Sunday, February 08, 2009

Will the Recession make us more green.

I've noticed a lot of changes in behavior lately due to the economy straits we are in. And while most of the changes are motivated by economic realities, they have green side effects. For instance I am seeing more and more that people are willing to carpool. In the past people favored their freedom to come and go as they wish, now they are more willing to adjust their schedules to share a ride. This is especially the case here in the S.F. Bay area which covers a huge geographic area.

Another change is in how people spend their money, I've seen a clear substitution of buying things and stuff with spending time with people in pursuits such as board games. Will we see a return to bridge night as a social past time. It's not a coincidence that Scrabble and Monopoly were created during the first great depression. I myself play a game as I look at common objects in the house and try to figure out games I can create with them. Are coins markers or currency? Given how many dice you have, can you do something different with them. Yahtzee anyone.

People also seem to be trying to eke out a little more out of what they own. Refurbishing things. There was an article in the WSJ.com on the "Return of Cobblers" into people's minds as they try to a little more out of their shoes.

Will these green habits take hold after the recession, when people figure out that it's not that bad. Thoughts anyone.

1 Comments:

At 9:11 AM , Blogger Dianna said...

i'd like to think it would stick, but americans have very short memories. i think if this economic downturn turns out to be the beginning of a long decline in The American Lifestyle, then these changes may become permanent and we'll someday look back with astonishment at the wastefulness of the last fifty years. if the economy has a resurgence, though, i can't help but think that americans will go back to their throwaway ways. at least until the next recession when we discover the value of thrift, blah blah blah ad infinitum.

 

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