Invasive Species and a Collapsing Economy
Are the mega-corporations going the way of the dinosaur? Is the recent economic crisis the result of these monstrosities going too far from their natural environment? Are these behemouths now unable to survive due to lack of economic forage? It seems we may consider this is the case, but I doubt they will go extinct in my lifetime unless global warming takes us all.
The economic crisis is leading many of the big box stores to pull back from some of their more remote locations and to close some of the locations where they may even be located to close to their own sister stores. It makes good business sense ,and how can we fault them? But the wreckage of the communites they are abandoning is significant.
When these shareholder-funded entities arrived, there were already several smaller enterprises managing to serve the local communites and doing well enough to survive. These "organic" retailers were raised on the local economy and knew what specifically was needed by whom and in what quantities. A big box store, however, comes along, funded from bank accounts far, far away and expects these communities to be like everywhere else. Unable to adapt as times change, they are now leaving the field. Unfortunately, in many cases those local providers are now out of business and the void is significant. It could not come at a worse time for these locales as money and confidence is in short supply. It will be a while before stores of any kind open that can meet the needs of these communities.
The diminishing availability of fossil fuels suggests that we need to develop a sustainable economy a lot closer to the consumers. It also demands that more public transportation be created to enable more people to not merely survive but thrive without personal vehicles. The expansion of the interstate highway system will only prolong the deterioration of the mega-corporations. This recent economic slump reveals they do not belong in remote locations where their financial expectations cannot be sustained, so these highways are misleading invitations for them to persist in their desire to expand when the cold hard truth is that they have gone as far as they should. Their appetite has consumed the consumers, and it is now up to nature to see how things will return.
With Barack Obama, a room full of the best and the brightest, and a whole lot of hope, we can plant new seeds and hope there is enough left for the smaller "plants" to survive. Hopefully, we can return these communities to being green again. A different species evloving for every unique environment, as nature had intended.
Good piece Gregor.
The idea that the economy can be seen as an ecology - and perhaps even as complex - is one that needs to sink into all our minds.
My only quibble is that I think we're past much of the seed-planting stage, and are more into a time when we need to find & focus on the seeds already planted, identifying the ones that have proven they can survive, resist elimination, and have potential for further growth.
That, and I wanna live off the carcass of WalMart when it goes down. ;-)
January 12, 2009 2:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think we should turn all the "Big Box" stores into hydroponic farms with solar panels on the roof and parking lots. They already have huge open spaces with great technical infrastructure. They are perfectly suited to that sort of farming. They would make great "Just in Time" local manufacturing centers as well as the global manufacturing supply chain contracts.
January 12, 2009 12:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great idea! It can be done whether they're open or closed!
January 12, 2009 1:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rec'd for the title alone, but wait! There's more. The Popeil Pocket Fisherman was never available at Wally-World. At the end of that video, the stores where you can purchase the Pocket Fisherman are Woolworths, (still extant abroad, but only subsidiaries like Foot Locker remain in the US), Times Square Stores, (out of business in 1989), Korvettes, (bankrupt 1980), Genovese Drug Stores, (acquired by Eckerd Drugs in 1998), Valley Fair Discount Department Stores, ( I think there are still a couple of these stores extant in the greater NYC area), Modell's and Modell's Department Stores, (still extant! with 135 stores in the NE US), Two Guys Department Stores, ( sold off after a series of acquisitions by larger corporations in the 1980s). Not that the demise of these national and regional department stores have much to do with Wal-Mart, et al, but I found it interesting they didn't survive. Nice post Gregor.
January 12, 2009 2:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
I had one of those! They're only good for fishing from a bridge in still water. but, after the Big Boxes eliminate their predecessors and then abandon the scene, that's about all there is left.
January 12, 2009 2:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Woolworth's is a British institution.
Or was.
It went bust in November. The last store, of 807 branches, closed last week. 27,000 job losses.
Bye-bye Woolies.
January 12, 2009 2:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Bummer...
January 12, 2009 3:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Gregor, you are nuts.
I hope you are right.
But I think you are nuts.
Good post by the way.
January 12, 2009 3:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
There's a haiku in there somewhere.
A stopped nut is
right at least twice
a day.
Awesome, right?
