Adbusters, a far-left anti-globolization, anti-corporate, enviro-nut organization dedicated to
...topple existing power structures and forge a major shift in the way we will live in the 21st century
has announced that November 29th is "Buy Nothing Day". The copy at the link says it all:
"United We Spend?" United Let's Don't.
If enough jammers turn their disaffection into resistance for just one day, November 29 could mark the delivery of a landmark social message. More than a million people will celebrate 11 years of opposition on the unofficial "opening day" of the Christmas frenzy. Play this one right and we will make Buy Nothing Day 2002 a global event on par with Earth Day. Previous participants have come up with the traditions: swap meets, teach-ins, concerts, street theatre, credit-card cut-ups, postering, potlucks. But hey, it's a culture jam - no one's drawing up any rules.
Here's what to expect from Adbusters: more and better info, campaign materials and TV and radio spots that press the point. We're doing a little outreach as well. Last year's alignment with the peace movement gave the day a wider resonance, and the bigger the BND tent, the better. This year, we're asking religious groups to add their voice, and we've made a pitch to environmental groups worldwide. After all, we told them, "Over consumption is mother of all our environmental problems." With vocal support from the greens, BND really could become an eco-holiday sans frontières.
November 29th is the day after Thanksgiving Day, traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year.
I had planned to do my shopping (online, since I am not in the same hemisphere as most of my friends and family) a bit earlier, but I can delay it until the 29th to ensure that my spending spree will mitigate the adbusters campaign to some small extent.
I'd like to see a blogosphere counter-campaign—"Shameless Comsumerism Day", in which every blogger buys as many presents as finances and personal circumstances permit.
Maybe we *can* make a difference, although not the difference the bozos at Adbusters advocate.
(Link courtesy of FARK.)
posted on November 18, 2002 06:42 PM
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