A rant about economics. By me.
Week 1 in the NFL is in the books.
In a special nod to all Americans, of course the opening weekend of NFL football falls on the 10th anniversary of September 11th. Amidst all of the patriotism displayed in red, white, and blue gloves, cleats, and ribbons all proudly displayed, only one thing came to my mind: who really gives a shit about terrorism now?
Big business is who gives a shit about terrorism. How much money do you think Reebok is going to clear having players wear patriotic equipment? How much do you think the NFL is going to clear between broadcast rights and the Sunday Ticket [now conveniently also available on your PS3] at $350 per household for the season because heaven forbid I be able to watch a Bears game living near Seattle?
Take that outside of football for a moment, though. Major League Soccer had players wearing "Never Forget" cleats that were being auctioned off for charity. Major League Baseball ran tributes. Some teams wore new alternative uniforms. Two words for you: marketing and money. Obviously I must purchase and wear these things to support my team and prove that terrorism doesn't work, right?
I know it sounds skeptical, but that's all terrorism has become - how much money can I take away from someone or how much money can I make off of someone. We live in a fear based society because we live in a consumerism driven society. The government makes money when I spend money. It takes money to fight terrorism. It takes money to rebuild after a terrorist attack. It's a dirty, dirty cycle.
The only way to change this is to change our culture, unfortunately. With knowledge doubling every 18 months and projected within the next 10 years to be doubling every 6 months, in addition to our perceived need to have the latest things immediately, things are only going to get worse and worse. More fear = more products = more spending. That's how our government and others around the world are going to stay in power, so that's exactly what will be constantly shoved down our throats.
So what can you do? Save your money. Eliminate your debts. Don't just purchase things because someone tells you that you should. Make your own stuff. Start an art project. Do anything that is different than the current political and economic norm. That is how you defeat terrorism, my friends. Not by spending the almighty dollar or euro or pound or whatever else, but by making yourself and your family better than you were each and every day.
However, if you must spend your money on something, a purchase of a Pummelo product or a click on an advertisement helps continue rants like these.