The Backslide Begins

There was always hope in the Renegade ranks that the Great Recession would produce a permanent reordering of consumer priorities − that people subjected to the economic unpleasantness of the last few years would wake up and realize that they were being scammed. Sadly, the trend is otherwise, and retailers are celebrating a substantial upturn in Xmas takings.

There is even a trope in much advertising that resembles the immediate post-war ads of the late 1940s - “you've been deprived, now indulge!” I can see this setting off an explosion of consumer gluttony and the two-pronged horror of a false “recovery” (leading to more rounds of poor decision making by families and nations) and another round of individual and family financial disaster when the castles in the air crash. Again.

It's to my great regret that the Renegade movement did not have more traction before the Recession and thus have a better platform from which to shout while people might have been more receptive. However, we can't look back now; we have only the future.

Happy 2011 to all, and to all a good fight.

− JKG