Have any of you heard of the financial advisor named Ric
Edelman? He is the individual who crafted the idea of “The Boiling Frog
Syndrome”, and how the American public has grown tolerant and unresponsive to
increases in inflation. Here is Edelman’s account of the Boiling Frog
Syndrome: "If you throw a frog into a pot of boiling water, he’ll jump
out. But if you place a frog into a pot of lukewarm water and slowly turn up
the heat, it will boil to death.” The concept was mainly crafted to apply
toward financial topics, but I feel that it can be applied here just the same.
The average price for gasoline in 2010 was around $2.85,
prices do vary though relative to geography. Have you seen, or should I say
felt, the prices lately? Over the last few weeks, I have seen gas prices
fluctuate between $3.80 and $4.10 a gallon. What would have happened if this
price change happened over night? We would have changed our behavior. We
immediately would begin to look for ways to become more efficient, drive less,
car pool, or maybe even buy a hybrid/electric car. It’s not just the gas prices
that have risen, but also most other energy costs, such as electricity, natural
gas and other utilities. We are boiling.
How much long will we stay tolerant to these rising prices
before we make changes? It is important that we begin to not only take notice
of the changes that are around us, but to respond to them. Taking a proactive
step in what we use will not only will save us money by lowering our costs, but
it will also save our environment.
In the article, “Next Great Depression? MIT study predicting
‘global economic collapse’ by 2030 still on track”, Eric Pfeiffer does
a great job at highlighting how we must take a proactive step at decreasing our
ecological footprint. Using less resources, as well as disposing of
them responsibly, will save us money and save the environment. By
following the full circle blog, as well as applying the practices that will be
discussed here to your daily life, can make a difference in ourselves, our
community and our world. Let’s be proactive and jump out of this hot water.
~Daniel
