The actually free, free market
The Fanshawe Social Justice
Club hosted another Really Free
Market event on Buy Nothing Day.
Buy Nothing Day, held on Friday
November 27 this year, is an ad
busters campaign where for one day
people are urged not to buy
anything. In keeping up with this
theme, the Really Free Market is
our attempt to show people that we
can lessen dependence on corporate
products by trading and sharing
amongst ourselves.
The event took place in Forwell Hall, where local artists entertained on stage while anyone who was interested browsed through the tables of free stuff. Many people were willing to donate items like books, clothes, board games, cds and movies. For many it is unusual to come across a table of free stuff, and some students even questioned the motive of the whole event.
Corporations dominate the Free Market by imposing upon us a consumerist society. Incessant buying pervades our everyday lives, and it is hard to go anywhere in a city without being bombarded by advertising. It has come to the point where we are not sold a quality product, but rather a ‘consumerist' product; a product that is so cheap in quality that it is only good for a short period of time, paving the way for more consuming. Although we do need certain goods to survive, the market adjusts our perceptions to make us think we need more.
The impact that gluttonous consumerism has on our culture should not be neglected. Our sense of self becomes identified with material goods; we wear things and drive things that symbolize our economic status, and why? Because our perverted culture forces these ideals down our throat in order to get us to consume. We are spiritually primitive compared to a tribal society that does not cover its human self with psychological garments. What would we do without all these products?
This wear and tear way of life is not only making us less human, but it is also killing the planet. Hopefully the Really Free Market will show people that we can bridge the gap between the working class and the owners of the means of production. These elite corporate owners should be put back into kindergarten to learn how to share! We are planning on hosting this event again next semester.
The event took place in Forwell Hall, where local artists entertained on stage while anyone who was interested browsed through the tables of free stuff. Many people were willing to donate items like books, clothes, board games, cds and movies. For many it is unusual to come across a table of free stuff, and some students even questioned the motive of the whole event.
Corporations dominate the Free Market by imposing upon us a consumerist society. Incessant buying pervades our everyday lives, and it is hard to go anywhere in a city without being bombarded by advertising. It has come to the point where we are not sold a quality product, but rather a ‘consumerist' product; a product that is so cheap in quality that it is only good for a short period of time, paving the way for more consuming. Although we do need certain goods to survive, the market adjusts our perceptions to make us think we need more.
The impact that gluttonous consumerism has on our culture should not be neglected. Our sense of self becomes identified with material goods; we wear things and drive things that symbolize our economic status, and why? Because our perverted culture forces these ideals down our throat in order to get us to consume. We are spiritually primitive compared to a tribal society that does not cover its human self with psychological garments. What would we do without all these products?
This wear and tear way of life is not only making us less human, but it is also killing the planet. Hopefully the Really Free Market will show people that we can bridge the gap between the working class and the owners of the means of production. These elite corporate owners should be put back into kindergarten to learn how to share! We are planning on hosting this event again next semester.
