We live in a society where being a good “consumer” is evangelized more than producing something new, original, or innovative.

Every year in America we enter the holiday shopping season, and every year I cringe. I’m not going to pretend I never went to Black Friday for those deals. Back when Black Friday started you didn’t see nearly as many headlines be about how many people got injured to have the mere chance of saving a few hundred dollars on the next technology that will ‘define’ them for the next few days.

People trampling over each other at Walmart on Black Friday

Before you think I’m being a condescending hypocrite, let me explain why/how I’ve changed my view. With my background and career I’ve traveled to many different parts in the world and experienced things that not everyone gets to.

There are places where a lot of the population still has barely any running water. In these two countries I’ve seen the most uneven distribution of wealth to the point it’s sickening. To not call out any specific region and offend anyone, I’ll point out two very vivid memories I still hold without mentioning location of either one.