By that I mean finding those responsible for this global mess whe're in and assigning blame. (Other than to ourselves, because buying that new car or 3rd TV had nothing to do with it - so don't worry it wasn't you)
The witch-hunt has begun in a world gone mad.
Interestingly, mad also stands for Mutually Assured Destruction, another 20th century invention. Given the economic interdependencies that are created by globalisation (I am thinking about China's financing for the US economy for example), M.A.D is as strangely appropriate allegory.
The Americans are still looking for someone to blame (They have a pretty large selection to choose from so it may take a while) whereas the French seem to already know: everyone - except themselves.
Both include large numbers of citizens taking to the streets and providing deep insight into the global financial crisis.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | M - Th 11p / 10c | |||
| Rage in the Streets | ||||
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The French for their part, believe that stopping working for a day will help get them out of the crisis. They have even named the strike "Rêve Général" which rhymes with "General Strike" but means "General Fantasy"
... What an appropriate use of the word...
The Icelandics are going back to subsistence farming after a spectacularly bad stint in Finance (Great article by Vanity Fair) and the UK is taking a strong interest in livestock keeping once again following the quasi disappearance of its banking sector.
(Interestingly, its banking sector was the solution devised by Mrs Thatcher to re-establish the UK to its rightful economic rank following its post WWII decline...)
The pope, in the meantime, is blaming the rise of HIV in Africa on condoms... Well it wasn't the only rising statistic this week: it seems Ratzinger's crew has been busy again this year...
MYOB, pope.
It seems few have any useful advice on what to do in these difficult times. Interestingly, one person's popularity seems to rise during downturns: Ayn Rand, the 20th century philosopher and author.
My brother even pointed out that The Economist has a name for it: The "Atlas shrugged" Index...
As it happened, I discovered her work only recently and purchased "Atlas Shrugged". It is a 1000 page weapon of mass distraction which I have yet to find the courage to start reading...
These interviews will give you a taste of her philosophy of positivism however - she was an intellectual giant for sure...
Part II is here. R.E.S.P.E.C.T .
Gary Jules in his cover of Tears For Fears' original "Mad World", captures the mood of the moment pretty well:
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