Taking the idea of invasive plant species and applying it to economics and social dynamics is really interesting. I definitely see that, and I mourn the loss of the locality I never had. I grew up with supermarkets and megachurches, and as you said — lots of degradation there.
I do wonder if there is a possibility of fusion of the two. What is stopping supermarkets from having "Local" sections? Are they inherently antithetical to each other (I don't know enough about the underlying business considerations of supermarkets to answer the question)? I read Iain McGilchrist's book "The Master and His Emissary" where he essentially argues that the "mechanistic" and "grasping" (think efficiency, tools) side of our brain has usurped the holistic, religious (think relationships, experience) side of our brains in modern culture...to our detriment. He argues that the tool side should be in service of the experience side. Can we find a way to make the convenience and easy access of supermarkets to better serve the local population? I don't know, but I'd like to find out.
Thanks for the great article — it's brought up a lot of questions I'd like to explore the answers to!
You pose a really great question regarding the possibility of supermarkets supporting the local common good (something I may one day write about). I can think of a few examples here in the UK where this has been done well (but it tends to be from regional supermarkets instead of the big national ones). On a broader scale, I think the profit focus and unequal contracts of the supermarkets is a key hinderance to the kind of common good action we would like to see. In times of economic down turn, it is always loss making or benevolent schemes that get cut first - so I would expect any local initiative run by supermarkets to be inherently vulnerable.
My chief concern, though, is that the presence of the supermarket themselves significantly erodes local food culture. It has been documented how fiercely locals have fought against supermarkets venturing into new towns (e.g. Sheringham in the UK) and how the food scene has changed post- their arrival. These towns already had thriving local food markets, shops etc. There was no need for the big supermarket to arrive, they simply wanted to expand into new markets no matter the consequences. Hence, I call them invasive and would view any subsequent local initiatives they attempt as "washing their hands of guilt".
Yes, I think that's right. The incentives of supermarkets certainly have nothing to do with local businesses, and a simple "locals" section would likely be relegated to image-garnering for the supermarket alone. The incentives are all wrong, and profit does indeed drive all.
I've got a second series planned after my I wrap up my architecture one exploring the roots of capitalism and how it has changed over its lifespan. I'll be trying to sort out if capitalism (and the profit motive) can be saved, or if it is inherently driven to suck the life out of everything. The problem is -- I don't know a better economic system. Once I dive into that exploration, maybe I'll have some further ideas.
On a bright note, I've heard of locals putting together farmer delivery services that help connect people through meetups and also offer a fair amount of convenience (people order in advance, and then everyone goes to pick up at a specific location all at one time). Not quite the same daily route as a more traditional society, but perhaps a better blend than what we have now.
Taking the idea of invasive plant species and applying it to economics and social dynamics is really interesting. I definitely see that, and I mourn the loss of the locality I never had. I grew up with supermarkets and megachurches, and as you said — lots of degradation there.
I do wonder if there is a possibility of fusion of the two. What is stopping supermarkets from having "Local" sections? Are they inherently antithetical to each other (I don't know enough about the underlying business considerations of supermarkets to answer the question)? I read Iain McGilchrist's book "The Master and His Emissary" where he essentially argues that the "mechanistic" and "grasping" (think efficiency, tools) side of our brain has usurped the holistic, religious (think relationships, experience) side of our brains in modern culture...to our detriment. He argues that the tool side should be in service of the experience side. Can we find a way to make the convenience and easy access of supermarkets to better serve the local population? I don't know, but I'd like to find out.
Thanks for the great article — it's brought up a lot of questions I'd like to explore the answers to!
Thank you, Ren, for this very thoughtful comment.
You pose a really great question regarding the possibility of supermarkets supporting the local common good (something I may one day write about). I can think of a few examples here in the UK where this has been done well (but it tends to be from regional supermarkets instead of the big national ones). On a broader scale, I think the profit focus and unequal contracts of the supermarkets is a key hinderance to the kind of common good action we would like to see. In times of economic down turn, it is always loss making or benevolent schemes that get cut first - so I would expect any local initiative run by supermarkets to be inherently vulnerable.
My chief concern, though, is that the presence of the supermarket themselves significantly erodes local food culture. It has been documented how fiercely locals have fought against supermarkets venturing into new towns (e.g. Sheringham in the UK) and how the food scene has changed post- their arrival. These towns already had thriving local food markets, shops etc. There was no need for the big supermarket to arrive, they simply wanted to expand into new markets no matter the consequences. Hence, I call them invasive and would view any subsequent local initiatives they attempt as "washing their hands of guilt".
Yes, I think that's right. The incentives of supermarkets certainly have nothing to do with local businesses, and a simple "locals" section would likely be relegated to image-garnering for the supermarket alone. The incentives are all wrong, and profit does indeed drive all.
I've got a second series planned after my I wrap up my architecture one exploring the roots of capitalism and how it has changed over its lifespan. I'll be trying to sort out if capitalism (and the profit motive) can be saved, or if it is inherently driven to suck the life out of everything. The problem is -- I don't know a better economic system. Once I dive into that exploration, maybe I'll have some further ideas.
On a bright note, I've heard of locals putting together farmer delivery services that help connect people through meetups and also offer a fair amount of convenience (people order in advance, and then everyone goes to pick up at a specific location all at one time). Not quite the same daily route as a more traditional society, but perhaps a better blend than what we have now.
Sounds like a good series of essays you have planned! A few books I would recommend:
1. Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire
2. Profit, an environmental history
3. Doughnut Economics
4. Religion and the Rise of Capitalism
5. For the Common Good - Herman Daly.
Fabulous — it's always hard to know where to start first. I've added these to my reading list and will definitely check them out. Thanks!