Everything we want today is an email away and not necessarily of top quality. But, in the olden days, we bought items that were strong and if by chance they broke down, we sought a repair man and tried to let the item last as long as possible. But now, we simply replace.
Back in time, we purchased goods from established merchants and tried to get the best deal for our money. Our homes were built, usually on one level with two or three bedrooms to ensure that the family was comfortable and if by chance we travelled, we furnished it as best as we could over time, always staying within budget.
Fast forward to today and everybody does their personal shopping online, they seek the best and the most popular brands and everybody stays trendy, regardless of the cost. The now trend is to have nothing old fashioned, nothing that is outdated and everything has to be the latest.
For instance, these days nobody wants an old-time vehicle. Now, it’s either electric or hybrid, motorbikes now cost more than vehicles and fossil fuel vehicles are considered out of style. If you build a home it has to be several storeys high, the land has to be in a posh area and no more rum and Coca Cola, your choice drink is Hennessey, branded drinks or Scotch.
Local seamstresses or tailors don’t make clothes anymore, as designer outfits have to be bought from a recognized brand outlet, and paying the extra postal costs is no big thing, as we have become very sophisticated. Everybody is working for big bucks, everybody had a degree, no more eating chicken backs, as we dine in class.
While the First World ensures they promote these sophisticated wears and promote their goods and services lifestyles, no doubt some parents assist, because the new philosophy is “What I didn’t have when I was growing up, I want to ensure that my children have in their life…”
When my friends visit my home, they have to be impressed and so, until death do they part they are always indebted because it’s now easy to borrow to have and lending institutions give money to waste more willingly these days.
If you don’t have a job, the government will give you a bang start to start your own business, so now it’s about the Youth Economy and everybody is in the having a business and vending is a craze. Nobody pays attention to world trends, nobody takes time to understand the One Currency system that is creeping up and the One World Order that’s on the horizon and the upcoming global meltdown, because we are too busy living it up. Nobody buys land for planting, as it’s all about real estate and tourism.
But I caution that we remember the song from Peter Tosh about ‘The day the dollar die.’ When the shit hits the fan all that we think we have will be taken over by our debtors, as the system is planning our downfall, with no cash and no material assets. And since the new trend is ‘vive molle’, plenty of people will get burnt in the not-too-distant future.
We are all living on loans, a superficial lifestyle without guarantees, no back-up plan and when what is the norm crashes because of world economic trends and Mad Man political policies, we will be hoping that the government will come to our rescue.
All I say is ‘Tan ti, Tan toe.’ Information and knowledge are widespread, but we sometimes behave like we live outside the global issues. We see and know what is happening with gas, but we buy new vehicles daily, we see the up-prices at the supermarket, but pay little attention. Education costs an arm and a leg. Holidaying can cost a pretty bundle, but we look but seem not to see.
Now, we behave like tourists at home, a family lunch is a takeaway package and there’s no time for old fashion modules. We even go boating on weekends because it’s the lifestyle that shows how successful and affluent we have become.
I can’t say that this new-found freedom and lifestyle is not worth living, but as I get older and wiser I recognize that we are hanging our hats higher than we can reach. Family is out of the window, kids have their own agenda and after retirement, believe it or not, you are on your own. Friends only stick around when the going is good and medical care starts becoming a nightmare.
So, being conscious can make a difference between you and your future and dealing with the upcoming crisis is serious business. But, being blind should not be an excuse because we all have eyes and we can all see that today is not yesterday and tomorrow is looking further away than today.
Take warning folks because I will not like to be the one always saying: “I told you so…”