]

31. I've been avoiding the post-Thanksgiving shopping fest for years.

Mainly because I hate the crowds. Plus, what good is getting a deal if you don't need the item in first place? I don't know what we're doing this year instead - snowshoeing sounds fun.

[monobrau]

36. Same here

After my days of working at the mall so many years ago, you couldn't get me out of the house on that day unless you burned me out.

[CWebster]

40. Wonderful post and

have a wonderful and happy holiday.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

42. No official shopping binge day here in Brazil

Because we don't have a clear milestone a month before Xmas like Thanksgiving. Therefore, declaring not to buy things in the Nth Friday of November is kinda pointless. Although some anti-consumerism campaign with a different focus could be nice. Hmmm...

[JanMichael]

44. Isn't it amazing how adament the Consumerists are?

Sheesh, by reading this thread I'd say we were on Walmart's message board...

[Hep]

48. Consumerists?

I had no idea you knew me so well.

But thanks for proving my point that this is why they call liberals elitists.

[JanMichael]

52. Just looking for brevity. I have to go shortly & there's a lot to look at

...here.

Actually hadn't taken that much notice in you personally so you've sort of taken my hasty label voluntarily.

[Hep]

54. God forbid I speak out against a liberal "cause"

n/t

[Dork]

51. The backlash to it proves Buy Nothing Day's point n/t

[Hep]

55. That it's unpopular and completely without noticeable positive effect?

n/t

[Silverhair]

49. I've already done my Christmas shopping online. n/t

[Desertrose]

57. I'd like to suggest "Support your Local Artist Day" instead...

as an artist who sells all her own work....I'd like to suggest that rather than buy from mega retailers...check out your local craftsperson or artist.
:)

Just a plug for the little guy/gal...
Peace
DR

here's my stuff...http://www.owlfeatherstudio.com

thanks and a tip o' the hat to all my DU friends who have purchased my artwork...blessings guys:)

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