Buy Nothing tomorrow
Reminder reminder, tomorrow is International Buy Nothing Day.
As the New Zealand site’s FAQ page explains:
Why don’t you want people to shop?
We are saying we want people to think about what they buy, and whether consuming ever-more actually does increase quality of life. The effects of over-consumption on the environment (such as toxic pollution and climate change) are widely known. These mean we need to reduce consumption, especially in many Western countries like New Zealand that are consuming much more than their fair share of resources. We are also concerned with the role of advertising, the effects of global trade liberalisation and inequities between the developing and developed worlds.
The links above have heaps more info and such useful things as Gift Exemption Certificates that you can give out to your loved ones in the run up to Christmas.
Not sure if buying time in an Internet Cafe to read a blog counts, use your discretion… 
November 24th, 2005 at 5:35 pm
Do I get extra points because I’m returning something to Dick Smith tomorrow?
November 24th, 2005 at 6:11 pm
I plan to buy food tomorrow. This is a stupid day.
November 24th, 2005 at 7:27 pm
It is a nice coincidence because I have run out of money .anyway..sigh
November 24th, 2005 at 10:27 pm
The date for buy nothing day was chosen for the USA, as the lucky Americans have 2 opportunities toward the end of the year for ritualistic gluttony and slaughter, not just one. The time around Thanksgiving is supposedly the busiest time for shops. But in New Zealand where a date nearer Christmas would be more appropriate.
This shows why it is important to adapt campaigns to local cultures and not assume one size fits all.
November 24th, 2005 at 10:35 pm
Well I hope everyone supporting this turns off their power mains, disconnects their phones, turns off their water mains, doesn’t log onto the internet and rides no transport. Given the attention that energy and transport are given by environmentalists - it should also be international go nowhere (except by foot or bike) and use no energy day.
Quite seriously, if this is about over-consumption, switch off everything for a day, including the water, power, gas and phones, don’t just avoid buying a pair of shoes. After all, the majority of people in the world don’t have any of those things.
November 25th, 2005 at 10:16 am
What a stupid concept by ignorant socialists. I suppose it would be alright to go and purchase overpriced, crappy looking, half rotten “organic food”. When are you guys going to move out of the 1960’s and start focusing on common sense positive solutions instead of this stupid anti-capitalist, anti establishment mantra.
Do not forget you socialists are like parasites living of the back of the benefits of a capitalist society. Your organic socialist utopia would collapse overnight if you were not feeding off the back of the hard working capitalists. So my recommendation is “get a life” - stop being a parasite.
November 25th, 2005 at 11:58 am
petermck et al. I think the correct phrase is “deal”. Obviously, the spirit of this is to, for a day, question if you really need that extra luxury item and contemplate the ethics involved in your purchases. (something perhaps you need to do more than most)
No-one is forcing you to buy/or not buy organic food or otherwise, and while electricity is a luxury of modern life, I will keep my lights on tonight - but each to their own.
oh yeah, and I don’t consider myself a socialist in anyway shape or form.
And I feel no need to “move out of the 1960’s” as I was a child of the 80’s anyway, so perhaps you need to re-evaluate your stereotypes for a moment (perhaps while evaluating your purchases today?)
November 25th, 2005 at 12:14 pm
Today is Thanksgiving in the States. Lucky for them….I would assume most of the stores are closed today, or the fact they are too busy with dinner, relatives and friends. Not too much of a challenge there. Actually tomorrow is one of the most busiest shopping days of the year for the States…now that would have been a WHOPPER of a challenge. I never heard of this International Buy Nothing Day before now. It sounds good to me……might not be perfect once dissected…but perfection isn’t something we have time for.
November 25th, 2005 at 2:51 pm
Actually there are pretty much no days on which the shops are all closed in the USA. You can wander down to the supermarket pretty much anytime to pick up whatever it was you forgot for the feast. Realistically it is the only employment in the USA that is still reliable, with GM whacking 30K jobs and still headed for bankruptcy.
…and yes, you can also go to some stores on Christmas day.
respectfully
BJ