What I see are distinct groups of people who appear to be living in alternate realities. In my line of work, I have the opportunity to talk with all kinds of people and the current economic crisis has amplified the differences in the way people see the world.
There is one group of people who say the economic crisis is fake because they are doing just fine in their lives and they don't know what all the negative news is about. It is as if they have closed their eyes to what is going on around them.
The other group of people I have encountered have lost everything: jobs, houses, cars, etc. For them, the crisis is very real.
The other group of people I talk with own their homes, have jobs and cars but know this crisis is not a fantasy because they are willing to see that stores have closed, "For Rent" signs are everywhere, empty houses and tent cities are real.
It is interesting to me to see how some people distort reality for whatever personal reason they may have. They seem unaware or unwilling to accept certain situations and to be truthful with themselves.
I think it is best to be as aware as possible of all situations in life and especially these troubled times and even though I love to escape for a while into my science fiction world, I also know when I need to be aware of reality.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_b.png?x-id=a05234fe-953e-4bad-aa5c-231f1c167a19)
4 comments:
I agree with you that is better to be aware and prepare for whatever is to come ahead. I think that some people just care about their own little tiny world and if it's doing fine then that doesn't tell them that the rest of the world is suffering. They just don't care about anything else. Maybe that is why the finances of the world are going down. Don't know. I can only speculate.
To me, it's better to be ahead of the game. I try to be realistic even if it pains me to acknowledge what's going on because in the long term the benefits and rewards are worth it.
There IS a global economic recession that it could easily turn into a terrible financial depression if the governments of the world and US citizens of the world don't do the right thing.
Now, please, don't ask me what the right thing is. I don't know anymore. It's so sad that as a society we couldn't take care of our own and we have come to this. I can only do my best and continue to work and provide my best services, save money, not to spend in superfluous things and not to live above my means.
I hope it's not to late. I hope we can learn from this and become better human beings.
My best wishes and blessings to you, Mish, to your readers, and to the whole world.
Thank you,Livingstrong, for that insightful comment. Yes, some people live in a bubble,if the bubble hasn't burst life is beautiful for them and the rest of the world be damned. What they don't realize is at some point the rest of the world will affect them.
I haven't met anyone that has lost her home yet but I know many unemployed people - myself included. My 401k plan probably lost half its value and I don't know what to do about it. I am very thankful that while I was working I could save enough "emergency funds" to live of off for 6 months or so plus as I was laid-off I am eligible for unemployment. I have no debt except my home mortgage and, thank God, the payment is low. So I guess I'm somewhere between not knowing how devastating it has been for some people and aware how others don't feel it and they'd rather not deal with it.
JLPeterson, I know what you mean, I am a teacher and many of my fellow teachers are getting pink slips and I am afraid of being next. I think I am in the group that is aware there is a crisis but I doubt I will lose my house. Maybe it has to do with where I live in CA.
Mish, thanks for putting things in perspective.
Post a Comment