Calling all fans of the Great Depression

[Paisley]

The concept of building more close-knit ties to people is actually the one big thing I'm looking forward to if a large economic crash is to occur. Our society really needs to re-build those bonds. Some change can be good.

Why not do this today?

 

[Dixon Cannon]

Originally Posted by ScionPI2005
The concept of building more close-knit ties to people is actually the one big thing I'm looking forward to if a large economic crash is to occur. Our society really needs to re-build those bonds. Some change can be good.

This will be essential if we are to protect ourselves from the roving gangs, thugs, bandits and parasites that will be preying on the 'haves' in neighborhoods across the country. Nothing brings people together like mutual protection of possessions and property. The term militia comes to mind!

-dixon cannon

 

[ScionPI2005]

Why not do this today?

Oh I wish we could do it today, and some of us do. It just seems like from a collective standpoint, the majority of our society does not do this.

Neighborhoods used to be so much more community oriented. Neighbors looked out for the kids in the neighborhood, and fought crime with networking and social bonds. There just isn't that motivation to know your neighbor anymore, and some people don't seem to really want to know them. Sure, I'm only 23, so I wasn't alive in the times when people were less individual-oriented, but I can imagine how it could really improve our society to return to community-orientations. I know it could sure help me in some ways!

 

[Paisley]

Suggestion: do your neighbors a good turn. Make some salsa or something and give some to your neighbors. (Just tell them you made too much for yourself--it'll be true.) Or have a weenie roast or something. I bet they'll be more helpful when you need a good turn.

 

[Joie DeVive]

Paisley is right. Get involved.
If you want a connected neighborhood, you have to find one, or make one. The neighborhood my husband and I moved into was really friendly from the get-go, but the fact that we threw a pot-luck house warming and invited the whole block didn't hurt.
The fellow across the street has helped my husband with the lawnmower a few times, our next door neighbors have shared their garden's produce, and my neighbor across the street recently showed up on my doorstep with a bouquet of chrysanthemums because she was going out of town and she figured they'd go to waste. When the little old lady up the street had her garage door break, half the block stopped in to make sure she was ok.

Forming a community may not be as difficult as you think. You can start with yelling: "Hey Neighbor!!" the next time you are both outside at the same time. Then introduce yourself. It can seem awkward the first few times you talk to people you don't know, but it gets easier. You'd be surprised how far a small gesture like shared salsa or brownies will go. There are also books out there on the subject, but the main idea is to get out there and be friendly with your neighbors.

 

[vintage68]

I was reading a column a while back, and while the topic was actually about producing movies, I think it has a lot to say about our "modern" society in general.

Basically the idea was that you could solve a lot more problems with ingenuity and creativity than you could by turning on the "money hose" and just making the problem go away by throwing money at it.

The connection to our topic would be that in our day people get used to just throwing money at a problem, and we wonder why we're so disconnected....

 

[Paisley]

Being neighborly

Yes, during the Depression, whatever money hose might have existed dried up. Hard times can break down barriers. Remember the blackout a few years ago in New York City? Folks were barbecuing and chatting with their neighbors. But as Dixon pointed out, there has to be law and order for this to happen. During the blackouts of the 70s, New York saw looting and violence.

So, if you live in a reasonably safe neighborhood, go ahead and put some deposits in the account. How? You can give away homemade goodies or have a party. But also, don't make needless withdrawals. Keep your sidewalk clean, your house painted and repaired, your lawn mowed, weeds pulled, trash picked up and trees and bushes trimmed. Keep your music low--your neighbors don't want to hear it. And they really don't want to hear your arguments. Make some bonus points by having some potted plants outside (pansies and mums do well in the fall) and keep your porch light on at night.

By doing these things, your house, and you, will be more approachable. And they say that a neighborhood of neat houses (no "broken windows") is less attractive to criminals, because the people who live there care about the neighborhood.

