Great photos.
There are three things with just about everything.
1. Recognize the situation or problem (seen through the photographs that make it obvious and data which many do not agree upon.).

2. Talk and reveal it.

Much about 1 and 2 is being done. Now for number 3.

3. Do something about it. (Nothing so far as we speak.

As long as Growth (increase in profits and greedy decisions)without thought about how it will effect our fellow man continues, we will continue to be engulfed by more and more dodo. Too bad isn't it? When our company made an economic decision one of the criteria was -- How will this affect our fellow man? And this great company was destroyed by a few Johnny come lately folks (seems aided by the US Government in their infinite wisdom of nothing but ... .) who had no vision, just profits in mind.
Right now is the time what happened to all of the electrostatic precipitators that were once used in those smoke chimneys?

I would agree with your perspective, including #3. Sadly too many see growth of the economy as essential to their well being. But a good quality of life is maybe better served not by just having more, but rather by quality, conserving and not wasting, better design, and being a lot more pragmatic. We need to feed our bodies of course, our soul, but our ego's have had enough.

Lest they forget -- Has anyone ever seen an armored car following the Hearse?
It is too bad that many folks will never see a joyous retirement or even a paid vacation -- Instead of the fear of having a job. Those retireing are taking other full time jobs instead of making room for those who need it our future generation. Again greed.
People will work at their jobs, be it industry or desk, will be there till the day they die. And many will have it happen there. People will be so busy working they will not have time for viewings, so they will have drive throughs. This is the new legacy they are leaving.

I am sorry you see it that way. I am 75 and still working more less of necessity and more because I love what I do and most of all to be helpful to others - the best way to exit the stage is by giving back.

I just hope that the recession depression is not seen entirely as a bad thing, but also as a good thing by ending the excess of the recent past, and maybe providing opportunities for something new. for dancing in the streets, making music in the park, as well as making pictures for everyones pleasure.

I too have hope that kindness will over ride greed.
If you recall Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the ... I'll keep with me always is the excitement displayed by those on board as the ... .

Tghe only problem, the other countries are sending their Horses A es.

As long as the government is giving tax breaks and many other perks the manufacturing is rapidly leaving. This was not that bad, because our research and development was going on as well as the need for scientists, engineers, Physicians, and so forth. Now people are being called in and told their jobs are being outsourced to other countries (for example in many instances they can get 5 or more technical people for the salary they paid one person -- now the same quality is no longer a criteria. In addition, when physicians and nurses came into the ole US of A they had to be the caliber of US of A schooled individuals. Now, a hospital can get 3 to 5 doctors for the price of one. No jobs, no mone, no bread. Increase of prices also is a breeding ground for crime -- the criminals are used to living to a certain level without working -- now have to comit more crime to keep up.

At one time corporations had Charters, many time approved by where they were to locate. Above all the beginning of most was to provide jobs and security that included the ability of living wages and above all to become an Asset to the community -- now again they seem to be As es to the communities. Notice when there was no bail out in site and it was left that way, the stocks went up, next day the bail out, the market went down and hallilua for the scheemers to buy at the bottom.

I too hope and send prayers for the upcoming generations. The problem is no one wants to give it is whatever is mine is mine and whatever is yours is mine. Kind of everyone wants to go to heaven; no one wants to leave.

Quote:
I am sorry you see it that way. I am 75 and still working more less of necessity and more because I love what I do and most of all to be helpful to others - the best way to exit the stage is by giving back.

That's why you are one of my favorite photography writers,( along with the late Herbert Keppler ) you have the experience, wisdom and still keeping up with the times, in staying modern. Good for you, I enjoy your blog.

Thanks for the support and encouragement. So far that is what has kept me going. I just hope the hard times we are in does not get in the way!

You both speak my sentiments --
I try to relate the way it is as well as becoming.
Perhaps now is the time for folks as you to tell the young (who know nothing about the Depression and WW II, and ... the peoole in there who can do something):
How we lived and grew through and recovered with the CCC Civilian Conservation Corp. and the WPA WorksWork Projects Administration. gave jobs and did a lot of good besides making people proud of themselves and giving them hope, instead of desperation. It is obvious now, most go through things, but never grow through them.
GBA and those as you. Speak out -- for I am sure folks will listen to people with your caliber.

Relating the present situation to the crash of '29 and the eventual beginning of hope and recovery of the 30's is rather common these days. However, I don't think that anyone has recalled that one of the things that was a part of the New Deal's WPA was a photographic documentation project. Besides creating a photographic history of those times that became a part of the public record, it launched a new paradigm for photography whose high water point were the years of publication of Life and Look magazines, a photo-journalistic record of our times covering a tumultuous generation of events.

That we are on the cusp of a new and different era that should be documented and could be done photographically as was done by the WPA photographers like Dorothea Lange in the 30's I think should be considered by the new government that will begin its work January 20, 2009. Besides putting some photographers to work who might otherwise be less productive. it should renew interest in the archives of the WPA photographers images and provide motives and inspiration as to where we can go from where we have been in pictures and through pictures.

See, I kew it would catch you and I am sure if you have a cover with some of these ideas, you will print a winner. I see a start with the new regime (from prods) have them thinking along this line of creating jobs -- perhaps a word or note from you will give them some lead(s)with photo help. Now it is time to move on and ahead. Keep up the good ... .

I did decided to write about the idea in my blog (http://blog.shutterbug.com/davidbrooks/) after connecting the idea with some news I read about an new Adobe (technology) supported California Museum web site.

Thanks, David, I spit coffee all over my keyboard, laughing so hard. Happy Holidays! ('Scuse me, gotta go find a rag....)