Comments on the Robinson Crusoe Thread

Awesome thread. The average guy on the street nowadays seems to have no concept, even a gross simplification like your Robinson Crusoe example, of how the world works. I keep waiting for somebody to tell us all what an evil rat bastard Robinson is for getting interest from poor Friday with his predatory lending

Wow!

I have only been a member of this forum for a few days. I stumbled across this thread wandering around, and was delighted with many of Jon's simplifications of very complex systems. This forum continues to amaze me! Keep up the great work, Jon!

Very interesting read, and it get's one to thinking. As was said earlier about being proud of Britains place in the world, I've been proud of America's place and about eqally Texas. And now it seems that our government, through dastardly meddling in the private sector and not-very-well-thought-out sanctions and tax levies, has driven the vast majority of our business holders out of the country! We, as a people, produce very little anymore. And what with the world market being what it is things are looking pretty bleak for America these days. Sad, isn't it, when you recognize your own greatness is now in the hands of others? This realization has driven me to pay close attention to where I shop, what I buy and more importantly, what economy my money goes to. I don't mind paying $60 for a pen...crazy as it sounds, when that pen is made of the highest quality materials and well thought out and executed. (Can you tell I'm a new owner of a Ti keychain pen found here on the forums? ) So yeah, thank you Jon for helping me to pay attention to the local economy as well as our national and global affairs.
Well done!

Thanks, Jon!

Thanks for the best primer on basic economics that I've ever read. I'm going to give the first few sections to my 11 year old. With the understanding that time is at a premium, I hope you can see your way clear to wrapping this up soon. I think I see where you're going though not really sure how it relates to the forum. Looking forward to the finale.

Jon, are you familiar with Peter Schiff's "How an Economy Grows and why it Crashes" ? I feel the theme of that book overlaps greatly with your Robinson Crusoe thread. It uses simple analogies to convey sound economics.

Thanks for taking the time to write this. I wish someone had told me this stuff 20 years ago. Presently I would probably have to win the lotto to reverse my Friday syndrome. A good personal finance (or a Dave Ramsey course, I think he has great basic advice as well) course should be absolutely mandatory in middle school and in high school. My parents were financially ignorant and very secretive when it came to finances and I believe that has affected me throughout my own dismal financial life. While I will probably die with a job at Walmart, I hope I can pass on a better understanding of how to earn, save, and invest to my kids. Thanks again.

I'm not upset,,,, but can't get past the apparently unreal betting odds you assume are available for the football game ,,,,,,,,,, why not presume that the odds are 10,000 : 1 each way and then you can presume to retire to Hawaii and let some other guy worry about parking cars? ,,,,,, or am I missing something??

Not sure if this exactly fits in or not but I'm big on supporting local economy. I normally end up paying a bit more for gear, but I buy verry little online and spend most of my money in local shops. This also usually means I have to wait for the newest things. I'm dying to get a Cryro, and can get it on Amazon right now, but my local knife dealer is getting them in this fall. But I don't mind waiting if it helps them stay in business.

Seems like Friday got a sub-prime loan.

Post edited out',,,,,,,,,, I didn't mean to kill the thread ,,,, sorry

Hi All,
Thanks Jon for the wonderful post I know its not finished yet but you hit great points and show the world economics in bite size bites. Now I have currently moved to the US due to personal reasons and Sold my company and am now looking for work in the US. (This info is put to show I might be a bit biased since I am looking for work) Now being able see first hand how economies like China (Worked there for a few years) grow and grow its easy for countries like the US and the UK show their hate (I know strong word) for Chinese goods.

Now lets look at this as a mother feeding her child (US feeding China), now instead of food its Business now since China opened its doors for trade the US and other countries have been feeding business to China in hopes, that when they are older
China will take care of them. Its basic business Western countries invest in china to gain returns. Now sadly the Child on the other hand learned what the mother was doing and started to invest in himself. (Side note while in China they have infrastructure that is just amazing and puts western countries back to the Stone Age.)

So I know people are smarter than me there is always is but with the comment before he is right to invest in his town, state, country first now I know in the long run it will weaken the economy BUT (very big BUT) it will strengthen his town, state, country. With out investing in yourself you will not go far and that is true to the US.

When looking back University was a privilege not a right (I know I will get a lot of hate) too many people think “Hey if I get a degree I will earn $$$$” What happened to trade schools things that make the world go round that’s what we need in this country we need those “Blue collar” jobs back we need those call centers we need those jobs to build this country, We need so called “American companies” yes Apple I am looking at you, to invest in your home base. Just like products we see today we should have companies that are so called “American” to have at least 80-90% production in your so-called home country or to be listed at the stock exchange.

I know this might sound like a rant but from my experience in International Business you need to grow your home before you help others. The US is bleeding due to the amount of credit card debt that is occurring but we still giving to foreign
countries and trying to implement policies that will get us more in debt.

So my over all point is this if the US wants to get back on its feet it must focus on building at home and making itself more sustainable. Basic math more money coming in than going out. I know this will never happen but I am glad we are having a discussion on this topic since it dose effect all of us in some way or another.

I just hope it works out soon. Its sad being in our position since we can see the US fall while others cant.
Hope to read more on your post Jon, its great to see people understand whats happening and been happening for around 12 years.