Not worth a plug nickel?
Jun. 22nd, 2020 12:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
blogcutterI've heard a number of people express the view that the ongoing pandemic will sound the final death knell for cash. Meanwhile, individual communities are frantically trying to salvage local businesses in a world where everything can be ordered online through Amazon.
So what's a savvy consumer to do? Wayne Fournier, the mayor of a small town in Washington, devised a rather creative solution: local currency, printed on thin sheets of wood, using an old printing press from a local museum:
https://thehustle.co/covid19-local-currency-tenino-washington/?utm_source=pocket-newtab
A loonie idea, you say? Well, in principle it's not really a new idea at all. I mean, it's not really any different from Canadian Tire money or coupons or food stamps or Rideau Centre gift certificates that can only be used for certain products or services from certain businesses. And often for a limited period of time. Still, it has more down-home charm than, say, a PC-Optimum Card. More power to 'em, I say.
If we can save that mom-and-pop dépanneur or that greasy spoon diner where they know all your kids or that independent bookseller or your special hairdresser or that funky little boutique with the personalized service, then we'll all be well-placed to weather this and move forward together after the ordeal ends.
But in the huge open economy of our cyber-world, is it still possible to think globally and act locally?
I hope so.
So what's a savvy consumer to do? Wayne Fournier, the mayor of a small town in Washington, devised a rather creative solution: local currency, printed on thin sheets of wood, using an old printing press from a local museum:
https://thehustle.co/covid19-local-currency-tenino-washington/?utm_source=pocket-newtab
A loonie idea, you say? Well, in principle it's not really a new idea at all. I mean, it's not really any different from Canadian Tire money or coupons or food stamps or Rideau Centre gift certificates that can only be used for certain products or services from certain businesses. And often for a limited period of time. Still, it has more down-home charm than, say, a PC-Optimum Card. More power to 'em, I say.
If we can save that mom-and-pop dépanneur or that greasy spoon diner where they know all your kids or that independent bookseller or your special hairdresser or that funky little boutique with the personalized service, then we'll all be well-placed to weather this and move forward together after the ordeal ends.
But in the huge open economy of our cyber-world, is it still possible to think globally and act locally?
I hope so.
