David Brooks tells us that the cultural consequences of recessions are rarely uplifting and then goes on to suggest, quite rightly I think, that the next "big social movements" will come from the "formerly middle class", the victims of today's economic meltdown. I'm not sure, however, that Brooks quite recognizes the seriousness of the situation. For him, today's "recession" is about the formerly middle class giving up the affordable luxuries of brands like Coach, Whole Foods, Tiffany and Starbucks and finding their solace in "older, heavier, more reassuring" Playboy Playmates. For Brooks, today's situation is a standard economic downturn like the recession of the 70s and its cultural consequences have no special historic significance.

Unfortunately, Brooks may be underestimating the problem. ( Read more... )