The author doesn’t mention horses, but I think his points are right on target for the equestrian community. ETA: see .pdf in post 3.
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The article cannot be accessed without a subscription.
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Oh sorry! I thought people would get at least one free view!
Try this:What We Lose When We’re Priced Out of Our Hobbies - The Atlantic.pdf (1.2 MB)
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I read that. Nothing surprising, but yet another way people have disconnected.
I used to quilt a lot; I still have all my stuff including 2 sewing machines and so much fabric and so many UFOs… I stepped back for many reasons, including getting back into horses, but was becoming annoyed at the Evangelical takeover of my little corner of the quilting world.
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Such an intriguing title, such a disappointing execution.
I honestly don’t agree with him on the trends; IMHO there are so many more hobby options than there used to be, and overall they are more accessible, not less, with the rise of Youtube and all kinds of hobby information and availability online. Anything that involves travel or specialized facilities is more expensive, that I’d agree on.
However, I am quite worried for some of my hobbies in the coming two years, not that items will be more expensive - but that they won’t be made or available at all. The specialized $100 fishing reel he worries about may not be manufactured at any price going forward.
For example, the loss of Joann’s is a huge blow to anyone who does sewing. That was an unnecessary loss, due to vulture capitalists, but I guess any hopes we have for a second act or a replacement are quite gone now. Most fabric is imported; buying online is frustrating if you’re not expert in fabrics. And the little online specialty vendors will have their own struggles, while people who love to sew will wonder if they love to sew for $20/yard.
For us in horse-adjacent land, I worry about the impacts on Breyer Horses. Companies that make board and other physical games have already sounded an alarm.
Small parts, injection molding, if there’s something you enjoy that uses that, no promises the companies that make them will continue to do so.
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