A strom brews in the outside world

OT to Mktg but relevant to the general economy:

Reports filter in of employment travails from all over America. How difficult it is and is getting to be out there, especially in the mid-west, once the industrial heartland of the American nation, is hard to believe.

How Being The Slightest Bit Overqualified Can Cost You A Job

It will get worse, before it gets better, I fear. A protectionist impulse is possibly all set to sweep the world. Global trade may have already peaked, possibly. I would watch the coming months with some concern. We in India are shielded from the worst of the storm, perhaps. But in direct proportion to our involvement with global trade, our vulnerabilities will grow.

Some conjecture that the emerged economy consumer has possibly changed permanently (i.e. for a generation, at least). That luxury product, conspicuous consumption, large premiums for brand name and other such happy things have gone away with happier times. The savings rate has risen even in America. I would watch the data coming in on broad economic indicators a while more before arriving at any conclusion.