BUY NOTHING DAY - November 26th

[LaBang]

Buy Nothing Day is litterally one of my favorite days of the year. Does anyone else celebrate it or do any related actions?

This year I'm going to set up a Shopping free zone with my friends. We'll have police tape surrounding us. Inside anyone will be welcome to do anything that doesn't envolve consumerism. Mainly I'm thinking of having some people playing games some people just talking.

Last year I handed out fake money with strings attached. I also dropped down a Buy Nothing Banner in my local mall and almost got arrested.

Anyone else doing anything?

 

[Wallydraigle]

I didn't realize not buying anything was such a complicated activity

 

[pinoy]

WHY?

 

[LaBang]

For 24 hours, millions of people around the world do not participate -- in the doomsday economy, the marketing mind-games, and the frantic consumer-binge that's become our culture. We pause. We make a small choice not to shop. We shrink our footprint and gain some calm. Together we say to Exxon, Nike, Coke and the rest: enough is enough. And we help build this movement to rethink our unsustainable course.

 

[remagavon]

Why is it an unsustainable course? Capitalism is what makes the world go 'round, and its just the way things should be

 

[HappyPuppy]

This is laughable, and so are you. :roll:

 

[LaBang]

I personally find it pretty hard to not buy a single thing in a day. Well, unless I spend the whole day at home or I'm backpacking. The idea is to not buy ANYTHING. Some people take it as far as trying not to use electricity or disposables because they also cost money.

I turns the busiest shopping day of the year (Day after thanksgiving) in to a day spent doing meaningfull things like hanging out with friends or reading a book. Or you can do what I (and lots of other people do) and take action. Some people do some crazy things!

 

[Tom]

cancel your ISP !

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: Tom
cancel your ISP !

LOL

 

[BentValve]

Originally posted by: LaBang
For 24 hours, millions of people around the world do not participate -- in the doomsday economy, the marketing mind-games, and the frantic consumer-binge that's become our culture. We pause. We make a small choice not to shop. We shrink our footprint and gain some calm. Together we say to Exxon, Nike, Coke and the rest: enough is enough. And we help build this movement to rethink our unsustainable course.

Well at least you can stay home and rest comfortably knowing that you are better than the rest of us.

 

[LaBang]

Thanks HappyPuppy.

I don't agree though. We're friggen inundated with advertising all day long and our whole society revolves around buying things that you don't need or want. I guess I'm just a little bit more intune with this because I'm in college and see people all the time trying to define who they are or make them selves happy through shopping. That is not life. sorry.

One thing that really struck me was when I tried to evalute (cost, effectiveness, enjoyment) the last ten things I had bought. I realized that almost all of them I didn't need nor did they bring me the pleasure that I was thinking I'd get out of it.

I know this must resonate with someone....

 

[SynthDude2001]

You have fun with that...

 

[midwestfisherman]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
This is laughable, and so are you. :roll:

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: LaBang
For 24 hours, millions of people around the world do not participate -- in the doomsday economy, the marketing mind-games, and the frantic consumer-binge that's become our culture. We pause. We make a small choice not to shop. We shrink our footprint and gain some calm. Together we say to Exxon, Nike, Coke and the rest: enough is enough. And we help build this movement to rethink our unsustainable course.

come on man. if all you're doing is parroting AdBusters, how does that make you any better than the people who parrot the ads? in fact, that's an inherent contridiction that AdBusters has never been willing to address. if i'm not supposed to listen to ads why should I listen to AdBusters' ads? that and why an "anti-consumerism" magazine costs like $10 a pop (!!!!!) and can be purchased in Barnes and Noble.

i agree with AdBuster's politics but i think they are fools if they think this kind of crap will have the slightest effect on anyone other than their loyal readers. ATOT's responses to this thread are a pretty good indication of that. it will change no one's mind, and it makes some people angry, which allows themselves to dig deeper into their holes. but you know what? i think AdBusters knows that. for AdBusters, Buy Nothing Day is just a way to make their readers feel really excited and mentally equate that with their magazine, so they will continue to buy it. AdBusters is so hopelessly part of the corporate game they don't even realize it. or maybe they do realize it, but their readers don't. baaa baaaa baaa.

 

[LaBang]

Good points. Yes, I did copy and paste from their website. I parrot AdBusters because I feel that I am a member of their organization. I've never bought their magazine though. Don't need to. Adbusters is a little different than every other company that is trying to sell you something. They have substance beyond their product.

 

[thejackal1]

Originally posted by: midwestfisherman

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
This is laughable, and so are you. :roll:

 

[dartworth]

Originally posted by: midwestfisherman

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
This is laughable, and so are you. :roll:

LOL

blue still sucks...

 

[FreshFish]

Do you own a computer that you're posting from you sicko? Are you wearing clothes right now? Did you eat last night? I dare you to not buy anything for a month and stay alive (this means eating from garbage cans, etc)

 

[blurredvision]

Good god people, everyone needs to calm down. Why do people on this board get worked up over absolutely nothing? So he's not going to buy anything, BIG DEAL. Go to the next post, damn.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: LaBang
Thanks HappyPuppy.

I don't agree though. We're friggen inundated with advertising all day long and our whole society revolves around buying things that you don't need or want. I guess I'm just a little bit more intune with this because I'm in college and see people all the time trying to define who they are or make them selves happy through shopping. That is not life. sorry.

One thing that really struck me was when I tried to evalute (cost, effectiveness, enjoyment) the last ten things I had bought. I realized that almost all of them I didn't need nor did they bring me the pleasure that I was thinking I'd get out of it.

I know this must resonate with someone....

I ignore advertising. I buy only things I truly want or need. Those items that I no longer want or need I pass on to someone that does, via gift, sale/online auction, or charity. I do not define myself by my possessions.

That being said, I find it ridiculous to sit at home when there are items that I do want or need and they can be obtained more cheaply via a Black Friday sale. Since I will require them at some point or another, I would be a fool to pay more money for them at another time since I was too busy sitting on my arse celebrating how I was doing nothing.

 

[oogabooga]

interesting, well have fun, i'll be wearing a red shirt at the stores

 

[BentValve]

So do kleptomaniacs qualify? Black Friday must be a hayday for these guys!

 

[remagavon]

Originally posted by: LaBang
Thanks HappyPuppy.

I don't agree though. We're friggen inundated with advertising all day long and our whole society revolves around buying things that you don't need or want. I guess I'm just a little bit more intune with this because I'm in college and see people all the time trying to define who they are or make them selves happy through shopping. That is not life. sorry.

One thing that really struck me was when I tried to evalute (cost, effectiveness, enjoyment) the last ten things I had bought. I realized that almost all of them I didn't need nor did they bring me the pleasure that I was thinking I'd get out of it.

I know this must resonate with someone....

LOL. Take a marketing class at your college so you actually understand what goes on and why. This is a capitalistic society and world! If people want something they can and will buy it, and they can and will be led to those decisions through careful study and research on the part of the corporations. There is nothing wrong with this at all, it's simply smart business. The cover on that book you're reading on the day you don't buy anything was probably carefully designed to attract your attention so you would purchase it-- and SO WHAT Get a clue.

I like computers and technology and if something new or interesting that I deem 'neat' comes out then I will try and get it because I enjoy technology and what it brings to us. Sounds like you want to spend more time thinking about your decisions than actually deciding, do something constructive with that time.

 

[styrafoam]

Is it ok to earn money on buy nothing day? Will Santa still come if I buy something today?

 

[gUEv]

you are a nerd kthx