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Keeping Things in Perspective: What has not changed.

By Old Grumpy Guy on February 18, 2009 at 11:30 PM in Current Affairs, Economy, Infrastructure

Just to help put a broader perspective on the problems of America and the Earth in general, here’s a video entitled “ANDROMEDA” that focuses on the Cosmos, of which the Earth is such an infinitesimally small part. Whatever happens on the surface of our planet, it continues to spin through space just as it has been doing for millions and millions of years. From that point of view, nothing has changed.

Some other things that have not changed, in spite of the recession and the election, are:

* America (and the world in general) has the same productive capabilities that existed before the onset of the recession. While many companies are being forced to lay off workers because of the downturn in demand for their products, and some may close, what remains is the innate ability to produce these and newer products.

* Technology continues to advance, even in a recession and without a Grand Project like Star Wars to accelerate it, and new technological advances will help to increase productive capabilities, as well as help increase energy production and conservation, improve household and personal appliances, and manufacturing possibilities.

* America’s housing and general real estate portfolio remains the same as it was before the recession, even though the generally depressed economic circumstances have reduced the perceived value of the nation’s properties. I emphasize the word “perceived” because such values are always relative, influenced by psychology and fashion (“location, location, location”) as well as general economic circumstances, rather than the intrinsic cost of developing properties. America still has the greatest real estate in the world with the best “location” in being in the United States itself. It also has the most affordable housing if you compare it with most other advanced countries. Property prices, as well as stock prices for many companies, are now artificially low.

* America retains its greatest twin strengths – its infrastructure and its ability to mobilize people and resources more effectively than any other country in the world.

* The USA remains the most resilient country in the world with the hardest-working people. Whether or not that resilience will be dampened by political decisions remains to be seen.

* The country’s permanent, residual strengths vastly outweigh any temporary weaknesses or imbalances.

cynic

Yes! And bravo to you, Sir, for saying it!
Peggy Sue

Thank you for that, OGG. Beautiful vid and music. And frankly, we need a few pep talks right about now.

Nice way to end an evening on! Keep the faith.

I am :0)
anon

Bravo indeed! Thank you OGG, between reading your words about our great country and listening to the phenomenal piece of music, I actually teared up a bit. Really, Thank You.
OldGrumpyGuy

Wow. You teared up a little? What better compliment could one get?
anon

You flatter me but it is true. Living beside the cool analytic reasoning is a big, red thumping heart and your post was a trigger upon which both went soaring. Seriously, Thank you!
TeakwoodKite

Grats Old Grumpy Guy, it’s not like we are a nation of wimps. Stuff happens and people will do what is required to survive. Or not.

But that human energy can not be snuffed out.
socalannie

That was beautiful–both the post and the video. Thanks Grumpy.

How come I never feel this hopeful after hearing any of O’s claptrap?
elise

OGG, I agree with you the human spirit has always managed to triumph over adversities. Art, music and literature have been enhanced by new computer technology and there is a Renaissance in science fields dealing with quantum physics and electromagnetism. Unfortunately, in these areas at least, the US is losing it’s preeminence. Funding has been reduced or eliminated completely for superconductors and the Hubble telescope. Experiments in fusion (cold) have been crippled by lack of funding and over the long term, this is the best hope for an inexhaustible supply of clean energy. But *Star Wars* doesn’t seem like a Grand Project to me. While it’s true military research has produced some wonderful advances which have been translated into the private sector, the military budget in gerneral does not benefit our society, IMHO. Research on the ICBM system in Alaska has failed repeatedly to produce success and I, for one, will not feel safer knowing, when I look into the night sky, there among the stars is a deadly weapon capable of destroying humanity.
lark

I have the feeling that the inequities brought and presented to the nation by the two latest initiatives signed by Obama will turn your well meaning perspective on the resiliency, strengths, good nature, and vitality of our people and our economy into a complete an utter dysfunctional anarchy.

The only way that common citizens have to correct the wrongs that the mortgage and industry bailout will bring to institute a general malaise where people will simply act despondently against the social institutions.

I don’t see any other way that decent people will have to make wrongs created this week of February 15, 2009; the week that the moral fiber of the country was ripped apart. The week that decency and moral strength was undermined by the glee of those that were rewarded for being irresponsible.

America is being brought down by one very clever man. The now President of the United States. Today begins the era where everyone is equally chronically inapt and incapable of acting fairly towards one another. Today begins the era of general malaise and discontent in those that were the moral backbone of the country. Today begins the era of general schizophrenia and despondency towards each and every social institution in our country. No one who pride herself/himself of doing right will find the strength to continue to do so. Wrongness is the law of the land. May God have mercy on each one of us.
lark

Why is it that whenever I try to post on OGG threat I am prevented from doing it by the good old filter?
lark

OGG, since my posts do not appear because of some unknown reason, the only way I can summarize it is by saying: I think your good riddance review will turn into mighty sour grapes pretty soon.
lark

But that human energy can not be snuffed out.

I have a feeling that the events brought to us by President Obama on this week of February 15, 2009 will actually snuff out ‘that human energy.’ Just watch. No country can survive when those who do wrong are rewarded and those who do right are punished.
bert

What a beautiful, stunningly gorgeous video accompanied by a great essay. The video is a keeper and a go-to-often video. It is two minutes forty-nine seconds of pure bliss.

I like your confident attitude about America and her people. I have often said that America’s greatest attribute is her people and her creative, can-do spirit.

Yes, the economy is bad; and it may get worse. But even if a full fledged depression comes it will be an opportunity for new products and services to replace old ones. Companies that provide things that people need, or offer some new product or even better service will flourish and grow.

Yes, OGG, we must keep things in perspective.
OldGrumpyGuy

Good riddance review? I don’t understand. What good riddance review?
OldGrumpyGuy

Thanks bert. You always warm the heart!
oowawa

The mystery is this: we know we’re like meaningless insects on an infinitesimal speck of dust circling a mediocre star in an average galaxy among bizillions and bizillions of other galaxies in an unimaginably huge caldron of who-knows-what, and yet, from birth we all face the overpowering conviction that “I” am the center of the universe: food, pain, experiences, perceptions, all come to me, and seem to exist solely for the benefit of my ego. This has been called “the myth of central position.” (African Genesis)

Perhaps growing, as individuals and as a species, consists in modifying this “myth of central position” for a more universal perspective. But this is something we must learn, because all of our experience seems to reinforce the “myth of central position.”

Thanks for inspiring me to think confusing thoughts, Old Grumpy Guy. Interesting post!
OldGrumpyGuy

Thanks oowawa. Glad I got you to think.