I realize that retail shopping is what ultimately makes the economy go (all those gods and services we produce have to be bought by someone). I also realize that we are approaching the biggest shopping day of the year. And I realize that Wal-Mart is the largest retail outlet. But I did find this bit of news a little weird -- When Every Day Feels Like Black Friday - washingtonpost.com:
Because it expects Saturday to be so similar to Black Friday, Wal-Mart has requested that the two days be merged into one, creating a 48-hour Friday. The company even sent a letter to honorary Astronomer Royal Martin Rees, professor of cosmology and astrophysics at the University of Cambridge in England, to request his blessing.
"Does a week always have to contain seven days? And do those days always have to be the seven we're accustomed to?" wrote Nick Agrawal, vice president of Wal-Mart's corporate communications. "Certainly here in the U.S., those seeking more time for their holiday shopping, the addition of a second Friday might be just what they're looking for."
However, Wal-Mart is petitioning the wrong person. The International Bureau of Weights and Measures in France is the world's official time-keeping organization. Its U.S. branch is the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which falls under the Department of Commerce.
Reached by phone in his office in Cambridge, Rees was at a loss for words on Wal-Mart's double-Friday request. "I am completely flummoxed over this conversation," he said.
Last I checked, the definition of a day is based on the natural phenomena of the sun traversing the sky -- including sunrise and sunset. As powerful as Wal-Mart is in the Intangible Economy, I don't think it can make the sun stand still.
But, I guess it was worth a try. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
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