《英语流行话题阅读:语境识词4500》97 Buy Nothing Day

　　Unit 97
Buy Nothing Day
The singer Elton John took legal action against his managers, accusing them of not looking after his money properly. During the court case, the lawyers asked for a detailed¹ breakdown² of the money he spent over the past year. It turned out that he had spent $289,000 on flowers.
For many, this is just another example of rock star extravagance. Why become a world famous star if you cannot spend thousands on flowers or anything else that appeals?
But others take a more critical view of this kind of spending. Our consumer culture is out o control. Once, we shopped to buy what we needed. Now we shop for other reasons: to impress each other, to fill a void³, to kill time. That's the message from a group of activists⁴ behind "Buy Nothing Day". First held in Canada in 1992, "Buy Nothing Day" is celebrated⁵ on the last Friday in November and has spread to major cities across the world.
On November 25, 2000, campaigners in North America hit the streets, handing out leaflets⁶ suggesting alternatives to shopping, and putting up posters with the message: "Warning -- all they want is your money." Behind these activities is a conviction⁷ that consumerism has commercialized society. Advertisements follow people everywhere. Sponsors bring every musical or sporting event to the fans. Public spaces and surfaces are covered by logos. Everywhere people go, a voice in their ears says: "Buy me."
This is having a disturbing effect. Around 700,000 people in Britain and up to 15 million people in the US are compulsive shoppers, it is claimed. These shopaholics have low self-esteem and respond to the promises of glamour⁸, wealth and popularity⁹ made by famous brands. They need to shop to feel fulfilled. Eventually they become addicted¹⁰.
Critics of "Buy Nothing Day" say it is not a good cause. For millions of people across the world, every day is buy nothing day. Why not go to Africa and organize a "Buy Something Day"? Supporters argue that people in rich countries will do more to tackle¹¹ world poverty when they change their own attitude to money and consumption¹².
On the streets, the "Buy Nothing Day" activists generally get a friendly reception. People listen as they make their point. They nod their heads in agreement. Then they go ahead and shop. It takes more than an idealistic young person to stop the commercial tide.
With so much of the global economy dependent on consumers, it can be argued that shopping is even a kind of duty. But the "Buy Nothing Day" message is still worth hearing. Be an individual, it says. Be independent of commercial pressure. These are great qualities to have. Where can I buy them?

1 detailed   

adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的

参考例句：

• He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。
• A detailed list of our publications is available on request.我们的出版物有一份详细的目录备索。

2 breakdown   

n.垮，衰竭；损坏，故障，倒塌

参考例句：

• She suffered a nervous breakdown.她患神经衰弱。
• The plane had a breakdown in the air,but it was fortunately removed by the ace pilot.飞机在空中发生了故障，但幸运的是被王牌驾驶员排除了。

3 void   

n.空虚，空白，真空；adj.空的，缺乏的，无效的；vt.清空，释放，取消，离开；vi.排泄

参考例句：

• Suddenly the street was void of people.街道上突然间空无一人。
• The treaty has been declared void.条约被宣布无效。

4 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

6 leaflets   

n.传单，散页印刷品( leaflet的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Leaflets have been delivered to every household. 传单已发送到每家每户。
• They stood there, giving out the leaflets to the passers-by. 他们站在那里，向过路人散发传单。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 conviction   

n.确信，坚定的信仰；说服，信服；定罪

参考例句：

• His conviction carried him along in his research.他的信心支持着他把研究工作坚持下去。
• His conviction caused rioting in the streets.他被判有罪，引起了街头骚动。

8 glamour   

n.魔力，魅力；vt.迷住

参考例句：

• Foreign travel has lost its glamour for her.到国外旅行对她已失去吸引力了。
• The moonlight cast a glamour over the scene.月光给景色增添了魅力。

9 popularity   

n.普及，流行，名望，受欢迎

参考例句：

• The story had an extensive popularity among American readers.这本小说在美国读者中赢得广泛的声望。
• Our product enjoys popularity throughout the world.我们的产品饮誉全球。

10 addicted   

adj.沉溺于....的，对...上瘾的

参考例句：

• He was addicted to heroin at the age of 17.他17岁的时候对海洛因上了瘾。
• She's become addicted to love stories.她迷上了爱情小说。

11 tackle   

n.工具，复滑车，扭倒；v.处理，抓住

参考例句：

• Don't forget to bring your sports tackle with you tomorrow.别忘了明天带上你的体育用具。
• We have gained sufficient experience to tackle this problem.我们已经有了足够的经验来处理这个问题。

12 consumption   

n.消费，消耗，消费额，消耗量，结核病

参考例句：

• Consumption of oil has declined in recent years.石油消耗量在最近几年下降了。
• The meat was condemned as unfit for human consumption.这种肉已被宣布不适宜人们食用。