Dear Friends:- Civilization
- Intelligence
- Normal
Another term that I thought I understood was "progress". To me, progress always seemed to have a positive, "moving ahead and making things better" feel to it. I have come to the conclusion that progress is merely change unless there is an element of improvement or betterment to it.
In the 1960's the American Dream was one of progress. We would be better-educated; employed, promoted and paid based upon education and merit, without social or racial barriers; a multi-ethnic but fiercely undivided society of foreigners-turned-Americans united under a banner of stars and stripes, of "Liberty and Justice for All"; inventors, innovators, initiators; harmonious, grateful people, with increasing amounts of leisure time as robots and computers evolved to do more and more of our work...
The American Dream of Progress was one that become a standard by which many of the World's other societies judged themselves. The United States set the pace. Our ways, our means, our ideology spread throughout the entire planet, and permeated every pore of so many other cultures. With improved communications capability and international trade possibilities, the United States transformed all of human civilization (whatever that latter term means). There was the dream of democracy, and the lure of lucre (I couldn't resist this biblical reference...calling it "capitalism" would be too easy, and would be too nonjudgmental).
Welcome to the Winter of 2008, and to our Progress Report, both for the United States and for the "westernized" portion of the World.
- Financial institutions are collapsing after years of reckless speculation, lending to unworthy borrowers, and hyper- leveraging every asset, both real and imaginary;
- Capital markets are imploding after years of spinning blue sky into fool's gold;
- Unemployment is rampant and rising, with those who are fortunate enough to be employed not earning quite enough to meet current obligations;
- The Middle Class is becoming poorer and poorer, with decreasing longevity and a diminished quality of life;
- Major businesses, after years of unjust enrichment, insane greed, creative accounting, wasted third-party money and growing inefficiency are pleading with their governments for bailouts -- which are, historically speaking, bridges to nowhere but to future inflation -- so that they may serve society by keeping the citizenry (taxpayers and voters) employed.
In basic terms, there has been a great deal of change, but no progress. Perhaps we have experienced "negative progress" or "dis-progress." The World is in an economic, sociological and emotional depression, with the United States (the standard-bearer) leading the way. A very small group of people have gotten unfathomably rich during the most recent years leading up to this season of reckoning -- and they have done so at the cost of everyone else. I will not name them here.
Here is what to expect during the span of time between this moment and the Spring of 2011:
- A steadily increasing role on the part of governments in commercial and personal affairs at every level;
- A reversal in the trend toward privatization, and an increase in governmental takeovers and "nationalization" activities;
- An increasing percentage of people in the employ of governments and their agencies, which is the only sector of the world economy where there will be growth in employment and jobs creation;
- A decreased emphasis on energy independence, education, physical fitness;
- An increased affinity amongst many people, feeling dispossessed by capitalism, to embrace socialist ideals;
- A tremendous increase in violent crime -- crime borne of desperation and the perception of a lack of any viable alternative means of survival;
- Gains in industries which serve vice and escapism, but which are not heavily invested in real estate and infrastructure. Liquor stores will do much better than theme parks in terms of solvency and profit margins.
- A decline in home ownership, and an resurgence in residential rentals;
- A precipitous decline in commercial and industrial real estate, while businesses migrate to telecommutation and cyberspace;
- A revival in religion, as is customary for Humans during a deep depression and a crisis of faith in man-made social institutions, and an increased look at self-growth and self-help movements and modalities;
- A slow but steady increase in the number of home-centered, internet-based entrepreneurial enterprises, and local "cottage" businesses;
- Logjams in the areas of courts and legal systems, and a decline in attention paid to the notions of "justice" and "due process of law."
- The professions losing their luster as they become less well-compensated, and as individuals start making their own decisions because of a decreased faith in the time-honored validity or utility in a Professional Opinion.
- A relentless sytem of tax collection, as governments need to find money to replace the funds expended on bailouts, subsidies and other economically non-productive activities and poor investments.
- A serious re-evaluation, amongst the World's populace, of priorities and values -- a great deal of fear, worry and introspection.
How do you take advantage of this adversity? I'll share my thoughts with you on that in my next post. I have a hint, though, which I will offer all of those willing to listen:
THIS IS THE TIME FOR CEMENTING RELATIONSHIPS AND BUILDING TEAMS. There are opportunities for safety, and even prosperity there.
Faithfully,
Douglas Castle
p.s. If you have not yet subscribed to THE NATIONAL NETWORKER's FREE NEWSLETTER, I would suggest that you do so now. It's free, but filled with priceless information. Go to http://www.thenationalnetworker.com/, or to THE NATIONAL NETWORKER - THE RELATIONSHIP CAPITAL TOOLKIT.
p.p.s. Start paying serious attention to the INTERNAL ENERGY PLUS MOVEMENT. Visit THE INTERNAL ENERGY PLUS FORUM and IEP.
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