Next to travel, my favorite hobby is shopping but the fact that I can’t go into big malls hasn’t really slowed me down. Because now, boys and girls, we have the internet, the biggest bestest mall ever invented and one that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s a consumer’s dream. And nightmare.
I have to remind myself that I’ve already gotten enough presents for everyone, because all those online algorithms keep shooting me ads for stuff that I really want to give to someone as well as ads for stuff that I really want for myself.
It’s never-ending. Doesn’t everyone want a hand-crafted wooden box to store board games in? And don’t I need another book? Just one more? And wouldn’t my favorite Succession fan want an “L to OG” T-shirt?
But here’s the thing. Instead of succumbing to our internet overlords’ not-so-subliminal messaging, I have decided to do the rest of my shopping non-virtually. You know, like, in person. By walking into a store. And seeing other humans. And spending my money locally. There are so many cute shops around owned by local folks who deserve our support with items both useful and unique.
Because let’s not kid ourselves. Those internet overlords track our every move online and decide what ads they want to show us. I’ve put an ad blocker on my computer, but the masterminds who write the code have figured out plenty of other ways to get through to the consumer in me.
Remember the days when the Sears Wish Book would arrive and you and your siblings would go through it, marking the toys you hoped to receive? Yeah, those days are long gone, as are so many Sears stores. And it seems that form of marketing is rather old-fashioned, doesn’t it? But it is far from extinct. Now, instead of one big Christmas catalog, it seems everybody and his sister sends out a flashy catalog of Christmas delights. I’ve been getting five or six in my mailbox every day lately. From popcorn to PBS dramas on DVDs, there’s a catalog for everything, which then leads one back to the yawning maw of Mother Internet.
Nope, that’s it. I’m headed out to do some local shopping. I want to see the faces of the people that I’m supporting. As one wag said, “Amazon isn’t going to support your kid’s Little League team.” So step away from the screen. It’s time to stimulate the local economy. I’m ready to do my part, as always!