The current hostile corporate takeover in the USA and the clear loss of political power of the common people, I started wondering what happened if people used consumption as their leverage. Since the system is designed for continuous growth, what would happen if a mass movement of people stopping buying new non-essential consumer goods?
It would send a much stronger message than angry public protests. Thoughts?
Edit 1: Received some fantastic responses one of these highlighted February 28th as the “National No Spend Day” that we can consider the rehearsal.
*Do not make any purchases Do not shop online, or in-store, No Amazon, No Walmart, No Best Buy, Nowhere!
Do not spend money on: Fast Food,Gas,Major Retailers Do not use Credit or Debit Cards for non essential spending
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Only buy essentials of absolutely necessary (Food, Medicine, Emergency Supplies) If you must spend, ONLY support small, local businesses.*
This movement is the definition of equitable, not spending means everybody can contribute within their means, and if you can’t afford to buy shit anyway, you’re already doing your part!
People argue about human nature, wars, warlords, yada yada. But that is shit is so exceedingly rare to the literal hundreds of examples per day of people simply doing for others, even going out of their way, taking from themselves to do so, with absolutely no expectation of reward or thanks, simply because it brings us joy to be members of our community. Altruism is ingrained in us the way breathing is. It’s automatic. So much so, we don’t realize we’re doing it. It’s a detriment, in ways, if we were more aware of it, we might well be more able to recognize our natural ways, and be able to combat the bullshit propaganda. But as it stands, we don’t even realize we’re doing it.
:(