Locavores vs. Local Economy
In his article here, Steven Dubner tries to argue against local food, in favor of the globalized food chain we have today. His argument seems to be that we can all have the best products in the world - not to mention the highest economic output - if we pick and choose from the best producers without regard to geography. He, and the person who apparently inspired the post with her question, illustrates this by relating two failed attempts at producing goods locally instead of buying them. His attempt to make sherbet resulted in an exorbitant amount of money spent on a not-so-good result. Then, there's the friend of the woman who inspired the post, who tried to make a dress for herself, and wound up spending something like four times as much on a product with a crooked hem. Therefore, we must support the economic efficiency of globalism. It's clearly the better alternative. But consider: what experience does Mr. Dubner have with producing ice cream? What experience did the other woman have with making dresses? ...
Posted on August 29, 2008 2:45:55 PM EDT
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An Interesting Thought Experiment
Ever since I read The Wal-Mart Effect, by Charles Fishman, I've had a half-thought nagging at the back of my mind. I think today is the birthday of that thought; I think I can finally put it into words. The problem I have with Wal-Mart - and every other national chain store I've read about, including Walgreen's, Best Buy, Target, Home Depot, and others - is that it abstracts the economy away from you and me. What do I mean by this? That's the hard part, the part I've been trying to articulate to myself for a couple years now. Think of an economic exchange between some supplier and some consumer on a face-to-face basis. It may help to think about a waiter at a local restaurant, for example. If the waiter is lazy, and the service is horrible, then from an economics standpoint, you should give him a lower tip than if he performed stellarly, or even up to expectations. This is basic vote-with-your-dolla...
Posted on August 28, 2008 1:18:32 PM EDT
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