Last year Americans spent almost $9 billion the day after Thanksgiving–ironic considering what we claim the holiday is for–and $18 billion the entire weekend following Thanksgiving.
I hate Black Friday. I hate the concept and I detest the hidden ethos. But every year when the ads come out with slashed prices and new and improved gimmicks I begin to get the urge. Never mind that the gleaming piece of plastic–which will eventually end up in a landfill somewhere further contributing to our pillaging of the environment–was likely made at the expense and exploitation of someone in the two-thirds world; someone who will likely be murdered due to the comfort of American consumerism. Never mind that the low, low, price I’ll pay for the item I just can’t live without will result in the scrawny, meager wage a factory worker on the other side of the globe struggles to survive on. No, last Friday, many, many people didn’t seem to care much for those on the other side of the globe; indeed, one might get the impression that we cared more about “the item” than ourselves as most of us deprived ourselves of sleep so we could get out and consume more before others got the chance. We didn’t even care if we had the money or not, just as long as it was a bargain.
In my own defense, I’ve never acted on this urge until this year. I guess you could say I’ve always participated in Buy Nothing Day, Black Friday’s antithesis and a concept that particularly resonates with me. For some reason I don’t think it will ever really catch on. Anyway, last Friday morning I got out with all the cutthroat consumers to “get a deal.” I was able to trick myself into believing I had a good excuse. A few weeks ago, my external hard drive containing all my music, videos, and some documents–250 gigabytes in all–crashed. What a tragedy! So last week I went out with the sole intention of getting a deal on a new drive. And I did. I just wonder who suffered, or who was killed at my expense that day. I suppose I’ll never know. I’ll continue to wonder as I sit and load my new toy–or weapon, however you view it.
~bh ><>
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what is sad for me is i spend all year wanting and buying new stuff then black friday hits and society tells me its the day to shop for christmas gifts, well maybe, but i always wind up finding more stuff i just cant live without when i dont even have time to enjoy the other toys i have bought myself or my wife through out the year. I hate absolutely hate that i have become this way, it bothers me to no end sometimes you have no idea. But can definately see where you are coming from. was my 4am doorbuster deal worth it? I probably could have got the same deal at 8pm that night.
yeah, i hear you man. that’s why i normally try to stay away from all that this time of year, especially on black friday. it’s tough though. we’re conditioned that way and everything tells us to participate, it seems unnatural not to, but it’s healthier i think. and better overall for the rest of the world.