Buy Nothing Day in the UK

Yes, we know. Buy Nothing Day was started in North America as a responsible and forward-thinking answer to the problems of rampant consumerism, the worst example being "Black Friday", the shopping orgy that is held the day after US Thanksgiving. The HQ and brain trust behind the campaing is Adbusters, an organization based in Vancouver, BC.

But on so many levels, the UK approach resonates more strongly with Canadians, I'd venture to say. For one thing, it's held on the last Saturday of November, when the 'shopping days before Xmas' count-down becomes frenzied and incessant.

Here's one social marketing that the UK genius folks have developed.



More inspired anti-shopping YouTubes here.

From the UK Buy Nothing Day website:

Everything we buy has an impact on the environment. Buy Nothing Day highlights the environmental and ethical consequences of shopping. The developed countries
- only 20% of the world population are consuming over 80% of the earth's natural resources, causing a disproportionate level of environmental damage and an unfair distribution of wealth.

And voluntary responsible consumer simplicity can continue every day of the year if you keep the following in mind.

Ask yourself these simple questions:

Do I need it? How many do I already have? How much will I use it? How long will it last? Could I borrow it from a friend or family member? Am I able to clean and/or maintain it myself? Will I be able to repair it? Am I willing to? Have I researched it to get the best quality for the best price? How will I dispose of it when I'm done using it? Are the resources that went into it renewable or nonrenewable? Is it made from recycled materials, and is it recyclable?

If not shopping today disrupts your schedule and standing in solidarity with the campaign would mean that you're deprived of ciggies, your kitty of litter or your children of milk, pick another way to be a conscientious consumer.

Giving thanks that we are not neoCon rightwingnutz.

Yup. Today is Thanksgiving in the US of A, also known as the official start of Xmas shopping season though retailers have had displays up since Hallowe'en.

So. The turbaconducken, folks. Another example of 'murrican nutrition-related ingenuity. All your basic food groups are present: fat, salt, sugar and meat.

Via C.C. this unrefutable "scientific" "proof" that the Homosexual Agenda is poised to unleash its control and influence upon an unsuspecting population. And what about all those ubiquitous rainbow-tinged soap-bubble-blowing machines, now sold to CHILDREN?!?!? Shrieeeeekkk!

From the BBC, we learn that the CIA scraped the bottom of the proverbial barrel in its never-ending campaign to spy upon the citizenry. Now you too can learn CIA operatives' deep dark covert techniques used for communicating secret messages. Hint: get rid of your shoes that have Velcro™ tabs.

And finally- tomorrow is Buy Nothing Day - just a head's up so you can stock up on essential consumables today.

oh-oh-oh

Dunno what's with the triple word headlines recently. Late onset Tourette's syndrome perhaps?

Any hoo, I found this whilst checking out other blogs that are not known to me at The Blogging Alliance of Non-Partisan Canadians (link on sidebar).

It's a funny rant about a bad shopping experience. It's not Buy Nothing Day for another week at least, and I'm sure many of us have had similar experiences so ... enjoy.

HARPER VOODOO DOLL - do it yourself!

The time has come for Canadians to adapt a scathingly brilliant idea that has become a cult favourite in France: The Stephen Harper Do-It-Yourself Voodoo Doll.


In a recent court decision, a French judge ruled that the Nicolas Sarkozy Voodoo Manual which includes a stuffed fabric doll, pins and instructions was allowed to remain on sale.

Thus, in honour of BUY NOTHING DAY and the latest electoral scam that Stevie and his Harpocrites are attempting to foist upon Parliament, DAMMIT JANET! suggests that you make your own prime ministerial doll by downloading and printing any of the thousands of photographs of himself on the internet - the more fatuous, the better - and attach it to an old ragdoll or sock puppet.

In a pinch, you can just affix his picture to a dart board.

BUY NOTHING DAY

Hey you! Do not purchase anything tomorrow. Nothing at all.

You! Yes, you.

You! You're not addicted to shopping are you? Prove it then. Buy nothing.

You! What's the balance on your credit card? Does that scare you? Buy nothing.

You! Look in your cupboards. Look in your closets. Look around you. Do you use all that stuff?

If you said no, you can spend part of tomorrow, BUY NOTHING DAY, gathering up the good clothing and books and other fine items that you do not use and bring them to a local charity that will recycle them by selling or giving away the stuff that you bought but you don't use.

This year, November 28 is BUY NOTHING DAY. 17 years old and the appropriate response to the economic meltdown. It was started by Adbusters. Go read.

And tomorrow remember to BUY NOTHING.