Comments on: Why the recession might be the best damn thing that ever happened to you

By: srinirao

srinirao — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:00:32 +0000

@Armen: I think there is no doubt that society as a whole wouldn’t buy into this mentality. That’s because it actually requires effort on our part to see things like this. It’s much easier to blame things on circumstances. I’ve by no means perfected this, but it’s been said so many times “When you change the way you look at things, the way things look will start to change.”

@Gordie: There’s no doubt that the need for security drives us. It’s not easy to just say screw it and walk away.

@Dani: I think it’s either see it as a positive for be a victim of all of it. I think it’s better to see it as positive.

By: Positively Present

Positively Present — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:48:13 +0000

Awesome post! It’s so cool that you’re seeing the positive in something that most people view as really negative. Love it!

By: Gordie Rogers

Gordie Rogers — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:17:34 +0000

I think the reason that some people would be motivated by that list because a basic human need is security. Some people think that’s enough. Not for guys like us, but for them it is enough. Horses for coarses.

By: Armen Shirvanian

Armen Shirvanian — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:54:05 +0000

Hey Srinivas.

It sure can be the best thing for pro-active folks. It is not so good for those wanting to smoothly ride things out, as smoothness has been altered a bit.

You are right about how those few goals are not worth much. Contentment and barely meeting the criteria is not what we should be striving for. A shift in perspective takes a strong mind, so it is not for everyone, but it changes what we are capable of. I usually don’t shift my perspective much because it takes a lot of effort.

If all of society was talking like you are talking here, would we have a recession? That might be an over-simplified question, but I’d say not as much of one. Perception is a big part of the recession.

Most people surf down a wave, but you are surfing to the top.

By: Srinivas Rao

Srinivas Rao — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:50:02 +0000

@Jenny: No doubt we have a chance to really do something amazing. For the first time in history we actually have the capabilities, technology and resources available to us at virtually no cost. The other thing that is absolutely awesome is how many people that are out there that are willing to help at no cost. I think what we are going through is a sense of community among citizens of the world like we’ve never seen before.

@Dave: That’s definitely a bleak perspective, but I can see your point. Having been through both dot com bubbles myself and been on the tail end of them when I graduated twice, I would say the amt of false value created is scary

@Kenji: I think we’ve got an interesting ride ahead of us and I think were going to get definitely get some interesting opportunities out of this.

By: Kenji Crosland

Kenji Crosland — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:35:10 +0000

This recession is tough, no doubt. It’s going to force a lot of people to create opportunities instead of trying to hunt them down. It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be scary too.

By: Dave Doolin

Dave Doolin — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:07:49 +0000

I’ve been waiting for this sucker for a decade. The dot come was supposed to have erased the false gains accrued since 87 when monetary policy started really easing. But it didn’t.

If they manage to “contain” this and blow another bubble, the next crash will make this one look like a walk in the park. On a warm, sunny day.

Speaking of which… health care and education are clearly in economic bubbles.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:29:34 +0000

Love this. You know, I completely agree. Without the recession, maybe the bi-annual raises that are typical of normal economical times would have made us all a little too comfortable to settle into a life of mediocrity. However, without those, many have been forced to break into the creativity vault and really find out what activities they love doing AND can profit from. The recession makes even those primary goals tough to accomplish, and further, it makes you realize that even if you only met the bills, covered the debt, etc. – you wouldn’t be truly happy.