Working Class Economist: Celebrating “Cash Mobs,” Finally Something Viral Goes Useful

So much bad news comes out of the economy, that sometimes it can be easy to miss something positive. Coincidentally, so much useless news comes out of the internet (where a guy getting punched in the balls and his baby laughing at it will draw more viewers than any news oriented blogs like this one can hope to), that sometimes it can be easy to miss something useful.

Well, at long last something viral goes useful as the idea of appropriately-titled “Cash Mobs” has started springing up across the country.

For those unfamiliar with the idea of a “Cash Mob,” what they do is show up at a small business (typically one that’s struggling but not always) and flood it with a quick cash infusion as they buy every item they can get their hands on.

They show up, buy things to help out dying small businesses instead of big corporations, and leave just as quickly as they came. Now isn’t that a better use of people’s effort than a flash mob that just break dances to get on the prestigious network of YouTube?

I think it’s a great idea. A boom for small businesses and entrepreneurs as they continue to try to live another day against corporations. And I’d love to see more American effort go to actually making a difference like this instead of trivial “triumphs” no one will be clicking on in a month’s time.