Store Closing Sale!
Goody’s closed their doors on the familiar strip-mall street in Athens. Everything was for sale, including the mannequins.
I’ve often wondered what it would feel like on a day to day basis just before a depression. My brother, Paul, and I had a brief discussion about how this economic situation differs from that of the Great Depression. Stability of banks during that time were not backed by government programs such as the FDIC, started in 1933, which was to help prevent “bank runs.”
What I’ve been seeing on a local level is a very slow but drastic decline. Comparing the two economic situations seems almost like comparing two viruses. Both are potentially fatal, but the way they attack the body is different. One is more acute and spreads to vital organs quickly. The other starts with subtle symptoms. These symptoms go undiagnosed for years. Finally, by the time the doctor finds the problem, the virus has gone too far.
Jim!
Nice frame, and very poignant in these economic times. Particularly interesting in terms of the idea that consumer spending is supposed to help get the economy back on track…
We’ll be seeing a lot more closings like this.
Reminds me a lot of an image by photographer Brian Ulrich from his project “Copia”
http://www.notifbutwhen.com
Hope you’re well.
March 12th, 2009 at 5:29 amBests,
–Greg
Greg,
March 12th, 2009 at 10:59 amThanks for having a look and posting. I’ve looked at Mr. Ulrich’s work often, but I had never seen his online presence. I like what I see.
His take on American consumer culture is right on. I’m glad someone with his talent is exploring the topic. It’s one I plan to focus on while in the States.
By the way, I’ve wanted to post on your blog in the past but realized you don’t have a posting option. Get on it!
It will be nice to see you again. It’s been too long.
Nostalgically,
Jim
Sometimes you need a fire storm to clear a forest in order to generate new growth. I’m not wishing economic hardship on anyone, but when I rad something like the following:
LONDON, England (CNN) — Tickets for Michael Jackson’s 50 “final curtain call” concerts in London sold out in little over four hours Friday.
The tickets went on sale at 7 a.m., with fans queuing since Wednesday. They were limited to four tickets per household at a cost of up to $105 for general admission. VIP tickets cost up to $1,100. Around 750,000 were sold.
I’m thinkin’ we gotta go through a lot more hurt to get back on track.
March 13th, 2009 at 4:18 pm