(no subject)

[cupcake_goth]

I know I'm privileged, and I know I'm adding to awful working conditions, the destruction of small businesses, and the evils of capitalism and the gig economy, but Amazon is a life-saver for me. I don't drive. When the Stroppy One goes out of town, Amazon Fresh and Amazon Restaurants are extremely important.

I feel guilty about using them, but I try to remind myself that my health is not always such that I can walk to & from the local grocery store. My chronic pain levels and migraines have dropped, but it's still a case of "What will wipe you out and make it so you can't get anything else done? WHO KNOWS?!"

Stupid body. This being mortal business is rubbish.

Comments

[gatheringrivers]

You might find this useful.

Sunglasses and a hat work nicely to combat migraines, too, when going outdoors.

[cupcake_goth]

I am very familiar with spoon theory. It's part of why I'm so delighted that there's a cross-stitch sampler out there that says No spoons left, only knives. :D

[gatheringrivers]

*cackles madly*

I'm gonna have to remember that one!

[leenerella]

I also understand that it's a privilege to be able to choose things *other* than Amazon. It's why people still shop at Walmart when they're awful-- sometimes it's the most affordable option, not only in terms of price tags, but also travel (one-stop shopping), and availability to a community. Complicated, but very true. So, while I try very hard to shop locally, I also don't shame myself or others for relying on it for whatever needs we have.

[gatheringrivers]

Or, as I pointed out to friends of mine once, years ago, when I worked overnights, and pretty much slept all day, 7 days a week, to keep my schedule regular:

"Find me something else with better corporate morals that's actually OPEN at 3am when I need to shop. I'll happily switch!"

....that was before the mass popularity of "everything on the internet" though.

[m_cobweb]

We're a minimum ten-minute *drive* from anything (and that anything is Fort Worden, which does have a restaurant but nothing like any kind of shop). This is one of the things I wish I'd paid more attention to, in retrospect! This is also a town where I can buy a $900 Indonesian teak coffee table, but not a set of cotton sheets. My options are to drive an hour to Target, et al, or to use Amazon. I don't love it either, but it's the only thing that makes it possible for me to live here without a constant level of frustration.

[sistawendy]

You're aiming for vampirism; I'm hoping to become one of Sorayama's gynoids. You rule the night; I'll take the day.

[staxxy]

it is important to take care of yourself.

and I concur on being mortal is rubbish.

[madgastronomer]

There is no ethical consumption under late-stage capitalism. I mean, we can try to be the least bad we can, do the least damage we can, but we also have a duty to take care of ourselves. Sometimes that means the trade-off is buying from a company we hate.

I do drive, but hate it, and try to avoid it as much as I can. I can drive to the hardware store and spend an hour and five spoons and a huge amount of anxiety... or I can order that air compressor I need on Amazon and not have to think about it and be more able to do other things, including taking care of my wife and being able to go to work.

[cupcake_goth]

There is no ethical consumption under late-stage capitalism.

Thank you, and I mean that very sincerely, for reminding me of that. It is a thing I lose sight of.

[madgastronomer]

I have recently had cause to remind myself, as well. You're quite welcome.