Lifestyle Adjustments

Friday, January 25, 2019

I promised, before writing, to create a detailed outline of my intended blog. A logical roadmap makes writing easier than my usual method of winging into the clouds. Actually, today I awoke with an outline in my head–one I liked–about cats. I scrambled to scribble the ideas but couldn’t find a pencil. My sleepy mind erased all but the word, “cats”. So, here’s winging it, again.

I’m having a personal conflict over buying from Amazon where I’m tempted to seek items not stocked by the local Costco or Home Depot. I’m low on trash compactor bags, and need a trash container to replace the one now bent and unusable that hauls hay waste from my rascal trio of goats.

Amazon carries the items, without shipping charges, and for years I’ve ordered online whatever–from books to watch repair tools, and beyond. Gradually, I’m awakening to the size, affluence, and power of Amazon, and other biggies like Apple, Facebook, and Google. They collect data specific to populations and individuals, and know from our online purchases and searches what we like and need. Billionaires own the data and may use it to expand their businesses, to influence and even gain control of significant portions of a larger economy.

A decision to stop buying online is stressful. Online has made finding products easy while offering significant freedom from shopping in stores. Online makes it possible to avoid crowds, not wander aisles, and no waiting for slow checkouts.

I fear that collected data would let large wealthy entities pick and choose among people, and perhaps offer specifically to the youngest and healthiest less-expensive and better products that all humans need. It would be awful if there were very limited opportunities for affordable health care, access to top providers, availability of lower interest loans, and whatever else that people of all ages and physical conditions need.

I’ll quit shopping online and consider reducing any data I may generate. Maybe it’s a futile exercise for one who posts on Facebook and blogs online. Anyway, this is worth trying as my little part, with hopes that we all may continue to share fairly in opportunities to maintain optimal health and safety.

Dear Readers, have a great day! Diana