January 12, 2009 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
5 then 7 then 5 17 syllables. I must work on my Haikus.
January 12, 2009 1:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok. Thanks.
"A stopped nut is right
at least twice a day (or so)
and truck nutz. Also."
Ya see? A bit of tuition, and I'm off to the races.
I wonder how it'd sound in Japanese?
January 12, 2009 2:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
With a little Japanese background music.
You are in business.
For only thirty per cent, I will be your agent.
January 12, 2009 2:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Biwa in background
We will in Biz-ness be, yes?
thirty points, agent I.
January 12, 2009 2:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is that just Haiku or the little green guy in Star Wars?
January 12, 2009 2:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Questions ask you not
For greater powers there be
The force, you, and me.
January 12, 2009 2:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
hahahahahahahahah!!!!!!!!
January 12, 2009 2:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is a good post. Migwetch. (thanks)
Several years ago, when the big box stores were expanding into the area, I stood at the end of my driveway and held up a cross in an effort to keep Wally World and Home Despot from getting closer than 50 miles from my house. It didn't work and I knew right then I needed to change religions. So, I became a liberal.
As it stands now, Wally World is going gangbusters, but you could herd cattle through the aisles of Home Despot.
The small communities that were knocked down and left for dead by the big box stores still have a heartbeat. Faint, but it's there, and since the economy tanked, strangely enough, the heartbeat has gotten a bit stronger.
I have hope.
January 12, 2009 8:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
If you had burned that cross, I bet the invading merchants would have stayed farther away...
January 12, 2009 7:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
The imagery of a burning cross is disturbing to me, as well as to many others. Was it your intention to cause uneasiness for me?
January 12, 2009 9:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Note the "report abuse" button. Use it judiciously, of course.
January 12, 2009 9:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Migwetch, TheraP. I thought about that, but I haven't been here long enough to be able to tell how far is too far. I will give the gentleman some time to respond.
January 12, 2009 9:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hi Flower, I was just checking in. You ok?
January 13, 2009 12:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Migwetch for checking in, DD. I am fine. I am always fine. ;o)
January 13, 2009 9:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
good Flower. Have fun today.
January 13, 2009 10:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Come on CT. Some people get hurt even though you may be tongue in cheek. You can hit me any time you want. I lost my shame years ago.
Why don't you tell Flower you are sorry if she misunderstood.
January 12, 2009 9:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Number one: lighten up... it was obviously a joke.
Number two: ever consider this: to use the cross, a holy relic, for the purposes of self-gain in a secular sense would be considered blasphemous by some. Is that abuse too?
Or are some jokes okay and others not? Or maybe some joke tellers are okay and some not.
If you want to report this as "abuse" that's your business... but a thinking person may question whether the joke was in good or poor taste, but it's clear it wasn't aimed at anyone or any group.
TheraP loves to report me. Look how she tried to stir things up -- when she wasn't even involved. She went so far as to claim I was cyberstalking her (or so she said). No evidence for it. She just didn't "like me".
And then, let's talk real abuse: there was a whole thread here aimed at me yesterday/today. You know which one I am referring to.
I find it amazing how people who proclaim free speech, inclusion, and a bunch of other high-minded ideals, are quick to pillory those who are outside the cozy group. It's all about glass houses and the like...
And yes, I saw your quote about me and Truthseeker today. Was that called for? I wasn't even on that thread! Regardless of what one may think of my ideas and opinions (or how they are expressed), you have to admit that I don't go into the type of personal attacks that I see about me. Or do some get a 'pass' here on the abuse issue because the majority agrees with them?
As is usually my point, the people here often have opinions and ideas that are askew of their actual deeds and actions. Something to think about.
January 13, 2009 12:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
I have to support sometimes clearthinker on this one. I saw his comment on burning crosses as a benign attempt at humor. Perhaps it was misconstrued as SCT is not prone to humor, and is prone to pomposity and condescension.
January 13, 2009 7:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
I appreciate your honesty here, especially when I know that, more often than not, you are irritated by me.
January 13, 2009 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I try to call them as I see them.
January 13, 2009 3:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah CT, I have no problem apologizing and I did the same to TS and TS accepted it. And I do not wish to offend you anymore.
