Overconsumption has become a hallmark of recent years, and this phenomenon has been exacerbated by the active use of social media, constant sales, and aggressive marketing strategies.
Black Friday, which started as a one-day sale, has now stretched over the weekend and even includes Cyber Monday. In some regions, sales last an entire week known as Cyber Week.
While Black Friday continues to gain popularity, anti-consumer movements like Buy Nothing Day are becoming increasingly prominent. This event takes place on the same day as Black Friday and aims to counter the culture of unnecessary spending.
What is Buy Nothing Day?
This international protest against rampant consumerism encourages participants to refrain from shopping both online and offline for a day to draw attention to the negative consequences of excessive consumption.
The initiative was launched in 1992 by Canadian artist Ted Dave and gained popularity through the magazine Adbusters. Since then, the event has spread to over 60 countries.
The campaign aims to reduce waste and promote a mindful approach to spending. Participating helps decrease packaging waste as well as the carbon footprint from deliveries and production.
Buy Nothing Day encourages people to focus on more meaningful and non-commercial activities, such as spending time with loved ones, participating in community events, and enjoying the outdoors.
Additionally, it raises questions about social inequality and environmental issues, highlighting the importance of recycling and supporting thrift stores that help reduce waste and assist those in need.
Coinciding with Black Friday, this day has become a kind of response to the global shopping culture, attracting attention and sparking controversy online.
Some users support the ideas of mindful spending and sustainable consumption, while others adhere to the YOLO ("you only live once") approach and believe that small pleasures like shopping should not be condemned, especially when major life achievements feel unattainable.
Increase in anti-consumer movements
This year, there has been particularly much debate surrounding Black Friday: the number of anti-consumer campaigns and boycotts, such as "We Ain't Buying It" and "Make Amazon Pay Day," has increased, also taking place on sale days.
Additionally, from November 25 to December 1, a mass boycott against major companies, including Amazon, Home Depot, and Target, has been announced due to labor rights violations, support for Donald Trump, and the rollback of diversity programs.
"Amazon, Jeff Bezos, and their political allies are striving for an authoritarian future, but on this Make Amazon Pay Day, workers around the world are saying: enough," said UNI Global Union General Secretary Christy Hoffman in a press release.
"For years, Amazon has suppressed workers' democratic rights in the workplace while supporting authoritarian political figures. This model exacerbates inequality and violates fundamental workers' rights to organize and work in safe conditions."
These anti-consumer campaigns urge consumers to support local, sustainable, and second-hand businesses, especially those owned by minorities and those resisting Trump's influence.
