Watermelon Socioeconomics

I'm sure many people have watched this video (see URL in comments) or similar versions.

I'd like to suggest that the premise of this crafty/cute little clip explains the primary "divisions" of what we are facing in the world, give or take, pun intended. But first, I'm going to share a personal reflection on why this speaks so loudly to me.

Like many kids (boomers or older GenXers especially) I played marbles in elementary school. If you are good at Bocce ball that's probably why! By grade 5 I was getting bored with the game but I quickly got re-inspired when I realized that I could make money selling marbles! I first started selling my own collection but when I realized that I could buy a bag of marbles and sell them for 5X or more, one at a time, I became a dealer! I then had small bags of nickels, dimes and quarters. For a time, this was so exciting.

In growing up in a working class family, without any trade-based influences, I started to feel like I was taking advantage of the kids that weren't good at the game, or that "bought" my overpriced marbles without knowing it. For whatever reason, one day I decided to do a "scramble" of my entire collection! Standing on the "tower" as it was called (a wooden playground structure) I threw handfuls of marbles into the crowd of kids racing around to pick them up. At the time, this felt right, it felt good, but I clearly remember that it was a different kind of power.

Back to the watermelon video! My first watch of this little clip took me back to those years. Yes, this is what it means to be in business, this is how you do it! Win-lose, what a sucker, look how smart I am! Sadly, more or less, "many" people (including leaders of the free world) think this way.

Thankfully, more or less, "much" of the real economy takes a more mature view of trade and commerce. Vendors at local Farmers markets do not take advantage of each other's stock or pricing. A neighbour who is out of business can't lend a helping hand at harvest or in times of crisis (why would they if they got screwed when you were both just trying to make a decent living). Likewise, if you hold all the "cards" and the market changes, or people simply shop elsewhere, said inventory won't feed anything more than your ego.

Food for thought in these challenging times...

Win-win or no deal.