Can You Live Without Your Starbucks?

When Starbucks first appeared in Seattle back in 1994 it wasn't just a coffee shop. Somehow, Starbucks managed a way to create a lifestyle and culture around the coffee they provide. Today, Starbucks is looked at as the epitome of consumerism. Not only can you buy your morning, afternoon and evening coffee there but now you can also purchase coffee to take home, CDs, mugs, games, or rent wi-fi access while in their coffee shops. Starbucks coffee is even packaged and sold at most grocery retailers nationwide as well. With Starbucks nearly on every corner in America, the days of independent coffee houses are fading. Smaller shops are closing their doors as they can't compete with Starbucks. #NOSTARBUCKS hopes to save one million indie coffee houses by November 28, 2010.

Adbusters, the anti-consumerist publication that started this campaign, encourages everyone to get involved by supporting independent coffee shops, tweeting #NOSTARBUCKS, encouraging your friends on Facebook, and rally up troops for the national day of action against Starbucks on November 20, 2010. This is quite an enormous feat to be accomplished as most people need their coffee, many of them having a preference for Starbucks. Can you join in on the Starbucks rebellion? Will you make an effort to support your local, independent coffee shops?