Black Friday: A Day of Deals, Culture and Capitalism

Publication date: November 29, 2024

Black Friday has evolved into a global shopping phenomenon, but its roots are less glamorous. The term first emerged in 1960s Philadelphia, used by the police to describe the chaos of post-holiday traffic and crowded stores. Retailers later flipped the narrative, marketing it as a day when businesses “go into the black” (i.e., turn a profit). What began as a single day of bargains has since morphed into a weeks-long event, extending to online sales like Cyber Monday and what feels like Black November.

The appeal is clear: deep discounts, limited-time offers, and the thrill of snagging a deal. Yet, beneath the excitement lies a more complex story. Black Friday is a masterclass in marketing psychology, designed to trigger urgency and fuel consumerism. Artificial scarcity “Only 5 left at this price!” and fear of missing out turn rational shoppers into bargain-hunting warriors. It’s a spectacle of modern capitalism, but is it a celebration of accessibility or an elaborate illusion of value?

For tech professionals, especially coders, Black Friday can be a practical opportunity to upgrade tools of the trade. Here’s a quick guide to shopping smartly:

• Mechanical Keyboards: A dream for developers. Beyond the tactile joy of clicky keys, they’re ergonomic and durable, perfect for those long coding sessions. And yes, the RGB lighting makes you feel like you’re hacking into the Matrix (even if you’re just fixing bugs).
• Monitors: More screen real estate means better productivity. Go for ultrawide or 4K monitors to handle multiple windows, because who doesn’t need to see their IDE, Slack, and Spotify all at once?
• Noise-Cancelling Headphones: Essential for focus in shared workspaces or home offices. The right pair blocks out distractions so you can focus on debugging that one elusive error.
• Software Subscriptions: Many tools and services e.g. cloud platforms, IDEs, or version control systems offer significant Black Friday discounts. Grab that premium GitHub plan or cloud storage upgrade you’ve been eyeing.
• Coffee Machines: Not just a gadget but a coder’s best friend. A quality espresso machine can transform late-night debugging from a chore into a ritual. Pro tip: choose one with programmable settings; your brain deserves great coffee, even if your code doesn’t always deserve it.

Black Friday, at its best, can be a way to invest in tools that genuinely enhance your work and creativity. But it’s also worth reflecting on the broader implications, as mentioned above. Does the day embody the spirit of accessibility, or is it a symptom of unchecked consumerism? Perhaps the answer lies somewhere in between, have a think before clicking on “add to cart”.

As you navigate the deals, remember: the best purchase isn’t the one with the steepest discount, it’s the one that adds true value to your life. And yes, sometimes that value is as simple (and essential) as the perfect cup of coffee by your side while you code.