Quote of the Day
We are just at the VERY beginning of the scaling back process. With the country losing jobs like crazy right now, people who want to scale back might not even be able to because they are just trying to cling to what they have right now. Think about all those MILLIONS of people who moved…
We are just at the VERY beginning of the scaling back process. With the country losing jobs like crazy right now, people who want to scale back might not even be able to because they are just trying to cling to what they have right now. Think about all those MILLIONS of people who moved to the Sun Belt over the last decade and bought those energy sucking houses in the deserts of Phoenix, Las Vegas, etc. Many of them are trapped. Their houses are worth half, their electricity costs are through the roof and they now find themselves in cities which were born of the notion that bigger is better. We don’t hear about the shift as much yet, because those people aren’t yet packing up in any serious numbers (my few friends aside) because they are just trying to figure out what comes next. I guarantee you though, that a lot of people feel trapped right now in a lifestyle which they now realize is not sustainable for the long run. It won’t be until the economy turns around that many of these same people will be able to do anything about it though. This is not a blip, I don’t think. This is an earth shattering tectonic plate shift that will reshape the way people view their lives all over the world. I think so anyway. I also think that it’s necessary, and will ultimately be a great thing for the human race.
— by 11217 in Brooklyn Rental Market More Stable Than Manhattan
11217, I think your comments are all negative.
You perhaps have a religious calling or perhaps you need to go to the woods to purge yourself of whatever gluttony you believe your fellow citizens suffer from. I think you should talk to someone you trust about your odd negative feelings about your society and neighbors, you seem a bit confused. Son, this a blog about multi-million dollar luxury houses. Multi-million dollar houses that then require hundreds of thousands of dollars in renovation and redecoration costs. You are at the wrong cyber address. Try Mother teresa’s website, or better yet go to their mission near Christopher Street and volunteer your time.
I think my first comment about your posting was the most accurate, I really did not need to say anything more.
Good night now.
And if you listened to anyone but yourself, you’d know that I live in a studio, which is more than enough space for me. It’s one of my most favorite places on the planet, and I look forward to coming home to it each and every night. I don’t need more space, I don’t want more space and love nearly everything about my neighborhood. I’m totally happy here. Thrilled actually. Buying my apartment was one of the best things I’ve ever done.
I understand others need more space than I do, and that is perfectly reasonable. But I’m certainly not jealous. Far from it. I live an extremely fulfilling, yet simple lifestyle.
We are clearly very different people. I’m giving my opinions, just like you are.
Every comment you post is negative, Sam.
Think about that.
Again, I’m confused by your defensiveness.
Do you believe the U.S. needs to become MORE consumption oriented? That seems to be your argument here.
You don’t know me at all. You know a few comments I make on an anonymous website.
I find your comments on this otherwise incredibly interesting thread to be the most judgemental and apocalyptic in fact.
your electric bill is $25 to 30? Do you live in an SRO with one 20 watt bulb and an ice chest?
That is just ridiculous.
Maybe you should be less judgemental of others. it all stems from jealousy you know. Believe me, you are not the most optimistic person I know.
In fact I think you sound like a happiness anorexic.
p.s. I have a window air conditioner, which I run only when absolutely necessary.
I’m doing just fine without central AC.
It sounds like you live a pretty gluttonous life, Sam.
Perhaps you are so defensive because you need to do some scaling back of your own.
Sam, if you would listen to other people instead of trying to drown them out you would see by my last statement that I’m far from depressed. I’m excited about the possibilities.
I’m probably one of the most optimistic people you’d ever meet.
I look at this entire situation as a learning experience, a time to grow and a time to bond.
As for getting out more, I’ve been to every state in the country (have you?), about 25 countries outside the U.S. and plan to visit a new one every year as I’ve done for many years. Unlike you, however, I don’t close my eyes to things around me and only visit places like Saratoga.
I like to experience all of life. Even the ugly parts are beautiful.
And believe me…when I tell friends back in Phoenix that my electricity bill is $25-30 from October – June and about $70 from July – September, they definitely think about their living situation in a different light, if they hadn’t already.
Some of you don’t give people enough credit. They might not want to move to the Northeast corridor, but there are certainly ways in which every single person can find ways to scale back their lifestyle and live more harmonious with the earth and with each other.
Wow. Not used to seeing such profundity here. Good stuff.
And no, this is not at all apocalyptic. As 11217 says, this is a necessary and good thing for humanity. Our greedy, materialistic, superficial culture needs correction. And sadly, countries with rich cultures around the world mimic our gluttonous lifestyle.
There will be big changes and this is not just a bump in the road. The consequences of our population having a negative savings rate will begin to manifest.
But we, as a people, will be just fine. Like an addict – sometimes you gotta hit rock bottom before you see the light.