The day after Thanksgiving: Some people choose to spend this “Black Friday” hunting for the best deals on the planet in order to consume the best gifts that money can buy. I choose to spend it in a bit of a different way, in Providence on the State House lawn observing “Buy Nothing Day”

Buy Nothing Day all began way back in 1992 by the Ad-Busters in Canada as a way to resist over-consumption that often times causes people to feel unfulfilled with a large dose of buyer’s remorse after they “shop ‘till they drop.” But since then, Buy Nothing Day has grown into a global phenomenon bringing to light how obsessed our culture has become with consumerism.

While critics of the day charge that Buy Nothing Day simply causes participants to buy more the next day, Ad-Busters states that it “isn’t just about changing your habits for one day” but “about starting a lasting lifestyle commitment to consuming less.”

Even Americans who would not consider themselves to be “wealthy” spend about 20 times more on products, with many of the products coming from overseas, than the average person living in South America, Asia or Africa.

Everything we buy has an impact. The United States, with only 5 percent of the world’s population, consumes about one-third of the world’s natural resources and produces half of the world’s non-organic waste. These facts are hard to digest, but it is OUR dollars that keep this wasteful economy going.

What we choose to buy and how we choose to shop, has an impact.

However, there are some signs that our habits are changing. With the latest recession, some people have no choice but to cut out some spending and, therefore, are beginning to question the over-consumed-way-of-life. They are realizing they might are not as happy as they thought they were, and as a result, are thinking about ways of living that might lead to more genuine satisfaction.

While I can imagine that it’s not for everyone, I hope you’ll join me in buying nothing this Nov. 27th
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-Tony Jones

When congress passed the Local Community Radio Act it brought about one of the biggest opportunities in U.S. history for nonprofits and community organizations to affordably access the air waves. In the capitol city, Providence Community Radio will be launching shortly on 101.1 FM

Nonprofits have the chance to apply for a non-commercial FM radio license, or LPFM. A LPFM station could serve as a local broadcast studio, community center or multimedia training site, this would be a powerful tool for any organization as 90 percent of Americans currently say they listen to the radio at least once a week. If burdensome FCC regulations isn't for you, there is also the internet only option. HERE is how the Hunterdon Chamber of Commerce has their internet radio station set-up (http://hunterdonchamberradio.com) in a business – talk – community format

Whether over the air on via the internet, community radio stations serve to amplify the voice of the people, as they seek to address important issues in the community that can be largely ignored by other media outlets. It can also as serve as a tool for promoting local arts & culture, local business and civic involvement. There is also the opportunity to broadcast and archive important town council, financial and school committee meeting for those who are unable or unavailable to attend, which can help lead to an informed and engaged community and a more politically active town. LPFM law allows for 100 watt station to broadcast to a town or neighborhood in a 5 to 10 mile radius. In the past, stations have helped quasi-rurally located farmers stay connected and victims of hurricane Katrina find food and shelter.

Stations cost as little as a few thousand dollars to build and a few hundred to operate each year. A community radio station that is focused on local issues and local voices can breathe new life into town institutions, give youth a place to learn new media production and public speaking and spotlight the local music and arts & culture scene

Thousands of new community and internet radio stations are on the horizon from coast to coast, why not in North Kingstown?

​-Tony Jones