The time is approaching quickly, and amidst all the craziness of this month, I almost forgot…
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.
This Friday, 26 November 2004, is Buy Nothing Day. To many people, this day is often considered the biggest shopping day of the year. Those in retail call it “Black Friday”".
Here are my entries on BND for 2003 and 2002 (#2). Maybe you’ll find some inspiration.
Stepping out of the consumer stream, for even 24 hours, is a fascinating personal experiment. Will you react with Zen-like calm or panic? Will there be withdrawal, anxiety, an epiphany? Can you holdout? Can you remember? People tell of strange and wondrous, mind journeys when they close their wallets, ditch consumer culture and the daily routine.
What I usually do is try to get outside and take a hike out in the woods, far far away from the bustling shopping malls, maddening crowds and frustrating traffic. I highly recommend doing so, it’s actually quite therapeutic.
You can also find and participate with some BND activist groups:
- Find a local Jammer Group on Adbusters
- Culture Jammers on Tribe.net
- BND Yahoo Group
- Caring Consumers on LJ.
Please feel free to share any more related groups in the comments.
Their tag line says it best: Participate By Not Participating. There are plenty of ideas at the official site, and it’s a great place to start.
What will you be doing for BND?
And here’s another neat idea that my wife got, I think, from a Robert Fulghum book. Instead of exchanging gifts, both agree to donate to a charity of the other’s choosing (or to one from a list of charities).
And, by the way, let me wish a very happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones. Hope it isn’t too chaotic!