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Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television

In the Absence of the Sacred: The Failure of Technology and the Survival of the Indian Nations

World on Fire: How Exporting Free Market Democracy Breeds Ethnic Hatred and Global Instability

The Works: Anatomy of a City

Fooled by Randomness

The Blue Death: Disease, Disaster, and the Water We Drink

Quasi-Political

Black Like Me

Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers

The Ethics of Identity

The Ethics of Authenticity

When the cheering stopped: The last years of Woodrow Wilson

The Jungle

The Cultural Contradictions of Capitalism

Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72

The Slave Ship: A Human History

China: Fragile Superpower: How China's Internal Politics Could Derail Its Peaceful Rise

Whistling Past Dixie: How Democrats Can Win Without the South

While America Aged: the Next Financial Crisis

The Consumer Society Reader

The Nine Nations of North America

Web of Debt

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The Road Home
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American Splendor
U.S.A.

All About My Mother
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The World of Apu
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Iron Ladies
Thailand

The Mirror
Iran

Lessons of Darkness / Fata Morgana
Germany (documentary)

My Neighbor Totoro
Japan (animation)

I'm Not Scared
Italy

My Father's Glory
France

Siberiade
Russia

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Readers Journal archives:

2008

2007







Readers' essays, poems and commentary inexpensive, healthy meal ideas Weblog & New Media: Marketing in Crisis over 400 recommended books and films free stories and novel excerpts


October 2008 Entries


Healthcare Rising: "Safety Net" or Stealth Tax?
(October 31, 2008)

Toward a Re-Definition of Middle Class
(October 30, 2008)

Mainstream Media: Masters of the Obvious, Clueless Commentary
(October 29, 2008)

Capitalism's Two Kinds of Credit
(October 28, 2008)

Empty Dreams, Manufactured Aspirations, Marketing Poverty: the Positives of Poor
(October 27, 2008)

A Contrarian's Call for a Major Rally
(October 25, 2008)

The Company Store, Debt and Serfdom
(October 24, 2008)

Cui Bono: To Whose Benefit?
(October 23, 2008)

Grief, Statistics, Culture, Change
(October 22, 2008)

A 1,000 Foot High Tsunami
(October 21, 2008)

It's Different This Time: Housing, Deflation and Depression
(October 20, 2008)

Socializing, Sharing and Learning: The Web's Leverage Points
(October 18, 2008)

Leverage Points for Positive Change
(October 17, 2008)

The Nature of Capitalism
(October 16, 2008)

Imaginary Worth, Empire of Debt: How Modern Finance Created Its Own Downfall
(October 15, 2008)

Exploiting the Market and The Real Revolution
(October 14, 2008)

How to Fix the Financial Sector
(October 13, 2008)

Today's Contrarian Entry: The Positives
(October 11, 2008)

Complacency and Panic
(October 10, 2008)

Snapback!
(October 9, 2008)

Why Housing Is Far from Bottoming:
Depression, Demographics, Defaults and Dumps (Part III)

(October 8, 2008)

When Will Housing Really Bottom? (Part II)
(October 7, 2008)

When Will Housing Really Bottom? (Part I)
(October 6, 2008)

How Long Will the Coming Depression Last?
(October 4, 2008)

The Coming Destruction of U.S. Bonds
(October 3, 2008)

Why a Depression Is Already Baked In
(October 2, 2008)

The Stock Market Limbo: How Low Can We Go?
(October 1, 2008)


"This guy is THE leading visionary on reality. He routinely discusses things which no one else has talked about, yet, turn out to be quite relevant months later."
--An anonymous comment about CHS posted on another blog.




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HUGE GIANT BIG FAT DISCLAIMER: Nothing on this site should be construed as investment advice or guidance. It is not intended as investment advice or guidance, nor is it offered as such. It is solely the opinion of the writer, who is NOT an investment counselor/professional. All the content of this website is solely an expression of his personal interests and is posted as free-of-charge opinion and commentary. If you seek investment advice, consult a registered, qualified investment counselor (As with any other professional service, confirm their track record and referrals).






Acceptance Mark

A note from longtime correspondent Cheryl A.:

To all the readers of oftwominds --

I hope you’ll agree with me that oftwominds is extraordinary. There are very few sites on the web (free or pay) that offer the information found here.

Charles graciously shares his knowledge and insights which have shown to be incredibly prescient. For example, readers know he has long warned about the serious downturn in the economy and the collapse of the housing bubble. Most recently, he warned readers about an imminent stock market crash that began less than 48 hours later. In addition to financial and economic information, he entertains us with haikus and other assorted postings.

Charles has freely given both his time and money to maintain this website in an effort to inform others. The cost of doing so is not insignificant and is certainly difficult for a man of modest means.

