Connection = Culture

Happy Friday! The ironic biz buying and selling newsletter that’s digital yet encourages you to have a coffee in person with someone.

This week's IRL moments:

1. Our neighbors could be the key to avoiding extinction. 

2. Connection = Creation

1. Our neighbors could be the key to avoiding extinction.

Could efficiency accelerate human extinction?

This New York Times opinion piece got me thinking—no, not about spreadsheets or ROI, but about culture and technology. 

The article highlights how our relentless pursuit of tech advancement might be crushing the soul of society like a frat boy crushing a beer can on his forehead. 

The writer notes we are trading convenient Amazon deliveries for our local shop.  And DMs for chats over coffee… but at what cost?

Imagine your local hardware store, your local coffee shop or any local business that has been a haven in your community for decades.  

The place where we can get some caulk for a DIY project and get a tip from a fellow DIYer.  I admit I, too, trade these things for a delivery to my front door or the efficiency of a big box store.  Not only might our spending patterns be hurting these small businesses, it might also be killing our culture.  

We can see this in a shift from local politics to national politics.  From waning attendance at our religious institutions.  And IRL chats over coffee for digital interactions.  

So, here's my takeaway: 

I’m the first to admit I need to rethink my digital-first approach to shopping and interacting.  Although efficient, it is eroding the culture of my local community, chance encounters with someone new and risks accelerating the failure of all things local that have built and nurtured local culture.  

A good buddy told me recently he spends at least 2 or 3 days a week having coffee catch-ups with friends and colleagues.  

I’m going to aim for at least in person coffee or lunch each week.  I’m going to ask myself before I click that “Buy Now” button if I can get this locally and walk or drive to get it from my local merchant.  

My goal is to contribute to a more resilient local culture.

2. Connection = creation

Every year I plan an annual guys' weekend. This includes my dad and his buddies and a few of my buds.

I look forward to it like Christmas.

It's on the calendar for the same weekend every year.

And that weekend was this past weekend, Trout Opener (In Michigan the last Saturday of April).

By making it a year in advance, it is easier to get coverage from our wives.

It also tends to entertain us throughout the year in our group chat as we find humor in the shenanigans from the previous year’s trip.

This year was no different. We had no cellphone service or internet access, we created new memories as we fished, laughed, froze, and ate like kings.

We took no pictures, so the fish tales can grow bigger each time we tell the story!

Happy Friday ya’ll!

👋 Know a small biz owner who’s thinking of selling in the next 5 years? Hit me up—I’d love to connect.