I am a theoretical physicist and currently Director of UCITE (University Center for Innovation in Teaching and Education) at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. I am the author of three books: God vs. Darwin: The War Between Evolution and Creationism in the Classroom (2009), The Achievement Gap in US education: Canaries in the Mine (2005), and Quest for Truth: Scientific Progress and Religious Beliefs (2000). Disclaimer: The views expressed in this blog are my personal ones and are not those of UCITE or Case Western Reserve University. If you wish, you can send me an email by clicking here.
I hope all of you have a quiet and enjoyable day with family and friends, which is what I will be doing.
What I will not be doing this weekend is going anyway near any store. Recession, depression, or good times, the madness of shopping that accompanies this weekend is what I hate most about this otherwise wonderful holiday.
Comments
Here, here! I totally agree!
Happy thanksgiving to you too! I am just the same. Shopping gives me a migraine! ugh! epic music
Agreed. The Occupy movement has acted with telling insight in targeting shopping activities this weekend. They understand the nexus between corporate greed and the consumer culture. I doubt they will make any headway, but it is at least encouraging that some part of our society is becoming consciously aware of the diseases that afflict it.
Our local Fox affiliate did its usual, masterful job of distracting the citizenry by covering all the wonderful bargains that are available to us. We are here but to shop. We have no other value or meaning. Or, as one of the Occupiers' placards ironically put it, "Everything is alright. You can go back to shopping."