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let the system burn, we need a new one

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

Our economy and civilization is clearly going through some kind of evolutionary period right now.

I get the impression that more and more people are starting to realize that they're broke, have fewer prospects for the future, are eating non-nutritious foods, own a lot of plastic crap, and are overworked. I read recently, for instance, that the difference in savings between a family headed by a couple under thirty-five now only owns 1/50th the wealth of the average retired couple. Thirty years ago this difference was "only" 1/10th.

I think that we need a new system altogether. It's not impossible to foresee this new future. First, we relinquish consumerism. Live without a car and TV subscription and you're half-way there. A car is a giant cash sink-hole and robs you of not only exercise but interaction with the world around you. And a TV is simply a time-suck. Do away with the expense of the car and the TV-inpired consumerism, and you'll free up your money for more useful things. Home economy means living within a budget, making things last, and purposefully saving; it's actually easy once you let go of stupid expenses.

Second, find new things to do with your time. Pay attention to each other, find meaningful things to do with yourself. I write; my wife sings and plays music; our three year old can write his name and speaks two languages. We're not brilliantly plugged-in with our neighbourhood, but I can't help but notice that most homes seem to be lit by a single flickering light as I come home in the evenings—this is a city of isolated TV watchers.