Forward Thinking Only

It’s dangerous to assume that we can actually see the future by only looking at the technological advances we’ve made so far.

– Octavia Butler (1947 – 2006), Hugo and Nebula award winning science fiction author

I thought of those words that Ms. Butler made at panel discussion at UCLA in 2002 as I watched the MSNBC Morning Joe crew debate the Citigroup bailout and the economy in general today. In the myriad of discussions that our very shaky economy has generated, many of the pundits and politicians have used past and current financial models and “ways” as a frame of reference when discussing how America can right the economic ship. But to use Ms. Butler’s wise words, that is dangerous. Our entire way of life has been based on “cheapeasy” credit. Think about that a little more. An entire way of life based on borrowing what one doesn’t have. And because that credit was “cheapeasy”, it was abused by the borrowers, lenders, and investors. The smart folks don’t even know where all the credit/money/junk is. To even talk about the economic past and present to set up what we need to do in the future should be a crime.

Our economic crisis should be attacked with bold new plans that seriously minimize preserving current financial models. Billions of taxpayer dollars have been and continue to be just thrown willy-nilly at this problem under the guise of “if we don’t pour money into it now, we’re all going to die” speak. That course of action has led us to even more distrust and uncertainty with no light at the end of the tunnel. The old adage “those who don’t remember the past are doomed to repeat it” doesn’t even fly now since we are in constant repeat mode. It’s all about making new ways. Forward thinking only.