[Ibon]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ennui2', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Outcast_Searcher', '
')

So this is a completely subjective thing..

[ennui2]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('careinke', '
')I am basing this on demographics, most of us baby boomers are retiring, and we are such a huge population bulge, what we do overrides everything economically.

[onlooker]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'S')ubjective thinking (or more appropriately) subjective value-systems means that most people don't really care about what's beneficial to the biosphere. They simply want a system that benefits them--in the now.

[MonteQuest]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ennui2', ' ')Monte just spent a lot of energy trying to tell us that boomers retiring plays little role, but I think more attention should be spent on it, considering how big the bulge is.

[Ibon]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ennui2', '
')
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ibon', '
')Subjective thinking effects our ability to recognize that if the elite continued to exploit the middle class until they were reduced to serfs that this might actually be beneficial to the biosphere.

[Ibon]

Most folks in this region of Panama are well fed and have shelter to sleep in. The lowest wage earner has a cell phone.

[sunweb]

How Do You Know When Your Society Is In The Midst Of Collapse?
by Brandon Smith
As economic turmoil worldwide becomes increasingly apparent, I have been receiving messages from readers expressing some concerns on the public “perception” of collapse. That is to say, there are questions on the average person’s concept of collapse versus the reality of collapse. This is a vital issue that I have discussed briefly in the past, but it deserves a more in-depth analysis.

What is collapse? How do we define it? And, are some of the notions of collapse in the public consciousness completely wrong?

It’s funny, because skeptics opposed to the idea of a U.S. collapse in particular will most often retort with a question they think I cannot or will not answer – “So, Mr. Smith, when specifically is this supposed collapse going to take place? What day and time?”

My response has always been – “We’re in the middle of a collapse right now; you really can’t see it right in front of your sneering face?”

The reason these people are incapable of grasping this kind of answer is in large part due to the popular mainstream conceptions of systemic collapse. These are conceptions that are for the most part delusional and not in line with the facts. The public idea of collapse comes predominantly from Hollywood, and not from personal experience. For the masses (and some preppers, unfortunately), a collapse is an “event” that happens visibly and usually swiftly. You wake up one morning and behold; the television and phones don’t work anymore and zombies are at your doorstep! Yes, it’s childish and cartoonish, but anything less than a Walking Dead/Mad Max scenario and many people act as if all other threats are benign.

This is the driving reason why many Americans are absolutely oblivious to the economic instability that is rampant and blatant within our system the past few months. They might see the same signals that alternative analysts see, but these signals do not register in their brains as dangers.
read more:
How Do You Know When Your Society Is In The Midst Of Collapse?
Alt-Market.com - supporting local economies, barter networks, farmers initiatives, and alternative currencies backed by tangible commodities.
alt-market.com|By Brandon Smith

[AutomaticEarth]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('onlooker', 'S')ince the economic situation is fluid and different in different areas of the US, I thought I would create a thread whereby we can call contribute our personal experience, observations and insight as to the economic situation in the neck of the woods where each of you reside. I do this because I find people do not trust certain media or sites and others trust those same. So I highlight personal, so that everyone can relate what they are verifying with their own senses as to the economic situation or via personal anecdotes. I personally, in my neighborhood do notice economic stagnation, less workers, long lasting shut business premises, less food per package. Thoughts? Oh and people from others countries feel free to chime in.

[Outcast_Searcher]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Rod_Cloutier', 'I') work for a mega-corporation food wholesaler. The company is absolutely panicked that growth has slowed from the 30 year long term average of 15%, to 7-8%. They are buckling down, cutting waste, trimming high wage management positions, and increasing sales targets to get growth back to 15% per year.

I don't personally see it coming. I think times of 15% growth per year are done, and 7-8 % isn't that bad really. Woe to business as usual if growth actually fell to zero or if margins started to contract. The whole economy of scale business model would crash and burn.

The steady state economy that so many people speak about achieving is a myth; we either grow or collapse.

[Outcast_Searcher]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ibon', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ennui2', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Outcast_Searcher', '
')

So this is a completely subjective thing..

[ennui2]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MonteQuest', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ennui2', ' ')Monte just spent a lot of energy trying to tell us that boomers retiring plays little role, but I think more attention should be spent on it, considering how big the bulge is.

[ennui2]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('sunweb', '
')You wake up one morning and behold; the television and phones don’t work anymore and zombies are at your doorstep! Yes, it’s childish and cartoonish, but anything less than a Walking Dead/Mad Max scenario and many people act as if all other threats are benign.

[ennui2]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', 'T')he post Soviet-collapse renewal and continuing economic health has only been possible because of the its export markets.

[ennui2]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', '
')At least not for me. Maybe for you...

[dolph9]

Here in DFW people are still doing alright, but completely clueless as to their actual wealth. They are not poor, by any means, but they aren't as wealthy as they think.
Say, for instance, that you think your net worth is a million, but your actual net worth turns out to be a hundred thousand, in purchasing power terms. You will not be among the poor, but that's still a big difference!
Same thing for ten million vs a million, etc.

I am still convinced everybody has an inflated paper wealth.

But the realization hasn't hit because America has slowly turned into a fake economy. Fake it until you make it, image is everything, debt fueled consumption.

When does this end? Who knows. I thought this would all be over years ago.

[Shaved Monkey]

The billionaire developer went belly up his development got sold off for less than half price his dream of a 6 star resort remains a dream.