Enough, choice and change

Last week Jerry Wennstrom (an artist of materials and spirit) I spoke to a diverse group linked by their appreciation of my host, Charlie Hess, and of his provocative, interesting and often lucrative advice. One partner in Charlie’s firm, Ken Hey, synthesized the evening well, and I quote from him here:

“Enough,” “choice” and “change” …Both speakers invoked some variation of the same questions: “What is enough?” or “What is necessary?” or “Is exchanging life and time for money always a good trade?”

Iceland warms up to frugality

Marketplace’s Stephen Beard reported on April 3 that “On the brink of financial collapse last year, Iceland is now trying to recover and its citizens are embracing a culture of conservative spending.”

He interviewed Sissa, an Icelander whose house halved in value with their crash. She seemed to welcome the country’s swift decline into bankruptcy. “It has been good for Iceland,” she said. When the reporter said with surprise, “The collapse?” she said, “Yes, in a way. Because the greed of the people. There was so much greed. But now people are more caring. We’re coming more human again. And that’s what I like. And if I lose my house for that, that’s a good cause.”