Tars
03-23-2009, 08:32 AM
Like most people, I've been following the global news and broughaha about the current "economic meltdown". With all the uncertainty, and amidst all the pundits' prognostications about on-rushing disaster, I'm having a reaction I wouldn't have suspected: optimism.
I'm thinking that we're not experiencing an economic downturn of the status quo, but an overdue fundamental societal paradigm change. We're all being given the lesson that our society has become too obsessed with financial gain - too preoccuped with owning McMansions, costly motorized toys, and a big-screen TV.
The new paradigm forming seems to be leading us towards a lifestyle less focused on wealth creation, and more focused on the simple pleasures in life.
The "economic crisis" will be solved, not by a return to a 10%-per-year stock portfolio growth, but by changed (NOT reduced) expectations about what we need to be happy and secure. The solutions to me involve medical care security, food and water supply dependability, and general gradual travel and energy infrastructure improvements.
I'm feeling confidence as I see all the current changes as a series of stepping stones, not obstacles, to a simpler fulfilling lifestyle.
I'm thinking that we're not experiencing an economic downturn of the status quo, but an overdue fundamental societal paradigm change. We're all being given the lesson that our society has become too obsessed with financial gain - too preoccuped with owning McMansions, costly motorized toys, and a big-screen TV.
The new paradigm forming seems to be leading us towards a lifestyle less focused on wealth creation, and more focused on the simple pleasures in life.
The "economic crisis" will be solved, not by a return to a 10%-per-year stock portfolio growth, but by changed (NOT reduced) expectations about what we need to be happy and secure. The solutions to me involve medical care security, food and water supply dependability, and general gradual travel and energy infrastructure improvements.
I'm feeling confidence as I see all the current changes as a series of stepping stones, not obstacles, to a simpler fulfilling lifestyle.