The Counter Signal

Counterwave Radio’s official broadcast.

Happy Cyber Monday! Or, as we like to call it: “Black Friday: The Extended Director’s Cut.”

Let’s be real for a second. Do you know why Cyber Monday exists? It was coined back in 2005 because people had faster internet at their offices than they did at home. The entire premise of this “holiday” is based on the idea that you need to wait until you get to your cubicle to buy a toaster.

In 2025, we have supercomputers in our pockets and 5G in the subway. The technological limitation is gone, but the corporate pressure to panic-buy cheap electronics? That is stronger than ever.

The Great American Pivot

We are currently sitting in the strangest emotional hangover of the year.

• Thursday:We performed “Gratitude.” We said we were thankful for what we had.
• Friday:We were told what we had was garbage and we needed to upgrade it immediately.
• Today:We are being told that if we don’t click “Checkout” by midnight, we are losing money.

It is emotional whiplash. And frankly, it’s a bit of a joke. We’ve allowed a marketing gimmick from the days of Windows XP to dictate our financial anxiety.

The “Buy Now, Panic Later” Trap

We like to think we’re too smart for the hype, but the data is alarming. Retailers aren’t just banking on your desire for new stuff; they are banking on your anxiety about the future.

Enter the explosion of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)services.

According to recent data, BNPL usage hits its peak right about…now. We are seeing billions of dollars in spending being pushed off into next year. Corporations are effectively monetizing our future labor to pay for today’s dopamine hit, all under the guise of a “Cyber Monday Deal” that probably isn’t even that good.

Cutting Through The Noise

We are currently bridging the gap between the Thanksgiving myth (shoutout to our hosts for that deep dive last week) and the “Perfect Holiday” industrial complex. Next week, BobbySox and Co. are guiding us through “Unboxing the Holiday,” where we’ll unpack the loneliness and expectations that define December.

But for today, here is your Counterwave challenge:

• Delete the Emails: You probably woke up to 50 emails telling you “TIME IS RUNNING OUT.” It’s not. The TV will still be there tomorrow.
• Laugh at the “Cyber”: Remember that this day was invented for people using Internet Explorer. You don’t have to participate in the nostalgia trip.
• Keep the Gratitude Going: Radical gratitude isn’t about ignoring problems; it’s about realizing you are enough without the impulse buy.

Don’t let the algorithm decide how you start your week.

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