Second (and hopefully final) Look at the Economy

In that same class where my instructor is "the smartest man you'll (n)ever meet," we had to do a paper on corporate ethics in light of our recent economy. It was interesting because my initial thesis was along the lines of "desperate times make desperate people (or call for desperate measures, if you prefer. same gist). I figured that when people and companies were under stress because of the economy, the would be more likely to act unethically. Instead, what people were finding is that that is simply not the case. As one article puts it "With the economy's current troubles, many people assume a crime wave is just around the corner. But criminologists say that's just an American myth...Experts say there will always be some people who take to robbing liquor stores in tough times. But those people were already likely to rob stores even in good times, making it a statistical wash. And there's something else: When the economy goes bad, many people move in with parents or relatives, and they stay home more — both of which appear to have a calming effect, experts say." Basically, instead of the economy CAUSING unethical behavior, it is merely REVEALING preexisting unethical behavior. Think about it. When things are running smoothly, corporations are flourishing and it is a lot easier to skim off money or commit fraud & etc; nobody notices "chump change" is missing. When things are tight, however, it is more difficult to stay on the "DL." That is why Madoff and all his unethical peers are finally being found out. It was amazing how many influential, well off people would risk their future, their family's future, employees' future, and company's future just so they can afford the coolest new personal jet or island. It's nice that all these people are getting caught but, at the same time, rather disheartening. I guess the economy i seven hurting the people who would normally be rather "recession proof." Karma's a bitch, huh.

Quick Chat on the Economy- everyone's doing it.

Okay so I'm not one to watch video blogs but I ran across Chelsea OMG the other day and, although she thorougly annoyed me at first, I found myself watching a whole lot of her videos and unbeknownst to me, became a fan.

What initially caught my attention to even click on the link to her video was the title "What's on My Mind- Economic Crisis"

Although I haven't really been directly affected by the economy yet, (I came {THIS} close though), that is all that seems to be on the news and on people's minds. And I'm aboutu to get a HUGE, GINORMOUS dose of reality. As a girl who is supposed to graduate and enter the real world very very soon, I am legitimately terrified that I will take my double degrees (markeitng and art) and go don the classic red and khaki attire as I stock shelves at Target. Don't get me wrong... LOVE LOVE LOVE that store and would LOVE LOVE LOVE to work for them but... at the headquarters. Unfortunately, it's located in Minnesota. I've lived in MN and MAN does it get cold. Anyway, my [use your imagination here] of a professor, who takes up an entire class period giving us "advice" (aka telling us how smart he is- talking AT US), told us that he bets that only 40% of graduates will have a job. FORTY. that's like.. failing in terms of grades... thats like.... DEVISTATING in terms of life. I need a job. And, although I will look for my "dreamjob" (whatever that is...) I am aware that, in this economy, "beggars can't be choosers"- and college grads have become the "beggars."