Well, I did buy stuff yesterday. I feel a bit ashamed about it, as it really wasn't stuff that I needed either [I have a tendency to be extremely frugal on some things, to the point where it might hurt myself in relationships, etc. but thats tangential to the thread]
However, based on a couple past BF experiences, I knew it wasn't worth going out there. BF really brings out the worst in people. A few months ago, on a summer morning, Staples (office supplies store) had a 6AM grand opening sale. The crowd was very seedy, with narcisstic people and hellbent about getting their deals.
My sister was the one who went out for me. She was going to pick up some things herself anyways for my mum and herself, so I asked just asked her to pick up the about a boy dvd [$5] and arrested development s2 dvd set [$15].
BND and the culture jamming movement is pretty radical and can be pretty easily misconstrued. IMHO, What BND is about citizens to voice their distress over the rampant consumerism (which is promoted to the citizens by the corporations and being consumed by their fellow citizens) in Western nations, particularly the US.
Delaying your purchases by a few days doesn't do any justice according to the BNDers. What they're encouraging is rather "don't buy that TV or gift for some one at all, instead of buying it on BF or another day either - because for too many people the gift is only what matters" and to reexamine your criteria of a necessary purchase.
During freshman year of high school, I was a pretty big follower of the adbusters movement. While I support their ideals for the most part, their methods of distributing their aren't that effective and often muddle the messages they're trying to spread. They tend to alienate anyone else on the other side of the fence, (for example, those who are out on BND). I guess I've learned it's more effective to subvert the system from within
catcha back on the flipside,
will.
[Heh - at least the adbusters' online store was closed this weekend for BND, since it was on friday for us and saturday for europe]