Networks and Economic Struggles?

Online the Economist wrote, "The IMF has cut its forecasts for economic growth in its twice-yearly World Economic Outlook. It expects world GDP to increase by 4% in 2011"  .  The research suggest that growth rates have been revised from .1 of a percent to .9 of a percent in different countries.

Evidence of this hard to accept reality, hit home when someone very important in my life, informed me that they would be filing for bankruptcy.  Sometimes the seemingly most unfortunate choices are the best choices, if in such a troubling predicament.  But what has this to do with networks?

After speaking with this friend, she informed me that she went to the federal tax collection agency and stated that the very first question they asked was if she had any affiliation with any social network.  Really!  Since when is who I socialize with or what group I am connected with related to my reconciliation with my back taxes?  As far as I am concerned federal agencies including our political leaders and revenue collection services could just as easily be investigated for malfeasance.  Why? Simply because the wealthy are paying a smaller percentage of taxes than ever before.  At one point in the U.S. the tax rate for the wealthy was nearly 90%. Today with tax loopholes and write-offs, the expense for the wealthy is significantly reduce.  And they pay (at least in the U.S.) is 15% on capital gains.  In contrast, more than 15% of the U.S. population is at or below the poverty level ((2010 U.S. Census), granted that our poverty level is still well above undeveloped nations).

Essentially if you are poor, you are required to reveal more and more about yourself, losing control of your privacy, than if you are wealthy.  However I do not like to use scare tactics to address an issue.  Both Fox and MSNBC hosts of various programs do plenty of shouting and finger-pointing-- attempting to drive fear, while also providing some useful information.  But fear should not be the driver behind making tough choices.

Networks play an important role in our society.  From Palestine to Libya, from Sudan to the United States, from Japan to the Caribbean; social networks help us learn more about what is happening in the world around us.  Maintaining that privacy is critical to feeling a sense of security.  Despite that exploitation of online organization like Facebook and others, networking gives us a sense of interconnectedness.

The fact that I can touch people in Estonia, Japan, Africa, the British Isles, and different parts of South America, from my blog indicates that technology is not really separating us (as was once thought with personal electronic musical devices and mobile telephones).  I respect the confidentiality that my followers deserve, and expect to some degree- I would imagine.  At the same time ( and I don't want to sway back and forth here) I understand the importance of security from violent acts, in any form; from groups that want to act out maliciously, to individuals who bring harm to innocent members of society.  So monitoring is important.  What do I hope for then and where do I stand?

It would be great if the public were more involved in the decision-making.  Just like successful corporations, the government could crowd-source top decisions to come up with truly democratic decisions.  Granted that not everyone has access to technology, but there could potentially be ways to address that as well by looking at algorithms perhaps.

With all of the challenges we face as individuals, it is important that we continue to monitory decisions that are affecting our lives- especially with the advent of so much political turmoil in effect.  When chaos is in play, it is easy to look for answers from people who are purporting to be experts and leaders who are suppose to be performing on our behalf.  This is in no way a request that there be any type of civil disorder, rather that we maintain a watchful eye on policy changes that circumvent the people process.  There was an excellent piece on National Public Radio (npr[ a U.S. broadcast), about how susceptible we are to opinions, when we are seeking answers or disorder is present.  Don't panic, do your research, and use your voice by being active in what actions by anyone (friends, politicians, or experts) influence your life.  Doing so will help curtail the negative impact regulations have on open social networks.

ps happy birthday Jim Henson

Blazing Desert

Temperatures in Phoenix, Arizona the other day set another record, reaching 116 degrees.  Sweltering heat keeps most residents inside, visitors may venture out briefly, only to retreat to a better climate controlled environment.

For the few people who do get out; it is with a sense of purpose.  During my visit to Phoenix recently, I reconnected with a friend who is extremely athletic, she is well traveled, has climbed numerous mountains including the Rockies, hiking the White Mountains in the Northeast, and even some of the world highest mountains.  Her energetic spirit motivated me to step up my game.

Thursday morning I got up to hike one of the local mountains, the sweltering heat I spoke of earlier, was upon me, and it was only 7:15 a.m.  Moving at a pretty good clip, I topped the small mountain in about 24 minutes.  From here you can see most of Phoenix, Tempe, Glendale, parts of Mesa and upward beyond northern Phoenix.  Visibility about 50 miles.  I had just arrived the night before around 10:15 p.m. and did not sleep well that night; I also did not eat that morning before I left for the hike but I did not want to wait too long and allow the heat to intensify (good think too- on this record day).  I don't think about much as I make my ascent on Squaw Peak, there are multiple areas to be mindful of due to the dryness.  The dirt in some areas can seem like ice.  Though I brought water with me, the relief was minimal.  Looking outward beyond multiple horizons, I do my best not to pause, (to restart is just too draining)  but merely slow my pace, and make a momentary observation.

Nearing my destination, I capture the reason why I put myself through this draining exercise.  Those of us who partake in such events, against reasonable odds, and down right grueling conditions, are part of a unique assembly of individuals; not all are at the same level, but are driven by the end game.  Sometimes the end game is satisfaction of the achievement, other times it is being able to remove ourselves from the mainstream population that we feel does not reflect the soul of who we are; some of us are running away or towards something we have not yet identified; and at times we just need to escape.

As I continue to produce photos for a photo installation (art show), I am working towards, I find that today I was making my journey to to enjoy; enjoy all of the things I mentioned above, to let go and embrace what I might experience in the end, or perhaps somewhere in the middle.  By the end, I got exactly what I needed, something undefined, without boarders and restrictions-- a continued sense of inner peace.

As I continue to learn new things about Arizona, more importantly, experience new friendship, my perspective continues to evolve.  I see something more beautiful here, each time I arrive.  Nothing can disrupt the balance I am achieving at this time; it is a good space to be in.