If you have benefitted from Charles’ insights in any way or just enjoy the many offerings he provides, I hope you will show your support by making a contribution to help ensure that he is able to continue to share his wit and wisdom. I know times are difficult. However I know any contribution, regardless of its size, would be greatly appreciated.

The future holds many surprises. Hopefully, Charles will continue to share his observations in what promises to be uncertain times. I hope, like me, you look forward to his perspective as events unfold.

Thank you, Cheryl, for this vote of confidence. I can only promise that I will continue to do my best.

NOTE: contributions are acknowledged in the order received. Your name and email remain confidential and will not be given to any other individual, company or agency.

Thank you, Daniel R. ($15) for your very gracious and much-appreciated donation to this site. I am greatly honored by your support and readership. All contributors are listed below in acknowledgement of my gratitude.

Or send him coins, stamps or quatloos via mail--please request P.O. Box address.

Your readership is greatly appreciated with or without a donation.





September 2008 entries

August 2008 entries

July 2008 entries

June 2008 entries

May 2008 entries

April 2008 entries

March 2008 entries

February 2008 entries

January 2008 entries


                                                                       


Heroes and Heroines of New Media--2008

Financial contributors who have made multiple donations to this modest site or a donation of $40 or more this year. If such a generous madness strikes you, I offer you a small token of my appreciation: a signed copy of any of my seven books. Thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement.


Vera K.Cheryl A.Tom S. (4 donations) Kip S.Tanya Z.eMeL H.
Fred R.Darrell C.Cathleen M. Knowel M.Cyril O.Steven W.
Don E. (7 donationsMatthew G.Narendra P. Lloyd L.Patricia and Darrin W.John S.
Somesh G.Riley T.William S. (4 donations) Alberto R.William M.Lynn C.
Benjamin M.Michael J. M.Jeff O. Eugenio M. (4 donations)Ana S. John I. (2 donations)
Cudick A.Colin L.Tyler C. Ioan V.Arthur V.Carlos C.
John G.Peter N.Ben G. Dennis G.Claude M.Herbert W.
David H.Robert B. Ken B. David D.Kristjan H.Steven H.
Charles B.       


Our Financial Contributors--2008

Thank you all for your gracious and generous support of this modest site.


Vera K.Tom S.John I.Marcie M.F.Kip S. John B.
Jennifer K.Renee S.-J.Tanya Z. Kevin L.eMeL H.Cheryl A.
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Don E.Nathaniel H.Knowel M. D.M.T. Kelly M. Michael S.
Cyril O.Reed H. Lloyd L. Steven W.Lee B.Scott M.
John R.William R. Charles W. Patricia and Darrin W.John B.Philip P.
William S.Alexander P.Richard M. Banyan Ocean LLC Ken E.Ian M.
Wesley C.Matthew G.Narendra P. Don E. (2nd donation) Alberto R.John S.


William S. (2nd donation)G.D.F.Somesh G. Tim T. Riley T.Tom S. (2nd donation)
Mark S.Don E. (3rd donation)William S. (3rd donation) Alberto R. (2nd donation)Eric A. John R.B.
George P.Charles U.Richard M. G.F.B.Karl A.William M.
Lynn C.Eugenio M. Benjamin M. Barry P.Scott H.Michael J. M.
Don E. (3rd donation)Jeff O. Tom S. (3rd donation) Shannon W.Steven R.Eugenio M.(2nd donation)
D.M.T.Joseph V.John M. Amy C.Jerry & Rosanne A.James N.
William S.Roger H.James M. John K. Guy T.Alison T.
Mark B.James M.Lawrence P. Michael R.Don E. (4th donation)Daniel K.


H. Doug M.Ana S. Stephen B. William K.Joseph B.Tom S. (4th donation)
Eugenio M. (3rd donation)John I. (2nd donation) R.S. Dorsey Sharon C.Steven H.Grant P.
Todd S.Cheryl A. (2nd donation) Reed H. (2nd donation) Don E. (5th donation)Cudick A.William S. (4 donations)
Nellie D.Colin L. Eugenio M. (4 donations) Tyler C.Kaleigh M.Marcus M.
Ioan V.Michael F. Don E. (5th donation) Tom S. (3rd donation) Wesley M.Arthur V.
Carlos C.John H. Charles U. Jeffrey R.Mike W.Mary R.H.
John G.Peter N. Dody B.-R. Alberto R. (2nd donation)Cheryl A. (2nd donation)Ben G.
Kevin L.Dennis G. Jon T. Karl H.Jamie P.G.D.M.T.


