Is it possible that the recession, this downfall in our economy is a purging of an over-indulgent consuming society? Is it a cry for help, a return for the basics, the remedy of a higher being? Is our misfortune a diamond in the rough?

As a competivie, perfectionist society, it is hard for America to succumb or admit to weakness. However, cleansing of our ways, a nod to efficiency, and reverence and return to ancient civilization may be just what the signs predict whether we like it our not.

The following theory is based on these key trends, in the American economy and society : 

1) The fall of the house market has resulted in the decline of retail. Malls are suffering as the cost of entry becomes hire, and key anchors – e.g. Starbucks and JCPenney – slash growth plans. (NPR)

2) As fuel / oil prices soar, people are less inclined to travel. Also, we look for alternative fuel sources, or at the very least move to conserve fuel / better utilize it.

3) Resources besides oil (i.e. air, water, land) are being overused and abused. Scares of global warming have called America to action – to reform its consumption, and recycle, reuse, and become more eco-friendly.

4) Technology and information resources make great improvement leaps in short expanses of time. Internet is widely accessible at a nominal or no fee. Smart phones increase in robustness of features, and are lower cost of entrance than computers / laptops.

5)Foreign countries are starting to turn against America’s omnipresence and meddling in affairs. In turn, Americans are disgruntled with our ever-increasing involvement in foreign affairs / wars and neglect on the homefront.

6) Health trends point to increasing obesity and consequential heart disease, diabetes, etc. Additionally, more carcinogens are being discovered in everyday consumer goods (e.g. fertilizers, soda, peanut butter, preservatives). As result diet trends are evolving into whole, healthy, organic “slow” food. Consumer products are being made out of natural minerals and elements – less chemical dependency.

7) Religiosity is increasing in popularity. People are interested in theology, a higher purpose, a more enlightened view on life. “Home churches” are also a trend – a remedy to overwrought “corporate churches” akin to the Great Reformation / back to basic movement.

8 ) Government is reaching capacity to care for impoverished and ailing masses. Welfare, Social Security, and Healthcare systems are losing efficacy and there is a cry for reform (e.g. universal healthcare).

9) Children are suffering in our present education system. Youth are becoming focused on social aspects rather than mental excellence (re: Two Million Minutes). 

Based on these trends, the following conclusions or predictions can be deduced : 

1) The expense and decline of brick and mortar retail establishments opens wide the opportunity for an expanding virtual retail landscape. People shopping from hone goes hand-in-hand to conserve fuel and reduce carbon footprint.

• Market structure for said virtual retail exists – making transition plausible / possible
• Low cost of entry into virtual domain, with existing free or low cost of entry structures (e.g. etsy.com)
• Technology / encryption available to ensure safe, secure transactions
• Holds constant that virtual territory is an infinite resource

2) Return of the physical community (harken back to ancient societies) and rise of the virtual community. 

• People will travel less to save fuel and be environmentally healthy, becoming more dependent on people resources in close proximity. Community relationships develop / prosper in such an environment.
• Long distance communication and presence in global community with thrive virtually (e.g. Skype, Facebook)
• Churches will prosper in small communities as people look for deeper connections – outside of virtual world – and extensions of family.
• School systems can become smaller and more focused. Youth receive more 1-on-1 attention, essential for healthy mental rigor.
• Poverty becomes of private rather than government concern. Poor and sickly hard to escape in smaller community. This results in remedy of failing welfare / medicaid system as the private sector steps in. 

3) Increased efficiencies in work / production empower people to work from home, or to produce more with less human resources, freeing people up to : 

• return to agriculture, resulting in : a) healthier diets, healthier people, and decreased dependency for healthcare / disease care; b) improved methods allow more food to be grown for more people; but this is also an easy-industry for those in skilled labor / factories
• Decline of the discount retailer? Depending on people’s ability to produce what they need in real time, may reduce the need to consume goods in bulk from discount retailers, and fill up on fluff / or non-essential goods.
• increased plant life good for environment
• more time for hobbies, athletics, healthy habits
• arts renaissance : people will have more time to engage in the arts, in hobbies, in thought and philosophy – resulting in a) decrease in physical / earthly strain; b) increase pleasure, purpose, fulfillment; c) learn more science by focus on / incorporation of the arts; d) relearn the art of storytelling, and renew importance of culture, history, religion; e) become a more enlightened people

4) America becomes more independent, self-sustaining

• Alleviate dependence on foreign oil and channel funds elsewhere (e.g.R&D for alternative fuel, healthcare, education, refurbishing Mother Nature)
• Minimize foreign conflict stemming from economic strain / disputes
• Develop global platform for think tanks

5) Evolvement of monetary / pecuniary system

• As trade moves to the online environment, global interaction is more common and supported, and the necessity for a common, universal currency increases in importance.
• Open source and technology trends point to the benefit of having many minds collaborate. This being said, more common, accessible and free sites or information will be the most progressive versus the private, secure and limited projects. This may result in a reconciling of the classes – and a new middle arise? or new stratifications emerge? More research needed (re : game theory, prisoner’s dilemma)

Consequences of these predictions, should they manifest, include : 

1) America becomes too isolated

• Loss of corporations decreases competition – both domestic and foreign – thus crippling an incentive for innovation
• Lose dominate player position in global affairs
• Neglect our role in global economy; decrease outsourcing harm dependent 3rd world economies, further stunting their economic maturity
• Close quarters allow inward strife / revolt to fester
• Susceptible to disaster / attack as we become dependent on ourself – place all our eggs in one basket
• Lose foreign investments / capital 

3) Vulnerability to online viruses and identity theft

4) Loss of community

• Become dependent on virtual world, and insulate ourselves from  physical contact / awareness; anonymity and personality invention may prove harmful to relationships

5) The Virtual Frontier may have a limit to its domain, landscape, code, and functionality

6) Expense of transfer

• Job loss – those unskilled in technology will be at a great disadvantage; retail downsizing will cause significant unemployment rise
• New infrastructure will be necessary to expand virtual highways
• Loss of big business America? will talents convert?

This theory is by no means complete, but all are ideas are original based on inferences from local news reports, NPR, and attentiveness to trends. Research is lacking, but in progress, and arguments will be fleshed out. 

The application of such a theory is unclear, and at this point, merely a prophecy, a warning, a prediction.