Buy Nothing Day

Every year Adbuster's (whom I discussed in an earlier blog post) has a day called Buy Nothing Day. Buy Nothing Day is a day of anti-consumerism. It is celebrated in America normally on "Black Friday" (the one day of the year that is a day specifically targeted to shoppers) urging people to not go out and buy consumer goods. Adbusters hope that every year this day will urge more and more people not to waste and to not go shopping mot just on "Black Friday," but every day.

So Adbuster's is suppose to be an alternative voice who diverts away from the mainstream right? Then please explain to me why they sell merchandise on their website. Isn't selling something for money making something a consumer good or a commodity? Doesn't that just make them what their fighting against or making fun of?
What do you think?

Another case is one year for Buy Nothing Day, Adbuster's were trying to sell MTV (a mainstream media conglomerate) a Buy Nothing Day commercial. (The commercial can be viewed here). The commercial dealt with sex, nudity, rap, and consumption. Now why would they want their non-mainstream message on MTV? Fortunately, MTV did not want their commercial, it was too provacative.

I personally feel that MTV is a good place to spread your message however it is a huge media conglomerate. If that commercial were to be on MTV it would get a negative response (meaning it will no longer be a divergent message/and it would not increase awareness) and it would get a positive response for MTV because it will increase their viewership and popularity. This is only my opinion. What do you think?

This is what Adbuster's thinks:

"AdBuster’s response:

MTV, the channel that markets itself to hip youth, has decreed that our Buy Nothing Day public service spot “goes further than we are willing to accept on our channels”. Gangsta rap and sexualized, semi-naked school girls are okay, but apparently not a burping pig talking about consumption. If you object to this sort of corporate censorship, why not send them a message now? - Cinncinnatti Beacon


If Adbuster's Buy Nothing Day commercial was accepted to be on MTV? Would it have the same impact?
Is Adbuster's Buy Nothing Day a contradiction because they sell goods online and have a huge following?

Adbusters

Today I came across a website called Adbusters.com. Adbusters is a non for profit website based in Canada that revolts against the normal views and images in society. Adbuster's also is a news, magazine, campaign and video source. As they state "We are a global network of artists, activists, writers, pranksters, students, educators, and entrepreneurs who want to advance the new social activist movement of the information age. Out aim is to topple existing power structures and forge a major shift in the way we live in the 21st century." Adbusters

The websites mission is to make an impact on our culture, and show society how corrupt the corporate, politics, and the economy are.

Although their work has been mention in hundreds of alternative mediums, , I believe they still are a divergent voice. They are a popular alternative medium. Especially cause I feel there is very few revolts against the media that aren't divergent voices. What do you think?