Thriving

One bad thing about not having TV is that I listen to NPR a little more than anyone should. This is great, trust me, but NPR doesn't give you a lot of easy conversation starters. No one cares about the illegal water harvesting in Denver or every detail of what Obama says analyzed down to the pauses or how boring space walks really are. The Iran election. I was there, I even checked in during the day to see what was going on. NPR had me mesmerized and convinced the whole world was waiting to see the outcome (and then can you believe Obama's restrained comment?!).
To my point...I came across 2 interesting stories lately about what is thriving in this economy. The first story was from NPR. Apparently the iphone (and its counterparts) has not suffered in this economy. While people are cutting out restaurants, vacations, even unnecessary groceries, many people continue to buy a $300 phone. Has the iphone become a necessity? Are people actually not tightening their budgets like the media would like you to believe? Sales are down everywhere though. It seems that we are cutting back in social and community building activities and item, but continue to buy the self-indulgent splurges. Don't get me wrong, I want an iphone, I crave an iphone, but I restrain (for a little while longer at least). Is this economy really not about tightening budgets but more about a polarizing switch in spending habits?
The other story I read in the Wall Street Journal. It seems that freaks are in. Ripley's Believe or Not Museums are really coming around. The theory is that people are so desperate for money they are finally willing to sell that mummified 6 leg calf in the basement. Ripley's can pick and choose what they want, negotiate a good price, and continue to expand their empire.
Wow. Phones that do everything and matchstick cities, these are the success stories of 2009 recession. Who would have thought?