Economy isn't in shambles yet...
I've begun to notice that the economy isn't all that depressed. Yes unemployment is rising, and yes commerce is starting to slow down, causing the entire system to collapse and etc etc.
But, hasnt anyone stopped to think CREATIVELY about what our next steps are? Or are we just trudging along to the next year in the same way we used to do it before? In times like these, shouldn't we be putting more investments in the arts while we still can?
I, for one, have noticed changes even in a big city as Chicago. Given the fact that this place has seen its shares of ups and downs, I see something totally different: the faces of people here are starting to show hope for better tomorrow. Perhaps people are starting to think more creatively, and find other ways to not just "diversify", but also "innovate" in how we do things. There's the fact that this depression has just started to hit the major booming cities and the effect has started to take its toll, versus those back home in Michigan who have been living in this muck for the past 3-4 years. In any situation, people still find a way through.
I still think there's great optimism and hope. If anything, despite what the pundits say on TV about this or that, the truth is: if we all hang in there together, we can get out of all of this together. As my own experience in Michigan has taught me, we the people are much more resilient than some folks like to think. We're not giving up just yet, and we're not exactly looking for a free lunch either.
But, hasnt anyone stopped to think CREATIVELY about what our next steps are? Or are we just trudging along to the next year in the same way we used to do it before? In times like these, shouldn't we be putting more investments in the arts while we still can?
I, for one, have noticed changes even in a big city as Chicago. Given the fact that this place has seen its shares of ups and downs, I see something totally different: the faces of people here are starting to show hope for better tomorrow. Perhaps people are starting to think more creatively, and find other ways to not just "diversify", but also "innovate" in how we do things. There's the fact that this depression has just started to hit the major booming cities and the effect has started to take its toll, versus those back home in Michigan who have been living in this muck for the past 3-4 years. In any situation, people still find a way through.
I still think there's great optimism and hope. If anything, despite what the pundits say on TV about this or that, the truth is: if we all hang in there together, we can get out of all of this together. As my own experience in Michigan has taught me, we the people are much more resilient than some folks like to think. We're not giving up just yet, and we're not exactly looking for a free lunch either.