I was thinking this evening about how every town used to have its butcher's store, its hardware store, its various small shoppes with folks selling what the grew, what crafts and arts they created, and their various skills.

And how this way of life has been more and more crushed and destroyed in a variety of ways.

The ways that struck me most were -- the big businesses with their ability to buy in bulk at lower prices, and then sell at lower prices and undercut any family business. Then I thought of the complex regulations and laws which prevent small family businesses from existing because of the costs and simple complexity -- too complex for many folks to deal with. Then I thought about child labor laws, and how children are forced to both be corrupted and miseducated while propagandized in public "schools" in various countries, and so for example the recent incidents in Germany where children are labelled "abused" who work at the family business.

Then I thought about technology and how it makes more and more of these small business jobs untenable because again, it favors the wealthy big businesses who can invest in the most advanced technology and mass produce the cheaper products, determining largely what people may or may not own by market forces.

Then I thought -- well, what does the future hold? What is going to happen as this continues in the future? Will technology reach a point where the small scale producer has a chance again? With the 'printers'? However.. if small families can afford them, why buy something from another small family?

And it looks to be that in the future making a living will be harder and harder outside of -- yes, the government. Just like what formerly was science fiction, those 'arranged' societies, full of government services to various people supported by robotic factories and technology. And so government power predominant. . .

Which is one of the signs of Antichrist, as he'll have tyrannical power over all people. While Antichrist's reign may be brief, for all its terror, -- brief so that some may be saved -- the devil always strives to create a system like that of Antichrist's in all times, and so some times are 'types' of Antichrist's.. not as terrible, but perhaps not too far from as terrible, certainly terrible enough. . .

Now the media gatekeepers and their cliques have their methods of concealing all the evils of these times, and convincing people to become their tools and part of the diversionary and whitewashing crew. . . So that people do not think about what is truly good in life, and to seek God rather than be pleasure seekers who are then disposed to be the tools of a government run system that provides useless pleasures, and thrives on people 'consuming' buying again and again, useless products that do not last. . .

But with technology advancing as it is, is there any path forwards for a simpler way of life for folks if things did not get much worse, or got a little better? For small family businesses? What could it all be like as technology advances further?

Well.. What do people think the future of small family businesses is?

In the past travel was difficult, women could not drive, families did not have cars. The local butcher baker and candlestick maker were necessary.  I am old enough to remember them and compared to supermarkets they were rubbish. Out of date products, running out of stock, half day Wednesday, lack of choice and higher prices. If they were the only baker in the village they had an effective monopoly position.

The world does not stand still.  Deal with reality.

On the other hand intercontinental travel used to be out of reach.  When I called pen pals in America in 1986 calls cost 1 dollar per minute back then. Now they are free.  At a buck a minute my phone bill would be 50,000 per year.

I run a small business, 10 employees which operates out of 5 countries, serves US customers mostly and uses the internet and phone to turn a large profit. I pay Ukrainians more than a typical shopkeeper earned years ago.

In the departure lounge now and about to fly to SFO. In ten hours I will be on the left coast 6000 miles away earning money.  England is no longer a nation of shopkeepers.

"Times change, and we change with them."

Final call, must go.

People want things yesterday, they want super convenience, they don't want to wait untill the Farmer's Market on the weekend when it's convenient to shop several small businesses at once or have to make 3 stops. That hurts small businesses too. People want factory style "perfection" and super cheap prices. I can make adorable baby quilts but I can't compete with a factory in China mass produced for bix box so earn I money other ways.

A little OT here. If you can find something that people will pay for it takes money to get started and that is another obstacle.  I know many who have their own farms and greenhouses. It's great for family life, all the children are included and their adult son's have jobs. If trads valued family businesses and young men having a family business we would have them. I wish I could have a business like that for my son to take over.

Just saw a news piece last night about a New England county who made there own local curency in order to keep the money curculating locally.   Take that you monopolistic capitalist.

I recall the local dairy in Mom's hometown before the old owner's son took over and sold out.

They sold delicious ice cream, one pint for seventy five cents, a double scoop cone for 50 cents. It was awesome.

Mainstreet USA was justifiably famous.

Yes, I remember growing up the little corner store at the end of the street run by two little old ladies. It was just the place for a young boy to run over to, and pick things up.

There was a little shack at the end of the road where a fellow sold 'magic tricks' all sorts of junk, but some things a boy would go wild for, like flashbangs you could put in folks cigarettes, caps, et all.

Then the ethnic conflict was starting however, Koreans were moving into the neighborhood, Italians moving out.. The Korean shops had some interesting stuff for a boy too, such strange stuff it was  back then, like nowhere else..

We used to live in a society where it was easy to be successful monetarily. Now it is very hard to be successful, no matter what ggreg says.

By successful I mean able to make enough money to comfortably support your family.

They are now talking about sending meat to China to be processed by Chinese labor and then re-imported.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/31/business/chinese-chicken-processors-are-cleared-to-ship-to-us.html?_r=0

Initially, the companies will be allowed to export only cooked poultry products from birds raised in the United States and Canada. But critics predicted that the government would eventually expand the rules, so that chickens and turkeys bred in China could end up in the American market.

The people who push for these sorts measures are seeking the ruin of their host nation.  They are parasites.

 :dancing-banana:
How about Ggreg sharing some of his wealth with those of us on CI who are hardworking folks still not able to make a comfortable living?  I put in 75-85 hours week at age 54 and just make ends meet for myself.  The problem, as I see it, is the lousy economy and changes for the worse in my profession. My income has remained static since 2006, while my working hours increased by a third, rent has doubled, "benefits" taken away, the cost of products gone way up.  The only way out I can see is to marry a rich man or win the lottery--neither is at all likely.  Training for another field isn't going to happen, either physically or financially.  At this point, I try to live day to day.  Many are in similar situations.  Those who are not largely don't care enough to help the less well off.  I'm not bitter or griping, just stating my experience.

What makes you think I am not helping some of the posters here?

That could explain some things.