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The New Great Depression

A few years back Peter Schiff opined the Great Depression of the 1930s would look like a Sunday school picnic compared to what is headed our way. Without a doubt the cat is out of the bag. Everyone knows things are not going well. Unfortunately, it seems most people think that fixing the system, changing the politicians, tweaking the rules and the return to honorable ways of yesteryear hold the solution to restoring our idea of a stable and prosperous society.

The disconnect is easy to perceive when we compare black and white faded photos from the 1930’s of dusty farms, soup lines and children who don’t smile to the modern edgy world images from our cell phones, televisions and computers of how things supposedly are now. We live in a bright and vivid world where descriptions have been meticulously spoon fed to us so we will largely act according to how others might see us and we can feel better about ourselves. This only works until financial or emotional changes crash into our lives such as the Big One roaring towards us all now.

The New Depression already began and the news blackout is deafening. Continue reading The New Great Depression

A Change of Seasons

I have noticed how much more emotionally impacted I am by the change of season now then when I was a younger man. As the leaves begin to turn and the first crisp wisps of cool autumn descend from the north, all kinds of memories flood the mind and overload the emotions. In fact the other day while walking to the neighbor’s house I found myself tearing up a bit as I drank in the fall spectacular and thoughts of my younger years flooded in.

Much of our perception of ‘now’ is so heavily influenced by what ‘was’ that I am no longer certain if we ever truly know what ‘reality’ is. It is one of the reasons we are so effectively controlled and manipulated by advertising, education, government and politics as well as our ever evolving culture. As I like to say “Where we stand depends upon where we sit”.

We launched Two Ice Floes in February of this year, on Valentine’s Day to be exact, and have watched our baby grow and evolve over the last eight months. The life blood of Two Ice Floes is our membership and its heart can be found in the forums. While the ongoing conversation slowed a bit during the summer months as everyone enjoyed the warmth and activities that come with the season, now that fall has arrived and the kids are back in school with household routines re-established, as expected, we have noticed a distinct uptick in activity.

Essentially five or ten years from now these next few years will be looked upon as Two Ice Floes’s youth, when we were all trying to find our place within the growing community. How we perceive Two Ice Floes then will be heavily influence by what we are doing now. I for one am very excited to be a part of this little experiment. How about you? Please consider joining the crew today and become a founding member.

Cognitive Dissonance

Image is of the Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia.

The Cure for Aging

For several decades now I have not celebrated my birthday, not because I fear aging (though I don't necessarily enjoy the process) but because I find the entire exercise somewhat pointless and self absorbed. Obviously this was not always the case and some of my prior birthday celebrations were quite memorable to say the least.

Needless to say those close to me find this practice curious since it appears I am cheating myself (and others) out of an opportunity to commemorate another milestone. For me it is just another day on the calender and I am often reminded of its significance only when others mention to me that the day has arrived.

I feel the same way about most 'holidays' since many are either artificially manufactured for commercial/economic reasons or they are supposed to usher in the opportunity for perspective and self reflection, such as New Year's Day. From my point of view every day is self reflection day.

David Cain from Raptitude.com just turned 34 last week and writes about aging in his latest piece. While I suspect his point of view will change as his joints become more than just theoretical future aching issues, it is well worth the ten minutes to read.

Please click here for David Cain's "The Cure For Aging"

Photo Credit to Joe Del Tofu