Stupidity and the Economy

March 18, 2009 by Keli.

If you ever happen to notice a smartly dressed, youngish woman with great hair, dragging her feet in the parking lot of a bank, unhurriedly making her way towards the entrance doors, while muttering under her breath, that would be me. I’d only been to this particular branch twice, but I hesitated before entering the double glass doors because on both of my last visits, I got the same thing: a lecture. From a kid. Fresh out of college, about the vital issue of why I don’t have an ATM card for my checking account.

“Because I don’t want one!” I would firmly announce while stamping my foot for emphasis, putting an end to his needling once and for all.

I entered and decided to avoid his line to make life easier on both of us, but then I realized all the young male tellers looked and dressed strikingly similar. I’d only seen my tormentor twice and I’m not the most visual person. Which one to avoid?

A window opened. Was it him? I eyed the available teller suspiciously. I waited until he gave himself away.

“How are you today?” the teller asked half-heartedly.

“Very well, thank you. How about you?”

I saw it coming. Any moment now…whining about that ATM card…

He sighed deeply, slumped his shoulders and said in a tone reminiscent of a deflated tire, if it could talk, “Okay, I guess.”

This was not the same teller and no lecture was forthcoming. So I relaxed and we chatted.

It turned out he’d only graduated college a few months ago with a business degree and was worried about getting a good job because of the economy. More specifically, because of what the headlines, pundits and practically everyone who crossed his path told him. This 22 year-old, Mario, a university graduate, felt hopeless and anxious about his future.

Mario should be excited about his future, and I told him so. He had a lot to look forward to because there is always room for excellent, intelligent people. I spoke to him for a few minutes and noticed that he visibly straightened, smiled and looked cheerful. A line of customers had formed behind me; I told Mario that I should leave.

“No, please don’t. I like talking to you. Besides, they think we’re talking business and this is so important.”

I could not believe that I was the first person who told this kid that there is hope out there. That we are in a temporary state. I am dismayed at the psychological mindset that’s occurred because of stupers (short for loquaciously stupid persons) who insist on perpetually reminding us that our economy is weak. As if we don’t know for ourselves.

If you take a child and continually tell him he can’t sing, he may begin to believe that he can’t. And if a large group of people tell him the same thing over and over again, he won’t even try. We, as thinkers, know that there are cycles in life. Some short; some long. The length depends largely on our attitudes, courage and frame of mind. We can’t let the stupid among us get us down.

Think.

Keli

Posted in Monumental Stupidity, Plain Old Fashioned Stupidity | 5 Comments »