No Business Like Show Business!

I grew up being told to get a job as soon as I left secondary school, was constantly reminded that 'nobody should spend their life studying' and that I was to 'marry, settle down and get a mortgage'. Comments like 'you wont make money faster than in bricks and mortar' have stuck with me for so very long..

Most of which I completely rebelled against

One thing said to me has become far truer every day. This was 'The future is in entertainment'.

When I look back I realised how much of this statement was becoming true as I grew up. The old days where shops would close on a Wednesday afternoon soon disappeared. Supermarkets began to crop up everywhere, jobs began to be more 24/7 than ever before and fast food restaurants began to pop up all over the place.

Whilst all this was going on, the Sony walkman came into play along with VHS video and then, shock of all shocks, the compact disk.

Computers is where it really took off though.. and where it has struck a chord in many peoples lives.
From games consoles to the latest quad core processors, there is a slow move from the real world to the online realms of fantasy gamers, web sites offering all manner of items.. sites where you can buy anything and everything and get it delivered.. with the computer and the internet, their is almost no need to have to go out of your home.

Meanwhile, many of the jobs that we were all used to doing have gone, industry is going, full time jobs are going .. unless you're working in the fast food industry, cinema, music, gaming, computers or security.

More than a million people are working part-time out of "necessity rather than convenience" for the first time – a 45% increase since the recession began, according to a new study.

www.guardian.co.uk...

Most of our jobs have now gone abroad where millions once lived on the minimum or were fending for them selves on land owned by them for generations. Call centres are are now mainly based in India or the Philippines.
A UK "based" call centre can claim to be that as long as there are a minimum of 50 employees.. the other several hundred employees can be anywhere else in the world.

Instead of wanting to be served by a face-to-face conversation regarding an issue or a fault or general advice etc, all we now have to do is call a number and talk to a person who is sat on their rear getting info from a computer.. which you could have probably done yourself.

My main focus here is the UK and the USA.. Millions unemployed with not much option of a full time job being gained. Part time work seems to be the new order of things.. leaving us with not much money, but plenty of time to spend our money. The UK will top up your wages and help you with your rent if you're on a low wage.. It's almost to the point where you are working part time, yet getting a full time wage.. So what do most do with their money now?
[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/69f91f99e6c4.jpg[/atsimg]
It seems to me that our money is now going directly to the supermarkets (who are now beginning to sell far more goods than just food.. like TV's DVD players, games consoles, clothes and furniture.. They obviously want to wipe out the high street completely.) and to the world of entertainment.. How else do you curb a revolution from happening when everyone is sat at home playing online games or eating out at a restaurant or watching a movie at the local multiplex cinema?

Fears have been voiced about the growth of the 'big four' supermarkets after BBC research found at least 577 stores were approved in the UK in two years. Planning authorities gave Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons permission for at least 480 stores in England in the two years to 1 November. In Scotland at least 67 stores were approved and there were at least 22 in Wales and eight in Northern Ireland. Campaigners say the stores are putting independent traders out of business.

www.bbc.co.uk...

Some famous artists are by-passing record deals altogether and signing exclusive contracts with supermarkets to ensure sales.

www.bbc.co.uk...
[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/032a40ca36b8.jpg[/atsimg]

Through these supermarkets and the reduction of jobs in this so called 'credit crunch' and with the massive cuts that governments are making, we have got a lot more time on our hands...but for what purpose? Where is all this leading us?

Are we becoming a culture of "entertain me"? Is this an effort to 'dumb us down'?

There was a TV documentary on last night where a UK bus driver went to the Philippines to drive a Jeepney (the Philippine equivalent). The UK bus driver, checks his bells work, checks how clean the bus is, makes sure his seat is adjusted properly and has a computerised ticket system all for an 8 hour day with a nice wage packet.
[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/c309c07b271a.jpg[/atsimg]
The Philippine driver does all his own mechanics, usually rents the jeepney, deals in cash only and collects fares and gives change whilst driving and contends with some of the most incredible traffic in the world. On top of that, it is normally a 12 hour working day all to take home an average of around 500 pesos (7 GBP or 11 Dollars)
BBC iPlayer;
www.bbc.co.uk...

We love being busy.. we were not meant to sit around all day playing games or shopping for 'buy one get one free' items.. but with the current trend where there just are not enough hours in the day, why is entertainment taking over from an honest days work?
[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/f25c0d20dcee.jpg[/atsimg]

How far can we sustain ourselves in a society geared towards spending money if there is no money to be earnt, yet this same society makes cuts but still wants us to spend.. and most of this spending seems to be going towards entertainment?

I wonder what you were once told that would be the future only for you to realise that those words began to be prophetically true?

Yep, youve pretty much summed up my life. Thanks for that.

I have a part time job at the weekends (saturday and sunday) then run my business during the week. Hours to suit me. Hopefully gonna start another business this year sometime, internet based.

Its not cos im greedy, its just trying to stay afloat in this tough economy. Trying to make sure Ive got money coming in.

The problem is VAT has risen along with fuel costs, so Im meant to pass these costs on to my customers [who dont have any money] so what do I do, increase my prices and maybe not get so much work or keep my prices the same and cover the extra costs too, so make less money. Damned if you do, damned if you dont.

There is an option to go full time [at the part time job] if I wish but they dont pay enough money, so whats the point.

Well everyone has their breaking point, just wonder when the UK will reach it, have to wait and see.

Cheers mate.. Lol, im off to buy something now to cheer myself up.

reply to post by John Q


And now with the unrest in Libya (which we're using TV's and computers to watch) cost of fuel may rise again.

It's just one thing after another..

we may find this gets a lot worse for long time and we will either not be able to afford many things we normally can and resort to watching our dvd collections over and over again.


Roger waters; Amused to death..