Frugal Is Cool in Cash-Strapped U.S.

"There is a sense of mourning and confusion and a real feeling of living in the last days of empire," Tobar said.

Author Hectar Tobar is describing his perception of the widespread American sentiment of fear, a mood that is striking to him, having returned to the United States after a seven-year hiatus. Apparently we're not the confident, fearsome mongerers of war and capitalism that we used to be.

It's a great article. Read the whole thing.

However, I can't say I'm surprised. All the crashing and collapsing going on lately has brought to mind an Op Ed article written over ten years ago in The New York Times. Back then, my good friend Jason and I first learned to frolic on foamy shores of Lattes and Cappuccinos. We luxuriated in the rich acidity of double and triple shots of espresso sipped gently from tiny little cups, or dumped wholesale into steaming mugs of drip coffee or chai tea.

read more