Every year, Black Friday descends upon the world like a tidal wave of consumerism. Shoppers flood stores and websites in pursuit of “once-in-a-lifetime deals,” lured by glowing signs and the promise of discounts. But is this frenzy truly about saving money, or is it just another carefully orchestrated ritual by the architects of the matrix?
The truth is, Black Friday isn’t about abundance—it’s about control. It’s a modern manifestation of what They Live warned us about: consume, obey, repeat. Through manipulation, illusion, and greed, this ritual keeps people financially drained, spiritually empty, and locked into a system that thrives on disparity. And pop culture, from Mad Men to Wall Street, has long revealed the underpinnings of this system—a world driven by greed, manipulation, and power at any cost.
The Origins of Black Friday: A Story of Chaos
The term Black Friday originally described chaos—not discounts. Its roots lie in two key events:
1. The Financial Panic of 1869: Two Wall Street financiers, Jay Gould and James Fisk, manipulated the gold market, causing a collapse that left countless people ruined. This “Black Friday” was a day of economic devastation.
2. The Retail Transformation: In the mid-20th century, Philadelphia police used Black Friday to describe the post-Thanksgiving shopping mayhem. The term stuck, and retailers saw an opportunity to rebrand it as a day of profits rather than chaos.
By turning chaos into a ritual, retailers transformed Black Friday into a day where the masses willingly participate in their own financial and emotional exhaustion.
Mad Men, Wall Street, and the Architects of Consumerism
The television series Mad Men provides an intimate look at the advertising industry, a key player in shaping modern consumer behavior. Don Draper, the show’s charismatic antihero, embodies the master manipulator, selling people not just products but ideals and emotions. Through ads, the industry convinced society that consumption equals happiness, that buying a new car or product would fill the void within.
Similarly, Oliver Stone’s Wall Street depicts the darker side of capitalism, with Gordon Gekko’s infamous mantra: “Greed is good.” In this world, wealth isn’t a means to an end—it’s an addiction. The film shows how unchecked greed and manipulation ultimately lead to disparity, corruption, and collapse.
Both Mad Men and Wall Street serve as cautionary tales, revealing how those in power use greed as a weapon to manipulate the masses, turning consumerism into a game of winners and losers. And Black Friday is the ultimate battlefield.
The Black Friday Matrix: Consume, Obey, Repeat
John Carpenter’s They Live amplifies this idea, portraying a world where hidden subliminal messages direct people to consume, obey, and stay asleep. Advertisements, billboards, and even money carry hidden commands that keep humanity distracted and docile.
Black Friday is the perfect embodiment of this dynamic:
• Fictive Discounts: Many “sales” are illusions—prices are inflated before the discounts are applied, giving the appearance of savings.
• Dopamine Manipulation: The thrill of snagging a deal creates a temporary high, ensuring that consumers keep coming back for more.
• Debt and Despair: Most purchases are made on credit, plunging people further into debt while the architects of the matrix reap the rewards.
The architects—marketers, advertisers, and corporate leaders—know exactly what they’re doing. They’ve studied human behavior and psychology, crafting campaigns designed to extract both your current chi (money) and inner chi (energy).
Inflation and Greed: The Endless Trap
In the economic matrix, inflation is not an accident—it’s a feature. The system thrives on rising prices, encouraging people to spend more, borrow more, and work harder just to maintain the same standard of living. As prices climb, the gap between the wealthy and the working class grows, creating a cycle of scarcity and control.
Wall Street captures this perfectly, showing how greed-driven systems inevitably collapse under their own weight. The architects of these systems thrive by exploiting fear, desire, and the human tendency to seek external validation.
But here’s the truth: no purchase will ever fill the void within you. The matrix thrives on keeping you blind to this reality, ensuring that you stay trapped in the cycle of consume, obey, repeat.
What Black Friday Costs Us
Black Friday isn’t just about spending money—it’s about losing yourself. The hidden costs are staggering:
1. Financial Drain: Overspending, often on credit, leaves people with debt that outlasts their purchases.
2. Emotional Exhaustion: Competing for deals, navigating chaos, and battling FOMO (fear of missing out) create unnecessary stress.
3. Spiritual Disconnect: The focus on materialism pulls us away from gratitude, purpose, and authentic connection.
This cycle benefits the few at the expense of the many, widening the gap between those who control the system and those who are controlled by it.
Breaking Free: Escape the Matrix
The good news? You can escape the matrix by recognizing it for what it is. True fulfillment doesn’t come from external purchases but from inner alignment and authenticity.
Steps to Break Free
1. Consume Consciously: Ask yourself if you truly need what you’re buying—or if you’re being sold an illusion.
2. Focus on Gratitude: Reflect on what you already have. Abundance begins with appreciation.
3. Invest in Experiences: True wealth lies in memories, growth, and connections, not material goods.
4. Disconnect from the Noise: Limit exposure to ads, sales, and digital distractions. Reconnect with nature and stillness.
5. Seek Inner Truth: Remember that all you truly need is already within you. Break free from the idea that happiness can be bought.
The Unmatrix Perspective: From Shadows to Light
Mad Men, Wall Street, and They Live all point to a sobering truth: the system is designed to keep us asleep, distracted by materialism and blinded by greed. But awakening is possible. By stepping back from the frenzy, questioning the narrative, and reconnecting with your inner self, you can reclaim your power.
Black Friday is just another shadow on the wall of Plato’s cave—a distraction meant to keep you from seeing the light. Unmatrix yourself by stepping away from the stage and asking: What truly matters to me?
The Choice is Yours
This Black Friday, instead of losing yourself in the frenzy, consider an alternative: invest in your awakening. For tools and insights to help you break free from the matrix, explore A Guide to Unmatrix Yourself.
Join the Unmatrix Tribe on Instagram, YouTube, and Reddit as we uncover the truth behind the systems of control and awaken to a life of purpose and freedom.
The matrix thrives on consumption—but you don’t have to. This Black Friday, choose to unmatrix yourself and reclaim your light. What will you choose?
