I think what we need is “balance”, there is a lot of BS going on out in the world but we need to be aware of our surroundings and what is going on that has a direct and indirect effect on our lives. We need to keep our eye on government and tell our legislatures what we think out here in the rest of the world. If we don’t they will be self serving with out input from their constituents. It’s not that hard send an email to a senator and let them know what you think.

Well said David.

I guess that I am really fortunate that my office is located in the middle of a 100 acre farming property. When I need a break from my Cyberian enterprise, I just walk with my dog across the paddock and say hello to my horse or my Irish Dexter cattle.

As an income stream, my farm is part of the old economy, and I only keep it for the joy it brings me. Thanks to the internet and the income it brings me, I can remain on my farm and enjoy this wonderful lifestyle that I have.

However, my real point is to extend a little what I hear you are saying.

The internet is a fundamental cause of this downturn. There are a few other dramas going on like the sub-prime crisis but underneath all of that is an economy which is shedding its skin. And just like steam and electricity in earlier times, information is the new skin of the new economy which is destroying the old way of doing things. For example, note all those newspapers going broke.

The genuine infopreneurs will lead us out of this downturn. By genuine I mean the Thomas Edisons who invent real lightbulbs that progress our planet; not speculators who create fatuous, profitless, public dot-com companies.

So, is it not marvellous to contemplate that little box you have on the seat on your balcony. Look out over your balcony and you can see a good portion of the world. Look into that little screen and you can see the world from a whole new perspective.

For the first time in our history, we are in close touch with each other throughout the world. And that is the basis of an exciting new economy.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful little corner of our world.

Dave,
I tend to agree with what you say – mostly. I don’t believe we can simply tune out what is going on in the rest of the world, and yes much of it is bad (see the Middle East, Darfur, etc.). All of this stuff actually does effect our lives in America, and is important to know about and be mindful of as educated citizens, if nothing else so that we can put pressure on elected officials to do something about it.

Alex: That’s true, and I’m not preaching irresponsibility. What I am preaching is being causative about what you let into your personal space. If you surround yourself with doom and gloom, you run the risk of becoming more like that doom and gloom.

The world is a lot calmer than the news makes it look.

Out at sea, on a balcony on a sunny day sounds like a great place to be.

I love the fact that some scenarios and some places just have a feel and ambiance about them that’s like no other place.

I agree with the premise. However, it depends on the resolution you are looking at. Underneath those calm waters, wars are being waged, sea creatures are fighting for survival, and some are losing the battle while others are winning and prospering. The same can be said for humanity. As an airline pilot, I used to look out at the vistas nearly everyday from 37,000 feet and the whole country looked like that…calm and quiet. Yet, just like on the sea, down below, wars were being waged, battles won and lost. This logic extends to nearly every aspect of life. The question we ask is, do we really care about every battle that is being waged? The 24/7 news is akin to someone telling us every single fish that is getting eaten under the sea.

Alex, while it’s good to know what’s going on as it relates to one’s life, the problem is this country (the US) creates much of the “problems” in the world by meddling in other people’s affairs whether welcome to or not. And then of course the mass-media then has something to “sell” and “hook” people with. ALL of the US’s involvement with the Middle East is pure chest-thumping. Those people had those conflicts, in many cases, since long before the US was born. It isn’t our problem. I don’t think most of those people even thought once about making it our problem – they were too busy with their own problems.

I guess what I’m getting at is the close ties of the military and the media. As David suspects, it’s all intentional, a power/money-making scheme.

The ocean looks calm, but deep down, the rich plant and animal life is full of competition, living and dying. The waters have international borders, which get into human battles. Global changes slowly will affect all the oceans and land. Oil disasters, etc. affect the water and the lives in it. Even the noise and discharge from your cruise ship will have an effect on the ocean. The world would be better without most men. Now, hear me out. Many women are evil. But the dominating spirit in most males, keeps our world full of corruption and dictators. A lot of troubles really begin in the newly discovered brain genes called MAOA. Please look up what a scientist found out about his brain. So, a cruise may take you away from the roaring crowds and the mass murders, but you are in the minority of humans who can get away. Back on land, survival makes people do things they would not choose. It has nothing to do with morals. Look to the genes. Men with MAOA will always be destructive. UNLESS we can eliminate evils which begin in the actual brain cells. It is sad how many people think peace is boring. They crave smoking, gambling, dangerous football, driving fast, hunting which is just killing, corporations, etc.