Get Yr $$ On

Just in time for the day after Thanksgiving, traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year in these old United States, Oprah Winfrey told millions of people what to buy for the Holidays. For those of you residing in the States - though this might apply much elsewhere - you've probably been bombarded one way or another by holiday consumer hype much earlier than usual this year, as companies try to make for anticipated drops in consumer spending caused by higher energy costs and such.

Personally, I'm aiming to make my gift-giving (and receiving) this year less about material goods and more about life's intangibles, such as donations to public radio, music classes, etc. This approach is more difficult than procuring "stuff" but ultimately a bit more rewarding, if not initially appealing to people.

The opposite end of Oprah's spectrum, though, is Buy Nothing Day, taking place on Friday in the States and Saturday in the UK. Billed as "a day where you challenge yourself, your family and friends to switch off from shopping and tune into life," this movement may or may not have been created by Adbusters but the organization definitely plays a hand in promoting it. Looking at their "BND Action Pyramid", buying nothing isn't enough. Non-spenders should spread the message via posters, t-shirts, banners, join Jammergroups, and generally get in shoppers faces with commentary on consumerism and corporations.



But does Buy Nothing Day really have a noticeable impact? Probably not. Like other "days" (Earth Day, Great American Smokeout, etc.), it's more publicity than anything. And while that might call attention to something, the next day people usually just go about their business, in this case shopping. An extension of the day that might have a slightly better chance is the Buy Nothing Christmas, though I don't know how anybody can pull that off.

In both cases, the emphasis on Nothing might be the biggest problem. Instead of countering 1 with 0 (in binary terms), why not counter 1 with 0.5? or 0.33? That might not get as much attention or publicity, but it's more realistic, especially given that so many people live in society's dependent on the commercial market. As an individual, to abandon it completely is so difficult that people probably won't even bother or pay attention, but to be more responsible about what, how much, and why we spend, is more feasible and may be more effective.

(thanks to Maria for the head's up)