I know, sounds odd, doesn't it?
Well.... Take a look at this web site for more information:

www.bnd-dc.org

Just trying to raise awareness. Consider it for a minute if you will. Thanks!

- Chris

 

Sounds like the Tyler Durden "Fight Club" mentality.

 

I don't know how you feel about your job, but I like mine. The economy is pretty shaky right now and if everyone does what this web site is asking them to do, I'm sure that we won't have an economy to worry about.

This sounds like it was authored by Osama bin Laden himself.

Just my $.02 worth.

 

"by Osama bin Laden himself"?

Please. Don't doubt my patriotism because I question what's wrong with this country and wish to improve it. I might doubt the patriotism of those who just accept what's handed to them as "good" and "truth".

The economy is not going to fall apart if we overextravagant Americans exhibit a little moderation. This is all it's asking. Secondly, we need to replace our existing economic structure with one that can continue to support us on down the road (think sustainable living instead of plundering all the resources we can get our hands on in a greedy take-no-prisoners mentality).

If you want to consider some additional points (in keeping this board sort of non-political) I'd point you to this thread:

http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.p...vc=1&PHPSESSID=

- Chris

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by animeS2K
[B]"The economy is not going to fall apart if we overextravagant Americans exhibit a little moderation. This is all it's asking.

 

Yeah, I know I drive the sports car. But I don't claim to *not* be part of the problem myself. I've gotten much better, though. There are also plenty of other cars much worse than the S in terms of overconsumption - namely SUVs... Heck, at least we've got a small car (less material used) and LEV status. And in some cases twice the MPG as the SUVs.

Mostly the kind of buying that's in question is meaningless stuff we tend to buy every day in the "pursuit of happiness". We've all got our materialistic needs, but there are plenty of ways to cut out the fat and live healthier, happier lives. Constant buying is not the only state of being.

Even better, consider what you're supporting when you buy something. Be it a Nike sweatshop or proliferation of Wal-Marts contributing to the downturn of small-town America. Buy recycled, buy green - buy sustainable. Avoid overpackaging. These are the kinds of small things that can make a huge difference.

Thanks for the comments and thoughts.

- Chris

 

Chris, I certainly didn't even think about you when I read the other web site. I just don't care for the tactics of the people on the web site. I see nothing wrong with raising everyone's awareness level.

I'm 6'3" and weigh 185lbs (don't think I'm fat). I personally don't believe in overconsumption of anything. My wife and I shop at Sam's Club and buy everything in quantity because I don't like packaging. Years ago, we had practically nothing in the trash after a week. Now we have two trash cans full and there is just my wife and I. I hate to waste anything, so we eat everything that we take on our plate. We also eat leftovers, because we really hate to throw out food. I think of all the starving people in the world in these times.

My $33,000 sports car is the result of a life long dream that I had. I worked towards this for about 40 years and don't consider this one pleasure extravagant. I'm afraid that I'm not a very materialistic person and I don't want to be, either. I like the fact that my sports car gets better gas mileage than the last two cars that I had. It's a real bonus that it is so much fun to drive.

I also have a personal belief in something that most people act like they have never heard of before: the golden rule. I try to treat others in the same manner that I want to be treated. If everyone tried to live by that ideal, life would be much better for all of us.

Sorry, I'll get off the soap box.
Bob

 

Bob,
Sorry to seem so rabid. I've had very little sleep lately. I put that site together. I'm the one trying to organize raising peoples awareness in this area.

I'm glad that you're already on the bandwagon and realize that overconsumption can have some negative effects, even if you don't agree with the Buy Nothing Day concept.

We're all S2000 brethern here. Not to forget that... Out of curiosity, what about the tactics don't you like? I honestly want to know, because I come up against a lot of resistance to this idea... Most people around here haven't even considered it unless they (like me, originally) participate out of necessity rather than any particular idealistic concepts.

Again, sorry to come off so brash. I really value everyone's input. And can understand a little better what it's like to be one of those protesters somewhere being yelled at by people passing by... This is the first I've decided to act and it's one heck of a learning experience.

- Chris

 

Chris,

I'm glad that you are open minded about this. To me, this speaks volumes about your personality.

I was a bit over dramatic perhaps with the bin Laden comment.

To answer your question: I guess that the thing that sets the tone for the site is the picture of the Washington Monument with the closed sign on top. I realize that you only meant for a day, but that wasn't how I perceived it. I think that a different picture would completely change the character of your site. You know what they say about a picture and it's worth.

I don't know what you might think would be a better picture, bulging landfills (stuffed with packaging that is not biodegradable), bulging clothing seams (stuffed with fat from too much food), etc?

It's getting too late for me to think in a meaningful manner. Does that make any sense?

Let me ask you a question: what is it that you want to accomplish by not buying anything on the single largest shopping day of the year? I was thinking that the merchants really count on the money that they make during this time of the year to carry them through the year and this would be like a blow below the belt, just to get your message across. I think that it is a good message, but should the message also cause the merchants a loss of earnings, or is this part of the message? I'm confused.

I guess to sum it up: I didn't like the tone that the picture setup. And the day that you picked, seemed to mean a certain loss of income for the merchants if they were boycotted. I certainly agree in principal with your ideas. However, in my earlier post, I mentioned how I like to govern my actions with the "golden rule" in mind, so the thought of harming the merchants through their pocketbook wasn't appealing to me. The merchants are caught in the middle, like we are, but they certainly can carry a message back to the manufacturers for us.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to write a book. I hope that this helps with your cause. It looks like it could be a tough one to get the message through to the people. (It's getting late and the brain isn't working very well.)

Good luck,
Bob

 

Thank you Bob. Very kind of you.

I think you're right. A little humor needs to be infused into this very serious topic. A friend of mine also suggested the same. With that in mind, I've replaced the image with something I was working on for a flyer (which, as you'll see, might need to be changed, too - for other reasons).


[QUOTE][B]
Let me ask you a question: what is it that you want to accomplish by not buying anything on the single largest shopping day of the year?