Traditions, conventions, habits - and marketing.  How the retail industry loves to target potential consumers, reminding them of the critical importance of buying things, consuming products that are for the most part, non-essential to their existence, but important to their inner cravings to possess. 

Acquiring things assumes great importance within human society.  It is a measure, or it has become one, of how we view ourselves.  To be current with trends, to demonstrate that we have the means with which to purchase objects of universal desire.

These cravings are played upon by the commercialization of success, measured by the ability to acquire endlessly.  It has become habitual in most societies, but it is also a deeply-seated eagerness within human beings to surround themselves with objects of beauty, objects that reflect the most recent technological advances, high-style garments and accessories, late-model vehicles, upscale houses, and everything in between.

Over a month ago Thanksgiving was celebrated in Canada.  A month later Thanksgiving is being celebrated in the United States.  It has become a peculiar tradition in the United States for Americans to rush out the day following their Thanksgiving celebrations to begin the seasonal rush to acquire gifts for Christmas-giving. 

That day, oddly enough, is labelled 'Black Friday'.  An occasion celebrated by retailers as the start of a buying season that would take them out of the red and into the fabled black of profit.




The shopping hysteria that follows started as a trend and has become an occasion.  And, like so many things emanating from the United States, it has begun to creep northward into Canada.  With all manner of retailers from big box enterprises to franchises to independent retailers blaring their advertisements for 'Black Friday'.

Ridiculous, like so much of human nature and its preoccupation with the sadly mundane.