I was lucky: I got to grow up in Canada.
Canadian culture is very similar to that of America, almost like how fraternal twins look very similar but not quite the same. Moving to the US in 2003 was therefore not a huge shock to my system (although I'll admit to being a little overwhelmed by the speed on California's freeways).
Another difference was that in Canada I studied health science and linguistics, and admittedly knew little of economics or finance. When I moved to the US, I began studying to get my finance degree and news items on that topic gained new importance to me.
This is a very long introduction to say that, due to my almost non-existent knowledge of the history of the markets (and also due to my age and therefore lack of personal memory), I find the current economic situation incredibly fascinating.
For example:
* Unemployment rose to 6.1% - "wow! I've never seen anything that high!"
* 84,000 jobs are lost - "my goodness, what a lot of jobs! That's incredible!"
* Markets around the world are losing value, and fast - "what a fascinating display of inter-market dependence!"
You see, my reaction to these things tends to be more one of wonder than of shock and anger. This is the first maybe-it's-a-recession that I've personally experienced and paid attention to, so each new wrinkle of economic decline holds a delightful novelty that mercifully spares me the reality of needing to be concerned.
Problem is, no matter how my brain likes to spin it, these news items are not good. And they do affect me, at the grocery store, gas pump, hairdresser, bookstore, etc.
You know what though? I'll take my naive wonder over furrowing my brow any day. No amount of stress or hand-wringing can really change the situation. In reality, the only thing we can do is keep working, keep whistling, and be content knowing that it will get better again someday.
Right?
Canadian culture is very similar to that of America, almost like how fraternal twins look very similar but not quite the same. Moving to the US in 2003 was therefore not a huge shock to my system (although I'll admit to being a little overwhelmed by the speed on California's freeways).
Another difference was that in Canada I studied health science and linguistics, and admittedly knew little of economics or finance. When I moved to the US, I began studying to get my finance degree and news items on that topic gained new importance to me.
This is a very long introduction to say that, due to my almost non-existent knowledge of the history of the markets (and also due to my age and therefore lack of personal memory), I find the current economic situation incredibly fascinating.
For example:
* Unemployment rose to 6.1% - "wow! I've never seen anything that high!"
* 84,000 jobs are lost - "my goodness, what a lot of jobs! That's incredible!"
* Markets around the world are losing value, and fast - "what a fascinating display of inter-market dependence!"
You see, my reaction to these things tends to be more one of wonder than of shock and anger. This is the first maybe-it's-a-recession that I've personally experienced and paid attention to, so each new wrinkle of economic decline holds a delightful novelty that mercifully spares me the reality of needing to be concerned.
Problem is, no matter how my brain likes to spin it, these news items are not good. And they do affect me, at the grocery store, gas pump, hairdresser, bookstore, etc.
You know what though? I'll take my naive wonder over furrowing my brow any day. No amount of stress or hand-wringing can really change the situation. In reality, the only thing we can do is keep working, keep whistling, and be content knowing that it will get better again someday.
Right?
posted by ocmortgageguy | 10:35 AM
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