【the mainstreaming of masturbation: the auto eroticism】

Never underestimate the power of single people buying themselves stuff.

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba reported its highest individual sales day everon Singles Day,the mainstreaming of masturbation: the auto eroticism an informal holiday dedicated to people who aren't in relationships.

SEE ALSO: 7 in 10 people in Southeast Asia scrambled to buy on 'Singles' Day' via their mobiles

Singles Day is on 11/11 (see all those "1"s? they symbolize being alone) and has become in recent years a bigger Chinese shopping day than Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Alibaba was a pioneer in offering discounts on the holiday, and their sales are promoted with a live TV show advertising the discounts available on the website.

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This year, the sale brought in $30 billion for Alibaba, compared to $25 billion in 2017 and $17.8 billion in 2016.

One wonders if the marketing is getting better or if there are just waymore people looking for a Single's Day treat in these lonely times.

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