by some_guy282 » Sun 27 May 2007, 11:31:17
Gideon,
I think I know what you mean. I started a thread not long back titled "Your friends, your family, and your money" that kind of alluded to the issues related in your story. Primarily I was concerned with a situation where the person in question then comes to you for financial help. But even if they don't come to you for help - it's hard. It's hard to watch someone you know making such big mistakes when you can envision the kinds of consequences they will be facing in the relatively near future...
You want to smack them across the face, hold them by the shoulders and shake them violently while screaming "CAN'T YOU SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING!?!?" Well, I know I do. But you know what? They can't. They just can't. All this PO stuff is so counter intuitive to everything they've known and thought for their whole lives and they can't imagine the kinds of changes that are coming.
What does your neighbor know about your perspective about debt and the economy that you've told him so far? Have you mentioned PO to him specifically? I'm wondering if he'll come calling when things do implode for him, with his ears open and eager to listen to your advice the moment it's too late. What do you say to him then?
edit: Just looked back and saw that you did post in my thread.
In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs it is the rule. – Nietzsche
Time makes more converts than reason. – Thomas Paine
History is a set of lies agreed upon. – Napoleon Bonaparte