The Artisan Economy

Institute for The Future: Future of Small Business Project

IFTF has a an interesting study sponsored by Intuit. (Yeah, can we say "SO/HO" as Hero?) Still, there's some interesting findings and conjecture past the feudal twist. A snip of the intro to the concept...

The next ten years will see a re-emergence of artisans as an economic force.

Like their medieval predecessors in pre-industrial Europe and Asia, these next-generation artisans will ply their trade outside the walls of big business, making a living with their craftsmanship and knowledge. But there will also be marked differences. In many cases, brain will blend with brawn as software and technology replace hard iron and hard labor. Yet in many respects, the result will be the same as it was centuries ago: artisans will not only craft their goods, but shape the economy with an effect reaching far beyond their neighborhoods, even their nations.

Kewl. Coupla things. I like the Craft precedent and it's well along to re-evolution since, ohh, maybe back to Altairs, Pagemaker, MJ Designs, MS Word, nano-brew kits and Whole Earth catalogs. Still, the precedent for reclaiming control over our time, space, energy and meaning is picking up. We'll see how the meme fares among the shiny-happy-flighy peddlers of conventional and establishment wisdom, though. (Soaking wet and emitting gurgling noises is a lousy way to discern waves.) For those that missed it, the Artisan premise reminds of piece CSM did years back

Christian Science Monitor: Return of the trades

With technology jobs tarnished and more careerists now searching for 'meaning,' specialized, hands-on work gains new allure

Finally, how bout those medieval references, eh? Maybe it's time to roll this out again and see how we're doing....

Short History and Future of Man & Commerce


(Click image for complete chart, 2350 x 2150, 136kb)