What Did You Do on Black Friday?

What did I do?  I slept.  I'm too concerned with my physical wellbeing to fight through a sea of shoppers.  In a situation like that, I believe that nothing but a blessing from God almighty allows people to escape without a major loss of energy, blood, and/or money.  In the last few years haven't there been people stampeded at Walmarts and Best Buys?  I mean, pushing around in a crowded Walmart after waking from a turkey coma can't be a good idea.  The crowd is strong, and most of us are a little weak after Thanksgiving. 

Everybody who has been to the beach knows how hard it can be  to fight against the waves.  Just like those waves can toss you around, taking away any control you thought you had over yourself, an anxious crowd of shoppers can easily overtake you.  You will no longer retain control over your body.  I promise, your mental faculties will likely fail you as well.  You will forget everything that a life of logic has taught you throughout the year.  Lights, shiny objects, and anything associated with familiar names like Nike, Dell, and Sony prove irresistible for the vulnerable shopper under the spell of Black Friday. 

The only reason why the Apple Store doesn't have to deal with the loss of life the day after Thanksgiving is that there are no discounts.  You see, products that are available all year at $X only have to worry about the first day of release.  That's why you see people lining up for new iPhones every so often.  People will patiently wait for those things for days.  On the other hand, Black Friday deals (I mean the good ones) make many of us feel like they have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get their hands on a new TV, computer, or whatever else.  Despite the fact that the products they'll fight for that day will be obsolete by January 1, you may never, never, never (that was supposed to be a dramatic echo) be able to get a price like this again. 

The honest truth is that you will not want that product anymore if you wait for the every-day price to equal that of the Black Friday deal.  Why?  Simply because all the new stuff will make its way to the shelves of your local stores, and you'll pray to the gods of immediate gratification that you can play with the toys that haven't collected dust through the month of December.  It's sad, but I can't make it stop being true. 

Am I saying that I don't believe in Christmas?  Of course not!  I just won't go out in the last days of November because I value my life over cheaply made products that I will likely have no interest in within the next 60 days.

Just look.  Were you or would you like to be part of this? 


It's dangerous.