Comment Re:I'll take bullshit for $400. (Score 1) 154
We perfectly have an economic system capable of handling that. We had one long before Amazon was a twinkle in Bezo's nuts.
People decried Walmarts opening up and killing the local shops. Yet Walmart employed more people in aggregate (and I might add offered better benefits and pay) on top of job security that local businesses never could.
And people...found something else to do that was global instead of local. I know there's always gonna be a fetish for "local economy". But as we progress in technology that's not gonna be as appealing. Because guess what, access to trade creates better opportunities for everyone.
And I know it's all doom and gloom with you "it used to be better!" types but I'm betting the vast majority of the population are better off today than your average person in the 90's or 60's. And not just for social reasons (though I'm glad we don't have separate bathrooms for the "colored folk" anymore, don't get me wrong, major upgrade).
And a lot of that is due to large distribution networks, trade and yes, large corporations.
I'll take my 2-day free shipping on almost anything I want over your "small town feel" fetish. I'll take the ability to work for someone other than the local Mr Burns with nothing more than an internet connection. And I'll take the "local economy" being yoga instructors, fitness trainers, "life coaches", therapists, plumbers, electricians, teachers, etc. over the Mr Potter