This year we have received the first great wave of the coming tide of immigration, the country has filled up more rapidly than for many years before, more new farms have been staked off and more land sold. And this year a spirit of sanguine enterprise has sprung from present prosperity.

When immigration was still something bullish ;)

FYI, this article was quoted to answer the question „why would a Georgist not leverage the machine?“ in a private conversation. Asked differently, are Georgists critical of technology?

George‘s answer is, I think, that the machine (the railroad in that case) centralizes the localities in California such that suddenly it‘s not enough to be the best black smith in the San Francisco Bay Area. No, now because tools and metals can be imported from other parts of California by train, it‘ll be necessary to be better than anyone in the state. This is akin to an article that Naomi shared the other day where it was argued that global competition of what we call success makes men leave mainstream society because nobody but one person can be „the best“ at what they do, whereas in, for example, the feudal class system it was obtainable to be a really good farmer in town. Just imagine becoming the best developer nowadays. It‘s basically impossible.

What I‘m not entirely able to read out is what George‘s actual criticism of technology is other than that it leads to wealth concentration.

I also noticed that he romanticizes a California rich, pre-settlement, of natural resources and I can‘t help but think that he romanticizes the American frontier, a moment when competition was still scarce and exploitation of the land hadn‘t happened yet.

How valid can it be to argue from this utopian point of view and translate the following advice to scarcity-reigned places like Europe?

For centuries every stone here has been turned around to find more of value. Now all that is left is the exploited land and the nations that have inherited it. There is an abundance in people, not resources, but a proximity and a willingness to make something out of nothing. The railroad on Europe brings people closer together because this is the only optimization still worth embarking on as a nation. If we can‘t pay the nation‘s budget from eg oil reserves, we‘ll have to being people closer together in the hope that they‘ll talk to each other and innovate. Or we‘ll have to make sure that they can do their job more cheaply, faster, better.

I don‘t think it‘s even still in the generational memory of Germans that there was once natural abundance of resources on their land. It‘s almost offensive and it feels foreign to the European mind.

What struck me though is that, at least in Germany, we have a cultural image of abundance in the doxology of the Lord‘s prayer (which is not the original bible translated verse): „for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen“

In South German protestant churches this is the prayer each mess. And yet I have only understood now, by being exposed to many Californians throughout the years, that this passage is about trusting (or having faith) in the godly existence of abundance.

Re: railroad's impact, I think George is right, and it's true that the Internet accelerated that effect.

I think the solution for most people (and businesses) is finding your niche.

As I wrote in "Why niches matter" (https://kanfa.macbudkowski.com/why-niches-matter):

"The business cliche says that “riches are in the niches.” It’s true that it’s easier to build a business that’s a big fish in a small pond than vice versa. And it’s also true for our passions, where we can stand out if we choose the niche carefully.

Some niches are based on scope. For example, you might not become the best programmer in the world because there are 20 million other programmers competing for this title. But… you can be the world’s best expert in a particular open-source library.

Some niches are based on tribes. For example, you might not become the world’s best biologist, but you can be the best biologist among your friends or in r/BiologiaBrasil.

Some niches are also based on intersections of different domains. For example, it’s hard to be the world’s electronic music DJ. But you can become the world’s best person who combines the love of anime, music, and podcasts like Akira The Don. 

Finding your niche means you can focus on what you do best and stand out easier. You'll face less competition, become a part of a more cozy environment, and really make a mark in a specific area or community. 

And yes, you might not become the leader of the next Project Manhattan. But your expertise in programming, parenting, or woodwork can help people solve their real problems. And it’s a valuable contribution to our society, that gives people a sense of belonging and pride."