Welcome to Black Friday (or as we Americans have it now, post-racial Friday), so called because it is traditionally the day on which retailers first turn a profit for the year. While we hope you do your fair share of consumption, we hope you will not be blinded to the true meaning of our many holidays, the reason for the season: Overthinking.
Every year it seems to start earlier and earlier. This year, the christmas decorations were up the morning after Halloween. The onslaught of treacly music began. The snowdrifts were painted into the corners of retail window displays. (This is particularly laughable as I live in Los Angeles, which is a coastal desert.)
And yet, the season has its pleasures as well. Great food. Time off from work. Eggnog Lattes at Starbucks. People wearing Santa hats around. Fox News’s annual sanctimonious hand-wringing about “The War on Christmas.” A court case or two over a nativity scene on public property. The release of cynical Oscar-bait films. ‘Tis the season to be jolly!
Question: What do you love or hate most about the holiday season?
And let us not forget the day just past: Thanksgiving. (American Thanksgiving for our international audience.) A time to pause, gather, imbibe immoderately, fight with your family, eat pie, and note your gratitude for things you might take for granted the other 364 days of the year.
Question: What neglected bit of pop culture are you thankful for?
These or any other topics are fair game: It’s the most wonderful open thread of the year!