Paradox: good economy with economic anxiety - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

Ma'ake · 08-09-2005, 06:41 PM

There's an interesting paradox we see ongoing today: impressive aggregate economic performance combined with fairly widespread economic anxiety.

Why are so many people so concerned about their economic livelihoods while the economy is doing well, overall?

My hunch: human beings are more accustomed to stability & predictability and feel better when those factors are better ensured. It has always been an uphill sales job to convince people who've lost their jobs (or who are fearful of such) that "creative destruction" is really a good thing and that in the long run they'll be better off.

I submit this phenomenon is another example of where more is sometimes less. Many are doing very well, yet are anxious about the future, and I think the liberalmedia is at best only minimally to blame. When companies lay off with little to no warning, or when smaller combatant companies get swept aside in competition, it frequently has an acute impact on individuals & their families. These tales travel like wildfire and people are naturally fearful.

Is there a solution? Maybe not, as requiring companies to provide more leadtime for layoffs would be seen as interference in private economic affairs.

My hunch is this is much like the healthcare debate - there are really no good answers, and politically, the measures that could be taken are anathema, thus, nothing much will be done.

It is just part of life.

Archaea · 08-09-2005, 07:02 PM

who knows whether that would fly.

No answers is probably the correct observation.

MikeWaters · 08-10-2005, 12:16 AM

Two answers: Iraq and the price of gasoline.

I was at a gas station the other day. It was about 10-15 cents cheaper than other stations. So I pull in, quite a few folks for just a few pumps. Well, people are maneuvering their cars all over the place. Honking. Turns out the pumps are also VERY slow, so it takes about 3 times long as normal to pump. I finally pump, and when I'm done, there is a lady blocking my exit (and the exit of about 3 other cars). She looked determined not to move, so as to hold her place. I had to get out and ask her to move out of the way. ALL OF THIS SO PEOPLE COULD SAVE 1 OR 2 DOLLARS. It's crazy. But it's like the price of gas is the barometer of our lives.

08-09-2005, 06:41 PM	#1
Ma'ake Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SLC Posts: 441	Paradox: good economy with economic anxiety There's an interesting paradox we see ongoing today: impressive aggregate economic performance combined with fairly widespread economic anxiety. Why are so many people so concerned about their economic livelihoods while the economy is doing well, overall? My hunch: human beings are more accustomed to stability & predictability and feel better when those factors are better ensured. It has always been an uphill sales job to convince people who've lost their jobs (or who are fearful of such) that "creative destruction" is really a good thing and that in the long run they'll be better off. I submit this phenomenon is another example of where more is sometimes less. Many are doing very well, yet are anxious about the future, and I think the liberalmedia is at best only minimally to blame. When companies lay off with little to no warning, or when smaller combatant companies get swept aside in competition, it frequently has an acute impact on individuals & their families. These tales travel like wildfire and people are naturally fearful. Is there a solution? Maybe not, as requiring companies to provide more leadtime for layoffs would be seen as interference in private economic affairs. My hunch is this is much like the healthcare debate - there are really no good answers, and politically, the measures that could be taken are anathema, thus, nothing much will be done. It is just part of life.

08-09-2005, 07:02 PM	#2
Archaea Assistant to the Regional Manager Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Orgasmatron Posts: 24,338	MOre layoff time who knows whether that would fly. No answers is probably the correct observation.

08-10-2005, 12:16 AM	#3
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	Two answers: Iraq and the price of gasoline. I was at a gas station the other day. It was about 10-15 cents cheaper than other stations. So I pull in, quite a few folks for just a few pumps. Well, people are maneuvering their cars all over the place. Honking. Turns out the pumps are also VERY slow, so it takes about 3 times long as normal to pump. I finally pump, and when I'm done, there is a lady blocking my exit (and the exit of about 3 other cars). She looked determined not to move, so as to hold her place. I had to get out and ask her to move out of the way. ALL OF THIS SO PEOPLE COULD SAVE 1 OR 2 DOLLARS. It's crazy. But it's like the price of gas is the barometer of our lives.