C Thomas goes on a rant about American impatience while we get introduced to Austerity Jones
Previously we have talked about adding acts of kindness to our daily lives and about learning that sacrificing for our own benefit is winning. Civil war general Robert E Lee’s advice to the next generation was “to deny yourselves.” Delaying instant gratification is what they call it today. This country is bad at doing that. I didn’t say we aren’t good, I said we are bad and those on very different points on the spectrum. Let me explain.
We want information now. We used to get it on newspapers out of the bushes the next day thrown by a kid on a bike, but we wanted it faster so it got printed on websites so we didn’t have to wait until the next day, but then we wanted it even faster, so now there is Twitter. How would my life be different if I had to wait 24 hours to find out that the inflation rate had jumped to 7.5%. This is an event that affects every person in the United States as consumers and knowing it 24 hours earlier changes… nothing? Perhaps if you are trading in the markets, the quicker the data the quicker the trade ok fine. For the rest of us? Why do I need to read that in the column next the announcement of whom the Kardashian girl is dating? Here is a hint… I don’t, but let me give you another example.
We want food now. We don’t want to go out and sit down and look at our phones and ignore our dinner companions, that will be another podcast, to get a reasonably good meal. We want to go to a drive thru with a huge long single file line (don’t get me started on how dumb fast food lines are) to get a unhealthy gut bomb and a Coke (a diabetes inhibitor). That’s how far we are taking our we don’t want to wait? Oh no no no… We are so impatient that we don’t want to leave our rooms to put on pants, but we want the gut bomb and diabetes inhibitor and we are willing to pay 30% more as long as it is easier for us. So we get it delivered, because the only thing better than crappy fast food is cold crappy fast food. Here is a hint… It isn’t, but let me give you one more example.
We want sex now. It used to be that all the boys and girls would meet at school or a dance or a barbeque. There would be much staring and looking and whispering and curiosity going on. Eventually a boy approached and perhaps he was met with enough success to continue down the courtship with a date perhaps with a chaperone. There was no pattyfingers and heavy petting at this point, this was a get to know the other person time. Eventually the beau might be allowed to steal a kiss if he had been courteous and sweet. Eventually they became engaged and ultimately married and then there was sex. This process was quite quick (the dating process well probably the sex as well, but I digress) compared to today’s engagements because it turns out people like to have sex. Nowadays, you swipe right, right, right until eventually someone agrees to go out with you where you go and skip right past patty fingers and heavy petting and straight to sex. If both parties like it and she gets choked and her hair pulled and the guy gets called daddy, the couple has the proper foundation for building a relationship. But then they realize that anyone that will do that so quickly isn’t someone fit to wed or they carry the shame of meeting that way and it spoils whatever relationship could have been developed. However kids these days think this is the way dating is done. This is why 60% of marriages end in divorce. Here is a hint…wrong!
This generation will soon realize that immediate gratification hasn’t always existed and will soon be disappearing in America. This might come as a shock but be will revisit this topic later, but since we are on the topic of restraint. I tend to wander off topic and that is why I have a partner in crime producing this show. And, this is as good a time as any to introduce our newest author and contributor here at the C Thomas Printer Cooperative, Austerity Jones. You have heard from her, but I have been rude and not introduced her formally. Austerity is here to report on the financial happenings in the world. She has a PhD, drives a Honda Civic, and she is also a civilian contractor so you do not salute her. But you better listen to her because the Pentagon listens to her about your proficiency.
Austerity: Oh C Thomas, you do make speeches. My real name is Bridget and I keep a diary and since I am not squinty we won’t call this Bridget Jones’ diary so you can stop with those jokes right here.
But, you better get your finances in order as I’m here to tell you that inflation is near and here and kicking our rear. I don’t give investment advice or I would be forced to register with the SEC, AARP, DUI, and ASAP organizations regarding regulations. I will tell you what I am doing, reading, watching and listening to… If you choose to listen that is up to you.
This week’s listen or watch- go to the Wealthion podcast or Youtube channel and listen to their two part series with 4 amazing ladies covering the financial situation of the economy and the markets today. Guests include Danielle DiMartino Booth, Lynn Alden, Ivy Zelman, and Stephanie Pomboy. They are smart and they pull no punches.
Also born on this date:
Charles Barkley,
Rihanna,
Kurt Kobain,
Voltaire,
Ansel Adams,
Mr. Kate Upton,
and G Spot Johnson wanted to contribute despite his suspension that the first recorded wine auction was held in London on this date in 1673.
Sincerely Yours,
C Thomas Printer