It is obvious that many bloggers here respect you, your ideas and your writing. That includes me.
So I apologize to you.
January 13, 2009 8:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
No need to apologize... I was never offended. This is the Internet and everything needs to be seen in that context. I was merely trying to show that consistency in behavior is an important thing. For example: suppose someone took the cross comment mentioned here as anti-Semitic? (Jewish merchants being warded away by a Christian God.) Stretching it? Perhaps, perhaps not. But if someone is that sensitive, the Internet -- and especially a forum on politics on the Internet -- should be avoided.
It all reminds me of a cartoon that I also posted below.
Truthseeker's post yesterday (which was sarcastic) was an interesting social experience. Too many immediately jumped on him for it because he irritated them personally. Only on a cooler reading was it obviously meant to be a joke.
Again, something to think about when coming to an Internet forum.
January 13, 2009 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jumping onto the abuse button was not the first thing that popped into my mind. While the initial imagery of a burning cross did give me a start (because I am a person of mixed race), when I reread the comment, I couldn't decide if it was inflammatory or not. No pun intended. Nor could I discern any humor. Burning crosses aren't funny. That is why I asked for an explanation of intention, which I have not yet directly received, to clarify this for me. Although it seems CT, you have no problem responding to me via others on this thread.
Within the notion of free speech, there are boundaries that should be recognized. Burning crosses, cancer, the child victims of war...these and other serious things need to be spoken of with great care and respect and should not be fodder for attempts at humor.
I am not seeking an apology.
January 13, 2009 9:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
This topic was well discussed in the 1980's -- in the comic section.
January 13, 2009 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
This may be easier to read.
January 13, 2009 12:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've been using the invasive-species metaphor for a while; I love it. I apply it to the apparent savings a company sees by getting labor in another country. The thermodynamic inputs are the same, the same hours, the same food consumed by worker, the same fuel burned to run machinery, but be cause the standard of living is different the workers get paid less, in a weaker currency.
So it is only the lack of adapted competition that allows the imported product to be successful. That is why I consider it like an invasive species, and not healthy for anyone except the invader. Wal-Mart as kudzu.
January 12, 2009 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
"So it is only the lack of adapted competition that allows the imported product to be successful."
I'd add that cheap oil is essential as well to make shipping affordable. Now I'll think of kudzu every time I see a wal-mart. Nice analogy Gregor & Tom.
January 12, 2009 12:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, cheap oil is the real enabler. The only problem is that now that we will have to manufacture stuff for ourselves, we will find we tossed out our infrastructure.
January 12, 2009 7:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not exactly, Tom. Farming out the labor often means (a) you don't have to support the same type of overhead, (b) you can get rid of these people at will without incurring lawsuits, (c) you don't owe them any retirement benefits.
This may sound terribly abusive to you, however, the US government farms out much of its work (to US citizens) for exactly the same reasons. It might surprise you how many "government employees" really work for 3rd party companies and not the US government.
January 12, 2009 7:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
CT, It's the next day so I do not know whether this will be read by you, but I am going to post it anyway. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Maybe the thoughts themselves are less then agreeable, but clearly [I'll just let the puns fly since we have already tread thru the kudzu and haiku] you do spend a lot of time with your thoughts before you put them here and you respond with a well constructed article. I think what bothers me is that I sense I thread of hopeless in what I believe is a willingess to change things. But at the same time, if we were not all interested in change, we woud not be here posting, Obamacans or otherwise.
Okay, to this post you refer to merchants as "you". I think of merchants as "they". I also separate the local merhcants from the corporate merchants and the international merchants from the American merchants. Frankly, simply because a company overseas is owned by an American, I believe it is as misnomer to consider it such and to by proximity allow those owners to be American seems a stretch. These are globalists and I would also suspect they have no love for the UN. Lawlessness is their preference and nationalism a mere tool to protect their interests all the while having no interest in how others fare.
These big boxes are globalists. They have no interest in how others fare and it is why they are so profitable. Damn them. I have little sympathy for their plight for they will never miss a meal even if they live a thousand years.
January 13, 2009 2:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gregor,
I hope you see this.
I'm sorry if you thought I was addressing merchant's with the term "you"... perhaps I could have used "one". My point was that the US GOVERNMENT farms out jobs just like anyone else.
