At times of war, elections and other mainstream events, ideas can be expressed like the towering billboards of Orange County or the unwanted newspapers of Today’s Local News. The internet runs rapid with pushy spam. News stations claim to be unbiased but easily drift. Word-of-mouth information is as incoherent as an early morning bar conversation and facts blur with every passing minute. The static melodies of the radio brainwash like the subliminal ad-campaigns of witty executives and a sticker on a bumper represents a catchy slogan. We alter our bodies with colorful inks to showcase intimidations and a license plate drools with abbreviations. The burning sun is periodically censored like an eclipsed moon by waving ads pulled by puttering planes and loopy transients ramble life stories on dirty street corners.
I spotted this idea on my way to work today. As my cold truck gurgled down Jefferson Street, my eyes awoke and began to wander. The corner house with glowing palms showcases a variety of eye candy: a palm thatched cabana, tiki monster palm trunks, a flying gargoyle, a glaring pirate flag and a bright yellow fire hydrant. Occasionally, a crude stenciled board will scream statements at passing cars.
A statement provokes thought in the the viewers, but a question asks for an answer. Not only do they seek to ignite a mental analysis, but they also ask for participation, a decision and interaction.
What if they had a makeshift ballot where you could check YES or NO? RECeSSION or DEPRESSION? Would you interact?
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Now im no big city economist, but I choose recession. Everyone freaks out when we get a recession. Our economy is a self correcting entity that feeds off of supply and demand. Hey, if were down it will come back up. if we want to really speed it up, lets stop buying Chinese crap and buy American. Lets stop making crappy cars and people will buy Fords instaed of Hondas. If we recede anyway, its ok like a wave, it must recede to come back. It will always be like this and its not necessarily bad. Were up, were down. Depression is just when we are really down, we get depressed, but in my opinion, lots of people in America need a taste of life without money. Then they won’t be so prone to wasting things. Don’t worry though, somebody will fix everything right. theres someone in charge right?
Unfortunately the economy can’t be up all the time. There’s a lot of stupid craziness that’s been going on too long (giving people with crappy credit/job the financing to buy $800,000 homes) and this is the unfortunate correction. I am not being glib; I have well educated CLOSE family members currently out of work because of this – I’m just saying that we have to pay the piper at some point, and it appears that’s what we’re doing now. I also agree with Dan S. about “…lots of people in America need a taste of life without money.” Most of us want what we want, and we want it NOW. What ever happened to self denial and actually saving for something we want?
Again I have to go back to what Dan Schonberg said about peole needing a taste of life without money and I add to that life with out things, meaning warm water or just running water and electricity and produced food! I used to live in a wooden shack on a hill that over looked an albertsons and I often sat at my window or on my roof and dreamed of the power going out and how happy that would make me, if not just for one night. But what if it were not just for one night? Would we be able to survive? Do you live be running water were you could “naturally” grow your food? Could you survive with out it being handed to you? And Mr. Schonberg what makes you so sure it WILL always be “fixed?”
Well Solie, people survived for centuries without power. The Amish survive to this day without electrricity. I don’t wish malnutrution and disease on society I just think for the long term health of out world, we should unspoil ourselves now and then living outside of the comfort zone. Then we will be so much stronger when the economy goes back up. It will be like training/running with ankle weights. we learn how to survive with no money and be happy and then imagine how happy we will be after that with money. As far as what makes me so sure that it will bounce back? Because there is too much at stake. Economists and finaial experts can adjust interest rates and make other programs to re-stimulate the economy. Sure, I could be wrong too.