Are You A Refusenik?

I was just reading a news article on the Internet and found out I'm considered by some (who've never even met me) to be a refusenik. Now, like me, you're probably thinking, "what?" It turns out that because I've chosen to not go along with a few broader social trends, I've now acquired a new label from some folks who feel it's necessary to label people who don't go along with stuff.

The term actually originated in the Soviet Union, and referred to Jews who, although they were being persecuted in their home country, were refused permission to emigrate elsewhere. It's also been used to describe Israeli citizens who are conscientious objectors, as that country has mandatory military service. The post-modern use of the word is evolving to refer to people who are choosing to opt out of larger social and often electronic trends.

So, how am I a refusenik? So far, I'm working it on a few levels, if you take news media stories as your defining criteria. 1) I don't own a cell phone and have no intention of getting one. 2) I don't use social media sites like Facebook or Twitter. You might even be able to add another angle to that as 3) I don't have cable or satellite television service.

So, why do people opt out of having these things in their lives?

1. Money - With the economy going the way it is, many people are cutting down on extra expenses.
2. Time - As modern life seems to get busier and busier, the commodity of time becomes more precious and expensive. People are starting to economize on their activities as well as their spending.
3. Control - Lots of these electronic devices become infatuations for people and they almost become slaves to their toys. After all, look how prevalent reminders to people to turn off their cell phones and other electronic devices have become. You'd think that people going to the movies or theater performances would consider themselves busy and unavailable for a few hours, but many people don't. Some people don't like how having a cell phone or text messaging device feels like an electronic leash.
   
4. Personal choice - There are those who are perfectly content to NOT follow along with the crowd. Is social media fostering genuine interaction between people or it is just another venue for another layer of advertising in our lives?  How do you feel about your friends advertising themselves to you? 
   

In the USA, the day after Thanksgiving is often referred to as Black Friday. It's a day of massive shopping promotions, traffic, crowds and conspicuous consumption which officially launches the December holiday season.

More and more groups are promoting alternatives for opting-out of what many see as stressful and wasteful approach to the holidays. So, if you are dreading "Black Friday," check out some of these activities and look for a way to re-channel your energies into something more personally meaninful, healthy and just plain restful.

I hadn't really thought of it before, but I'm a refusenik to Black Friday too.  If anything, I go as far away from crowds and don't buy anything.  Most often I spend the day with my family, or I stay at home, doing things around the house and eating fantastic leftovers.