First, let me say, “Thank you!” for reading my scratchings. My command of this language is too poor for me to express how appreciative I am. In short, if there’s no you, there’s no me, and there’s nowhere I’d rather be.

As Thanksgiving rolls around, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the abundance we often take for granted. No, I’m not merely talking about turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie.

I’m talking about the daily small miracles that capitalism delivers—the products and services that make our lives better, easier, and more enjoyable. 

Amazingly, we live in a world where people complain about “too much choice.” Numbnuts, they are.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate some of these underappreciated marvels of the free market.

Decaffeinated Coffee

Think about it: decaffeinated coffee is the perfect example of capitalism solving a "non-problem" in the best way possible.

Coffee's primary charm is its caffeine kick. It’s literally one of the reasons we’re able to stay awake for so long and work so hard.

Yet someone thought, “What if people just want the taste, not the insomnia?” And boom—an entire industry sprouted up to cater to this niche.

Thanks to market forces, decaf coffee isn’t just an option—it’s a good one. Roasters and suppliers compete to provide the smoothest, richest decaf blends possible. It’s a minor miracle that you can enjoy a cup of Joe at midnight without worrying about staying up until sunrise.

Zero Alcohol Beer

A few decades ago, zero-alcohol beer was a joke—either tasteless or nonexistent. Remember O’Doul’s? Awful stuff.

But capitalism doesn’t rest. 

Thanks to relentless competition and the new zero alcohol movement, breweries now offer non-alcoholic beers that taste shockingly close to the real thing. Whether it’s Heineken 0.0 or Lagunitas IPNA, the market identified a demand from health-conscious drinkers and designated drivers—and answered it beautifully.

This isn’t just a choice; it’s freedom in a glass.

Sparkling Water

There was a time when sparkling water was considered a luxury. Thanks to capitalism, you can walk into any grocery store and be overwhelmed by the variety: lemon, lime, berry, peach, cucumber mint—there’s a flavor for every palate.

While in NYC, I tried Hal’s New York Black Cherry Seltzer, which is the greatest thing since sliced bread—and zero calories to boot!

Companies like Perrier, San Pellegrino, and even private-label brands vie for your attention and dollars, driving innovation and lowering costs. Sparkling water embodies the beauty of competition: it’s not a necessity, but an indulgence made affordable for millions.

And it keeps you off the sugary Coca-Cola!

IKEA Furniture

Flat-pack furniture might not seem glamorous, but IKEA is a testament to the genius of capitalism. 

Affordable, functional, and (usually) stylish, IKEA’s products let a 20-something furnish an entire apartment for the price of a single designer chair.

By optimizing supply chains, logistics, and even customer participation (you build it yourself!), IKEA democratizes good design by removing the labor costs of building furniture.

Sure, assembling that bookshelf might test your patience - and your marriage - but where else can you get Swedish meatballs with your sofa?

The $20 Fountain Pen

Fountain pens were once the tools of aristocrats and intellectuals, costing a small fortune. Enter the free market, and now you can own a quality fountain pen for less than $20.

Brands like Lamy, Pilot, and Kaweco have turned what was once a luxury into an affordable everyday indulgence. Since it fits in my front pocket, I don’t leave home without my Kaweco Sport Fountain Pen. Every writer should own one.

Ein $500 Montblanc Meisterstück? Tell me you got a promotion without telling me you got a promotion.

Writing by hand becomes a joy, not just a chore, and that’s the magic of capitalism: it takes what was exclusive and makes it accessible.

PCs and Macs

Remember when a personal computer was the stuff of sci-fi? Today, whether you’re on Team PC or Team Mac, the choices are endless and accessible.

The Mac Mini is now five inches by five inches. Ridiculous. I just bought a Microsoft Studio Surface laptop so I can teach by drawing on my screen sometimes, while modeling in Excel other times.

Competition among giants like Apple, Microsoft, Dell, and countless others has driven down costs while boosting innovation. Your laptop may be your tool, but it’s also a symbol of the relentless progress capitalism makes possible.

Amazon

Love it or loathe it, Amazon is Peak Capitalism.

A vast marketplace where you can buy nearly anything and have it delivered to your door—sometimes within hours, even in the foothills of the Italian Alps.

Jeff Bezos didn’t invent online shopping, but he perfected it. Amazon's beauty isn’t just its convenience; it’s the empowerment of millions of small businesses that can reach customers worldwide.

It’s capitalism’s algorithm wrapped in a cardboard box.

FedEx, UPS, and DHL

Logistics might not sound sexy, but imagine modern life without FedEx and UPS.

Even worse, try imagining the damn Postal Service trying to satisfy the impulse-buying of over 340 million people. Fuhgeddaboudit!

These companies revolutionized shipping, making next-day delivery a reality and global commerce seamless. Whether you’re sending a birthday gift across the country or running an e-commerce business, these private carriers prove that when capitalism competes, we all win.

Wrap Up

These examples aren’t just conveniences. They’re proof of capitalism’s brilliance.

A system where profit motive, competition, and innovation come together to create an abundance of choices that make our lives better in ways we often overlook.

So, this Thanksgiving, take a moment to thank the Invisible Hand as you sip your sparkling water, jot notes with your fountain pen, or order a flat-pack table from IKEA. It’s working harder than ever to deliver the miracles we enjoy every day.

Happy Thanksgiving!