THE MATRIX
In the Matrix movie, a meme is introduced that there is more to this life than what we’ve been led to believe. The movie was so effective in presenting this concept that it soon became taught in college philosophy courses.
A Matrix experience happened to me several years ago, when I realized just how much of a threat the internet had become to local merchants with brick & mortar stores.
For much of my 28 year career as a local small business owner, I thought of the business world as “survival of the fittest”, and whoever wasn’t running their particular enterprise in an efficient manner that clearly benefitted the consumer, well they deserved what they got.
But the internet has changed all that. Sometimes, a new innovation does not actually benefit consumers. Sometimes, that so-called “innovation” that is labeled “disruptive” by all the cool kids writing articles for Wired magazine is actually just a way for some mega-corp to make more money at the expense of small business owners without providing any significant benefit to the individual consumer, particularly in the long-term.
This is, I believe, where we are now in history.
Much of our citizenry has become enamored with the idea of buying things on our small personal device; even purchases that can make a huge difference in our quality of life. Shoes, cars, beds, houses (!)…
Instead of taking the time to drive to the actual business, we rely on the pixels in our 4 inch screen to convince us that this magical brand in the metaverse really does have the answer to material needs and their 5-Star reviews definitely are from satisfied humans-not-bots.
But, what if this “innovation” is having a damaging effect to the community that you actually LIVE in?
PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE
Unfortunately, Planned Obsolescence has become the Operating System for many brands & products.
Truly, we are living in the “They don’t make em like they used to” era.
But, what if it doesn’t have to be this way?
What if consumers seized on their inherent buying power and used it to insist that their money be spent with companies that are honestly trying to build the best products possible? What if you could look the guy that built it in the eye, and demand accountability?
IRL
We now live in a dual reality world, where most of us split our time between real life (IRL), interacting with our material universe and other real humans, and the virtual (fantasy) world. Some people spend so much time in fantasy world that their posture has conformed to the neck-forward curved spine of the hunchback.
Is this progress?
I say no, it is not. The reality is that we live in a very special place: the Midwest! And while being virtually ignored by the media coastal elites, it’s about as wholesome as it gets in these modern times. Wholesomeness is a good thing, but it needs to be nourished to be kept alive.
Sadly, most of our fellow citizens do not give much thought to the key factors that make our community so healthy and vibrant. Many simply enjoy the schools, parks, bike trails, roads, charities, eateries and drinkeries, well-lit streets, and countless other amenities that exist in our town, as if they just magically grew there for our pleasure.
Seeing the Matrix means seeing the reality that a community grows & thrives because it is interconnected in a variety of ways. Local businesses employ your friends, neighbors, and family; and typically pay salaries at a higher rate than a behemoth corporation would. We also are the tax collectors for the State and City governments.
Local businesses also are the main contributors and supporters of local charities.
Local businesses are also the main funders (sponsors) of youth sports, along with zoos, theaters, the Arts, and our churches.
Most importantly, local businesses support us, every one of us, in some form or fashion.
BUY LOCAL
Even if your job is with a large organization, you must realize that every job in this community is dependent on other small organizations supporting it. We all are, as cheesy as it may sound, in this together.
Buying products online may be fun, in the moment. The internet fantasy world is enticing, to be sure.
But, you can do better for yourself. You can demand that the company you buy from sell you products that are made with durable materials. You can demand honesty in advertising. You can take pride in spending your money with real life fellow citizens who also live in your community, and who also may do business with the company YOU work for.
You can see the Matrix.
You can Buy Local.
