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Right now nobody wants to write about the Tucson Real Estate market. So why am I doing it? For a couple of reasons. A quote from FDR “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” and Winston Churchill “The Optimist sees opportunity in every danger; the pessimist sees danger in every opportunity.” Churchill’s actual quote is reversed but optimists like to put themselves first when quoting optimistic sayings.
The Herd Mentality
Fear Often Leads to a Stampede
I said on Tuesday it is hard to predict a stampede. It still is. Stampedes are not orderly processions like a march, parade, or even a military campaign. A stampede is driven by fear not reason and there is no telling what will happen as to direction the herd will take. Those at the head of the herd feel pushed by those coming behind. Those behind the ones up ahead are following the leaders. Stampedes can run themselves out, they can be turned in by an outside force (This is what the president and congress are “supposed” to be doing) or they can end in disaster with the heard both followers and leaders perishing by running off a cliff when it wasn’t necessary. But fear can drive people to do insane things.
Right now, as in right this minute those trying to turn the heard are in disagreement as to which direction to turn them. Left or Right. This is even more confusing to the herd and the stampede continues unimpeded.
There is one more way to stop a stampede that I don’t hear very many people talking about. We are people, not cattle, (though we seem to be acting more like cattle at the moment) Because we are people we can use our brain, (novel idea approaching) and say “WHY THE HELL AM I RUNNING?” And stop. Yep, I told you this is a novel idea. Stop spreading the word of gloom and doom. Repeatedly I’ve heard in the past two weeks it was panic that lead to the downfall of many of the institutions which failed. Some deserved to fail. Others were taken down by a lack of investor confidence and fear. The institutions themselves were properly capitalized, but with the run on the bank mentality they couldn’t survive.
I’m not talking about putting on rose colored glasses. I am talking about being thankful for what do have. Taking a positive attitude as we encounter people in our daily routine and wishing them a simple good day. It is amazing what a kind word can do to turn someones day around and slow the herd.
I’ve not been invited to the White House. The Fed chairman doesn’t call me for advise nor does Treasury Secretary Paulson, this means I can’t do anything about the National Economic Crisis. I can however, take a postive attitude as I deal with reality and not the perception of realty breed by fear and following the crowd.