Does that mean I think it's okay to farm things out that way? Quite the contrary: why isn't there a cry about the government doing this?
Of course, the big boxes are globalist. I've never bought exactly one thing at a Wal-Mart: I was literally in the middle of no where and I needed some hardware during a business trip. 20 years ago it was obvious they were a destructive force... and I put my money where my mouth is. So I think we agree about that.
As to the rest of it: I have been involved in making change... very, very small, but actual real change. I've done it. I daresay that makes me an optimist.
But if you want to make real change, it is imperative that you view the world as it is, not as you wish it would be. I think that's what rubs some here the wrong way.
January 13, 2009 7:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
I read and I concur. We are the change for which we have been waiting. Thanks.
I also agree that the consumers have been their own worst enemies sacrificing their communities for lower prices.
At the same time, it is our congressional representative who dropped the protective tariffs enabling cheap labor to prevail against US labor in spite of the increased transportation costs. I see that as a weapon in busting labor unions, too. These "representatives" actually condone lower wages, and people are eating up this argument as well, to their own detriment. It amazes me.
January 14, 2009 2:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here at TPM there is so much cross-fertilization of ideas going on. This is beautiful to see. :)
kudzu!
January 12, 2009 1:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
kudzu and haiku
both sprout quickly on this thread
Merci, Gregor Zap!
January 12, 2009 6:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ack! you floor me!
(In a good way)
January 12, 2009 9:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
The feeling is mutual, dear bwak!
January 14, 2009 2:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good post. And it highlights one area Obama should be focusing on. Because with the proper incentives, I don't think it will take very long for entrepreneurs to start small businesses that fill the void the the "big box departure".
If Obama could create these types of jobs, it will be a lot more impactful than some of the infrastructure projects that might be on the margin questionable.
January 12, 2009 6:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I will hasten to point out: Wal-Marts and the like thrived because people liked going there to shop. Reasons?
a) Price
b) Price
c) Price
d) Size and variety of inventory
e) Price
f) One-stop shopping
g) Price
In other words, the Big Box stores had the community support in what happened. Now, I happen to support the smaller shops unless their prices get out of line (which hardly ever happens). I feel I get more knowledgeable service. (Of course, what really impinged on things for the Big Box stores is the Internet. I admit to buying as much as I can over the Internet these days.)
However, it's tough to hear for the past 20 years about how Wal-Mart is ruining everything because it destroys small businesses. It didn't do anything of the kind -- *we* destroyed the small businesses because *we* were the ones that jumped onto the Big Boxes. All to save a couple of bucks.
It's hard to see them as predators when the prey willingly gets fat, slathers ketchup on themselves, and lies in front of their mouths.
It's the classic issue: short term gain over long term loss. It's a tragic pattern repeated in many ways in this country by the great majority -- seen most obviously with the notion of going into debt.
Let's call a spade a spade: we did this to ourselves. That's the real lesson. And now it's time to be thoughtful for the future -- assuming that lesson will stick.
January 12, 2009 7:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
The invasive-species metaphor does not impute intent. Circumstances encourage it, like failure of appropriate bilge-clearing procedures allow the nasties into a lake. Our failure to adjust tax and tariff law to reflect the cheap trick that is outsourced labor and manufacture allows the apparent savings to mean low sales prices.
January 12, 2009 8:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
All true. But the community could have also chosen specifically to support local shops and stores. Then all the regulation, etc. in the world -- or lack of it -- wouldn't have mattered.
There's nothing wrong with "unionizing" the consumers in a local community -- but attempts at this always seem to fail. People, in the US at least, will go for the cheap and sacrifice long term gain.
January 12, 2009 9:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
The question is which community? I need distant factories, maybe casting plumbing parts, or assembling brake pads, and at least some reasonable amount of wheat grown in the west, etc. The country as a whole is the community when it comes to income taxes and tariffs.
January 12, 2009 10:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
We were talking Wal-Mart and Big Boxes. So for starters, I'm talking about local mom-and-pop style stores, or local chains.
January 13, 2009 12:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
Tom, I never cease to be amazed at the wide interests of a musician. I stand for an ovation!
January 12, 2009 9:37 PM | Reply | Permalink