I find myself uncharacteristically hopeful in this time of economic turmoil. I think everything I’ve learned about new things breaking through old structures gives me hope. I wonder if a little national economic crisis wouldn’t leave us better off.

I’m not trying to be a contrarian. I really believe things have gotten too big. I think locally-grown, locally-made, hand-crafted stuff (whether it’s a head of lettuce or a piece of furniture) is better for us as consumers, as communities, as producers, — and, as human beings connected to one another in real ways.

If someone in Saint Louis were making an electric car, I’d buy it from them.

I don’t need the best or the biggest, I can be happy with less. And I think more people are coming around to that way of thinking.

Here are some totally random thoughts on the economy:

* My neighborhood used to have thriving small businesses (from foundries to small manufacturing to lots of retails shops where you could buy everything from a coat to a couch) — now, it’s mostly residential and service economy retail: bars and restaurants.

* Maybe Marx was on to something about Capital. Certainly David Harvey thinks so.

* Neighbors are talking about victory garden-like vegetable plots in our yards.

* There’s an unofficial barter economy in my neighborhood that excites me. People are talking about things like “craigbucks.”

* I’m OK with only being able to buy peaches for a few weeks a year.

Where are you on all of this? Let us know.

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