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What Giving Tuesday says about consumers

Walmart in Bentonville, Ark.
Customers wrap up their holiday shopping during Walmart's Black Friday events on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014 in Bentonville, Ark.
Gunnar Rathbunv / Invision for Walmart

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Today is Giving Tuesday - one of several efforts to channel American spending behavior in the days following Thanksgiving.

Rich Harwood, an expert in community building and public innovation, says the movement is a response to the ubiquitous consumption of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

In a 2012 piece, Harwood explained why he thinks those shopping days are hurting the way Americans give back:

Our instant gratification impulse has led us to turn away from making long-term investments in our communities, even engaging in conversations about long-term matters. I fear we have fallen prey to the belief nowadays that our common problems can be solved simply by making a quick donation online, signing a petition, or volunteering for an hour here and there.