If enough jammers turn their disaffection into resistance for just one day, November 29 could mark the delivery of a landmark social message.

"United We Spend?" United Let's Don't.

If enough jammers turn their disaffection into resistance for just one day, November 29 could mark the delivery of a landmark social message. More than a million people will celebrate 11 years of opposition on the unofficial "opening day" of the Christmas frenzy. Play this one right and we will make Buy Nothing Day 2002 a global event on par with Earth Day. Previous participants have come up with the traditions: swap meets, teach-ins, concerts, street theatre, credit-card cut-ups, postering, potlucks. But hey, it's a culture jam - no one's drawing up any rules.

Here's what to expect from Adbusters: more and better info, campaign materials and TV and radio spots that press the point. We'll be doing a little outreach as well. Last year's alignment with the peace movement gave the day a wider resonance, and the bigger the BND tent, the better. This year, we'll be asking religious groups to add their voice (see below), and we'll make a pitch to environmental groups worldwide.

Late last year, a small survey taken by Vancouver environmental studies student Graham Erion found that most eco-groups in British Columbia - Adbusters' own backyard - weren't supporting Buy Nothing Day. Many considered themselves too busy, but some, like Greenpeace Canada, acknowledged that "they don't like to talk about consumption."

Given the direct link between overconsumption and problems ranging from deforestation to global warming (remember, the first "R" is "Reduce"), we'll be asking eco-groups to summon a little royal jelly and "participate by not participating." With vocal support from the greens, BND really could become an eco-holiday sans frontières.

We can already expect a boost from the spiritual side. This year, Christians were a visible Buy Nothing force for the first time, and other faith groups are sure to follow. Sites like buynothingchristmas.com and books like Bill McKibben's ecumenical Hundred Dollar Holiday argue that we need space for values outside the commercial imperative. (The Pope's argument that markets can't answer all needs doesn't hurt, either.) In 2002, watch for a deeper, interfaith challenge - the first stirrings of a prophetic "no."