Black Friday: A Shameful Orgy Of Materialism For A Morally Bankrupt Nation

Every year it gets worse. I swear, humankind is devolving. 5*

just don't be involved. when in rome. if rome is evil, then being anti[-rome] is the most moral thing you can do.

Fewthings make me embarrassed to be an American.

This is absolutely the most abhorrent behavior, and I am ashamed of my countrymen.

Disgusted. Dismayed. Ashamed. Worried.

I don't see a problem with saving money. People are just trying to get a good deal on items they will be buying anyway for Christmas. What's wrong with that? Nothing. The frantic crowds are something that can be avoided if you shop later in the day.

Aren't there several issues here though?

1. People have less and less disposable incomes each year. As such they cannot walk in to the shop one week before a birthday or anniversary or Christmas and buy a set of towels (or whatever) at full price. The only way that they can purchase the item is ON SALE. Only the wealthy these days can go, without blinking, and hand over full price. I no longer buy anything if it's not on sale. Even food unless it is a necessity. I'm the one in the clearance aisle looking for food expiring that day, then throwing it in the freezer. Why? Because I have no disposable income to pay full price. Will I be buying a used skateboard for my son's present this year? Yes. But before my disposable income declined, I still did this anyways.

2. The issue of violence and frenzied activity has nothing to do with the sale but rather emotions, morals and ethics. Would I stand there fighting over a tv? Of course not. Will others? Of course.

3. The issue of materialism - the commercialisation of all events. It's only man that comes along and institutes presents be given to the bride and groom, that presents be given for birthdays, Christmas, Easter etc. Then the people come to follow the "traditions of the elders", don't they? You give gifts because the expectation of gifts has been cemented into our minds. You give gifts then not wanting to be labeled an "ogre" for simply giving blessings out of your heart, and things like your time and attention. Teachings of the elders dreamed up commercialisation because it puts PROFIT in their pockets. Hey let's invent "valentine's day" and we make millions by simply creating the expectation of getting roses, chocolates and cards. The ironic thing is, if somebody hadn't come along and introduced "valentine's day", we wouldn't be doing it, would we?

4. Did 99% of people fight whilst shopping on the day after thanksgiving? No. Why are we shown only the negative then?

5. MEN OF COMMERCE AND TRADE dreamed up all of these holidays in which gifts are EXPECTED. Once we realise this, the solution becomes simpler - we then start to not play the game. We then start to give a loved one a small gift outside of holidays and start to decrease gift giving at holidays. It is truly how we get out of this commercialisation - by rejecting the traditions of the elders and the teachings of men.

I walked into Walmart at 6:00PM. They were busy but not crowded. Purchased 4 movies for $5 each and some other stuff. Easy peasy.....

sad man,its sad,the junk they buy will probably be in the bin by the end of the year anyway....

this is the herd at its worst

people are acting like animals ffs

you mean you joined the herd and brought a load of crap....how very intelligent

i thought the friday after thanksgiving was international "buy nothing day"

i couldn't help myself and bought super puzzle fighter 2 turbo for the gameboy advance off of ebay for $8

for shame

part of this is the stores' fault for only offering these deals en masse

i for one am always offended that these stores can afford to lower their prices so much and it makes me extremely reticent to buy anything that isn't heavily discounted

Lemmings.. Brain washed by TV and other media.

ALL WILL WORSHIP THE BEAST AND HIS IMAGE (and receive his mark later)!!!! MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY....ALMIGHTY D
Don't lose your soul for bling and trinkets people!!!

its just a sport for some people, if people want to do it then by all means, it helps the economy and doesnt hurt anyone except those who willingly involving themselves in it. its all fair game, to each their own.

Many times it takes guts and courage to live counter culturally. (or think counter culturally)

Deciding not to participate in retail sales' "break even day" (aka Black Friday) isn't one of those.

Accepting and loving people who are still caught up in cultural traps can be.

You're still luck. In the fucking Brazil, the shops do something like this:

[link to www.bahiaja.com.br]

On one side it is understandable ... people know deep down that we are this awesome as creator demigods ... if we look at it like God has provided the demigods to bring us these marvels of the universe ... we are actually subconsciously praising the human creative ingenuity and spirit (and god) that has broght us such wonderful blessings. We are watching in many cases here is the less fortunate, are getting their day to upgrade and get up to date with the fast changing world... and for one day, able to buy things as if you were rich.

To me; this is what the rich look like EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR.

... people climbing , stepping and walking all over eachother to get what they want, even if they have to pull it out of the hands of someone much smaller ...

Yep. It's embarassing.

People need to open their eyes and see what is really important in life. Acting like animals in a feeding frenzy all for getting 50% off of crap is a sickness. The corporations must me laughing their heads off at how they have transformed society into frienzied consumers, willing to trample each other to death for the latest gadget. Shameful.

The "good deal" is a lie. How do you think companies can offer 50%+ off an item? Because it wasn't worth it to begin with.

From last year but lol

absolutely

dr

for the first time in my life, my wife and I have sworn off Christmas, No presents for anybody... we even called our family members and told them we are not coming, Don't send presents don't expect any..

no more useless junk we dont need..

I normally only buy things I feel I need. Very few wants. Hopefully my TV hangs in there a couple more years so I won't feel I have to buy another. Then I can save on electric and cable, the only reason I have one right now is because one of my kids likes some shows.