I'm the person who wrote you a pretty rude e-mail a couple days ago. (Sorry I am not using my real e-mail address!) I wanted to apologize. I was really crabby, and really projecting a lot of mean stuff out onto you. I AM really frustrated with people complaining and talking about the changes they want to see in the world, to "help" people, but ultimately, not truly wiling to sacifice all that much to do so-time, effort, or otherwise when it starts to feel "inconvenient" or "too much." So I just wanted to apologize because I don't know you at all, only my friend had sent me your link, and you know what? I really, really liked what you wrote in your entry today. I'm printing it out and posting it in my journal even. I hope you will forgive my previous entry as an inappropriate and reactive, and crabby attack that wasn't fair or even accurate.
I hope you have a great Thanksgiving weekend!

if my memory serves me correctly, you're birthday is but a few days away...dec 2 or 3?...i hope all is well with you and kerri...say hello to your parents for me, if they actually remember who i am...i am in canada for the holidays as you are in the US...enjoying the french-speaking that surrounds me here in montreal...the weather is cold...always seems to be the case for my annual visit...

if i am bedridden due to a fucked up ankle, does it count that i didn't buy anything?

In the absence of the sacred nothing is sacred,everything is for sale.

Yes - I must agree how much people are consuming or how much businesses just put their products everywhere in your face. Even some shows seem to be a place for product placement. If you watched the Apprentice after Survivor - you would see what I mean. Oprah show is another one.

Also - now when you go to the movies - they are playing you commercials and commercials for TV shows. Uhggg..keep it on the TV.

It seems like TV is just one big advertisement. There are soooo many commercials now. I used to live in England and it was just so bizarre to watch TV w/ there being more TV and so much less commercials.

I've also heard - I don't know if this is true - but just heard that they were trying to make it illegal for people to not be able to fast forward through commercials on Tivo.

Are you a subscriber to The Sun magazine? I'm not sure why this post made me think of it. Maybe because it's beautiful and it doesn't have any advertising in it. Or maybe it's because there are many articles about the consumerism of America in it. It's full of art, stories/articles, photography, poetry, quotes, etc. You can check it out at http://www.thesunmagazine.org/

Best wishes,
Sue

I tell my students: Sure you have the freedom to buy whatever you want, but what compels you do so? Food for thought.

I live in Africa, and I must say sometimes the perception of a deeply greedy American public hits me often.On occasion I watch Oprah (who has actually done some really kind and generous work here)and I get the feeling that most people have little concept of life outside of the USA.When I have occasion to visit NY, I am always struck by something alien to me..(besides the most amazing things discarded as trash on the sidewalks)Last time I noticed numerous billboards for heartburn medicines..made me think of the poverty in the World and the excess in USA!!

Consumerism here in Japan makes me ill. Adults tend to live with their parents until they get married off, which leaves them with a decent chunk of change when paying no rent. 30% of Louis Vuitton's market is in Japan. When I ask students what they're hobbies are, "I like to go shopping," is the most common answer. (Didn't know it was a hobby, til I came here.)
I've lived without a tv for a year and a half. I buy less and read more. I do however own a laptop, external drive, printer, cell phone, mp3 player, speakers...ah, damn it....you're right.

I just love your idea about planting bulbs! Maybe that's something I can turn into my own family tradition.

My brothers and I recently had a great 40th anniversary surprise party for our parents. Yes, lots of money was spent on flowers and catering, but what made the party so special was that it was an intimate setting - loads of fairy lights and candles, heaps of friends, lots of love. That's the sort of thing we all should be able to create!

By the way, I agree with you about Survivor - I refuse to watch any kind of reality television at all. It strikes me as not being very realistic at all. I mean, honestly, do you ever see chubby girls like me on any of those shows?

This is the first year I have ever gone shopping on this day. Not out of any protest, I just didn't see the point of it. This year, my husband woke up and decided he wanted to go. We took our kids to the mall. It was horrible. I regret every moment of it and every penny spent. For what? A bunch of people searching for something to buy for the sake of spending money. Never again!

Is it always bad to buy things? Or is it just appalling on certain days?

Because, I must say, sometimes buying things (whatever those things may be) just feels good.

Yes, thank you thank you thank you!!! I am thinking the same things about what is going on with all the advertising, product placement, cross-marketing, consumerism that is penetrating television programming and society today. I can't stomach it. It's too much.

Here's a link to a Frontline program that disects some of this thinking, very interesting stuff. Not sure if your a fan of Frontline or Now on PBS, but these two shows are the only reason we've kept our television.

www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/persuaders/

Some other topics that are getting my goat:

-proposed LNG terminals in southern california (no thank-you!)
-the marketing of SUVs when there is such a high demand for hybrids
-the loss of our old downtowns to strip malls and shopping malls
-the loss of identity in our towns across America due to big box stores and mass sprawl
-the genetically modified food industry
-the people in Bhopal, India who are still being affected by the Dow Chemical spill which took place 20 years ago. Kudos to the "Yes Men" who spoofed a Dow spokesperson and announced that the US giant was assuming full responsibility for the Bhopal accident. www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_1136097,0015002000000000.htm

Thanks for letting me express myself, random as it may be.

Thanks again for your inspiring words. Our generation needs to stand up and pay attention because we are inheriting this mess, and it's time to start cleaning house.

http://www.thevacuumcleaner.co.uk/prayerslo.html

I think promoting plant bulbs with your friends day or even trees ( or is it the wrong time of year) would be great. The problem with buy nothing day is is sounds negative where as plant bulbs sounds positive...