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Thomas C. Ian M. Beth M. Don E. Alberto R. Tom S.
Richard K. Debbie J. Lezly H. David H. Robert B. Anthony S.
Ken B. John K. Jennifer K. Edward B.Strawgold William S.
Adam M. David D. Jim M. Ryan L. Riley T. Kevin L.
Philip H. Grant P. Jennifer F. James L. David L. Tom S.
Tyler M. Alan H. Lee V.D.B. Adam C. Rudolf C. Cheryl A.
Kristjan H. Joseph B. Eugenio M. Suzanne F.Josh G. Cudick A.


Elaine D. Derek S. Steven H. Charles U.Todd S.Charles B.
Michael M. Steady Concepts Daniel R.    



                                                                       


All content, HTML coding, format design, design elements and images copyright © 2008 Charles Hugh Smith, All rights reserved in all media, unless otherwise credited or noted.


Extra-Special Bonus Aphorisms:

"There is no security on this earth; there is only opportunity." (Douglas MacArthur)

"Economic history is a never-ending series of episodes based on falsehoods and lies, not truths. It represents the path to big money. The object is to recognize the trend whose premise is false, ride that trend, and step off before it is discredited." (George Soros)

"To endure is greater than to dare; to tire out hostile fortune; to be daunted by no difficulty; to keep heart when all have lost it -- who can say this is not greatness?
(William Makepeace Thackeray, recommended by U.Doran)

"Daydreams of a fair world which would treat him according to his real worth are the refuge of all those plagued by a lack of self-knowledge." (Ludwig von Mises)

"The way of the Tao is reversal." (Lao Tzu)

"Chance favours the prepared mind.” (Louis Pasteur)

"It is neither necessary to hope to undertake, nor to succeed to persevere." (William of Orange)

"You must have a willingness to do something when everyone else is petrified. You must learn the lesson of following logic over emotion." (Warren Buffett)

"Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm." (Winston Churchill)

"Where there is ruin, there is hope for treasures." (Rumi)

"May a fair road always be open to you." (CHS, April 2, 2006)

"A healthy homecooked family meal and a home garden are revolutionary acts." (CHS, May 2008)

"Greed is a wonderful motivator but fear works much faster." (Riley T., Sept. 2008)

                                                                       






Acceptance Mark
Why I gratefully accept donations and why you might want to donate:
  • A 95-minute movie with 10 minutes of ads and a small popcorn costs $20. If you enjoyed this site for at least 2 hours this year, and you donate $20, you already received more entertainment than you did from the movie. The other 100+ hours of enjoyment you receive here is FREE.
  • You have the immense moral satisfaction of aiding a poor dumb writer who seeks to inform, entertain and amuse you.



  • Worth Visiting:

    ilind.net
    (Ka'a'awa, Oahu)

    Richard Ha/Hamakua Springs(Hawaii)

    Hilo Living (blog)

    Satellite Sky

    RV Now

    Freeacre & Murph (oregon)

    Housing Bubble:

    patrick.net

    HADD (homeowners against deficient dwellings)

    Marin Real Estate Bubble

    West Coast of Canada-
    Housing/R.E. blog


    Westside Bubble (L.A.)

    California Housing Forecast

    Dr. Housing Bubble (SoCal)

    The State of Real Estate
    (Jonathan Surridge)

    Choose Foreclosure: The Case For Walking Away (e-book & website)
    (book)

    Finance/Stocks:

    The Implode-o-Meter sites:
    Mortgage Lenders
    Banks
    Home Builders
    Hedge Funds

    Mish

    View from Silicon Valley

    Credit Flow Investor

    Credit Crisis Timeline

    Prudent Speculation

    Market Ticker

    Maoxian (Beijing)

    Rick's Picks

    Gold Eagle

    freebuck.com
    (precious metals)

    Great Depression 2006

    About Hedge Funds (Richard Wilson)


    Policy/Ideas

    L.A. Visions
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    Fabius Maximus
    (geopolitics, modern war)

    Shadow Government Statistics

    Drug News/Health Blog Doug Bremner MD

    Life After the Oil Crash (LATOC)


    Authors/Artists

    James Howard Kunstler

    John Francis Kinsella
    his new novel is online The Independent New York Times

    Financial Armageddon Michael Panzner

    The Rhythm of War Terence Parker

    Bill Murath
    (chimes & art)


    Don England

    Animals to Zombies
    (Dwight Rounds)
    The Year the Music Died,
    1964-1972

    Gigi-Hawaii
    (writer/blogger, 3 memoirs)

    Noah Cicero
    (writer/permaculturalist)

    Deep Into ArtLife West

    Cade Roster (Honolulu)

    Dave Eriqat

    degringalade


    Farming/Gardening / Self-Sufficiency

    Farmer Ed (Oklahoma)




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    Claire's Great Adventure
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    Weblogs & New Media: Marketing in Crisis

    buy my novel
    I-State Lines at
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    free shipping)

    Or from my publisher, The Permanent Press

    Or from amazon.com:
    I-State Lines



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