Rev Billy vs. the Market: a sane man in a world of omnipotent fantasies

This paper presents a case study of anti-consumerism activist William Talen, aka Reverend Billy, who founded the Church of Stop Shopping. Rev Billy's radical critique of the worship of markets and money complements his creation of a vibrant Earth-loving community. The case is reviewed in light of Nietzsche's vision of 'the madman in the marketplace'. The analysis suggests that the dream of an infinitely expanding world market is a fantasy of omnipotence that acts as maladaptive defence against feelings of powerlessness. This fantasy of market omnipotence is in practice endangering human existence. Rev Billy teaches us to rediscover our reverence for the Earth, and set ecological sustainability as our supreme goal (rather than financial growth).