Black Friday, a widely circulated concept in Western culture, originally referred to a day when the 13th of a month coincided with a Friday, believed to bring bad luck. However, with the evolution of times, particularly the rise of commercial culture, Black Friday has been endowed with a new meaning. It has become the day after Thanksgiving, when merchants launch a plethora of discount promotions to attract consumers for a shopping frenzy. This article explores the evolution and impact of Black Friday from cultural, commercial, and algorithmic perspectives.

In Western culture, Black Friday was originally imbued with superstitions. Many Westerners believed that if the 13th of a month fell on a Friday, it might bring misfortune or adversity. This superstition has a long history, even finding reflections in some literary works. However, as times have changed, this superstition has gradually faded, and the cultural connotation of Black Friday has undergone significant transformations.

In the commercial realm, Black Friday has become a highly anticipated shopping festival. Originating in the United States, it is the day after Thanksgiving when merchants typically offer substantial discounts to attract consumers. Due to the heightened shopping enthusiasm on this day, merchants often reap substantial profits, hence the name "Black Friday."

In recent years, with the rise of e-commerce, the influence of Black Friday has extended beyond the United States, becoming a global shopping holiday. On this day, consumers worldwide can enjoy various discounts and offers through e-commerce platforms, driving the prosperity and development of global e-commerce.

In the digital era, algorithms have become indispensable tools in the commercial sector. For shopping festivals like Black Friday, algorithms play a crucial role. Merchants leverage big data analysis and predictions to formulate more precise promotional strategies. Meanwhile, e-commerce platforms utilize algorithms to provide personalized recommendations and services to consumers, enhancing the shopping experience and satisfaction.

Furthermore, algorithms help address potential issues such as inventory shortages and logistics congestion during Black Friday. Through real-time analysis and predictions, merchants can better allocate resources to ensure the smooth progress of promotional activities.

Despite its commercial success, Black Friday is not without its problems. Issues such as overconsumption, resource wastage, and environmental pollution have become increasingly prominent. Therefore, while enjoying the shopping frenzy, we must also consider the importance of sustainable development.

Looking ahead, with technological advancements and societal progress, Black Friday is expected to become more intelligent and personalized. Merchants will utilize more advanced technological means to provide consumers with more precise and personalized services. At the same time, we also hope that consumers will participate in shopping activities more rationally, jointly promoting a healthier and more sustainable consumption environment.

Black Friday, as a product intertwined with culture, commerce, and algorithms, plays a significant role in modern society. It is not only a day imbued with superstitions in Western culture but also a shopping festival in the commercial sector and an important scenario for algorithmic applications. In the future, we anticipate that Black Friday will continue to exert its positive influence, driving commercial prosperity and technological progress. At the same time, we also hope that consumers will participate in shopping activities more rationally, jointly creating a healthier and more sustainable consumption environment.