Inspirational stuff

[peasea]

Not from an individual standard of living perspective. It will get better for most of the world. It will decrease in "Western" societies.

The overall effect will be a decrease in life expectancy, education and health standards, mobility both physical and social, and probably a radical change in Governmental systems.

Where once you thought a car was a necessary form of transport, you will probably be happy with a pair of enclosed shoes and a sturdy backpack.

Or a missus that can pull a rickshaw

[rainman]

Not from an individual standard of living perspective. It will get better for most of the world. It will decrease in "Western" societies.

The overall effect will be a decrease in life expectancy, education and health standards, mobility both physical and social, and probably a radical change in Governmental systems.

Where once you thought a car was a necessary form of transport, you will probably be happy with a pair of enclosed shoes and a sturdy backpack.

Yup, pretty much. But we will probably find a better way to live than passing our stressed out lives in offices and chasing money all day long.

Bummer about the life expectancy, but I'd trade a shorter life for a happier one. not sure I agree about education - sure, it'll change from what it is today, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.

Mobility, schmobility. We're in NZ...

[James Deuce]

Yup, pretty much. But we will probably find a better way to live than passing our stressed out lives in offices and chasing money all day long.

Bummer about the life expectancy, but I'd trade a shorter life for a happier one. not sure I agree about education - sure, it'll change from what it is today, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.

Mobility, schmobility. We're in NZ...

A less mobile society is a more conservative one, with entrenched ideals and values. Education always suffers in the face conservative values.

It won't be a better way. Harvesting crops by hand (or muck) is a really nasty occupation.

I don't understand your mobility point, but I don't think you get mine either. You won't have anough dosh to run, let alone own a vehicle other than a bicycle and a bike will make you a rich man.

[Burtha]

We've been through worse recessions ie; early 1990's after stockmarket crash i 1987-89. She'll me right mate.

[James Deuce]

Doesn't even vaguely compare to this one. That was a local event.

Trillions have gone out of the world economy. We owe overseas banks more money than we make. They're going to want that money back soon.

[rainman]

A less mobile society is a more conservative one, with entrenched ideals and values. Education always suffers in the face conservative values.

It won't be a better way. Harvesting crops by hand (or muck) is a really nasty occupation.

I don't understand your mobility point, but I don't think you get mine either. You won't have anough dosh to run, let alone own a vehicle other than a bicycle and a bike will make you a rich man.

I don't think it needs to be Western consumerism (nearly typed industrialism there, my silly) or subsistence farming as a set of bipolar extremes. We are a semi-intelligent species and hopefully there is scope for use of appropriate technologies to settle somewhere inbetween. There may be some psychological challenges to overcome though.

The (poorly expressed) point about mobility was "why would you need to go anywhere else, NZ has everything you need".

[idb]

It all just goes to prove that my "Spend Wot Ya Earn Today Cos Ya Never Know Wot Tomorrow Will Bring" personal fiscal policy has been the correct one all along.

I haven't lost a cent in the general collapse of the Western economic system because I never had any to start with.

[peasea]

Doesn't even vaguely compare to this one. That was a local event.

Trillions have gone out of the world economy. We owe overseas banks more money than we make. They're going to want that money back soon.

Let's sell Stewart Island.

[jim.cox]

Let's sell Stewart Island.

No - Lets sell the North Island - Nobody would miss it