On chat last night, during a serious discussion, someone, CMaukonen, I think, used the term "nouveau riche" and later someone else, Orlando, I think, used, "noblesse oblige." Or maybe it was the other way around. I chat for enjoyment, so I wasn't thinking too hard when I quipped, "nouveau oblige" as a throwaway line. I think amike liked that line, or maybe dickday, but I moved on.

However, the more I think about it, we clearly can't count on any noblesse oblige trickling down to us from the lairds and laidies of Wall Street. They think they'll manage no matter what happens to everyone else.

And beyond that I think we are entering a world of new obligations - for everyone. We did the right thing choosing the lesser of two weevils, but we have to take a more active part in day-to-day government. We also have to take a more active part in day-to-day life.

It is hard to break out of the cocoon of work and entertainment and internet access, but it must be done. As Keith Farnish says, it is time to reconnect.

As Farnish writes for Culture Change:

Community is the antithesis of civilization for civilization thrives on the division of humanity into tiny, atomized, competing parts; but community is the form in which humans have always survived best. The choice is simple now: Civilization or Community; Progress or Humanity; Death or Life.