Fanciful Friday: Localism

Localism is a philosophy that emphasizes the importance of local communities and economies. It advocates making decisions and developments at the local level rather than having larger, centralized authorities dictate them. This movement often promotes preserving local cultures, traditions, and resources, encouraging people to support local businesses and engage in community activities. By focusing on the unique needs and characteristics of specific areas, localism aims to foster belonging and sustainability, ultimately leading to stronger, more resilient communities.

While I believe in the benefits of localism, I have to admit I fall far short in practicing it, at least as a consumer. These days, I do a lot of my shopping online, and there are several reasons, or excuses, if you wish, for this. One of the biggest is convenience; online stores provide 24/7 access, allowing shoppers to browse and buy items from the comfort of their homes without traveling. Additionally, online shopping often offers a wider variety of products and better price comparisons, helping customers find what they need at competitive prices. It can also save time and reduce the stress of crowded stores and long lines.

Shopping online negatively impacts local merchants. The convenience and often lower prices of online shopping can significantly change local communities. When local businesses struggle to compete, they may close down or relocate, leaving online shopping as the only viable option for many consumers. Additionally, factors like inflation and rising gas prices make online shopping almost essential, particularly for individuals on a fixed income.

What got me thinking about localism this week wasn’t shopping. It was a YouTube video by North Wales photographer Chris Harvey of what he calls “Hyper-Localism.” In this video, Chris speaks of:

“There are more photos being shared today than ever before and with the rise of social media and AI, we often see the same style of photos: sublime landscapes, picturesque vistas and honeypot locations popping up time and time again. This online saturation is leading to fatigue…and there are much more interesting images to be made locally, images and locations that will be brand new to viewers, and locations that are so familiar to us they force us to be more creative and explore more deeply to keep making original images.”

The video, “Everyone Ignores This Genre of Photography, But It’s The Future,” is a little over 18 minutes, and while it might not offer astounding new discoveries for experienced photographers, I found it interesting, North Wales to be beautiful, and Chris to be easy and enjoyable to listen to.

Now, I would consider local to be within an hour’s travel, about 60 miles. It’s too bad we don’t all have North Wales in our backyard, but I guess those who don’t, like me, just have to crank up our creativity.

However, there is some meat on the bone of this topic. I have to say, when a photographer I follow posts photos of ordinary things from his local area, I find them interesting. They are real, and they carry a connection to the photographer that doesn’t come through in honeypot photos or AI, and they are very relatable.

Any thoughts?

May you have a peaceful and rewarding weekend!

…and then come back and continue visiting Meandering Passage!

😉