Sunday, December 27, 2009

The case for a perpetual Christmas

Recession has been the most pronounced word of 2009. Some call it the credit crunch, some just blame it on their respective governments, some blame their luck, the economists write articles analysing the happenings through a seemingly intellectual eye. My understanding is rather simplistic.

Recession is lack of confidence. Recession is lack of balance.

Imagine a boat ‘the universe’ which is sailing in balance and suddenly everyone moves to one end. It is most likely to topple because of imbalance. This imbalance can be irrational exuberance (2005 – 2007) or unsolicited fear (2008-2009) and that’s what we precisely saw in the last 5 years.

Over confidence burst the bubble - stock markets, real estate prices, easy credit (the ability to repay - notwithstanding).

And lack of confidence is preventing the recovery because people are overtly fearful.

Has there been any significant change on this planet? NONE. The same number of people have same ambitions and aspirations and same desires. People over spent and over consumed and stoked an artificial boom that could not be sustained. NOW they are under spending and preventing a recovery.

But Father Christmas is an exception – His birthday is celebrated with unparalleled zeal. He induces hope that is illogical and belief in magic that is never seen. Young gullible children are made to write their wish lists early in December so that the lists reach Santa well in time. People over spend, over consume, become irrationally happy, develop unsustained hopes and promises only to realise that Christmas does not last forever.

Credit card defaults, home repossessions and financial exigencies are quite typical of any January and Santa is missing. Because Santa does not exist. December creates an imbalance towards one side, January towards another.

Why can’t Human beings learn to be rational? Be positive all year round. Live within their means. Invest wisely. Spend for all their needs but none for their greed.

And we will never have an imbalance and will stop expecting Santa to do miracles.

Or simply put – Have a year round Christmas with rational exuberance.

2 comments:

  1. If recession were to be, as proposed above, to be the lack of balance, then every household goes through mini recessions throughout the year. We've all been there and exeperienced that.

    A particular month has nothing to do with it. One can be cautious, very cautious, spend with restraint and rationale. Yet, an external force may impact the household and upset the stage.

    The Universe has never, and can never, be in perfect harmony. Imbalances within the 'ecosystems' reinforces Darwin's theory of evolution - Natural Selection.

    I quote Darwin, "…Natural selection acts only by taking advantage of slight successive variations; she can never take a great and sudden leap, but must advance by short and sure, though slow steps."

    If all systems were to operate at thier optimum and in perfect harmony, the old would not give way to the new. 'Recess'ion would not have an opportunity for small, incremental variation.

    The fittest would not survive. 'Recess'ion would not set the platform for retrospection, innovation and application of learning.

    Imbalance is a way of life. And so is irrationality. Both set the case for life to come around a full circle. And re-initiate the cyle of evolution.

    Till Santa makes another house call?!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Spot on with this write-up, I absolutely believe this amazing site needs
    far more attention. I'll probably be back again to see
    more, thanks for the information!

    ReplyDelete

Your comment is immensely appreciated and will be published for a discussion - soonest. Thanks. manu

 
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