 

[flat-top]

Did anyone catch the Thursday night prime time edition of Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update?
Seth Meyers said "6 out 10 Americans believe the country is headed toward another Depresssion, and nearly half of those people (archival 1930's image comes on screen) just want to see thousands of homeless people in fedoras."

 

[just_me]

Just don't confuse the '30s with the Depression. The nostalgia people have is for the '30s, a vibrant and exciting time that transcended the realities of the economy and the social system.

You are right on the money (so to speak). My parents lived during the depression and that is definitely not something I would want to experience. When you look at real photos of people suffering during that time, it's not a pleasant picture.

That being said, I love the fantasy world of the 30s - the movies (Fred & Ginger, Katherine Hepburn, early Cagney, etc.), the lives of the people who were still rich, and the clothes worn by people with money.

If I had a time machine, I'd want to go back to Hollywood from the beginning until the early 40s.

 

[vintage68]

Interesting story about the depression today:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/10/13/depression.irpt/index.html

Reminds people of the difference between fantasy and reality of tough times.

 

[ShoreRoadLady]

Interesting story about the depression today:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/10/13/depression.irpt/index.html

Reminds people of the difference between fantasy and reality of tough times.

Too true. Most of the 1930s film fare was escapism from everyday life, not reality - who would pay good money to see downbeat reality?

Even though gas is going back down (yay!), I'm being more careful about consolidating trips and avoiding unnecessary ones. I'm trying to sew more of my own clothes, too. I have a massive stash of fabric and I should put it all to good use!

Seth Meyers said "6 out 10 Americans believe the country is headed toward another Depresssion, and nearly half of those people (archival 1930's image comes on screen) just want to see thousands of homeless people in fedoras."

lol Finally, a poll result that represents my true feelings on the matter! lol

(I don't know how far we're going to go into a depression, but recession - oh, quite definitely.)

Perhaps the unemployment office should pass out fedoras. Economic boost to hat makers + increase in style + better attitude caused by said style = win for everybody!

 

[vintage68]

Yeah, somehow homeless people in camo cargo shorts and flip-flops doesn't have as much appeal...

 

[flat-top]

http://www.holytaco.com/2008/10/13/the-great-depression-vs-the-new-depression/

 

[mannySpaghetti]

Fans of the Great Depression? Are there such people? I mean it was such a terrible time for countless millions. I don't know about you, but I'm already squeezing quarters 'til the eagle screams.

 

[Feraud]

http://www.holytaco.com/2008/10/13/the-great-depression-vs-the-new-depression/

Hilarious! lol lol

 

[John in Covina]

Fans of the Great Depression? Are there such people? I mean it was such a terrible time for countless millions. I don't know about you, but I'm already squeezing quarters 'til the eagle screams.

*********
Yup it does sound odd in a way, FANS. One thing is that from the depression in many places good came out of it and we find that time and again the charitable nature of people can bring hope to the hopeless. Even in the Depths of the great Depression there was hope and a can do spirit that allowed people to get by and some even improved their lives during such tough times.

 

[Fletch]

The 1930s has fans. (And it should.) As I said earlier, let's not confuse the two.

 

[RetroToday]

With the way the world puts importance on oil, the next great depression won't be as romantic, would be more like the movie Road Warrior with Mad Max.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Max_2:_The_Road_Warrior

Survival of the fittest. I'm investing my money on a dingo!

 

[just_me]

The 1930s has fans. (And it should.) As I said earlier, let's not confuse the two.

True, but the subject line is "...fans of the Great Depression." Very odd choice of words. Can't imagine there are any fans of the Depression.

 

[tuppence]

One good example of our safety net working better today is the new tent cities cropping up in the hard hit areas. In the 30's the people in the tent cities were treated as pariahs and persecuted viciously. Now we have tent cities designed to provide at least minimal comfort, safety and sanitation.

I thought Americans called homeless people 'Trailor Trash' , wouldn't that be treating them like pariahs?