Fed Up with Food Stamp Stories

I am sick and tired of the "try living on a food stamp budget for a week/month" stories. Yes, it's nice to see that we can get by on much less than we spend, but:

Food stamps are meant to be supplemental! They are not intended to be used alone to purchase food for an individual or family.

That's why it's called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

What if....

It's becoming clear that the current events of our economy are changing fundamental aspects of how we live and work. It's made me wonder, what if....

... the corporation becomes obsolete, as more people, by choice or necessity, become entrepreneurs?
... colleges and universities become obsolete, with all the information in the world available at our fingertips? They might be replaced by accredited experts, which a student could cobble together or study under.
... people learned to cook again? The health and social implications of that would be astounding!
... paid cable TV gave way to free, advertising-supported internet TV? Combine this idea with community-supported wireless broadband, and you have something really spectacular.

So many possibilities. Hard times foster necessary changes, and maybe these hard times will make us stronger.

Words of Widsom

A few years ago I gave my Grandpa O. a book called Doubt. It was massive - and apparently summed up by this passage from page 493, which he copied and sent to me.

Devote yourself to wisdom, self-knowledge, friends, family, and give some attention to community, money, politics and pleasure. Know that none of it brings happiness all that consistently. It's best to stay agile, to keep an open mind. Anyway, if you live long enough, you will likely find yourself believing something that you'd never believe today. Or disbelieving. In a funny way, the one thing you can really count on is doubt. Expect change. Accept death. Enjoy life. As Marcus Aurelius explained, the brains that got you through the troubles you have had so far will get you through any troubles yet to come.

Perspective

I've been freaking out about a mouse infestation in my home (exterminator is coming tomorrow!). Then something happened this evening to put everything in perspective, and I feel much calmer.

The news.

Yep. Mice vs. a "living hell" in Gaza or poverty in Cuba.

I think I can survive mice.