August 18, 2011

Awareness without action is useless like a soldier without his weapon.  But action without awareness is as dangerous as firing a weapon with closed eyes.  True progress occurs if, and only if, awareness and action are combined.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warren Buffet has an opinion about the economy, and he’s optimistic.  He thinks that as soon as America’s housing construction returns, our economy will pick back up.  Buffet thinks that this could happen as early as 2013.  The oracle of Omaha thinks that America has the same strong assets that we’ve had for the past 200 years, and to be honest, I totally agree.

Unemployment is at 9%, youth unemployment is at 25%, 47% of American households couldn’t come up with even $2,000 on 30 days notice without selling at least some personal possessions, and it’s entirely possible to make a collateral attack style argument against mainstream economics, offering the idea that we are, actually, in an economic depression, and have been since 2008.

However, as I sit here at work on a short break, I realize that “the economy” is such an ephemeral, vaporous term.  In reality, it comes down to individual effort.  Life isn’t easy, and in this cold, unforgiving world of ours, nothing is free – you don’t even get what you deserve, you just get what you negotiate, and negotiations are rarely fair.

The world has rewarded me with amazing luck, and I will never forget it.  I will work hard.  I will grind it out.  When I can’t get up for air, can’t breathe, when I feel like the tidal wave of capitalism is washing over me and I’ve lost control, it’s just about continuing to work at it.  If you’re going through hell, just keep going.

To be able to work hard is a luxury many people don’t have.  Often, we are so adrift that we don’t even know where to begin our work, and in such a case, hard work is pointless.  It’s an honor to be able to work hard, don’t waste the chance.

Everyone has an opinion about the economy, but one thing is certain – the single biggest asset to our world’s economy is the powerful combination of awareness and action.  The number one primary determining factor in our economy is individual determination.  Forget the numbers, forget the analysts, just focus on yourself.  Make this world a better place for even one other person, and you will be rewarded by life.

Of course, business is only relevant to the extent that it affects art.  I’ve always said this, and I always will.  But good art can be well measured by its complexity, and can only be created by both awareness and determined action.

Our world is unfathomably complex and painfully beautiful.