I agree with GWC. Passengers on the Titanic were still living in joyful denial even as it started listing. As a result most of the lifeboats were launched half-full or less. The residents of Pompeii carried on casually with life, even as Mt. Vesuvius rumbled. It's human nature. We can't stop living, but there is such a thing as living while keeping a watchful eye on Vesuvius. Local newspapers usually can't say anything bad about their local economy. Who are their only advertisers? It's just a fact of life.
SAMIAM said the good weather is important. I noticed that last summer, that people were magically appearing on the lake every time the sky cleared, and as soon as it got cloudy, it was dead out there. When gas was cheap, people boated no matter what. I think "good weather" is going to become an even bigger requirement as people become aware they're spending more money. They'll want increasingly better experiences for their money.
Economy-wise I think we're in a "watch" situation, which in the world of weather means go on living but be ready so you won't get caught off-guard if the watch is upgraded to a warning.
If you want some positive thoughts, I had this discussion with a friend of mine this week:
- America has an obesity problem that is a huge burden on its healthcare system. And now food is getting expensive. Is this really a problem? (Imagine Jay Leno voice asking this.) The reccomended daily calorie intake for an adult is 2,000 calories. That's a ridiculously small amount, when you think about it. That means we're spending tons of money on calories our bodies don't use. With the reccomended 2000-cal diet, I'm willing to bet we could all spend no more money on food than we did before (or even less!) and our bodies & doctors would smile.
- Cities have been struggling with ways to eliminate air pollution because of the health problems it causes, and at the same time trying to figure out how to accomodate congestion on their roads. And now gas prices are high and still rising. The previous problem is solving itself.
- Expensive gas has led a lot of people to start walking or biking for local trips. Some are switching back to manual lawnmowers and hand tools instead of gas-powered ones. Another solution to the obesity problem.
- How much of an issue would affordable healthcare be, if we got rid of all the nation's problems caused by unhealthy eating and breathing polluted air in the city? I see fewer people needing doctor visits!
- And finally, how much money do we currently spend as a nation, on things like diet plans, weight loss pills, and gym memberships? If such things were no longer necessary, there's a whole bunch of extra money we suddenly have.
