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It's Not a Crippling Recession. It's a Learning Experience!

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quatrevingtquatre
07/17/09

In reply to It's Not a Crippling Recession. It's a Learning Experience!
Being unemployed is a learning experience for those who were already well-off to begin with. My mother, who subsists on social security benefits, has been applying for jobs for a year and a half now. She is facing down the prospect that she may not find any employment anytime soon. She recently asked to borrow money from me because she'd been reduced to buying those 3 for $1 frozen burritos for all her meals. These sorts of articles are so frustrating to me because the people who write them are so totally out of touch with reality. Out of touch in a way that isn't even remotely entertaining or charming.
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skahammer
07/17/09

In reply to It's Not a Crippling Recession. It's a Learning Experience!
Kurt Andersen has done some great work in satire, but the idea that he knows enough about America to deliver reliable commentary on the whole freaking thing (as a nation, economy, whatever) just beggars the imagination. If Kurt Andersen tried to "sum up" the attitudes of any group more expansive than the people who live on either side of his apartment unit, I'd get additional sources as backup.

Rushkoff does seem to be thinking big and asking an important question, though.
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dell123
07/16/09

In reply to It's Not a Crippling Recession. It's a Learning Experience!
No, it's a crippling expression
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htotheomo
07/16/09

In reply to It's Not a Crippling Recession. It's a Learning Experience!
I do think this experience (I am woefully unemployed, too) is going to change American culture in a way not seen since the Depression. The savers will continue to save, and those who did not will start. I will be the first to count myself in the latter category, but I do see change.
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felion
07/16/09

In reply to It's Not a Crippling Recession. It's a Learning Experience!
Memo to Douglas Rushkoff: Kurt Andersen is not above branding himself (WTF is a "media theorist by trade" anyway?): http://www.kurtandersen.com/
Please kick his self-important ass at your earliest convenience.
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Aidan_
07/16/09

In reply to It's Not a Crippling Recession. It's a Learning Experience!
After this work-study gig is done I will be too busy stealing all of my neighbors' shit and fencing it to reconnect with them.
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1.1.1.
07/16/09

In reply to It's Not a Crippling Recession. It's a Learning Experience!
They might learn that they don't need five TVs. But Andersen may be surprised to learn that there are vast numbers of people for whom buying the marginally cooler laptop never came naturally, because they couldn't afford it.

It's infuriating to be lectured on the virtues of modest living when you've never lived large.

The main lesson of the Recession for me is that money matters (If you're a basically decent person, you will strive to maintain your decency no matter how much money you have).

If a bright, poor, minority kid came to me and asked, 'Should I do public interest work or try to make a lot of money in the business world,' I'd say that unless public interest is the only thing you can see yourself doing, try to make money.

Money gives you power, including apparently, the power to condescend to others regardless of your actual intelligence and wisdom.
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ellagood
07/16/09

In reply to It's Not a Crippling Recession. It's a Learning Experience!
oh, yes! all of us struggling Americans who thought we were doing the right thing by putting money aside in our 401Ks and working hard towards a better future for ourselves and our kids deserve a good talking to. anyone who bought a home that they couldn't afford because the powers that be/were made it possible deserve a good spanking. OH FUCK YOU, Andersen.
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1.1.1.
07/16/09

@ellagood:

Yes, FUCK YOU, Andersen.
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PaisleyPajamas
07/16/09

In reply to It's Not a Crippling Recession. It's a Learning Experience!
I saw two homeless men get into a fight over the dropped change outside a drive-through window at my neighborhood burger joint last week. After reading what Mr. Andersen and Mr. Rushkoff have to say about working-class values in a recession, I'm trying really hard to keep my head from imploding.
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Edited by PaisleyPajamas at 07/16/09 7:48 PM PaisleyPajamas was starred PaisleyPajamas was unstarred

miss_msry
07/16/09

In reply to It's Not a Crippling Recession. It's a Learning Experience!
Thank God my six bedroom house is paid off so that all 36 of my unemployed close relatives will have a place to live. Excuse me while I go steal an Airstream and vamoos a Mexico.

Plus, I will be eating my pets.
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Edited by miss_msry at 07/16/09 7:38 PM miss_msry was starred miss_msry was unstarred

Nic Fit
07/16/09

In reply to It's Not a Crippling Recession. It's a Learning Experience!
Kurt Andersen could stand to shut his proud, Midwestern mouth once in a while. Is there anything more useless (or more blandly named) on public radio than "Studio 360"?
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momof3wildkids
07/16/09

In reply to It's Not a Crippling Recession. It's a Learning Experience!
"..there are vast numbers of people for whom buying the marginally cooler laptop never came naturally, because they couldn't afford it." I wouldn't say that number is VAST.

We are part owners in a bunch of multi family homes in an urban area of CT. Our tenants are hardworking, lovely folks that would be considered middle to low-middle income level. Prior to last year, 80% of our units have flat screen plasma tvs north of 60", satellite tv, shiny new computers, etc. They may not have a couch but they did have those electronics. That has changed in one years time.

I for one, think this recession has brought people of all financial backgrounds to appreciate simpler, more genuine things in life. It is the one silver lining in this nasty rain cloud.
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Cheap Shot
07/16/09

In reply to It's Not a Crippling Recession. It's a Learning Experience!
I'm cutting back by ordering weed once a week instead of two.
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Moff
07/16/09

In reply to It's Not a Crippling Recession. It's a Learning Experience!
I'm cutting back on luxuries and making do with what I already have by turning my fifth TV into a 70-gallon aquarium for the rare South American angelfish I just purchased.
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CaptainFantastic
07/16/09

@Moff: You'll save even more money on fish food when it's pestered by the other fish and dies in two weeks. Genius, you are.
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Edited by CaptainFantastic at 07/16/09 6:49 PM CaptainFantastic was starred CaptainFantastic was unstarred

daveyjonesisdead
07/16/09

@Moff: do you think the angelfish would mind if I bunked in there too for a little while?
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raincoaster
07/16/09

@daveyjonesisdead: The whole thing reminds me of an article I read in a British mag on doing crafts using "common household materials" like, you know, "Champagne corks, cigar bands" etc.
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themediatrix
07/16/09

In reply to It's Not a Crippling Recession. It's a Learning Experience!
Funny - this recession is forcing me to reconsider my values as well. What ever made me think I had to work at news organizations that were committed to some loftier goals (i.e. public radio)? Why did I ever think that creative integrity and high editorial standards were important?

What about the standards of a pantry that isn't empty? What about the standards of being able to take your cat to the vet?

I'm thinking that selling segments on a commercial TV show that does paid features isn't so bad after all, and I'm going to get that cover letter and resume into the mail tonight.

Yes, after two years of cutbacks and reduced income, I am indeed re-evaluating my values. Thanks Chris!
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