The Deception of Perfection

Imagine this for a moment. From the dry plains of Africa to the urban neighbourhood across the proverbial train track, not a single child is hungry. The abundance of food used to feed our agricultural needs are sent in boat loads to the poorest of the poor. The pain of war and genocide exist in the virtual world of video games where injuries are healed by a floating health pack. Disease is part of a fable that exists as an invisible foe alongside witches and vampires. And children, once illiterate and devoid of the simplest calculator, are now capable of communicating their thoughts through Tweets and possess in their palm access to the collective information of human history.

This is the goal of humanity - a perfect world where human rights and needs are fulfilled; individuals can pursue dreams without the distraction of poverty or sickness. It sounds lovely, but perfection is a deceiving concept. Without the hardships that entertain us everyday, we lack character, integrity, and wisdom. The essential tools for moving forward become suppressed. For a child that grew up in the ghetto having to face drugs, violence, and poverty daily, he earns a badge of honour by surviving the ordeal. And every so often, one of these children makes wishes and finds strength to explore and overcome the world, discovering it is much easier for him than his wealthier peers.

So, how does this relate to my usual business-like posts? We are now living in one of the greatest recessions in the past two generations, worse than the 1980's crisis as described by many. For those of us living in the first world, we have been blessed with economic recoveries recession after recession. But because of such prosperity, we have forgotten how to save and our children are never taught the value of a dollar. And good-paying jobs once a dime a dozen are now a needle in a haystack. It is an adversity many have never encountered and it is visible through their ill-actions towards others and themselves. We are witnessing people strategically file for bankruptcy to avoid paying their mortgages - lack of integrity. Other well-educated souls unwilling to take on a simple job such as a cashier or custodian to pay their piling debts - hubris. And some blaming the government for its ineptitude when the real problem and solution rests in their hands - lack of accountability and responsibility.

Okay, well we are not technically in a recession, but whatever we shall call it, this session of tepid growth is just what the doctor ordered. For most of us, the economy's slow-witted pace feels much like a recession. Ideas are crushed, finances require frugality, goals are harder to reach, and promotions more than a stone's throw away. However, the greatest amount of millionaires were made after the end of The Great Depression. Whether it was from asset investments or identifying demands and needs, those that succeeded were tenacious risk-takers willing to be positive and creative when worldwide sentiment was melancholy.

Think of it like a stock market correction. Sentiment is fairly bearish; fear and uncertainty outweigh the greedy. Those that panic sell when the market is falling are less likely to be profitable. Market corrections are important as it is an opportune time for big traders and big money to re-enter the market. Corrections execute the weak and provide lessons too. Historically, stock markets bounce strongly after a correction yielding big profits to those that bought on the quick down-turn. When sentiment was weak, they made an opportunity in a bad situation. In a perfect world, we say the market will always go up, but in such a scenario, the market would lack liquidity. Those wanting to buy would find no sellers and there would actually be less prosperity. Prices would be artificially high and its value essentially meaningless.

We do need recessions. We need people to learn how to endure adversity and allow the emergence of leaders, create entrepreneurs, and eliminate weakness. We need people to educate themselves on the value of a hard-earned dollar and be grateful for what they own. Harsh times, yeah, it builds character, integrity, and honour, something this society has lacked for quite some time. This is when you need strength and courage to take risks and build your businesses when costs for assets and expenses are relatively cheap. Or perhaps make investments with money sidelined for years. Maybe fulfill some travel goals as prices are dirt cheap. There is less to lose when things are at the bottom. And for those that are skilled, motivated, charismatic, and creative, you easily stand out as an asset to a company or against your competition.

Would I rather see every starving child fed, disease wiped out, and education for all? Absolutely! But to never face life-altering adversities, our society would never have an underdog story nor would we learn to fight for what we believed in nor become stronger. We ask for perfection in so many aspects of our lives that we are blind in seeing our chaotic, sometimes unjust world is as good as it gets.