Comments on: Boycott Black Friday and Celebrate Buy Nothing Day Nov 27th, 2009

By: Phil | Best Air Conditioner Reviews

Phil | Best Air Conditioner Reviews — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:46:54 +0000

I think the videos of rabid crowds at walmart alone are enough to keep any sane person away — The reports of trampling and the ‘full-contact’ shopping environment it creates is downright heinous, and likely while ‘cyber monday’ now exists. still, I’m reminded of an blank billboard with the graffitti that brings a smile to my face – it read “The joy of being sold nothing.”

By: Adam Shake

Adam Shake — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:32:28 +0000

It’s a slippery slope for sure. People really do want to do what is right, but faced with the overwhelming fact that an individual action has a very negligible effect, people become overwhelmed and think “Why should I try.”
There are a number of different approaches that writers, bloggers, activists and the media should be taking to reach all the audiences out there. We should be talking about the big picture, like you said. (environmental philosophy from 30,000 feet) We should be talking about how to go green (The in the weeds stuff, like not buying bottled water) We should be talking about the beautiful stuff and trying to get people into nature so that they have a relationship with what is being destroyed. We should be talking about the ugly stuff and talking about the 130,000 people who die every year in the US alone from breathing fine particulate matter from coal burning power plants.

We need all these approaches and more, because no everyone responds to the same approach.

I’m a big picture guy. I understand what you are saying, and yes, I worry about preaching to the choir too. But I also know that Twilight Earth and Simple Earth Media’s other websites are making a difference, changing minds, bringing information and creating discussion and change.

That’s all that we can ask for.

Thanks for your continuing comment.

By: Gale Johansen

Gale Johansen — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:41:58 +0000

I hope my comment wasn’t perceived as negative to the idea of “Buy Nothing Day” because I do recognize the importance of symbolism. I am just finding it difficult to understand how our country and the world can be so oblivious to the depth and degree of the problems we are facing in our world and not understand that we are, if not already there, coming on fast and hard to a crossroad. So far this morning I have read and looked at so much of what I can only describe as a smorgasbord of articles, videos and postings that address one tiny slice of the problem at a time rather than the greater picture and I must admit to feeling challenged to ask, beg, demand that people please start looking at a bit larger portion of the picture. I am also increasingly disturbed by the amount of “preaching to the choir” done in the name of activism without engaging those that either don’t know, understand or agree with our message. I am sorry if I seem to be approaching things a bit negatively but while we discuss “Buy Nothing Day” the consumer machinery is spending vast sums of money to push buying as the solution to all our problems both personal, societal and even, this year, economical. I hope a great many people see these videos and hope that they will, as a result, at least think about the question of over-consumption.

By: Adam Shake

Adam Shake — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:43:18 +0000

I applaud you on taking the step past symbolism to action within your lifestyle. As you said, “taking this tact in our society is decidedly outside the norm.”

Many people are spurred into action by conceptualized symbolism. (Such as Buy Nothing Day.) It can help plant a seed of thought which can then grow into positive action.

Each of us are at different levels in reference to our sustainability practices. While the single act of buying nothing, may make no difference that day, the symbol creates conversation and spurs future action.

Thank you very much for sharing with us, the things that you are doing and the questions you ask yourself before purchasing!

By: Gale Johansen

Gale Johansen — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:24:36 +0000

I don’t go out to shop on Black Friday but not buying, even just as a symbolic gesture, will not solve the problem. We must stop “buying as a lifestyle” and begin to approach the purchase of everything we buy with a new consciousness that goes beyond symbolism. Many years ago we stopped routinely giving material gifts in our nuclear family for occasions such as birthdays, Christmas and Hanukkah (we are a family with mixed religious backgrounds) because we had become aware of how difficult it had become to think of something to gift. We were very fortunate to be able to supply our family with what we actually needed and were even lucky enough to have a bit extra beyond the necessities. But taking this tact in our society is decidedly outside the norm and even so I think that our family’s consumption is still too great when there is both such profound need and such ridiculously over-the-top emphasis on consumption for the sake of consumption. So I am trying to consider everything I buy by asking several questions before I make any purchase:
1. Do we actually need it? If there is a real need, can it be met with something we already have?
2. If the need is real, how can we buy something with the least impact both locally and globally? Can it be purchased used? Can we buy something that is part of a recycling loop?
3. Can we purchase it as directly as possible to the source? Is there someone locally that makes it?
4. How can we fill this need in the most beneficial way to the most people and by buying something are we doing any particular harm?
5. Will the item we are buying serve the purpose for the long term without built in obsolescence?

We must all begin to consider how and why we are living as we do and approach every aspect of our lives with a newly learned consciousness because our families, our country, our world cannot sustain our society’s concept of “lifestyle” any longer.

By: Adam Shake

Adam Shake — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:32:14 +0000

I’m with you Keith, sleeping in and watching Looney Tunes sounds great.

By: Keith Kelson

Keith Kelson — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:08:18 +0000

I shop for bargains year round, so for me “Black Friday” is no big deal and it’s just another day. What’s amusing to me is that when I was a kid, there wasn’t any talk of a “Black Friday”. It was just the day after Thanksgiving–a three day weekend.

I hate large crowds filled with stupid people, so I’ve always avoided this media created non-event. I think I’ll sleep in that day and watch Looney Tunes.

By: Adam Shake

Adam Shake — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:01:59 +0000

Robin, you know we love you over at ALittleGreenerEveryDay.com too! But I guess I wouldnt be true to myself if everyone agreed with everything I say. (Or think:)

You’re points are valid. But I believe that in this instance, it’s right for me to stand up (or in this case, sit down) and declare a boycott of our consumptive practices. Every year, people get excited not only because they can pick up the LCD TV on sale at Walmart on Black Friday, but because they look forward to SHOPPING. They love the drama, they love being part of it. They get to not feel guilty. Everyone else is doing it, so it’s one big party.

You are right when you say that boycotting Black Friday isn’t going to affect total retail consumer sales through the end of Christmas. But the fact that we didn’t play into the hype, well, that lasts all year long.

Thanks for you’re comment Robin!

By: Robin

Robin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:50:26 +0000

You know I love you guys here at TE, but I’ve got to dissent on this one. I think Buy Nothing Day is a meaningless gesture. I think that by the time Dec 25th is done, people are going to buy just as much even if they don’t shop on this day. I don’t shop on Black Friday in general because it’s madness out there. However, if there was something that we were planning on buying as a Christmas gift or just as something we needed, and there was a great deal, I’d buy on this day.

I think we need to pare down in general throughout the entire year – not just during the holidays. When the holidays come around, we need to make our shopping lists and stick to wanted and useful gifts for our loved ones. We need to restrain ourselves from buying everything on our kids’ lists and remind ourselves that it won’t kill them.

If someone thinks that he’ll buy extra on Black Friday because he just can’t help himself in all the frenzy, then by all means, he should stay home that day. But otherwise, sticking to a budget sometimes means braving the crowds and buying what is one your list, and only on your list, on the day after Thanksgiving.

By: Frugal Living Freedom

Frugal Living Freedom — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:58:37 +0000

I support the idea, and practice this most every day of the year. I support not shopping during the after Christmas sales as well. There is no sense getting wrapped up in the madness of others. Consumerism is well named as it’s consuming in many ways.

What a zoo out there!

We’re consumed by our need for stuff and we’re suckers for bargains, even if we don’t need it. It’s really quite unnecessary for a happy and fulfilling life.

Achievement is what brings us happiness. It’s time we learned that.

Clair Schwan