The Great Potlatch Riots

The Great Potlatch Riots is a satirical science fiction novella by Allen Kim Lang, written in the late 1950s. It critiques consumer culture and the bureaucratic regulation of personal celebrations, focusing on a future where the Bureau of Seasonal Gratuities enforces gift-giving quotas. The story follows Captain Wesley Winfree as he prepares for a major Potlatch Day while facing backlash from citizens against mandatory birthday gifts. The narrative humorously explores themes of autonomy and societal pressure, culminating in chaotic riots that challenge the absurdity of enforced gratitude.