Comments on: 44

By: David Blakeslee

David Blakeslee — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:59:19 +0000

Narcissism, self-pity and depression are a nasty combination…no economy can protect us from it.

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:37:57 +0000

There is a lot of stress out there right now. A man killed his family just yesterday. Of course he has a choice and control but in his mind (in the state that it was) his decision was “correct”. But most of us will not kill our families and then suicide. But vices always do well in an economic downturn – sex, drugs, and gambling. And these are not good choices either – really. We can express ourselves differently and choose differently (obviously millions of people have been doing so for thousands of years) But like you, I’m not sure I understand what compells us to throw our hands up and make choices that seem extreme to the norm.

By: David Blakeslee

David Blakeslee — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:48:13 +0000

Is optimism a realistic reaction to difficulty?

By: David Blakeslee

David Blakeslee — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:47:43 +0000

Thirty years ago, wasn’t the Japanese economy the envy of the West?
I recall managers praising Japanese corporations and mimicking them in training American workers.
Do individuals have a choice about their behavior during a recession?
This isn’t about SSA, but it is about the same argument: how much control do we have over our lives and how much is determined by factors outside our control?
Old psychological theory of internal vs. external locus of control.

By: Drowssap

Drowssap — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:57:07 +0000

Evan
That’s so sad. A nation’s wealth comes from it’s productive capacity. Most politicians aren’t smart enough to realize this. Rubles, Pesos, Dollars have no intrinsic value. It’s the goods and services the nation produces for itself and other nations that have the value.
—
Japan is a particularly sad case. Their economy has been in the toilet for nearly 20 years because of bad government policy. And now as the world heads into another depression they will fall even further.

By: Evan

Evan — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 04:28:23 +0000

Drowssap, Until now, Japanese workers used to focus on the B option. Now one big Japanese firm is switching to option D, for more or less economic reasons. It happens in my country too, so I'm seeing a trend here.

By: Drowssap

Drowssap — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 04:11:10 +0000

Eddy

Now, you’re behind that pool of thousands of job-seekers. It sucks. It really sucks.

I think this is particularly true for older workers. When a guy hits 50 and he’s unemployed he’s got a tough road in front of him. Companies want to hire 20 year olds with 20 years experience for $20,000 per year.

By: Drowssap

Drowssap — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 04:05:35 +0000

Britain is drowning under a mountain of debt just like the USA. Fortunately for the Limeys their government has found the perfect sollution. Work less! Britain is facing return of three-day week --- If you had a friend drowning in debt what would you tell him to do? A) Use his extra money to pay off debt B) He should work harder, longer or smarter and find a way to earn more money C) Earn more money AND pay off debt D) Work less --- The British are strongly considering D. Work less to get out of debt? Only a high government offical could devise a plan so cunning. Bwahahaha!

By: Eddy

Eddy — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 04:04:41 +0000

As I type in the background…on the news…
“More and more we realize how important it is to look your best in this highly competitive job-market.” Unemployed people spending up to $300 for little tucks, removals, injections, make-overs. I recall hearing a similar toned story over the weekend.
Target Headquarters, a few blocks from where I work, laid off 1,000 employees today. Our Ford Plant closing. Best Buy layoffs. I spoke with a ‘dislocated’ friend who sensed his layoff was coming so wasn’t surprised when it did a month ago. It’s time for the 2010 Census to begin. I gave him the local contact info for that. He’s more optimistic than most. But will that simply be a short term fix? It’s good for a year maybe…and then, there you are looking again. Now, you’re behind that pool of thousands of job-seekers. It sucks. It really sucks.

By: Eddy

Eddy — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 03:46:38 +0000

Portion size!!! duh!
But not just the size of the portion. I get by just fine using half the shampoo they recommend; with concentrated fruit juice I’d always add another 1 to 1 1/2 cans of water; concentrated detergents–well, how dirty is this load?. I’ve shaved without shaving cream or after shave for years.
Some mixes. I love Manwich….but I add another half pound of the ground beef. I get the flavor and my Joes ain’t so sloppy. I like that.
Let’s not rule out gluttonous tendencies! True confession time. I’ve been the rounds on pizzas and, for the money, give me a Tombstone sausage (I’ll doctor with onion, green pepper, more cheese)…the 12 incher. It says 3 portions right there above the cooking instructions. It never turns out to be 3 portions for me… Ice cream? That’s another portion size I ignore. Rarely allow myself to have it around. Dark chocolate…