This blog is purely from my observations and based purely on anecdotal evidence “F**K Capitalism” starred at me from the back of a fellow patron‘s laptop. We both were regulars at our locally-owned coffee shop. I had seen her here often, and she would order her latte with oat milk and what I knew to be fair trade coffee beans and do homework on her mac laptop. I couldn’t help but notice her contradiction. She hated capitalism but was here reaping the benefits. She would only buy coffee at this small coffee shop if capitalism existed because entrepreneurs depend on capitalism. Her oat milk would only exist if capitalism had been around to create the market. So, of course, her mac book would only be around if capitalism exists. At this time, I started to observe Gen Z’s hatred of capitalism but its dependency on its benefits. I had many discussions with friends and acquaintances who believed capitalism was the enemy but then, in the same conversation, told me about how they had bought their necklace, mug, shoes, or even clothes from a small business or an” ethical store.” I would scroll through TikTok or Instagram and see small businesses advertising their products. Still, the following post on their profile would accuse capitalism of having more sales because Amazon was stealing all of their customers. With this, I want to pose the question. Why? Why is Gen Z convinced that capitalism is the problem when it is the only reason they can live the life they have requested, with their ethical clothing, fair-trade coffee, and apple products. Is it the media, peers, governmental/political influence, or environmental factors? To better understand my stance, I shop locally and at small businesses when I can. I do my best to buy fair trade, or the new term ”Ethically.” I also own Apple products. All of the things I have accused Gen Z of doing, but I understand that without capitalism, I wouldn’t have the chance to buy from small businesses or support the companies in which I believe. Why have most of Gen Z lost that ability, or did they ever have it?

Is Minimalism a threat to the American Consumerist Economy Hi, I’m Caroline, and I’m a practicing minimalist and have been practicing minimalism for the past four years. What is minimalism you may be asking yourself and how does impact the current American Economy? To the best of my understanding, minimalism is the constant process of analyzing ones need and minimizing a persons items. Also, to my understanding the American economy depends on mass consumerism. For a solid year I only owned 37 items of clothing and didn’t purchase any new items that entire year, compared to my friend who about about two items of clothing every two weeks. While there are many forms of minimalism and many different levels of commitment, personally I chose to avoid buying new items if I can, thrift, and don’t replace and item until its beyond repair. From my observations, most Americans have more clothing than they want, as their closets overflow, they bring even more clothing into their homes, falling into the trap American depart stores marketing. The American department industry depends on people over spending and overbuying. Minimalism requires people to evaluate their needs and downsize to what is appropriate items for your live. As the Minimalistic idea spreads across the nation, it could lead to people to stop consuming items which could possibly lead to profits falling for the stores in America.