Shelton-Mason County Journal - Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886

Let’s you and I agree — for purposes of the point I hope to make here — that the U.S. economy has two groups: One is the group that buys new items, items like clothes, Post-it notes, push pins, ping-pong paddles, slot screwdrivers, French presses and automobiles. And the other group is the one downstream from the first group, maybe enjoying a swim while they wait for those items to float by.

When wireless earbuds became popular in the 2010s, I thought, “What a swell idea.” You can listen to any music you like while walking around, untethered. You can listen to the Kinks or Fiona A...