The article “In Defense of Liz Lemon” by Emily Nussbaum is an opinionated article on the character development of Liz Lemon from the popular tv series “30 Rock”. The article “Black Friday: Consumerism Minus Civilization” is an opinionated article on the holiday that has become Black Friday. Although the two articles are about completely different in content and tone and written on unrelated subjects, there are many similarities within the two shown through their passion and proof that things that were once good, don’t always remain so.…
by simply treating purchases as though they have to last a lifetime. In addition to…
Many people in the United States work minimum wage jobs and have a family to care for. 75% of the population works pay check to pay check just to give the basics to their family, and majority of the money is spent on food that they hope will last them the whole month until they are paid again. Sadly, more times than you would like to see parents unhealthy and always tired because they put their children before themselves, and what if the National Buy Nothing Day just so happened to fall on pay day. The heartbreak that would radiate from the couple, and the worry that rushes through their mind as to how they are going to feed their kids tonight and when t hey are going to be able to come back and cash that paycheck? Now that the parents view is shown, imagine the reaction of the kids that come home and see that there is no food on the table and the have to be told from their parents that they have to go to sleep hungry tonight. That's heartbreaking for anybody, and…
“Buy Nothing Day”, a day in which people are urged to purchase no goods, has good intentions, but may actually have more of a negative effect than a positive one. Yes, this one day may promote awareness to the problems of overconsumption, but it could harm the economy even more. Also, people spend money every day on water and electricity, therefore those who don’t buy anything on this day are actually still paying for these services. Overall, the day has good intentions, but could actually do more harm than good.…
Contrary to popular belief, Americans spend on average $3500.00 a year on unnecessary products such as a new iPod, a flat screen TV, a computer, clothes, dining out or a vacation. Nowadays, new products advertised on TV make the people watching it feel as if they need to buy that item. This is the problem with Americans; we buy what we don’t need just so we can say I have that! And show off to our friends. We spend money we don’t have just to be up to date with the latest fashion trends. It’s unethical what this world is coming to, what happened to the days were people watched every penny they made and only bought necessary items. Stores that have been in business for decades are being remodeled by new management in order to lour in customers.…
The author does himself more believable by agreeing with "vigorous sprees of retail spending" but also calling Black Friday a "psychotic spasm" (135) because of the truth of both sides that he is arguing. He ends his argument strongly supporting his main idea that things have gotten out of control.…
The author’s most compelling point is Buy Nothing Day is a way to increase awareness of excessive consumption. Also, to expose the environmental and ethical consequences of overconsumption. It sure does make an awareness towards the people, but does it make a difference? “A day on which people are urged to purchase no goods”, but do they fulfill it? A consumer may…
Thanksgiving has been viewed as a day of gratitude, spending time with family, and eating lots and lots of turkey. However, recently, Americans have seen Thanksgiving night as preparation for the next day which held many irrefutable offers in all stores. Instead of giving thanks for all the blessings they have, families are going over their strategies of how they are going to take advantage of the next day. Some argue that we’ve lost meaning of Thanksgiving as a nation. I agree with this statement because Black Friday has negatively impacted the masses so much that in order to prevent any mishaps from occurring the government might have to take a stand.…
One of the biggest shadows covering the world, that not many people pay attention to, is an economy that millions of people work on knowingly or unknowingly. This economy has been around for hundreds of years and is starting to grow exponentially right under the noses of every country. It is well known for its criminal nature, but is that the entirety of it? Black Markets certainly have an impact on the Global Economy that so many people work in everyday. While talking about economics can be rather boring, there is more to it than the flow of money. Black Markets fall under the Informal Economy which is very eye opening and exciting if given the correct facts. Black Markets are not primarily used for criminal gain, rather to help those less…
You may argue for or against these issues, or you may argue some more nuanced stance. I've tried to include a mix of popular political issues as well as a few social issues that seem to be of interest lately. If you have a topic you'd like to work on, submit it to me for approval. I will not consider Rogerian arguments on abortion, marijuana, gay marriage, the war in Iraq, euthanasia, the death penalty, or changing ages for voting/drinking/driving.…
In “Earth Day” by Atticot and Manning they state, “The recycling rate has increased from less than 10% in 1980 to more than 34% in 2011. Now that has spiked, and some people feel that you don’t have to recycle anymore. However, that is wrong. Davis states, “On March 21, 1971, the UN Secretary-General signed a proclamation establishing Earth Day as an official international holiday.” That was signed in 1971, so it was still so bad that they had to make a holiday to remind people to take care of Earth.…
Earth Day, one of the first national demonstrations against pollution and other violations of the planet’s ecosystem happened on April 21, 1970. Earth Day was founded in 1970 by Senator Gaylord A. Nelson in response to the concern about what was happening to the land, rivers, lakes, and air. Until that time, guarding the planet 's natural resources was not part of the nationwide political schema, and the number of activists dedicated to large-scale issues such as industrial pollution was minor. Earth Day originally started off as a day of education about environmental issues, but has now become a worldwide commemorated holiday that is sometimes extended into Earth Week, an entire seven days of events dedicated to green awareness. Earth Day was originally aimed at creating a mass environmental movement and, by raising public awareness of air and water pollution, Nelson had hoped to bring environmental causes into the national spotlight. Now, more than 40 years, one could say that he succeeded in doing just that.…
Bustling city streets, hour-long lines, and retail store chaos: only one scenario explains the commonality between these situations, shopping on Black Friday. For half a century Black Friday has become an unofficial retail holiday in the United States. It is a day that offers incredible discounts and killer deals, and most notoriously, it brings a frenzy of crazed shoppers to local retailers looking to save on purchases. Marketing strategies, paired with consumers’ need to locate the best deals on Christmas gifts has led to Black Friday being celebrated as a consumption ritual comparable in importance to Thanksgiving Day. (Thomas and Peters, 2011) How has Black Friday become the largest retail sales day of the year? What is it that drives people to artificially induced hyper consumption, almost like an annual ritual? Many scientist and psychologists have many different theories and conclusions of why Black Friday has become the biggest shopping day of the year. In this paper, I will take your through the research and conclusions that many psychologists have produced and the advantages and disadvantages of Black Friday.…
Buy Nothing Day is an day of protest that was founded in Canada in 1992 where people are asked to purchase no goods as a way to attempt to increase awareness of excessive consumerism and its environmental and ethical consequences. Over the last 22 years it has been held annually in many nations and activist groups are continuing to try to convince more and more countries to pledge their participate. A Buy Nothing Day, although based in good motives, is extreme and should not be established in the United States because it may hurt the economy, and it is an ineffective way to promote anti-consumerist ideas.…
The association with trade and labour labor unions has declined over the years. Today, for most people the holiday represents the last long weekend of summer, a time to relax and spend time with family and friends. There are still p parades and rallies, particular particularly inelection years, and also sporting events and picnics. For many, LabourLabor Day means a " no Labour labor" day, before the change of seasons and the start of a new school yearsyear.…