Gavin Orland

The economic situation

Gavin — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 08:11:46 +0000

I see the current economic situation, in the UK at least, as the logical conclusion of the “Because I’m worth it” culture, with both sides to blame. Those sides being the consumers who yield to peer pressure and decide that things like televisions and Xboxes are vital accessories which they must have now, and the greedy traders who seem to think that merely shifting money around is a real job. Buying and selling currencies, derivatives, bonds, and creaming off money for yourself is not earning a living. It’s just a kind of legal robbery, a parasitic practice which contributes nothing to the world.

Banks, in their greed, took advantage of consumers’ greed, and unfortunately we all had to bail them out. Such a sprial has to reach a terminus. There’s more to it, of course, but the above factors are relevant and symbolic of the age of decadence. People need to wake up and reject the bad values continually promoted in trashy newspapers and in the media generally (for example the glorification of do-nothing celebrities) and realise that there is no substitute for the fulfilment that comes from working hard and living decently within one’s means. People need to accept personal responsibility.

Observation

Gavin — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 18:18:59 +0000

The best way not to get caught is not to do anything wrong.

Awe inspiring

Gavin — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 10:17:38 +0000

The beginning of the film Contact, from the novel by Carl Sagan:

Oops! The latest free Adobe Flash Player™ is required to view this content.